Hello Everyone!
What an exciting week it was! So many crazy adventures, and so many cool experiences.
Friday was incredible. It was Remembrance Day, and I was on exchanges in Cherry Grove! Life was just so so good! With Cold Lake being a military town, there was a full blown Military Ceremony, a marching parade and everything. I just admire how well Canadians honor their veterans. There is such a deep respect and admiration for all who have fought for freedom. I'm so grateful to be serving in a country that has those freedoms! It's truly such a blessing. It felt so good to be back in the Promised Land too! Ah, I just love Cherry Grove with all of my heart! I don't think I'll ever be able to thank Heavenly Father enough for the incredible people I've met throughout my mission. And being able to see a few of them again brought such an indescribable joy. I'm truly so so blessed!
Being on exchanges with Sister R was such a blast! We have always wanted to be companions, and we got our wish for 24 hours! She is truly an incredible missionary, she brings so much joy to every person she meets! We were able to go see a family that I started meeting with in Cold Lake. This family is incredible, such big hearts, and they have always willingly opened their home to us. Sadly, they don't quite see the need for the gospel in their lives yet. I really hoping that they will start to see the need because they would contribute so much to our church! I know that the missionaries are in their lives for a reason, and one day, they will understand why. :D
Saturday was full of hilarious stories. Story number one- Every Saturday, we have a table set up in front of the church building on Whyte Ave, which is one of the busiest shopping/ food areas in the city. We have different sets of missionaries there for about 4 hours trying to talk to as many people as we can. I started talking to a man named G, who is born again Christian. Haha Let's just say, he is very passionate about his beliefs! As am I! He immediately pulled out his Bible, and we had quite the conversation. Now, I am not one to Bible Bash, especially because I don't know my Bible well enough to compete! But he was able to say what he wanted, and we were able to testify to him that God truly does love each of us. We were all laughing by the end, and we wished each other luck in our endeavors.
Story number 2!
Sister A and I were on our way home for dinner Saturday, and I get off the bus to head towards our apartment. As the bus pulls away, I realize, SISTER A DIDN'T GET OFF OF THE BUS! She's still so new to the city, so she didn't realize we were getting off. I am now in full blown panic mode! What do I do?? I have the phone, how long will it take her to notice I'm gone, I'm by myself for literally the first time in 13 months!!!!! There are people everywhere, but I am by myself! haha So I call President Pattison because I'm clueless about what to do, and he doesn't answer. Helpful! So I figured the best thing I can do is start walking the bus route in hopes that she'll get off at one of the next stops. WEIRDEST FEELING OF MY LIFE! I've never felt so normal and yet not normal all at the same time! Then I get a phone call, and it's Sister A!! She borrowed someone's phone, and she had gotten off two stops later. What a sweet reunion that was! People, missionaries are so weird! Hahaha I never thought that I would feel so strange being alone! I'm in for quite the adjustment when I get home.....
J is doing so well!!! This man is gold! Sister A and Sister St had a lesson with him on Thursday, and he is so excited to be learning! He attended ARP this week, and he's already been to church twice! We had a fantastic lesson with him last night. We were reading in the Book of Mormon about getting the plates from Laban, and before we start, he gave US a brief rundown of everything that had happened before with Lehi, Nephi, Laman, and Lemuel. I was smiling like a fool the whole time. It's incredible because you can already see a change in him! When we first met him, he came across as this rough and tough guy, total bachelor apartment, and now there is so much light in him! His apartment has the Spirit! The member who referred him to us came to the lesson on Thursday, and he's know J for 16 years. He said that this is the time, J is so ready. He is coming with us to a baptism on Thursday to see what it will be like for him on December 10! I love teaching him because it feels like we aren't doing anything, it's 100% the Spirit changing him.
I have such a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ! It's incredible to be on the sidelines, watching people physically and spiritually change because of Him. I know that literally no one is past the point of help from the Savior. It doesn't matter how big or small our infirmities may be, He is there to lift us and carry us home. What an honor to be a witness to this healing power in my own life, and in the lives of those that we teach.
Mission Tour is happening this week!! This is when a General Authority comes to speak to the mission. So prepare yourselves for an overload of enthusiasm for the work next week. ;) I love you all!
Have an incredible week!!
Sister Bethany Christensen
#blessed
What an exciting week it was! So many crazy adventures, and so many cool experiences.
Friday was incredible. It was Remembrance Day, and I was on exchanges in Cherry Grove! Life was just so so good! With Cold Lake being a military town, there was a full blown Military Ceremony, a marching parade and everything. I just admire how well Canadians honor their veterans. There is such a deep respect and admiration for all who have fought for freedom. I'm so grateful to be serving in a country that has those freedoms! It's truly such a blessing. It felt so good to be back in the Promised Land too! Ah, I just love Cherry Grove with all of my heart! I don't think I'll ever be able to thank Heavenly Father enough for the incredible people I've met throughout my mission. And being able to see a few of them again brought such an indescribable joy. I'm truly so so blessed!
Being on exchanges with Sister R was such a blast! We have always wanted to be companions, and we got our wish for 24 hours! She is truly an incredible missionary, she brings so much joy to every person she meets! We were able to go see a family that I started meeting with in Cold Lake. This family is incredible, such big hearts, and they have always willingly opened their home to us. Sadly, they don't quite see the need for the gospel in their lives yet. I really hoping that they will start to see the need because they would contribute so much to our church! I know that the missionaries are in their lives for a reason, and one day, they will understand why. :D
Saturday was full of hilarious stories. Story number one- Every Saturday, we have a table set up in front of the church building on Whyte Ave, which is one of the busiest shopping/ food areas in the city. We have different sets of missionaries there for about 4 hours trying to talk to as many people as we can. I started talking to a man named G, who is born again Christian. Haha Let's just say, he is very passionate about his beliefs! As am I! He immediately pulled out his Bible, and we had quite the conversation. Now, I am not one to Bible Bash, especially because I don't know my Bible well enough to compete! But he was able to say what he wanted, and we were able to testify to him that God truly does love each of us. We were all laughing by the end, and we wished each other luck in our endeavors.
Story number 2!
Sister A and I were on our way home for dinner Saturday, and I get off the bus to head towards our apartment. As the bus pulls away, I realize, SISTER A DIDN'T GET OFF OF THE BUS! She's still so new to the city, so she didn't realize we were getting off. I am now in full blown panic mode! What do I do?? I have the phone, how long will it take her to notice I'm gone, I'm by myself for literally the first time in 13 months!!!!! There are people everywhere, but I am by myself! haha So I call President Pattison because I'm clueless about what to do, and he doesn't answer. Helpful! So I figured the best thing I can do is start walking the bus route in hopes that she'll get off at one of the next stops. WEIRDEST FEELING OF MY LIFE! I've never felt so normal and yet not normal all at the same time! Then I get a phone call, and it's Sister A!! She borrowed someone's phone, and she had gotten off two stops later. What a sweet reunion that was! People, missionaries are so weird! Hahaha I never thought that I would feel so strange being alone! I'm in for quite the adjustment when I get home.....
J is doing so well!!! This man is gold! Sister A and Sister St had a lesson with him on Thursday, and he is so excited to be learning! He attended ARP this week, and he's already been to church twice! We had a fantastic lesson with him last night. We were reading in the Book of Mormon about getting the plates from Laban, and before we start, he gave US a brief rundown of everything that had happened before with Lehi, Nephi, Laman, and Lemuel. I was smiling like a fool the whole time. It's incredible because you can already see a change in him! When we first met him, he came across as this rough and tough guy, total bachelor apartment, and now there is so much light in him! His apartment has the Spirit! The member who referred him to us came to the lesson on Thursday, and he's know J for 16 years. He said that this is the time, J is so ready. He is coming with us to a baptism on Thursday to see what it will be like for him on December 10! I love teaching him because it feels like we aren't doing anything, it's 100% the Spirit changing him.
I have such a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ! It's incredible to be on the sidelines, watching people physically and spiritually change because of Him. I know that literally no one is past the point of help from the Savior. It doesn't matter how big or small our infirmities may be, He is there to lift us and carry us home. What an honor to be a witness to this healing power in my own life, and in the lives of those that we teach.
Mission Tour is happening this week!! This is when a General Authority comes to speak to the mission. So prepare yourselves for an overload of enthusiasm for the work next week. ;) I love you all!
Have an incredible week!!
Sister Bethany Christensen
#blessed