So
Toronto is the biggest city I have ever been in in my entire life! Holy
cow, I feel like I am in a movie, or the great and spacious building.
Speaking of cows, the first few days in the city all I could think
of was "where are all the cows?!" Just a small town girl living in a
lonely world or gospel-less people! There is so much diversity and so
many eccentric children of God here that need the gospel, it's just
wonderful! Subways and buses are a little scary, but oh so prime for
talking to people and finding the elect: those that are prepared to hear
the message of the restored gospel.
My companion is
Sister Waldron and she is such an angel. I feel like we have been
companions for weeks now, but we have only known each other for 6 days!
Crazy. I learn so much from her every single day about how to be more
kind-hearted and sincere and all of those Christ-like characteristics I
need to work on.
We are both so
excited to be serving in Toronto YSA! This area just opened about 7
weeks ago and its the most coveted area in the mission, so we consider
ourselves pretty blessed. This area has so much potential and there is
so much work to do here in Toronto! So exciting.
In this area, we also have the opportunity to teach
ESL! Teaching English is so exciting! I love helping people from so many
different countries learn how to speak English while tying in the
gospel at the same time-- so tricky, eh?
This week we
had Zone Training/Skills and Interviews so that was amazing. We talked a
lot about what holds us back from contacting and how to more
effectively contact and it was so great, especially because that has
been my biggest struggle out here. I would normally feel more
comfortable with just leaving people alone and letting them go on their
way and not bothering them, but the most important duty EVER is to
proclaim the message of the gospel! I am constantly reminding myself
that everyone needs the gospel and every person I see could be prepared
but I will never know it if I don't open my mouth! I also am trying to
remind myself that it doesn't matter what strangers think of me because
one, they'll never see me again anyway and two, they need the gospel
whether they want it or not. So yes, they are going to hear about it.
Moral: EVERYONE SHARE THE GOSPEL. Whether that be posting links on
social networks or bearing testimony to strangers, share it. We have a
special message that everyone needs. This life is the time for men to
prepare to meet God.
At
Skills and Interviews we also got to visit with President and Sister
Scott. I love them! I'm so grateful for all the love they have for us.
We
have 3 investigators preparing for baptism! Citlalli is from Mexico,
Ahmed is from Saudi Arabia, and Oliver is from Toronto! They are moving
in the right direction and will be so blessed.
I
started rereading the Book of Mormon with a question in mind. My first
question for my new way of reading the Book of Mormon, thanks to Elder
Bednar, is "How can I be a more consecrated missionary?" It is amazing
how the Book of Mormon has always and will always be the exact same
words, but has the power to change our whole perspective and teach us
something new when we approach it with an open heart and open mind,
being ready and willing to be taught by the spirit according to what we
need to learn and understand.
The Church is true and the book is blue! It's that simple.
“After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel." -Joseph smith
Remember-- share the gospel! Love y'all!
