Update of last week and this week!

Okay so here is an update of last week and this week!

LAST WEEK:

So my new companion is Sister Maas! She is from Colorado, loves cucumbers, has been out about a year, graduated from BYU with a degree in Psychology (so perfect for me, I know), and loves people like no one's business. She is awesome, she's exactly what I need right now, so that's a huge blessing!

exchanges!

So right now we are teaching a LAs boyfriend! He is in their band, looks like Mozart, grew up in the Brethren, has a strong, passionate testimony of Christ, and loves holding hands during prayers. He is quite the character and we love him. He is so excited to learn about the Restoration!

One night we had dinner with some solid members and at the end, we asked them if they knew anyone that could use an uplifting message and they told us to go deliver cookies and visit their LA visiting teachee. So we went and she was so happy to see sister missionaries! We have been visiting with her ever since and she is working on coming back to church! What if we didn't ask those members if there was anyone they knew that was ready?

We also dropped by our investigator whom we haven't heard from in a while and as we were praying before going to knock on her door, she left! haha crazy... but then the next day we were with a member going to the Relief Society Enrichment activity, but she had to stop at the grocery store to get some food for the activity. Just before we left, we saw our investigator! We stopped the car and said hi to her! She expressed how busy and stressed she has been with her new job and her kids and her boyfriend and the issues they're all facing. As she expressed her struggles, we got out and just gave her a big hug. She started to cry. It was one of those moments that made me grateful to stand in place of the Saviour at that moment. 

We also dropped by this restaurant owned by members downtown and decided to stop by and say hi! As we did, we met another woman who helps out there and long story short, she invited us to come mow her backyard the next day! So we go and she left a note on the door saying she had to run and we could come back another day! So what do we do? We go around her house, hike through her forest of grass, break into (it was open) her shed, see a couple lawn mowers and just start cutting that jungle down! We got some battle wounds but it was worth it when she came home right when we finished and was shocked. Her heart is for sure being softened. 

Saturday we cleaned Lucy and Julia's restaurant and they made us yummy delicious food!

Okay, so this is cool! One night we are driving past our investigators house, whom we haven't been able to get ahold of, so we decided to turn around and knock on his door. He wasn't home, but turns out his prepared roommate Mike was! We came back the next day. As we taught him about the apostasy, he says, "Is that why there are sooo many churches today?" As we taught him about the Book of Mormon, he was able to learn about his ancestors that met Jesus Christ. And as we taught about Jesus Christ, he cried. He is excited to be baptized! How cool?

We also had the most beautiful day at church. It was Father's day. Brian came and was so happy. I felt the spirit during the sacrament and was filled with gratitude for our Saviour. Returned missionary Mac gave a powerful homecoming talk. We had dinner with Bishop and his family. And the church is just so good and true.

Happy day!

..................................................................................

THIS WEEK:

So this week we started it off by doing some service of pulling weeds for a member's neighbor. She is being prepared for the gospel, how exciting?!

We also did some family history with the family history consultants! I love it. I'm excited to get into it more. Those on the other side need us! And we need them. The cool thing is that we are CREATING our own family history right now!

We also went to mow another neighbor's yard (it's mowing season) and on our way, our investigator called us. He is in a rough spot right now (court, kids, money, etc.) He basically called to apologize saying he didn't think it was a good time in his life to meet right now. But as we know, times of trouble are the times that we need to turn to God the most. We testified of Jesus Christ. We sympathized with him. We encouraged him to stay strong and not give up. And we told him that the message we share is exactly what he needs more than anything right now. Prayers!

So a long time ago, we contacted downtown, met a woman, she turned out to be a less-active, she wanted us to teach her niece, we did for a big, she ended up not really being ready just yet, so we felt like dropping by just this past week, we did, her mom was home, her mom is also friends with a member, and now we are teaching her! pretty cool! We also met some kind neighbors of hers, too!

This week we visited the sweetest member that we have just failed to get to know in the past. But she is wonderful! Her husband is a nonmember, but he sure does feel the spirit that she brings to their home, to his life, and from the Temple. She even gave us a whole loaf of delicious banana bread! MMMM.

OH man, so this week we had dinner with a recent convert/less-active/part member family and they STRUGGLE with testimony and other things. But after dinner, we decided to read from 3 Nephi 17 with them and discovered that the incentive for participation is M&Ms!! Woohoo! We have an in now! They are coming along, slowly but surely!

and this is Brian-- bad angle haha

So Brian. He is doing better. Things were kinda rough this week. Long story short, Brian is preparing for baptism in September. He has truly been experiencing godly sorrow. He is making progress and we are so proud of him. He even came to a dinner party at a member's house and had a great time. We shared a spiritual thought that ended up being led and guided and directed by the members and the spirit as they shared what their baptisms have meant to them. Tears were shed and the Spirit was felt. I love such tender, beautiful moments I'm blessed to experience as a missionary.

Rick and Brian came to church yesterday! They know they love it. :)

Yesterday, we went to teach our investigator and his girlfriend (LA), but they had to go, so we worked in their area a little bit. There was a certain street that we didn't realize was the sketchiest part of town, but their we were, just knocking on the doors, putting ourselves in danger, and so Heavenly Father probably rolled His eyes and sent Gord out to tell us that we really shoudn't be over there. We spoke with him. What a nice man he was, he had such kind eyes that you could just tell had seen a lot of things throughout his life. He has come to develop a love for Jesus Christ over the years and he has found a lot of happiness from it. I know his happiness was real.

yummy juice with chia seeds made by sister Lofters

That evening we decided to tract a street of our investigator. We knocked on some doors, but no one was really interested... until we got to Ali and Stu. They are SWEET. We had a really great contact with them at their door and broke the ice right off the bat. As we asked if we could come back this week, Stu says, "Do you want to just come in?" So we do and we teach them the Restoration. Throughout, they asked questions, they said they felt joy, and Stu even prayed for the first time at the end. It was beautiful. They just had a baby, too! I truly gained a stronger testimony last night of how important families are. As parents, they are able to feel just a glimpse of the love the Heavenly Father has for us! And with them having this opportunity to learn of the gospel now, they are allowing their newborn son to grow up in the gospel. And if they get baptized, Stu can baptize his family. How beautiful is the plan?! 

Afterwards, before we even asked if they knew anyone that could use an uplifting message, they were telling us their moms would love to learn more, too.

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY IT IS JUST SO HAPPY.

So we had Zone Conference this week. We talked about the importance of daily contact with the people we serve, role-played applying the fundamentals of missionary work into teaching the Restoration, and the departing missionaries bore their tesitmonies... so that was me.

My heart was pounding harder than ever before, but as soon as I stood up, I was calmed. Kelly shared a great quote with me that pretty much describes how I felt. That sometimes "we can feel His handprints on our backs". 

I love being a missionary. I haven't always been able to say that, but I can now. I have a testimony of the Atonement and how it changes us, because it's changed me. I'm sad that my time being a full-time missionary is coming to a close, but as my trainer once said, we are always full-time disciples and that calling doesn't end for a while. I know the Lord loves us and is grateful for the service we render to Him. God lives and so does Jesus Christ. And I love my Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

 

I had the blessed opportunity of going on exchanges with a brand new sister. She ended up giving me some great commitments at the end. She invited me to get excited about going home as well as to "accept the situation." When she said that, it just really hit me that life moves forward and it's a beautiful thing! That's the way the Lord designed it to be. I know that accepting the situations we are alloted will allow us to not always ask "Why?" but rather, "How?" --- this takes more faith. Which is what I'm working on right now :)

I know this work is true. He lives!

xoxo

 

A picture weekly!

service.

the Saviour my fave

Preparation Day!

heading to church

I know these things are true.

This week was W O N D E R F U L.

So, we have transfers tomorrow! I'm staying in Barrie with Sister Maas, and Sister Rasmussen will be going to Brantford with another sister! We're sad to separate. I love her!

First I just need to bear my testimony about the importance of church attendance!

I think one of the most important things we must never STOP doing is going to church. For many reasons:

-Our Sabbath day behaviour is a reflection of our love for our Heavenly Father!

-we should talk as families about what we learned at church

-people will dwindle in their testimonies if church attendance is not a priority

-we are able to share our testimonies and uplift others at church

-we get to renew our covenants by partaking of the sacrament***

We all can devote 1 HOUR out of 168 HOURS of our week to the Lord by partaking of the sacrament. What a blessing! 

"Everything in the church is so mom, dad, and the kids can be sealed together and be happy at home." -Elder David A. Bednar

So Brian and Rick are doing AWESOME. They both came to church yesterday, stayed for all their classes, made new friends, stayed for a priesthood ordination to see what it was like, and just FELT THE SPIRIT. They will be baptized soon. 

Our Bishop gave a beautiful talk yesterday as well. Some things he said that I loved:

"It has nothing to do with time, it has everything to do with priority."

"If we don't teach our children, their peers and their teachers will."

"If you stand with God, the Almighty, why would you not have courage?"

Truth is spoken here! I love Barrie!

Last night, we had such a good, solid, wholesome, beautiful, spiritual, happy experience with a family last night at dinner whose son just got back from his mission. We talked about the blessings they've seen come to their family as he has served a mission. The spirit is real. I love talking about missionary work :)

Another night we had dinner with the Young Women's President and a member of the Bishopbric and their conversion story was amazing! Hearts can turn! Lives are changed! The Lord knows what He is doing, that is for sure.

We also helped paint a house, volunteered at Salvation Army, and pulled wallpaper off a wall. Fun!

We met with a family this week and shared a message about God's love and watched the Mormon Message, "Hope of God's Light" and it was such a cool experience for this semi/less-active family to share testimonies about God's love and how it's influenced each of their lives. The best was the youngest boy when he says, in the cutest little chipmunk voice and while putting his hand to his heart, "God loves everybody." Ahhhhh.

We also met with a less-active (who is like a famous singer here?) who feels like she has wanted to break up with her boyfriend but also doesn't and then decided the best decision would be to have him receive the missionary discussions. Yeah, we totally support that decision.

And we met with ANOTHER less-active woman who actually came to church on Sunday and stayed longer than she planned! She said, "It was because the Spirit took over." YES.

This week we had a BEAUTIFUL district meeting given by our dying District Leader. He decided to soap box on some powerful lessons he has learned while on his mission and then invited us to make our own lists. I'm excited.

I also read some POWERFUL talks this week! One called The Challenging and Testifying Missionary. After my companion and I read it, we went out, ditched our car and talked to EVERYONE and their dogs and just invited people to be baptized! We ended up meeting Easton, a SWEET guy who is super excited to learn about our special message! Miracles!

I also read another address given by Elder Holland when he was President at BYU. He spoke much about perseverance. I love what he said when he spoke about the story of how the Salt Lake Temple was built after much tribulation:

"Later that year the prestigious Scientific American (1892), referred to this majestic new edifice as a “monument to Mormon perseverance.” And so it was. Blood, toil, tears, and sweat. The best things are always worth finishing. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). Most assuredly you are. As long and laborious as the effort may seem, please keep shaping and setting the stones that will make your accomplishment “a grand and imposing spectacle.” Take advantage of every opportunity to learn and grow. Dream dreams and see visions. Work toward their realization. Wait patiently when you have no other choice. Lean on your sword and rest a while, but get up and fight again. Perhaps you will not see the full meaning of your effort in your own lifetime. But your children will, or your children’s children will, until finally you, with all of them, can give the Hosanna shout."

This is why we must press forward, endure to the end, be steadfast in Christ! We have dreamed dreams and seen visions and we cannot forget that we have. Because, 

"As you wage such personal wars, obviously part of the strength to “hang in there” comes from some glimpse, however faint and fleeting, of what the victory can be."

I know these things are true. The Lord lives. And He loves us. 

Loves,

Sister Howle

 

quick update!

So this week was a rough one! But the church is still true, so all will be well.

Good things that happened:

Exchanged back to Brampton for the day and got to surprise lots of my previous recent converts/less-actives/investigators, so that was such a blessing! And I got to serve with Sister Arnold for the day and she is an ANGEL. Loveeeee her.

We had a service project with all the elders and a member and a potential investigator, but last minute the elders fell through because they got sick! But because they weren't there, the potential investigator had an opportunity to paint with us (which wouldn't have happened if the elders were there) and so we got to talk to her and get to know her and teach her about the Restoration. It was awesome! The member there was so grateful that his friend was able to have the experience he prayed she would have. How cool?

We also helped with a surprise party for a member that turned 60! She was so surprised and it was such a fun time! We got to know lots of people and help out and see so many happy faces, so that was exciting!

We also had Zone Council and another big meeting this week that I promise to talk more about next week!

I am so grateful for the gospel and that Heavenly Father knows us and loves us unconditionally!

have the best week ever!

Dorothy's birthday party surprise!! we heart attacked her door before she woke up!

MLC Sisters!

Add caption

hey June!

What a week! Always so great.

This week we went on Visiting Teaching splits with some sisters! How fun. It was a good experience to share testimonies and bring the spirit into this sister's home!

Mama Sister Gillen called to say goodbye! -- love those senior couples. Excited to hang out with her and Sister Rasmussen and Sister Coleman in Utah! 

We had dinner with some members this week as well! We talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon and how it's a tool for us in our lives with a member whose testimony is still building, we talked about faith and how to strengthen it with a less-active member who is making an effort to come back to church, we talked about enduring to the end with a cute family with a bunch of kids. It's all about teaching PEOPLE not LESSONS. I love that.

Saturday evening we had a ward BBQ/auction! So fun! Everyone brought desserts and they were bid on and that money is going to the Nauvoo trip for the youth. It was a fun time!

Coolest thing happened this week! As we were teaching our progressing investigator Brian, we were going to meet at the McDonalds and then he suggesting we go to the Salvation Army program room, where it's quieter, great idea, so we do. So we're in there, teaching him about the plan of salvation, and we get to the Atonement, and a woman knocks on the door and asks if she can join us. We say of course, and she comes in with tears streaming down her face. She then tells us how she has felt very lost and hopeless ever since her sweet daughter commit suicide back in 2012. We testified of the Atonement to her and then were able to teach her and Brian together about the spirit world. What a happy place for those who are prepared!

So yesterday, Satan went hard. We dropped by a recent convert because we haven't heard from him in a while; so we knocked on his door and a scary woman answered and said some not very nice things...but after talking to our mission president and from this experience, I was able to reflect on the example of our Saviour. He is so perfect and loving and understanding. I'm grateful He is that way.

I had some great studies this morning. Something that really stood out to me was in Preach my Gospel, chapter 10, pg. 176: 

"Their understanding will be influenced by your personal worthiness."

People's growth depends on OUR worthiness. That is why Helaman 3:35 is so important:

"Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God."

LOVE IT.

My trainer sent this to me today:

Father, where shall I work today?
And my love flowed warm and free.
Then He pointed out a tiny spot
And said, "Tend that for me."

I answered quickly, "Oh no; not that!
Why, no one would ever see,
No matter how well my work was done,
Not that little place for me."
And the word He spoke, it was not stern;
He answered me tenderly:
"Ah little one, search that heart of thine.
Art thou working for them or for me?
Nazareth was a little place,
And so was Galilee."

-Meade McGuire

Love yas!

 

Faith to be faith

the happenings of this week!

We've started running on the boardwalk by the waterfront by our house! It's so beautiful and breezy in the mornings!

This week we instructed at District meeting about helping our investigators set their own baptismal date! It was fun. At the end, our district leader shared a beautiful quote about faith:

“There are two kinds of faith. One of them functions ordinarily in the life of every soul. It is the kind of faith born by experience; it gives us certainty that a new day will dawn, that spring will come, that growth will take place. It is the kind of faith that relates us with confidence to that which is scheduled to happen. …

“There is another kind of faith, rare indeed. This is the kind of faith that causes things to happen. It is the kind of faith that is worthy and prepared and unyielding, and it calls forth things that otherwise would not be. It is the kind of faith that moves people. It is the kind of faith that sometimes moves things. … It comes by gradual growth. It is a marvelous, even a transcendent, power, a power as real and as invisible as electricity. Directed and channeled, it has great effect. 

“In a world filled with skepticism and doubt, the expression ‘seeing is believing’ promotes the attitude, ‘You show me, and I will believe.’ We want all of the proof and all of the evidence first. It seems hard to take things on faith.

“When will we learn that in spiritual things it works the other way about—that believing is seeing? Spiritual belief precedes spiritual knowledge. When we believe in things that are not seen but are nevertheless true, then we have faith.”

-Boyd K. Packer

We also taught Rick again! We taught him about the Plan of Salvation-- just what he's been wanting to hear! But because he had sooooo many questions and got hung up on some things, we weren't able to teach it all to him... so he was left hanging at "so what happens after I die??" But we taught him after church on Sunday, so he was quite enlightened. He left pretty speechless and full of even more questions, actually. He's coming around.

John also got confirmed yesterday!! How exciting. Earlier this week, we taught him about the importance of member missionary work. I LOVE this video more than anything right now-- it's about forgiveness, but it powerfully exmplieifes the importance of member missionary work! PLEASE WATCH!!! :)

http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/his-grace/from-gang-member-to-good-man

We also taught a young guy named Anthony who considers himself a pretty negative, closed-off person, but he is excited to have a faith again.

So cool story, we were volunteering at Salvation Army this past Friday and we were talking with this man we hadn't seen before (Brian) and he was asking a bunch of questions and was really nice. His friend tried to pick a fight by asking questions he didn't really want to know the answer to, but that he just wanted to debate. So I guess another man across the room sensed my frustration (dang it!) and he came over, put his arm around me and told the man that he had a right to believe in whatever he wanted just like I did. Humanity lives on, I guess.

Then we got Brian's number and he was going to come to church on Sunday but he had to go to the hospital Saturday night! So we went to visit him in the hospital that evening. It was one of those visits that just made me so happy to be a missionary. (I've been having a lot of those lately). He is this big tough guy, tatoos, drinks, etc. and as we shared the Restoration with him, his countenance changed and he told us about his past and how he just doesn't feel like he is worthy of God's love and he started to cry. We were able to share with him a few verses from Alma 36 and as we did, the spirit filled the room. 

16 And now, for three days and for three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul.

 17 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.

 18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.

 19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.

 20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!

 21 Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.

We testified of the power of the Atonement and he wants to be baptized at the end of June. We set his date and then I asked him why he wanted to be baptized on that date. And he said it was because we invited him on that day and that he trusts us (about inviting him on that day) and because we are unwavering in what we believe and that he can just see it in us. Then he said the prayer at the end and I just kept my eyes opened and watched him. He said a very simple prayer telling God that this was the first time He has ever really felt His love and he asked if the Book of Mormon was true. And that was it. Prefect prayer. 

I love my calling. I love these people. I love the Lord and am so grateful for His unconditional love.

Miracles left and right!

Miracles are just happening left and right!

So last Sunday night we set goals, we made plans, and then we hit it! We found two solid children of God that are interested in the gospel that evening! How cool, we found 'em!

So contacting downtown is pretty much the most exciting thing ever. I love talking to our brothers and sisters every single day! Downtown is a sketchy but interesting place; we always leave with great stories and real phone numbers!

The other day we actually had an appointment and we brought our future missionary member along with us. Our investigator didn't show up, so we went contacting with our member. We ended up meeting Alex. He was hung over and smoking, but we got talking and all he wants to do is make music and start doing what he loves, because he is tired of the life he is living right now. Our member was able to testify to him of the plan God has for us and the happiness it brings. He ended up saying that he thought it was really interesting we talked because he said he usually would have ignored us, but he didn't. He gave us his number and is excited to meet this week! And if we had met with the investigator we were supposed to meet with we wouldn't have found Alex! But then later, we were able to reschedule with our investigator, so everything worked out anyway! #thisiswhatdreamsaremadeof

This week we had an awesome district meeting on recognizing the spirit in lessons and being able to help our investigators feel and recognize it as well. It was powerful! 

So one day we went and visited a less-active member. The sisters had been teaching her daughter, but it wasn't going anywhere because the parents' testimony wasn't really in place. So we taught the mom. And we were bold and honest with her, which is EXACTLY what she needed. She has had some bad experiences in and out of the church, and she has a very strong personality, but she has been trying to do things on her own. So we were able to teach her about the simplicity and beauty of letting Christ walk with her and help he, because that's the only way any of us will be successful and happy in this life. 

Something that was said, completely by the spirit: "Your spirit teaches you the things your natural man doesn't want you to know." 

Truth!

One night we had dinner at a members home with the "Empty Nester's Club"-- it was with a bunch of old women from the ward! Haha, how fun! Good food, good company, good message! We talked about faith in Jesus Christ how we can continually increase our faith in Him. We are also hoping to be able to go out visiting teaching with these sweet members!

Oh, so we met this cute Scottish lady on the street last week that tried to give us money for coffee, and then we ran into her again! So she decided to give us her number so she could take us out for lunch and she did! We had Thai and we talked to her about he beliefs and her life and then shared the message of the Restoration. She isn't interested really, but she loves us and wants to continue looking out for us, so we're not really opposed to that! We'll keep working on her.

So we taught the sisters' former investigator and our member's friend, Shiela. She is wonderful! Has a strong connection with the Bible and loves God, quite much so! We taught her about the Book of Mormon (this wasn't the first time) and everything ended with her wanting to start including the Book of Mormon in her personal study and really seeing if it truly does contain the fullness of the everlasting gospel. She liked that. 

We also taught John this week about the Priesthood and preparing for a calling. He is quite the prepared man! His main concerns with the church are... how the chorister in the front of sacrament meeting should be more of a lead singer for the congregation and how the baptismal suits need to be thicker. So.... yeah, he is solid! And he was BAPTIZED on Sunday! So that was exciting! It was a short and simply service, just as he requested. At the end he bore his testimony and was crying and gave Sister Rasmussen and myself a hug....

NOT WHAT WE WERE EXPECTING BUT IT HAPPENED AND THE SPIRIT CONFIRMED IT WAS OKAY SO..... Yeah, we got some grief about it from the other missionaries and the ward (jokingly of course), but it was so frightening and funny. 

So Sunday night, all we needed to be able to achieve the Standards of Excellence, was to find one more person that was ready to set their own baptismal date. So we were thinking of all our investigators that could use a visit that might be ready and none of them were at the time; but as we were driving at the EXACT same time we thought of the same person. So we went to visit her and she and her friend were both home. At first I thought she wouldn't be able to open up about the gospel right now with her friend there, but we just talked to them about how they were and brought up baptism and all of a sudden her friend was like, "Baptism? I want to do that. Let's do it together!!" NO WAY. And by the end of the night, they committed to be baptized together! HOW COOL IS THAT? Talk about #sundaynightmiracles!!!

Yesterday we went and taught this part member family! The dad came to church on Sunday and he and his brother are getting back into the church and he wants his kids to prepare to be baptized. We're even working with his wife by gaining her trust first and going over later this week to help her out and do some service for her! This family is oh so good.

A line from my favourite hymn this week: 

"As he died to make men holy, let us live to make men free"

I love this. Christ loves us. And we need to love others. No matter what they look like or act like. We're all spiritual siblings are have are called to lift each other up. Let us bring others to Him!

xoxo