Hello everyone!

This week was so great! Lots of amazing miracles happened, and I learned so much!

To start things off, we have a new investigator, T! She is from Manitoba (a province here in Canada I didn't know existed until 3 months ago...) she is wonderful! She's currently living with a less active family, and that's how she was introduced to the Church! Remember that family I told you about weeks ago that has the scariest dog on the face of this planet, that's them! Haha they are a lot nicer than their dog! Our first lesson with her was amazing! A lot of the members of the household are sick due to mold. So they requested priesthood blessings, and T was able to see that as well as receive one! It gave her a lot of peace of comfort. She's currently in a custody battle with her ex-husband for 3 of her 4 kids. They are in an awful environment with their father, so she is doing everything she can to get them back. She loves how much the gospel can bless families, and she has accepted the invitation to be baptized on March 26! We're hoping she can get her kids back soon so they can all be baptized on the same day. She's already stopped drinking coffee, and she is working on quitting smoking. She has been so prepared by the Lord, and she's already building friendships with members of the ward! 

On Friday, we went to the Ponoka long-term care facility! It was their Valentine's Day party, and it was a blast! As soon as we got there, I walk over to the ladies, and there's a lady with them that I don't recognize. She starts swearing like crazy! One of the ladies tells me, "she hasn't had a cigarette since last night. They only let her go out 2 times a day."  the ladies start talking to her about how bad it is for you, and she shouldn't do that anymore. She responded with, "I'm 90 years old! I should be able to have a smoke whenever I want to!" There were a few explicit phrases in that sentence..... Hahaha all of us just busted up laughing!! Once we got the ice cream cake out and the piano man started playing, she calmed right down. Goodness I love elderly people! After the piano guy left, we still had a few minutes with them. So I decided to teach them a card game! And it may or may not have been Blackjack....   they loved it! Of course, there was no bet on the line, but it was so hysterical! They would say, "hit me!" And then if it was too high they would say, "oh not that hard!" We were all almost crying we were laughing so hard! I just adore these little ladies! I definitely have a soft spot for elderly people! 

Saturday was beautiful! It was 41 degrees outside! We had been asked to shovel a less active's driveway while they were out of town, so we were outside in our jeans and tshirts! It was amazing to finally get some Vitamin D! Naturally as missionaries, we started thinking of metaphors for shoveling and missionary work. By the end, we were laughing so hard! We had come up with the craziest things! We also started singing the "Frozen Heart" song from Frozen. In Canada, you don't just shovel snow, you also have to use a giant ice pick to get the frozen stuff underneath! My fore arms are still sore! But it was a blast to be outside and to serve! 

This week we were able to visit a part member family we hadn't seen in a while. He's been less active since high school, the wife isn't a member, and they have two adorable daughters, 9 & 11. As far as spirituality goes, it's not a priority for them, and I'm not sure that the message that we shared helped with that, but as we left that house, I had a very clear picture in my mind of being in the sealing room with that family, all dressed in white, kneeling at the alter! It almost brought me to my knees! It was such a clear picture, and I know that this is going to happen one day! They will be an eternal family! What a great reminder that was to me of the importance of not giving up on anyone. We don't know what their timeline is like or what the Lord has in store for them, but he always has a plan. And it is our job to figure out our role in that plan! I'm so grateful that the Lord let me see that event, it really helped refocus me on why I am here!

I'll finish off with our favorite Anglican woman, D! She really is so wonderful! We saw her on Sunday, and as soon as we arrived, she told us she is giving the sermon next week in her church, and she wants our help!  so we are meeting with her on Thursday to offer suggestions for her sermon! She said she's even going to say from the pulpit that the LDS sister missionaries contributed to this sermon!  she is the greatest! And I really hope they don't run her out of town for it! We can see her faith building, and I'm so grateful to play a role in her journey to the restored gospel! 

If there is one thing I learned this week, it is the truth that gospel blesses families! The Savior established his church in a way that would not only help us as individuals, but as families! We are all God's children, and he loves us so much! We need to help all of our brothers and sisters, especially those who don't have this knowledge! My new favorite quote is my C.S. Lewis. "It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship... It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is in the awe and circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilization- these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit- immortal horrors or everlasting splendours." Imagine if we actually did see everyone like this! I hope that we can give everyone the opportunity to hear the gospel so they can have the chance to live up to their divine potential. 

I love you so much, and have a fantastic week!

Sister Bethany Christensen
#blessed

​As always, things have been so busy! But first of all, transfer calls were yesterday, and we didn't receive a call. That means I'm staying in Lacombe! Normally it's only 6 weeks, but with the extension of time in the MTC, another week is being added on to this transfer. I have mixed emotions about staying. I love this place so so much! But I'm already so attached! Haha so I wanted to leave because it will be easier now than in 7 weeks! But the Lord still has work for me to do here! I'm going to be an emotional mess when I leave this place!


To start things off, I'll tell you about D! I'm surprised I haven't told you about her yet! This woman is so incredible! She is 84, a former Anglican priestess, and there is no way she is going to join our church. Hahah at least that's what she thinks. She was a referral from a member, and Sister L and I stopped by so many times! Finally about a month ago, she let us in! She has been so so kind to us! Although she used to be a priestess in her church, every time we see her, she's asking us the questions! We've had to teach her in a very unique way because of her determination to stay Anglican, but we can see her heart opening up! The reason she's not a priestess anymore is because her church forced her to step down due to her age! She was so devastated, but still supports her church no matter what. She would make the greatest member! If she doesn't join in this life, we know that she will be well prepared in the next! 

Our previous investigator, T, has been doing a great job at avoiding us! Haha but we found out that she was unable to work because her knee injury had gotten worse. We decided to stop by and see if we could cheer her up. We soon discovered that her fiancé's truck was there, and he's the reason she stopped investigating! We decided to pray about whether or not to go inside, and I felt the strong impression to go for it. It was so wonderful! She let us do her dishes, we got to meet the fiancé who was actually pretty nice, and I got to see her daughter who just adores me! We're really building back this relationship! I really hope to get this whole family into the church! So please keep her in your prayers!

This week was an interesting one for Sister P, it was her birthday on Sunday, but on Saturday, she found out that her grandma passed away. This is the 2nd grandparent she has lost on her mission! She handled it so well! The really cool part was what happened on Saturday! Her grandma is from Cardston, and it is crazy windy there! Lacombe has only had high winds once while I've been here, and it happened again on Saturday! It gave sister P so much comfort, and she really felt close to her grandma that day. It's amazing how Heavenly Father can work with the elements to comfort us! Tuesday was a really tough day for me. I was feeling so stressed, overwhelmed, and I would even use the word depressed! But that night, the Northern Lights were out! It was absolutely breathtaking! As we were out looking at them, I had the overwhelming feeling that Heavenly Father had made that happen just for me! Our Father in Heaven cares so so much! It was amazing to have that feeling of love made manifest in such a spectacular way.

I have one more story!  The K's had us over for Sister P's birthday supper. When we arrived, her son J was there. He's my age and very less active. We were shocked that he actually talked to us, but then he even stuck around for supper! He's about as pessimistic and negative as a person can be, but we were still able to have a great conversation. All of a sudden, gay marriage was brought up, and he asked us about the church's stand on it. Having answered this question many times, I started by expressing the love the church has for everyone! And before I could even get into the answer to his question, he threw his arms up, exclaimed that he hates our religion and stormed out!  I was expecting some pushback but not that quickly! Fortunately, we were able to finish the night with a great gospel conversation with the Kites! But it really got me thinking about how important it is to always be ready to answer the tough questions about the church! It may not be received well, but I hope that we can represent the church well in our answers and conversations! 

Well everyone, this week has been the farthest from easy, and down right awful at times, but I know that the Lord has work for me to do here in Lacombe! I can't wait to see what work that is, and I look forward to proclaiming His word to everyone around me! This is the Plan of Happiness and truth! I know that Heavenly Father loves each of us so personally. I hope each of you will feel that love this week! 

With gratitude,

Sister Bethany Christensen
#blessed