colds, contacting, and colder weather

This transfer is going by too fast!

I feel like Sister Coleman and I were just in the MTC yesterday. 

Sometimes its hard to gauge if we are working hard because we get a long so well and are having such a blast and are serving in the most coveted area at the best time of year and we don't seem to have any struggles... but lately we have realized that, amidst the good things happening, that we are definitely in a rebuilding stage here in Toronto YSA.

This past week was great though! I have such a strong testimony of contacting! Man, there are so many prepared, kingdom builders out there! But we won't know if they're prepared or not, and they certainly won't know either, if we don't OPEN OUR MOUTHS. 

So yes we found a lot of potentially solid investigators this past week! It is THE best thing to see how the Lord just puts people in your way and shows forth miracles when you decide to just do some solid gospel-sharing.

We contacted at Ryerson University as well-- lots of students, but a lot of people are super... hard-core? haha we'll find some prepared ones eventually!

The best part of this week, though, was... ZONE CONFERENCE!

Holy cow. I testify that the spirit is REAL. It is more real than anything we can see and touch here during this frail existence we have. 

In preparation for zone conference we were all asked to prepare a 3 minute talk on our purpose as missionaries. Turns out, a few other missionaries and myself were asked to actually give our talks in conference. I love our purpose. We invite others to come unto Christ by helping them... 

I love that. I love my Savior because I know that He loves me perfectly and personally. He loves everyone that way. Everyone deserves to partake of that love; so that's why we invite them, and we do that by helping them. Preach my Gospel has such beautiful words. This is what we do:

Feel. Testify. Love. Desire. Obey. Live. Receive. Know. Follow. Go, do, say. Develop. Work. Bring. Seek. Learn. Improve. Help. Build. Warn. Invite. Teach. Serve.

That's what we do. As disciples of Christ, we promised Him we would do these things. I love being a member of the Lord's church. And I especially love being a missionary! 

I also love President and Sister Clayton. They imparted many wise words by the spirit:

"Be bold not overbearing. Being overbearing is boldness without love." -President Clayton

"If we want to be blessed and saved and soothed, we have to come unto Christ." -Sister Clayton

This gospel is all about people, families, light, Christ, change, faith, love, God's plan, the Atonement, coming unto Christ, etc. It's all oh so good!

There were many miracles seen this week and many great people we found. I feel like Ammon sometimes because "I cannot say the smallest part of which I feel." But I can say that this is the Lord's work, and He is hastening it. 

I love y'all! 

xoxo

Decision To Serve A Mission

There are many of you who are preparing for, or thinking about serving a mission. I admire that so much. This truly is the greatest work to ever be done- and God trusts us to do it! A few weeks ago, my Bishop asked me to write a letter to the youth in my home ward and to share my thoughts on how to proceed with such a decision and to share what it is like to serve.

So, the first step is coming to know if a mission is what the Lord wants you to do.

Ever since I joined the church I always felt like I was going to serve a mission whether i actually wanted to or not. I always sensed it was in my future, but still I had many doubts and fears. When the age change happened, I prayed. I prayed and prayed and fasted and prayed some more. I finally came to know that a mission was what I wanted to do, but more importantly it was what my Heavenly Father wanted me to do. As soon as I knew a mission was the right decision and began acting on that, I also came to know how real Satan is. I came to know how real Satan is. If I could guide you youth on anything it would be to recognize when the spirit is prompting you to do something and when Satan is trying to get in the way of that.

If you truly don't know whether or not a mission is the right decision, do what Gordon B. Hinckley advises: "Get on your knees and pray, then get on your feet and work." In other words pray to your Heavenly Father, listen, and then make a decision. Act on that decision. If it is not the right one, He will let you know. If it is the right one he'll confirm your decision with the spirit and once he does follow Elder Holland's counsel: "If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now. Don’t give up when the pressure mounts." There were so many times that the spirit had testified to me that serving a mission was right, but there were also many times that Satan would make it almost impossible for me to press forward. There were many times I wanted to give up, but just like Joseph Smith, "I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I couldn't deny it." So recognize the spirit and act on what He prompts you to do. 

Now I'm a missionary and I absolutely love it. Before my mission I would always ask RM's what it was like to serve- they would always say "It's the hardest thing, but it's also the best thing ever!" I didn't know what they really meant until I came out; now I can say that it is hard, but it's the best decision. What's hard about it? Everything. What's the best thing about it? Everything. It's all just a bunch of hard goodness. On missions you'll have your highest of highs and your lowest of lows, but a mission is really just practice for real life. For me, it's my stretching zone, my one on one time with my Savior. A mission is our time to put aside all of our personal affairs and to show the Lord our love by preaching His gospel and inviting others to come unto Him by helping them to receive His restored gospel. Missions are so sacred. Before my mission I believed a lot of things, but now I can say with confidence that I KNOW things. I know that our Heavenly Father loves His children perfectly and personally. I know that Jesus Christ is our Saviour and that He lives. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that Joseph Smith was a prophet. I know these things because of the spirit- He truly testifies of truth more assuredly than anything else. Trust him and follow him.

21

Holy cow, this week flew by!

Not a lot of things happened, but the work has been going! 

We met with Madison for the last time! Saaaad. She flew back to Newfoundland for school, but missionaries will be in touch with her soon! Pray for her! She knows the church is true, she just needs to know it. 

Turning 21!

We also met with Sammy, a less-active member. He is a tender soul. He is going through a lot, but we were able to talk to him about overcoming trials and about praying to let the Atonement change us. 

Something I became very grateful for, this week, was trials. Looking back on the trials I have had, I'm beginning to see a little more as time goes on, how my trials truly have prepared me for SOMETHING. We can either let our trials defeat us or strengthen us-- our choice.

someone tore up our mormon.org card we gave them....

We also contacted at Seneca this week! It was sad, but kind of humorous at the same time, how people basically ignore us and give us the weirdest looks when we approach them to talk about church and Jesus Christ and about ETERNAL HAPPINESS. One day!

We also met with GaHee and Yesol this week! I realized that if one doesn't understand the Book of Mormon, there is going to be ZERO motivation to read it. So, Heavenly Father rebuked me for dismissing that too easily with our investigators, but now I'm on the hunt for the easy-to-read book of mormon manuals! 

Yesterday Robert brought his friend Galit...she was a little anxious at church, but she liked it! We are excited to start teaching her more and do some hardcore daughter of God lessons! She is so special and she needs to know it! After church yesterday, we went downtown to Dundas Square and contacted left and right! One day, we will soapbox down there.

ALSO.... I had the best birthday ever. Seriously, being a missionary is the greatest thing I ever could have asked for. I loved it; partially because we had zone council on my birthday (woot woot, thanks Heavenly Father). And thank you Kell Bell for the package! I loooooved it so much!! :) And thank you everyone for the emails. I am so loved and am so grateful for all y'all. (yep)

Have a great week! xoxo

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COURTNEY LOVE KELLYYYY

Book of Mormon musical!

SHARE THE GOSPEL IN THE MEDIA

This transfer is already so magical! I'm in the most coveted and blessed land of Toronto YSA, I'm with my MTC/dream companion Sister Coleman, we have zone conference this week, stake conference, general conference, the temple, and the Book of Mormon musical-- THIS TRANSFER IS GOING TO FLY. 

first of all...the Book of Mormon musical.

On September 27th, it will be "a Day in the Life of a Missionary"-- on this day, members will be coming out with us, live-tweeting/posting/instagramming/tagging//etc us missionaries to share with the world what we do! I want to invite EVERYONE, on September 27th, to share the gospel on all your social networks!!! This is the perfect opportunity to be a member missionary! 

This week we met with Chris, a less-active, and ate pizza. It was great! Just kidding, we also talked about weapons of war! We talked about how the anti-Nephi-Lehis were able to go from being super bloodthirsty and wicked to truly converted and dedicated to the Lord; their hearts had swollen in them. We talked about our OWN WEAPONS OF WAR and what we can do to bury them so that we, too, can being more converted! I love how applicable the Book of Mormon is to our own lives!

We also had exchanges this week. Man. How inspired! Sister Bodine is my STL and she and I knew each other before the mission so it was a sweet 24 hours together. It was also oh so inspired! We met with Yesol and she wants to be baptized! She is praying about a date for this month this week! So excited for her. I looooove her so much. 

Guess what? Robert Gooderham is doing so good! Man, that guy is going on a mission one day, I just know it. He has referred us to 3 of his friends, he gave a talk on language in sacrament meeting and totally threw down, and also role-played with us as if he were a missionary and we were investigators. He told us that we could find eternal happiness and we asked him how to do that and he told us "by following the teachings of Jesus Christ." Thank goodness life is so simple.

Madison is moving back to Newfoundland! I'm sad, but I know that the missionaries over there will be what she needs to take her next step! Being able to be apart of her conversion process has been such a blessing and testimony to me. What if we hadn't talked to her on the bus that one day? Lives can be changed, but only when we open our mouths and give people a reason to change.

The church is true! I love being a missionary. It's the greatest thing to be. May we all, as King Benjamin advises, "render to Him all that we have and are."

P.S. I have one birthday request :) I would love if y'all could send me your favorite scripture and favorite quote? And why it's your favorite! Thanks! Love y'all!

ysa ysa ysa

What a great transfer! I swear, I feel like it was only yesterday that Sister Tebbs' and I became companions. She's headed home! Love her sooooo much. Lifelong friends, that's for sure.

Sister Tebbs and I with our korean investigators! SJ, Bin, and DK!

So TRANSFER NEWS...

I'm staying in Toronto YSA!!! I LOVE TORONTO YSA. I LOVE THIS AREA. I LOVE THESE PEOPLE. And I'm going to be with my MTC companion, Sister Coleman. We're excited to thrash the nations. That also means we will be here for the Book of Mormon Musical, general conference, and going to the Temple! BLESSINGS GALOREEEEE

Also, I hit a third of my mission already. What?....Anyway!

This week we met with Bin and SJ! They are so cool. Bin just keeps bringing more and more and more friends! He and his roommates all came to church yesterday. When we met with them to talk about how church was, BIn's roommate DK said he felt good and calm; that is was a very different feeling, but that he liked how everyone feels close to God. Isn't church just oh so good! Man, so many blessings come from going to church! We feel the spirit, we rest from our labors, we take the sacrament and renew our covenants, we take upon ourselves Christ's name, we feel calm and at peace, we learn new things and receive revelation, we FEEL CLOSE TO GOD. What a blessing.

Zone leader fun!

Guess who texted us this week? DAVID SANTA CRUZ-- mine and Sister Waldron's former from last transfer who was SOLID for baptism and then just disappeared. He wants to feel like he did before when he was preparing for baptism... therefore, he is preparing for baptism again! 

We also met with Adriana-- she and Eurah (Relief Society President) have run into each other so many times and so they took that as a sign that they are meant to be friends haha. She grew up with religion being kind of shoved down her throat and has had some superstitious/spiritual experiences, and so hopefully as we meet more, we will be able to help her strengthen her faith and understand what these experiences mean. Crazy cool stuff happening here!

We also met with Yesol! Something I love about missions is seeing people change. I can tell that Yesol is changing. Her character is becoming more refined and her testimony more solid. I love her so much! 

Sad thing that happened this week: Danielle texted us after being MIA for a week. She fell back into her old ways and she isn't interested in meeting anymore. Pray for her that she'll ONE DAY be ready to ACCEPT and COMMIT to the gospel and claim the blessings that are hers!

Saturday night, Daniel, our ward mission leader (the best one to ever exist) took us out for all you can eat sushi! Our recent convert Robert and other YSA members joined! It was such a treat! We ate good food, had a lesson on how we are all God's children, and celebrated Sister Tebbs' birthday before she goes home! It was a good time with some great people.

Because it was Sister Tebb's last week, we had lotsssss of dinner appointments :) We had dinner with Laura Limas, with the Lim's (love that family!), and with Dali. He fed us and our investigator, Madison, spanish food and we watched "On the Lord's Errand" and talked about the importance of following the Prophet. I love at the end of the movie when President Monson says he loves the Savior and that if the Lord ever needs an errand run, he'll do it. I, too, love my Savior and am grateful to be on the Lord's errand. 

I love y'all!

"The fact that our heart yearns for something that earth can't supply is proof that heaven must be our home." -C.S. Lewis

The City!

Rodolfo! MY recent convert. Ladies man.

week 6, transfer 4

Life as a missionary is oh so great!

This week was pretty normal.

Monday we had a spiritual district meeting!

Tuesday we were late to EVERYTHING. We definitely did not gauge our time appropriately...

BUT we met with our investigator Danielle, who has actually been a former a few times with many missionaries. She fed us and we discussed the Gospel of Jesus Christ and talked about the notes she took on 2 Nephi 2. The only thing is that she is currently MIA....so we'll say some prayers and try to find her.

Wednesday we taught our new investigator, Bin! He is from Korea! He is so cool. When we met with him the second time, we followed up with his reading of the restoration pamphlet. He told us, "These things I read...it's like a story. Like, it's not real, I don't believe it." After we watched the restoration movie in Korean (still felt the spirit!) and taught and testified, he paused and said, "okay...I will believe you." He is progressing! Cool guy!

Thursday Sister Tebbs and I planned. It was slightly emotional since we both finally grasped that we were planning for our LAST week together. Bittersweet. We also visited two less-actives, Kathy and Ruby. I love those girls!

Friday we taught a guy we met recently. I truly learned the importance of CUTTING THE FLUFF. We can't talk and tell, but we have to teach and testify-- and keep it simple. We teach people, not lessons. We also visited another less-active who recently read her Patriarchal blessing and decided that she really wants to start coming back to church. She has a great heart, I love her.

Saturday we had ESL! Always so fun. Then we met with Robert and watched the Testaments. Throughout the movie, I kept getting chills and I realized that the spirit was LITERALLY testifying to me the truths that were being said and taught. I LOVE the spirit. By the end of the movie my eyes were teary and even though Robert was confused as to my emotions, I told him to never doubt the truth, to always go to church, to love the Savior, etc. etc. The church is true!

Sunday was good! The spirit was so present, as always. We met with Ga Hee and Yesol and read from the book of Mormon and it was so good. When in doubt, BRING IN THE SCRIPTURES. Scripture power, it's real!

A quote I love:

“The fact that our heart yearns for something that earth can’t supply is proof that heaven must be our home.” -CS Lewis

We truly are spirits having a mortal experience, not mortals having a spiritual experience. We have divine potential and we are loved.

I love y'all! 

Sister Court

"this is where it gets crazy"

This week we finally had the opportunity to ride the bus!! It's always a thrill. It was also the most beautiful day ever! This is the most beautiful summer I've ever seen! I love Toronto!

it poureddddd that day. we thought it was going to flood

So wet!

Something I learned is the importance of taking baby steps. God doesn't expect us to move mountains overnight, but he does expect us to act in faith and to get out of our comfort zones-- that's where our stretching zone is! That way, when we get to the spirit world, we won't be bound by our comfort zone or our weaknesses, but we will feel free and happy and at peace! 

After getting off the bus while we were blitzing ESL flyers, we stopped and talked to this girl. She was superrrrr not interested. So we asked her if she knew anyone that anyone that would be interested in hearing our message. And then she said the saddest thing I've ever heard a human say; she said, "About Jesus Christ and God? Uhm no, people don't believe in that anymore and it's really sad that you still do."

How sad, right? One of the most precious absolute truths of the gospel is that we are the literal sons and daughters of God! We are loved by the most omnipotent, all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving God-- when we understand this, we cannot doubt our divine potential. 

So then we moved on and contacted people at Seneca college! IMMEDIATELY we found two guys who were overly excited about what we had to share with them. They're excited to learn more! So yes, the church is true!

This week we also had zone training! Great, as always. I love PREACH MY GOSPEL. I can testify that it was, without a doubt, designed beyond the veil. EVERYONE READ IT.

Also...

robert gooderham was baptized!

I don't really know if I actually grasp how prepared he was. His friend from elementary school, who was baptized a year ago, brought him to the YSA branch last month and ever since then, Robert has been preparing for baptism! After his baptism, he bore his testimony and it was so good!

Sometimes, people don't always "feel" something when it comes to conversion, but sometimes the spirit works through a "knowing" or excitement about truth and practicing gospel principles. That's Robert, and he is so happy.

I love being a missionary! 

I love y'all!

xoxo,

Sister Court

Downtown!

our stuck in traffic face

our ward mission leader and my cute companion doing the haka face

Robert got baptized!

the most adorable poster I've ever seen