New Area, New Companion, New Work

So this has been a great week.  I am loving the work here in Mandarin Bonnie Doon!  I have a great companion, Elder Saumweber, who is a great missionary and a great guy.  He's done a lot of good work here, and I am so happy to be a part of it now.  I've met two of our three progressing investigators, and there are two potential investigators that other missionaries told us about this week.  The work here is really progressing. I am so glad to be a part of the Lord's work and to see the miracles that come from him.  This week I've also been reflecting on the distant future.  Sending off Elder Brown forces me to think a bit about the end of my own mission.  Something that's still a ways off, but coming all too soon.  But it helps me to realize that although I have so much farther to go to become the missionary I want to be, I can get there, with the help of Jesus Christ.  I am so thankful for my Lord, Savior and Redeemer.  He loves us so much, and I am so grateful for his Atonement and I am so glad for the chance to share this with other people.  I love you all and want you to know that I believe in this work.  I believe in this Church, and I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the one true path to eternal happiness and an eternal life with God.  Hope you all are having a good week!

Transfer Meeting week of July 13

Transfers - My Luck Could Only Hold Out So Long

So I'll explain the title line.  Yesterday was the morning of transfer calls.  I have stayed in the North Stake, my first area, for 9 months.  I have grown to love this area.  To love the people and experiences that I have faced here.  But it is time to move. I have been asked to move to the Bonnie Doon Stake, in the East of Edmonton.  Which I am super stoked for!  Bonnie Doon covers the university, and has the most young Chinese people, who are generally more receptive than the older families that live in the North.  I will be serving with Elder Saumweber, who just finished his training.  I am super stoked for the chance to serve with him.

This week has been Elder Brown's last week in the mission.  It gives him, and me, a chance to reflect on missions, life, and the brevity of it all. It makes me appreciate the time I have here, and renews my desire to work hard, to fulfill the purpose that I came here for.  Because, even though I know when the mission day of reckoning should be, it comes faster than I know it.  I am so grateful for the chance to serve the Lord in Edmonton.  I love you all and hope you are doing well!

Independence Day and Our Lady Queen of Peace

So this week's email is pretty short. Last week, Elder Brown was in Jasper, so we moved our emails back to Thursday.  So not much has happened since then.  Friday, we helped with a youth leadership camp that took place on a ranch at the edge of Edmonton (It was called Our Lady Queen of Peace Ranch). It was a great time. We built good relationships with those involved and helped strengthen our relationship with ASSIST, a great community services center based here in Edmonton.  It was lots of fun, and I am super glad we got to help/participate. 

Saturday was July 4th!  Not much happened here. Sister McRitchie, an awesome member in this area invited us over for breakfast, and fed us red, white, and blue pancakes.  They were delicious!  It was a great was to start off a Happy America day.  After that,  we did nothing else that was America.  We did lots of yard work with Spanish people.  That was fun.  Its always a great time when we can get out of a dress shirt and into a pair of jeans. I always feel much more relaxed anyways.

Sunday was spent fasting and praying... Most of it at least.  We went to the YSA ward, and then came home and studied until dinner, when someone had invited us over. That was great.  And then we went to go say goodbye to some people in Elder Brown's old area. It's that time of the transfer. He's about to go home, only 9 days left!  Its been great serving with him, and I am so grateful for all the things he's taught me and I have been able to learn from him. I'm glad to have his example.

Another person I am grateful for is my Lord and Savior Jesus. Through his infinite mercy I am continually striving to be a better person than I was before.  I am so grateful for the chance I have to know Christ in a personal way, and for the strength that this gives me.  And I am grateful for the chance to share this with those around me in Edmonton Canada.  

Love you all and miss you!

Ps. Some pictures from service with ASSIST.