LOADS of Pictures!!!
Happy Late Canada and Independence Day! This is such a fun time of year! Although this year was very different than most 4th of July weekends, it was a blast!
To start off, I made another bad judgement call, and I participated in another food challenge.... this time is was a pie-eating contest with the YSA. Why do I do this?? Hahaha it was hilarious! Each of us had our own pie, and the one who ate it the fastest won. For some strange reason, I chose lemon meringue, and pie that has two layers! Needless to say, I only ate half of the pie, and I don't think I'll be able to eat pie until Thanksgiving.... Hahah
Wednesday we went and helped E. C. clean her windows. I LOVE THIS WOMAN! She's 84, but acts like she's 60. She's as sassy as they come, and we have a blast together. When we arrived, so told us there was 1 window we weren't allowed to wash. A bird had ran into her window and left an imprint! hahahah it was hysterical! And she wanted to keep it there! So we cleaned everything except that window. It was fun to spend some time with her, her brother passed away last Sunday and the funeral was on Saturday. He was 95, so he lived a nice long good life! but it's still never easy to lose someone you love.
Thursday was district meeting in Lloydminster! We just got moved into their district so it was fun to get to know these elders. We had a great discussion about discovering the needs of those we teach. We got into a great discussion about what blessings we have received from being members of the church
Something that hit me while we were talking was that if we truly understand the gospel, why would we ever judge people?? Like for real! If I truly believe that the Atonement can change lives, I should never think that someone is past the point of changing. There are a few people that we are working with that have been driving me crazy because we end up back at the same road blocks. I've been at a loss as to what we can do to help them, but I realized that it won't be me who changes them anyway! It's through the Savior, and it's my job to help them strengthen their relationship with Him. So my focus will now be on that, the Lord has called me to repentance! hahah
Oh Canada! It was such a good day celebrating Canada Day! We first got to be in the parade, and we handed out candy, a lot of people were able to recognize us as missionaries, and a lot of people were nice to us, maybe because it was a holiday? ;) Then we were able to get some fresh kettle corn, and we talked to some people! then for lunch some members invited us to French Bay, which is a camp site in our area, and we got to eat sloppy joes, and veggies and some other things, then we stopped by the Ds' Home where they had another thing going on for the whole town, and it was so awesome! Ok, so every child and teenager LOVES their house, because they have a zipline, a little fishing pond, a mini fairy garden, a sand box area, a HUGE water slide down a gigantic hill, a little mine where you can dig for "Gold" and get candy for how much you find, a little adventure course, lots of mini trails and so much more! It is Kid Paradise! We ate dinner there, and a lot of people showed up to that, so we were able to talk to a bunch of people, and get to know them more, and meet some new people etc.
Something crazy that happened was one of the kids was getting off of the zipline, and the seat popped up and smacked him in the face! It ended up slicing his eyebrow, and he had to go to the emergency room. He asked us to come with him, (he's 14 and hates blood) so we went with him and one of the Young Women. While we were waiting for him to meet with the doctor, a woman came into the ER in hysterics, she was a mess! A young man was escorted into the ER in handcuffs, and we couldn't quite tell what was going on, but Sister V, like the rockstart she is, went over and started talking to her. She was able to say a prayer with her to help calm her down, and we left her with our phone number. Although we haven't heard from her, I know that Heavenly Father put us in her path at exactly the right time, and one day, she will find the gospel.
Saturday we helped with the funeral, and we helped a new family move in! This poor family had everything go wrong! What was originally a 10 hour drive turned into 2 days, a broken down moving truck, and 8 new puppies! It was so crazy! But they made it safe and sound. Between us and the Elder's Quorum, we had their 28 ft trailer unloaded in 50 minutes! It was the fastest the moving guy had ever seen! #mormonmuscles It made them feel so welcome the moment they arrived, and we're so excited to have them in the ward. Their whole family converted 2 1/2 years ago, and they belonged to the High Level branch, which only has about 10 people! So a ward will be a big change for them, but they will be a great addition to the ward.
Monday was a blast! We drove down to Edmonton to meet our new mission president, President P! It was so wonderful to finally meet them after hearing about them for 6 months. They are from New Brunswick, and he comes from a financial planning background. I can't wait to talk business with him! haha He converted to the church at 21, and he served in the Ogden Utah mission a year later. So he knows where Soda Springs is! It was so cool to hear his conversion story. Something really cool that he shared was about his setting apart by Elder Stephenson. President P invited his two missionaries that baptized him to come to his setting apart. Elders Soares of the Seventy was there as well, and he got pretty emotional about it. It is the first time he has ever heard of that being done, and he gives amazing perspective to the work we are engaged in. President kept telling us over and over again, "what you are doing matters! Every little effort you put up makes a difference! I am here today because of missionaries like you." It was so cool to hear that! And he is going to be able to help us see the perspective of our investigators and our converts. I have no doubt that he is exactly who should be leading this mission. He's also so cool! He let us sing the Star Spangled Banner in the middle of the meeting! hahah what a guy.
I am so dang blessed! I am so grateful to be exactly where I am right now! I just see miracles happening everywhere, and it's so cool to be a part of it. I know that Heavenly Father loves each of us, and no sheep is lost to Him. He is always aware, and His love never changes. Something that I keep thinking about is a quote from Elder Holland, I love that guy!
"However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines." -Laborers in the Vineyard
I know this is true! It's impossible for us to every be beyond the reach of the Atonement, all it takes is asking for that divine assistance, and He will lift us!
I love you all so dang much! I hope your week was as great as mine!
Love,
Sister Bethany Christensen
#blessed
To start off, I made another bad judgement call, and I participated in another food challenge.... this time is was a pie-eating contest with the YSA. Why do I do this?? Hahaha it was hilarious! Each of us had our own pie, and the one who ate it the fastest won. For some strange reason, I chose lemon meringue, and pie that has two layers! Needless to say, I only ate half of the pie, and I don't think I'll be able to eat pie until Thanksgiving.... Hahah
Wednesday we went and helped E. C. clean her windows. I LOVE THIS WOMAN! She's 84, but acts like she's 60. She's as sassy as they come, and we have a blast together. When we arrived, so told us there was 1 window we weren't allowed to wash. A bird had ran into her window and left an imprint! hahahah it was hysterical! And she wanted to keep it there! So we cleaned everything except that window. It was fun to spend some time with her, her brother passed away last Sunday and the funeral was on Saturday. He was 95, so he lived a nice long good life! but it's still never easy to lose someone you love.
Thursday was district meeting in Lloydminster! We just got moved into their district so it was fun to get to know these elders. We had a great discussion about discovering the needs of those we teach. We got into a great discussion about what blessings we have received from being members of the church
Something that hit me while we were talking was that if we truly understand the gospel, why would we ever judge people?? Like for real! If I truly believe that the Atonement can change lives, I should never think that someone is past the point of changing. There are a few people that we are working with that have been driving me crazy because we end up back at the same road blocks. I've been at a loss as to what we can do to help them, but I realized that it won't be me who changes them anyway! It's through the Savior, and it's my job to help them strengthen their relationship with Him. So my focus will now be on that, the Lord has called me to repentance! hahah
Oh Canada! It was such a good day celebrating Canada Day! We first got to be in the parade, and we handed out candy, a lot of people were able to recognize us as missionaries, and a lot of people were nice to us, maybe because it was a holiday? ;) Then we were able to get some fresh kettle corn, and we talked to some people! then for lunch some members invited us to French Bay, which is a camp site in our area, and we got to eat sloppy joes, and veggies and some other things, then we stopped by the Ds' Home where they had another thing going on for the whole town, and it was so awesome! Ok, so every child and teenager LOVES their house, because they have a zipline, a little fishing pond, a mini fairy garden, a sand box area, a HUGE water slide down a gigantic hill, a little mine where you can dig for "Gold" and get candy for how much you find, a little adventure course, lots of mini trails and so much more! It is Kid Paradise! We ate dinner there, and a lot of people showed up to that, so we were able to talk to a bunch of people, and get to know them more, and meet some new people etc.
Something crazy that happened was one of the kids was getting off of the zipline, and the seat popped up and smacked him in the face! It ended up slicing his eyebrow, and he had to go to the emergency room. He asked us to come with him, (he's 14 and hates blood) so we went with him and one of the Young Women. While we were waiting for him to meet with the doctor, a woman came into the ER in hysterics, she was a mess! A young man was escorted into the ER in handcuffs, and we couldn't quite tell what was going on, but Sister V, like the rockstart she is, went over and started talking to her. She was able to say a prayer with her to help calm her down, and we left her with our phone number. Although we haven't heard from her, I know that Heavenly Father put us in her path at exactly the right time, and one day, she will find the gospel.
Saturday we helped with the funeral, and we helped a new family move in! This poor family had everything go wrong! What was originally a 10 hour drive turned into 2 days, a broken down moving truck, and 8 new puppies! It was so crazy! But they made it safe and sound. Between us and the Elder's Quorum, we had their 28 ft trailer unloaded in 50 minutes! It was the fastest the moving guy had ever seen! #mormonmuscles It made them feel so welcome the moment they arrived, and we're so excited to have them in the ward. Their whole family converted 2 1/2 years ago, and they belonged to the High Level branch, which only has about 10 people! So a ward will be a big change for them, but they will be a great addition to the ward.
Monday was a blast! We drove down to Edmonton to meet our new mission president, President P! It was so wonderful to finally meet them after hearing about them for 6 months. They are from New Brunswick, and he comes from a financial planning background. I can't wait to talk business with him! haha He converted to the church at 21, and he served in the Ogden Utah mission a year later. So he knows where Soda Springs is! It was so cool to hear his conversion story. Something really cool that he shared was about his setting apart by Elder Stephenson. President P invited his two missionaries that baptized him to come to his setting apart. Elders Soares of the Seventy was there as well, and he got pretty emotional about it. It is the first time he has ever heard of that being done, and he gives amazing perspective to the work we are engaged in. President kept telling us over and over again, "what you are doing matters! Every little effort you put up makes a difference! I am here today because of missionaries like you." It was so cool to hear that! And he is going to be able to help us see the perspective of our investigators and our converts. I have no doubt that he is exactly who should be leading this mission. He's also so cool! He let us sing the Star Spangled Banner in the middle of the meeting! hahah what a guy.
I am so dang blessed! I am so grateful to be exactly where I am right now! I just see miracles happening everywhere, and it's so cool to be a part of it. I know that Heavenly Father loves each of us, and no sheep is lost to Him. He is always aware, and His love never changes. Something that I keep thinking about is a quote from Elder Holland, I love that guy!
"However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines." -Laborers in the Vineyard
I know this is true! It's impossible for us to every be beyond the reach of the Atonement, all it takes is asking for that divine assistance, and He will lift us!
I love you all so dang much! I hope your week was as great as mine!
Love,
Sister Bethany Christensen
#blessed
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