9-19-2017

SOMETIMES THEY FIND US!!!

THEY FOUND US!!!! Those who need Heavenly Father's help will be guided to it!! And i am SO GRATEFUL that I get to be a part of that help!!

Sister Brock and I went to our investigator (Steph) s home. We didn't have anything scheduled, but we felt prompted to stop by.  While we were there sister Brock remembered this relief society activity at the church, so we convinced Steph to come with us, and her kids would stay with the babysitter that was there. While we were at the church for the activity Steph seemed really uncomfortable at first, but slowly started to get more comfortable, and she started talking more. She got so comfortable that sister brick and I didn't have to stay by her side the whole time. Shortly after Steph started getting more comfortable we heard someone come into the church house, which was weird because everyone we were expecting was already there. 

    A lady in our branch went to see who it was, and she came to get me and sister Brock. When we went out there were two girls we had never seen before. They were looking for a class and they were kinda lost. We introduced ourselves to each other. Their names are Josephine and Isabelle's. They asked if we had that specific class going on. We said no, but if they came back the next night we might be able to help them. 

    The next night we met at the church and we decided to give them a church tour. (a church tour is exactly that, most people don't actually know how an LDS church building is set up or how the service works, so you show them the chapel and classrooms that they will be in, when they'll be in there, what they'll do in there, etc.) At the end of the church tour we were in the relief society room and we asked if they had any questions before we actually taught them. Isabelle said "yeah, I've been wondering how I can get baptized?" then Josephine said “yeah, I would love to get baptized too, and can kids get baptized?" We told them yes, and the process of getting to a point where they can be baptized (receive all of the missionary discussions, and be interviewed) and they were so excited about it!! We then talked to them about the restoration, and all four of us almost started crying, the spirit was so strong!! That lesson was one of the most powerful and spiritual experiences of my life!! They set their baptismal date for December 12th!!!!  

Heavenly Father knows the best things that will help his children, and even if they don't realize it... They are being guided exactly where they need to be! He watches out for us! He gives us the support and strength and comfort we ALL need!! I feel like a lot of (if not all) my emails talk about the great love our Father in Heaven has for us!! But it is SO TRUE!!! There is Nothing truer or more significant than the fact that He loves us SO MUCH!!! His great love for us is the source of EVERYTHING we have, ALL that we are, and without Him we would be completely and infinitely lost. We wouldn't even be here. 

Mosiah 27:3   &    Alma 42:23

️WITH EVERY STEP THE WORK IS PROGRESSING!!! HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE!!! ️

9-12-2017

Our New Ride🚗🚗🚘🚙

Wednesday morning the housing coordinator and her husband texted me and Sister Brock, inviting us to supper at their house!! That night we stopped at their home, which is half way between Edmonton and Whitecourt, and ate tacos with them!! We had been in Edmonton for a Zone Conference, and a temple trip, and they knew that we would be driving through their town around supper time, so they asked us to stop by!! They are the COOLEST old couple!! He LOVES cars, and he built the cars in the pictures!! He let us take pictures in them to show off!! (so here is me showing off his beautiful cars)

Sunday evening we went to a members home, who is so excited to have sister missionaries!! She talked to us about how evil men are, and how we have to be careful when we get home from our missions, and that we shouldn't ever be fooled!! Haha!! It was way weird! Thinking about what we talked about with her, logically we feel like we should've been scared out of our minds... But this sister carries the spirit with her so strongly that everything she said to us comforted us in ways we didn't know we needed to be comforted!! 

It is things like that, that are a testiment to me of how well our Father in Heaven knows us!! He has prepared for us everything and anything we could need, we just have to listen to the guidance of the Spirit to find and recognize the blessings!! 

We had an Amazing lesson with a lady we found over 2 weeks ago!! We had tried to contact her a few times, but she was sick and seemed almost annoyed that we kept trying!! But when we finally got her at a good time we were able to sit down with her, she turned out to be SO GOOD!! She has so many questions that the gospel has answers to, and she soaks everything in!! She was explaining to us that she believes that God is in all of us and in everything, so we talked to her about the holy spirit, and she said that it makes so much sense!! She is incredible and she is so prepared for the answers of the gospel!! 

I KNOW that Heavenly Father prepares us, His children, for our greatest challenges. He gives us the tools we need to find strength, comfort, direction, peace, joy, etc. etc.! When we use the tools he has given us, being the Book of Mormon, prophets, prayer, the gift of the holy ghost, church, etc. etc., our relationship with Him will grow and we will be able to endure ALL that is put in our path! 

PS - Sister Brock and I have matching pants!!!!!!!!! 

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!! Ether 12:27

️WITH EVERY STEP THE WORK IS PROGRESSING!!! HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE!!! ️

9-5-2017

RING  RING  RING  Miracles are calling!!!

This week was chalk full of SO Many miracles!!! 

First, our cars tires were bulging and separating, but we would've had no idea if we hadn't taken it in!! We took it in because we were hearing a noise, but the car people didn't hear anything!! This was a miracle because if we hadn't gotten our car checked out for the noise no one would've noticed our tires, which would've meant we would've driven 600 kilometers and our tires would've popped!!! We would've been stranded in the middle of the bush!!! 

Next, WE LOST OUR PHONE!!! This was awful because we have smartphones!! We were so upset because we knew that we were going to lose our presidents trust and we knew that those phones are super expensive!! We called our district leader and his companion on FB messenger and asked them to phone us so we could find it!! A lady answered and said we could come get it anytime!! Earlier that day we had been parked on her street to walk to the park to contact!! We never were that close to her house though!! She found our phone on the railing of her porch and she was about to open the phone to see whose it was when it started ringing!! While talking with her we found out that her husband was investigating the church a few years ago, and he is still searching for the truth!! We are SO EXCITED!!! Angels literally took our phone from our possession and placed it on her railing because we NEEDED to talk to that lady to find her, her husband, and her family!!! 

I was told something super profound and SOOOO true this week!!! And not only was I told this, but I have experienced this every day since!! As you expect miracles, you receive miracles!!! This is SOOOO TRUE!! Our expectations lowering are the only reason we see fewer miracles... We blind ourselves to the miracles our Heavenly Father is constantly raining down on us!! 

I LOVED learning that this week because I was expecting/started off my week with a horrible attitude!! I was expecting an awful week, but when my STL, sister Jarman, shared that with me my whole week changed into one of the best weeks ever!! And I have witnessed countless miracles in the past few days!!! 

I LOVE ALL OF YOU SO MUCH!!!

️WITH EVERY STEP THE WORK IS PROGRESSING!!! HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE!!! ️

8-29-2017

We Saw a Moose!!!

On Wednesday we were driving out of the bush (the Forrest) from a supper appointment and we were stopped by a moose in the middle of the road!!! Sister Brock was able to check that off of her mission bucket list!! AND we got to hold one of our investigator's birds!!! The birds even danced for us!!! 

This week was SO GOOD!!! We were able to find 6 solid potential investigators, commit 2 other investigators to baptism, with one of them on date!! We had really good appointments with most of everyone else, and were able to have some really cool conversations with people who aren't interested, but are super spiritual and appreciate us as missionaries!! 

One lady we found almost a month ago is a kindred spirit of mine!! She is the cutest old lady ever!! Her name is Yvonne, and she is sweet and sassy!! We taught her most of the Plan of Salvation the other day, and she just gets it!! She seems to understand that this is the path to greater things for herself and her family!! 

I studied humility, diligence, and virtue one day this past week, and I think doing what I could this week to apply those things is what helped those people so much the past few days!! Simply, humility is giving our Heavenly Father all the credit, because he deserves all of the credit. We wouldn't be able to do anything we do if it weren't for him! (Helaman 4:13) Virtue is doing all we can to think good things. Striving to not give into the temptation of thinking about things that are not holy or Godly!! Thoughts occasionally pop into our heads, but we must do all we can to reject those thoughts!! Diligence is striving to do what is right in all things, all times and all places. Working hard to do what God asks of you!! God knows what will help us, so when we do it with all our heart might mind and strength we will surely be blessed with growth and improvement in our lives!!

I know that the work is progressing, whether or not we notice it!! I know that by applying the things we learn to everything we are as individuals we will be strengthened!! GOD'S strength is SO MUCH Greater than our own strength, for if we were left on our own we would fail in every way!! God won't abandon His children!! EVER!!!! 

2 Nephi 26:23&24 (Sister Brock's favorite scripture) 

️WITH EVERY STEP THE WORK IS PROGRESSING!!! HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE!!! ️

8-22-2017

Receive It All & Speaking in Sacrament Meeting

This week just happened!!! I was writing my weekly email last week, and then I blinked, and then I was still writing it, but for this week!!! 

I met so many amazing people this week!! I talked to a ton of people about Christ and faith and about different beliefs of different religions, it's too bad none of them want us to come and share with them the message of the restored gospel of Christ!! One of these wonderful people is Ann!! She is Christian, and was so excited to talk to us about Christ!!! We met her while tracting, and we spoke to her for about 30 minutes on her porch!! She has so much faith, and I LOVE meeting people like that!! Even though they don't have the fullness of the gospel, they Know that Christ is their Savior and all that they have and are comes from Him (like Moroni 10:18 says)!!!!! 

This week I also had the pleasure of speaking in my branches sacrament meeting!!! I actually kinda love speaking in sacrament meeting (but please don't tell Bishop Hancock )!!! I spoke on the talk Return and Receive by Elder M. Russell Ballard, from April 2017!! I LOVE this talk!!! My favorite quote from it is towards the end:

 "I testify there is no greater goal in mortality than to live eternally with our Heavenly Parents and our beloved Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. But it is more than just o

ur goal—it is also Their goal. They have a perfect love for us, more powerful than we can even begin to comprehend. They are totally, completely, eternally aligned with us. We are Their work. Our glory is Their glory. More than anything else, They want us to come home—to return and receive eternal happiness in Their presence."

Because God's knowledge and love for us is limitless, we can return to live with our Heavenly Parents, and our Savior Jesus Christ, without a doubt!! As we turn to our Heavenly Father for guidance in this life, he will give us the direction we need to steadily make it through!!!! 

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!! NEVER FORGET WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU STAND FOR!!!! 

                                             ️/Sister Ball 

️WITH EVERY STEP THE WORK IS PROGRESSING!!! HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE!!! ️

8-15-2017

Smokin' Hot CANADA

On Sunday when we were leaving the church, wet couldn't see the sun!! It was so smokey!! There are so many fires right now in BC, so there is a lot of smoke in Alberta!! But all is well!!!!! 

One of our investigators lives in a small town about 30 minutes away from our apartment, and we have been trying to find her since we got here. She was in our area book, but no one that we were able to talk to about the area had any information on her. Her number wasn't working and we had stopped by a few times, but no one was ever home!! We were about to drop her, but we decided on the speer of the moment to go try her house one last time. We went, and she was home!!!! She was just about to walk out the door, and she is super busy, so it was a miracle that she was home!!! I know that God lead us to her home when he did, because now we have made contact with her and she is ready for the gospel!!! She even told us "maybe I'll actually look into your church now"!!!! 

Another one of our investigators is a family, who are all so sweet and fun!! They tell us stories about the missionaries that were here before us, and it is weird to hear the investigators perspective on the difference between "guy Elder's" and "Girls Elders"!!!  The family likes to call us Girl Elder's, and we love it!! And we also, don't know how to break it to them that our title isn't as "cool" as the boys!!!  (this is the reason for the tie pic) 

3 Nephi 2

   1 And it came to pass that thus passed away the ninety and fifth year also, and the people began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven, insomuch that they began to be hard in their hearts, and blind in their minds, and began to disbelieve all which they had heard and seen—

   2 Imagining up some vain thing in their hearts, that it was wrought by men and by the power of the devil, to lead away and deceive the hearts of the people; and thus did Satan get possession of the hearts of the people again, insomuch that he did blind their eyes and lead them away to believe that the doctrine of Christ was a foolish and a vain thing

We choose whether or not we will see the blessings and miracles God has given us!! God will forever bless his children, he loves us and will never hold anything back from us if we choose to receive it!! Our choice is shown in our actions, in keeping the Commandments, doing the little things God has asked us to do, by following Christ's example in all things!! Keep in you heart and your mind always the things that Christ would be doing and the things that God would have you do!!! Look for the blessings from heaven in all things, because they will always be there, we just have to notice them!!! 

I LOVE ALL OF YOU SO MUCH!!!!! NEVER FORGET WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU STAND FOR!!!! 

                                                                       ️️️/SISTER BALL 

8/8/2017 -

Smartphones and proselyting using FaceBook

This week was a way good week!!! We had a ton of trainings and other meetings in Edmonton, so we didn't do too much work in Whitecourt, but what we did do was really good!!! 

We went to a LA members house and hung out with them for a bit!!! We had supper with a recent convert couple, and their investigating daughter!!! We weren't expecting the daughter to be there, so our planned message was geared towards getting the couple to the temple, but it ended up being about our purpose in this life and eternal families. We are excited to help that family eventually get to the temple and be sealed to each other for time and all eternity!!!

After supper We went to an appointment with our branch president and a friend of his!!! It was a way cool appointment!!! We talked about God's hand in his life, and he asked me if I have recognized God's hands in my life.  I told him about being able to contact my friend Aubrey when I didn’t have her updated information, but was able to get in touch with her before she got married.  GOD IS GOOD!!!!!) 

After the appointment Sister Larsen and Sister Tsou came and spent the night with us!!!! It was so fun to see and talk to Sister Larsen again!!!! Also, sister Tsou is from Taiwan, so we were talking about it for a while!!! She told me that a friend of hers had Americans visit her school and apparently had a "thing" for one of the boys!!! I asked if she would recognize this boy if she saw a picture of him, she said yes, so I showed her some pictures of our group.  Sister Tsou and I talked for so long about Taiwan and all things we love about that country!!!!! 

For the trainings, we had training all day for FB and SMARTPHONES!!!!! My mission is changing to smartphones!!!!!! It is all way exciting!!!! All of these things that are going on are prime examples of the Lords’ work being hastened!!!!!  We haven't even had FB for a whole week of proselytizing and our whole mission has already experienced miracles from using it!!!! It is so nice to be able to use social media to share the gospel with the world!!! This is fulfilling prophecy of the gospel reaching every corner of the earth!!!! 

We also had Zone conference!!!! I LOVED the trainings that were given!!!!! And it was so nice to meet more missionaries, and make more mission friends!!!! We also went to the temple!!!!! I missed it so much!!! True example of not appreciating what you have until you lose it!!!! It was such a good session!!!!! I felt the spirit so strongly.  This week we also had meetings for the missionary trainees and trainers!!!  Then, I went on exchanges!!!!!!!!!! My STL's are Sister Hollon and Sister Jarman!!! I LOVE THEM!!!! I was with Sister Hollon and she is so good!!! She taught /reminded me of a lot of things I want to be and be able to do on my mission!!!!! She is so good and I want to be like her!!!!  Be an example and great trainer and example for someone else!!!!!

On Sunday we had a day full of appointments, but we were able to go contacting in a park.  We were able to re-find this one guy!!! His name is Casey and I was so excited to talk to him!!! He has had a rough life, and I knew that I could help him with my experience being on LITE team and with the Gospel!!! But when we called him it was a wrong number!!! We thought he had purposefully given us the wrong number until we ran into him at the park!!! He was so sorry for giving us the wrong number and had been excited to meet with us!!! We also were able to make contact with a former investigating family!!!!! 

On Monday we were able to meet with and teach the family!!!  They are coming to church on Sunday and feeding us on Saturday!!!!! They are so nice!! They seem like they are already members. 

This week is transfers.  Sister Brock and I think one of us is getting transferred. I love it here in Whitecourt and LOVE our investigators, but I will go where the Lord wants me to do.