One Year

 How are you all doing? 

This week has been emotional for so many reasons! All happy/grateful tears :') I hit one year and now I'm just praying that the next 6 months go by super slow.. I never want my mission to end!! With all the changes, highs and lows, I have grown to love every second of it! I have felt God's love through it all and I have a firm testimony in the healing & enabling power of Christ's Atonement! I know He lives! 

This week we got to stop by and see the Otesanya family. They are still SO full of faith. In their humble circumstances they joyfully explained to us their love for God. Fola said she just needs to work on is her mansion in heaven because that's the only thing that will matter:) she has a clear, eternal perspective. I just love this family with my whole heart and I honestly believe that they are a big reason why I'm here. 

Super cool miracle this week! Months ago, we studied the Bible with this golden lady, Mary. Our first lesson in person didn't go very well because during the lesson someone came up to us and started Bible bashing:// so we politely tried to leave the situation because Mary did not ask for that and neither did we haha! This week though the Relief Society had a zoom call about mental/emotional health and so we felt prompted to invite a bunch of friends! Mary who we couldn't contact for months, after a rough first lesson responded to our invitation, joined, LOVED it and said these women were so compassionate and humble. We couldn't agree more. We have been in contact with Mary way more now after this inspired RS Activity and things are looking up!!! We are so thankful for such beautiful/welcoming/inspired church organizations ahhh!!! 

But anywho, I love you all so much and think about you all often. I'm just an email away if you ever need anything.

God is Dependable

 

Wooooowwee I can't believe we are already over halfway through October! I was saying my goodbyes to most of you at this time last year!

It has been another miracle filled week here in Heartlake! We have some awesome friends and in this area that were found either through the Facebook page, Bible study requests, or through our English classes! My heart is just filled with SO much love for them!!! This week we decided we needed to be more bold with all of them and of course, because Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are so perfect, we witnessed miracles while trying to do this : )

We introduced the Book of Mormon this week to Venecia and she just loved it! We even felt prompted to invite her to church as well and she was so glad we asked. How amazing!!! With our English class friend, Seema, we called and were talking about coffee and tea! When we told her our beliefs, she was shocked, but happy because we were the first people she had ever met who didn't need a coffee or a tea all the time! Also, Oral messaged us this week saying, "how do I make it to my Father's kingdom?" 

My highlight of my week was last night though:) A member let us know about a new sister in the ward who moved here from BC! We went over to drop off cookies and say hello! She was looking for friends, a Bible, and love!! Oh me oh my she is the nicest and Sister Gallup and I just want to be her best friend. The miracle though for me was when we were talking with her boyfriend who is not a member of the church, he told us he was from Australia and so we were able to connect!!!! What a tender mercy. I know that that was divine intervention because God is greatest :') He works in mysterious ways, and moments like these confirm to my heart that God knows me, knows my story, and knows the people around me! I know that this is the same for you too.

We can depend on God! Elder Uchtdorf gave the most beautiful talk in General Conference about how God has done unimaginable things for those in the past, and He will do unimaginable things for us too!! This is because He is dependable :) 

Thankful

Happy Tuesday my friends:)) 

I am so thankful for so many reasons this thanksgiving! In 3 Nephi 10:10 it says that "mourning was turned into joy (...) and thanksgiving unto the Lord Jesus Christ, their Redeemer." He is who I am most thankful for at this time, and I'm thankful for scriptures that help us come closer to Him! 

This week was the best week because I got to spend all my extra time studying the Book of Mormon. I know this book is a book of power! It brings a calm into our lives, and really helps us feel our Savior near! 

Our amazing recent convert, Lesha, who got baptized in a pool a few months ago finally made it to church in person for the first time this week! She is remarkable and really makes me reflect on a few things. Our amazing friend Lesha had never been to church in person, had never had internet connection so was unable to have so many of the study resources, yet she immersed and continues to immerse herself in the Book of Mormon. She calls us and gives us summaries of her studies and what she's learning and how it makes her feel! She is fully converted to her Savior Jesus Christ with her Book of Mormon. She shows me that the Book of Mormon combined with the Spirit really is the most powerful tool in conversion.

If you're struggling or feeling down, or wondering if God even knows what you're going through. If you feel lonely or lost or confused I would invite you to open up the Book of Mormon and read from the pages. This book has changed my life and the lives and of those around me, and I know it will change yours for the better. I can promise you that it will bring hope, light and peace into your life because it is centered around our Savior Jesus Christ. He can make every hard situation bearable, even joyful! 

I love the gospel of Jesus Christ that is explained simply and powerfully in the Book of Mormon. I know that my Redeemer lives. I love all of you. I pray that we will all continue to have thankful hearts moving forward, despite thanksgiving weekend being over! We have every reason to be thankful and happy that is because of Jesus Christ! 

Have a happy week, I love you with my whole heart! 

Got to spend the day with Sister Smith before she flew home. She was my angel I miss her already!!!

Alsooo, we COOKED A WHOLE TURKEY 

Count it All Joy

Heyo! 

Great news- General Conference was so spiritual, heartfelt and a brought a calm to so many troubled hearts!! I'd invite you to watch it, if you haven't yet, because I know you will find peace in their messages:))

It's hard to believe it's already October! I am feeling extremely blessed to be in Ontario during the Fall season:) With the leaves changing into bright oranges, reds, and yellows I can't help but smile!!! Also, I get to stay in Heartlake with Sister Gallup :))

This week we went and saw our member, Anita, in her backyard! She shared with us how and why she joined the church. She is so busy working 10 hour shifts, 6 days a week and she told us that on her last few days of the week, during the last few hours when she should be feeling exhausted, she feels energized! She testified to us that she knows it is because of Christ and His enabling power to give us strength beyond our own. 

I am surrounded by such faith filled people. I loved when Elder Holland said this weekend that we can't live a faith filled and stress-free life. In order for us to exercise faith, it can't be easy. He said, "faith means trusting in good times and in bad, even if that means suffering for a time until His arm is revealed." I know that we aren't alone in this journey back to our heavenly home, and for this reason we really can "count it all joy!"

Love you guys so much! Send me an update if you have time, and please let me know if I can do anything for you.