Today is Sunday, November 15, 2020.
Transfer Weeks are always watershed weeks. Greeting our new fourteen missionaries was such an exciting experience, and although we still don’t get to greet them at the airport, and we don’t get to have them enjoy a welcome feast, or sleep overnight, we do get to give friendly elbow bumps; and we do get to look at their sometimes watery eyes. Missionaries who arrived before 10pm were brought over to the Mission Home where we got to pull out our welcome banner and take photos. Next morning - Wednesday, we met the rest of our new team, took photos, and loved participating in our Orientation meeting with them. Office missionaries - Sister Breckenridge our medical advisor talked about health and emotional wellness; Sister Little who oversees vehicles, reminded us about drivers licenses, winter driving, vehicle cleanliness; as well she explained about phones and sim cards, and she also coordinates all the extra community service opportunities (maybe you knew that missionaries can spend up to 10 hours a week/each in approved meaningful service activities!!; Sister Mecham explained about ordering supplies; and referrals, Elder Alley, our accountant taught us about their MSF (mission support fund - $), and his companion Elder Sutherland is our new head Secretary and he reminded us of the importance of accurate timely Baptismal records; and Elders Baird and Garside explained about housing, and cleanliness. Truly, it IS a crash course on so many important temporal Missionary matters, and we know there is always spiritual application to everything we do. Richard loves his interviews with each of our new CMM missionaries, and I love my informal getting to know you visits!!
I was so glad to get my ‘skittles’ tooth filled by Dr. Abadi on Thursday morning, and after I learned that she teaches in the Dental Department at McGill I knew my tooth would be fine, and…it did help hearing John Denver sing ‘Sunshine on my Shoulder,’ as she was drilling and drilling!! I realized that wearing a mask after a Dental appointment is good!!
Departing missionaries came to the Office for their final interviews with President, and for visits with me. Everyone seemed pleased to get their travel bag lunches, and I was happy to give them.
Thursday evening we were thrilled to spend with our departing group and hear their testimonies. Let me share some of what they taught…
Sister Christensen testified of the power of Christ’s Atonement. She is so grateful for the Saviour. She bore testimony of the power of the Book of Mormon that she gained while serving, and she said that there are no worries that cannot be taken away by reading the Book of Mormon. She receives peace and comfort while reading the Book of Mormon. Her heart has changed so much. The Gospel changes our lives.
Sister Thomas testified about many spiritually defining moments when the Holy Ghost bore witness to her. She talked about struggling and how she knew that God answered her prayers. Her prayer journal was such a strength for her, and it will continue to be. The Book of Mormon is truly the word of God. Her favourite principle is enduring to the end. Prayer is our connection with God. There is power in bearing testimony in groups like this one.
She challenged all of us to continue to be lifelong Disciples of Jesus Christ.
Elder Albertson testified of the Love of God for all of us, for all people. He shared that this has been the best time of his life so far - so meaningful. He learned the importance of not wasting time. He learned the importance of loving everyone. Missions are not easy…often he felt inadequate. Understanding the Atonement broadened his capacity to serve the Lord. He was grateful for so many wonderful examples of Christlike people around him. Missions are not the end of serving. Members are essential. Jesus Christ is our Saviour. The Book of Mormon is true. He testified of the power of the Holy Ghost.
Elder Fife bore witness that Jesus Christ is our Redeemer, and when we rely on Him, our lives improve. He talked about the Saviour’s role, and what he has learned about Jesus Christ. He testifies of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and how we NEED the Book of Mormon. It is our charge to become like Jesus Christ. We can Go Forth… we are never alone. Listen to the Spirit. Endure to the End. By small and simple things great things are brought to pass.
Elder Gordon taught that the Power of the Atonement can change our lives. It cleanses us. We have the power to choose to change. We must be born of the water and of the spirit…it must be a rebirth. He loved teaching about Jesus Christ, and he testified that He died for us, and He lives for us. Charity is what motivated him…Charity changed him. He reminded us that the Power of the Book of Mormon changes us…don’t forget that. STAY TRUE.
Elder Kolste testified that Jesus Christ is with us every step of the way. He loves us. Remember to think and record…Where have you seen the hand of God in your life?? As you think and record, we will be added upon…we will see more and more ways the hand of God is blessing us. He expressed gratitude for his family heritage. Jesus took all the pain upon himself, and helps us change for the better. The power of the Book of Mormon is real…keep reading it. Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the Restoration. Grateful for the JOY that comes through service. Excited to continue serving.
Elder Shipley (served 5-6months here) Loved serving in Africa as well as here. He loved serving…many hard things…malaria twice, attacked, the hardest two years of his life. Through all the challenges - Jesus Christ was always there to comfort him. He has changed and become a different person…a forward perspective. Missions are supposed to help us become better, and his Mission has. Love of the Book of Mormon. We are doing something important, and will cherish this all our lives. Keep enduring.
Elder Strong We live to grow. Great word - REMEMBER!! God loves and appreciates all of us. The Book of Mormon is our playbook for life. It testifies of God’s love. Use it! The Saviour died for us..Loves HIM, and loves all.
Elder Villarreal Alma 38:10 Be diligent and temperate in all things. The world is so big, the church is so big. Life passes by. Knows the work is divine. God is in the details. No time more important that today. Stay in the moment, and work for now.
Our Pday was split between Friday and yesterday…I had a hair appointment with my new Moroccan hairdresser; we visited an expensive children’s shoe store in Point Claire; and yesterday afternoon was Mount Royal Stake Conference. So a pretty lazy, relaxing weekend!! Oh, and we actually pulled out our watercolours!!!
Stake Conference was virtual except for 11 of us in the Stake Centre. Everyone including Elder Gordon Smith who was in Washington DC zoomed in! Richard and I love getting to share the pulpit. It was a spiritual moment for all of us to be in a chapel again at an official Church meeting…our first ‘in person’ in eight months, and we felt profoundly grateful for the opportunity to be part of the meeting. We loved speaking about our favourite topic….missionary work; and discussed how members can work together with missionaries over social media to find people to teach.
My French is progressing, and if I bragged, I would tell you about my 135 day French Duolingo streak!! I read a page in my French Book of Mormon everyday, and Monday evenings I have an hour long tutoring session with Alexa Fowers, my MTC instructor. You'd think by now I would be fluent….I’m hoping my speaking will eventually catch up to what I can comprehend while reading. If these folks would talk way slower, I know it would help, but…. Quebecois are not known for speaking slowly!!! I am having fun trying to make this old brain work!!
Thank you all for your love, and friendship, as well as for your prayers….We know ours, and yours are answered everyday on behalf of missionaries everywhere!
We continue to be so very grateful for this incredible opportunity to serve in the Canada Montreal Mission in helping gather scattered Israel, and in helping our missionaries establish patterns of eternal gospel covenant-keeping that will bless them forever.
We love you all right back!!
Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma, and Richard and Gayle
Have a great week and Keep Smiling!!!
Sister Little sent us these photos she took while watching Stake Conference!
Read on for Miracles!!
November 15, 2020 Canada Montreal Mission Miracles
Riverside (Ottawa) sisters:
« Remembrance day has always been a super special time to me, because my Grandpa was a war veteran. My Grandpa passed away exactly a year ago this week, so all week I have been able to reflect on the good example he set for me. The reason why I brought this up is because of an experience I had one evening during a lesson. We had a call with our recent convert and she was in a very dark place. She was talking about ending her life and saw no purpose within herself. At the end of the lesson we decided to act on the council given in the last Missionary Devotional we watched, to kneel when we prayed with the individuals in the lesson. Sister Goodwin and I knelt in prayer and while Sister Goodwin was saying the prayer I felt this pounding in my heart and this warmth come over me. Then I had a very clear impression that we were not the only ones in the room praying for Jody! I didn't see anything, but I know with out a doubt that there were multiple people in that room all kneeling behind me offering a word of prayer with us! I also felt that Jody's Grandpa that she loved dearly was there as well. I think the reason why I was able to be blessed with this amazing experience was because I had been reflecting on the life of my loved ones that had passed on that week. «
Laval Elders:
« Miracles come in so many ways, and many out of circumstances that might not be ideal. As we waited for Elder Rice's flight to come in, we were stuck outside waiting by the car. To our surprise, a security guard approached us and asked who we were. After explaining who we were briefly, he shared with us his great testimony of God and how he is a strong believer that God is crucial for everybody, and that many people are forgetting the importance of God in their lives. After the short conversation, we offered him a bible, and a Book of Mormon. He accepted both and we got his number. Then, he went and told his colleagues that we were giving out Bibles and another person approached asking for a bible and Book of Mormon. We got her number too. These two amazing miracles happened because Elder Rices flight was delayed. The work continues no matter what. God is preparing people for us everywhere, and it is only a matter of time before we are together at the place, at the same time. «
Ottawa Chapel Hill Sisters:
« I hope your week has been good! One of our friends came to church for the first time this week! We teach this friend, Nancy, over the phone. We had never seen her before. We've been inviting her to come to church for the last little bit, and she said she would come this month. On Sunday we were sitting in the back and a woman walked in. We had never seen her before and she left before we had a chance to talk to her. We were scared we would never know who she was. But in our weekly call with Nancy, she confirmed that she came!! It was so exciting! «
Kirkland Elders:
« We had that great experience with Eddy! He was referred from the Hawaii Visitor Centre Sisters. We asked him about why he wanted to meet with missionaries, and he told us that he was searching for more than he could find in any other church. He was enjoying the lessons form the missionaries but was getting frustrated because he felt like he wasn't getting answers to his prayers. It wasn't until later that he decided to look back into the church again. He requested a Book of Mormon and watched one of the restoration movies twice! We talked about a lot of other things but definitely he is hungering for more! We are excited. »
Laurier Sisters (one of whom is going home at the end of this transfer)
« Picking Sister Marsden up from the airport hit me like a ton of bricks, realizing the next time I have to drive there will be for a very different reason. Tears fill my eyes as I type this because what I have come to realize is time passes without our permission, and that the present time is a gift. I can hardly believe how quickly time has flown. I feel like it was just last week I landed here in Montreal ready for whatever was about to come my way. Here I am too close to the finish and too far from the start. I can hardly believe that...
-I will never again be back in Montreal Est eating WAYYYY too much haitian food with my trainer Soeur Scott.
- I will never again be digging our red Rogue out of the snow... again with my Soeur Thomas.
- I will never again be in our little Longueuil basement apartment with my Hermana Atkins listening to Grandma's Christmas music (or kanye west your pick ;))
-I will never again be SPRINTING around town and running our Facebook page, 2 branches, and zones with my Sister Milad.
That's all in the past. So all I have now is the present-- and I'm gonna give it all I've got!!
Being a missionary has made me the happiest I have ever been in my entire life. Without a doubt. This doesn't have to end, and as eternal beings we weren't created for endings, that's why they make us so uncomfortable. «
Kentville sisters:
« Miracle of the week #1: we had another lesson with Martin and he's doing so well. He's noticing that he's been happier since starting to meet with us and he sees the world differently. He's started seeing COVID as a blessing from God rather than a challenge. He's so believing and it's beautiful to see!
Miracle of the week #2: our unusual finding methods are working! We have found someone through the phone book now named Lynn who wants to do bible studies. We've also been delivering notes to people in areabook who only have a home address and no phone number and we've started teaching Eulette because of that! I love seeing how God prepares people to be taught. «
Love it, mom. Thanks for sharing! Love you!
ReplyDeleteGreat blogging mom!
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