Week 30

Dear Family,

We randomly had so many service projects pop up this week! We helped some hoarders move.... twice.  And I tried to help a woman mow her lawn. And failed. Bahaha. So we sent the Elders. (Why am I such a girl??)

Juli told us yesterday that life is just too crazy right now and she'll call us when things slow down. We also haven't seen Tina.... But Alicia went to church in Langley and watched her friend Roy get baptized! She is a girl that we have been teaching for a couple of weeks now. We invited her to be baptized on Saturday and the Spirit just seemed to hit us like a wall. It was so strong. And she said no. So. C'est la vie, eh? But Roy is a really good friend of hers. And she likes us, so we'll just keep teaching her and keep giving her opportunities to feel the Spirit.

I really feel like God is so aware of each of our situations. Sometimes I find myself wondering how much longer I can hold on to hope that someone will actually progress and just accept the gift! Each time I get disappointed, I turn my hope to a new person we're teaching. And yesterday I just got really frustrated. But I know God is trying my faith and my hope. I may not be perfect, and it may take me until week 72 to figure out this whole mission thing, but I'm still holding on to hope. I just wondered yesterday, if these past 7 1/2 months have been to any benefit. I've watched so many people become so close, and then seem to go right back to where they were when we started. But I know where those thoughts came from. I know God is so aware of each of us, and I know He's aware of me. I don't know what my purpose was in Chilliwack for these past seven months, but maybe someday I'll find out. I don't know. What I do know is that this mission is the time of my life. There really is nowhere else I'd rather be. And if nothing else, I am at least grateful that God is letting me be here.

I find out tonight where I'm going to be transferred. I honestly have no idea.

The work is hard, but it's so worth it.

Love you all.

Sister Thomson

PS. Quotes of the week:
 
Me: "So tell us your conversion story." Member: "Well, I was three years old when my mother found out I was a psychic..."
Woman closing door: "It was just the nuns!"
Brother T: "Seriously? You're still here?" (for the third week in a row. Haha he's really going to miss me. :))
Boy: "It's cold, eh?" Sister Reed: "So is that how Canadians flirt?"

Week 29

Dear Family,

Happy Easter Monday!!!! I'm not just saying that; today is a legitimate holiday in Canada because one isn't good enough. :)

I'm getting transferred in 1.5 weeks. I've never been to a new area and if I go to a YSA ward I will probably die. Just saying.

We saw so many miracles this week. It's ridiculous. Between rabid dogs and left-hand turns and shady men, I'm just really happy I'm a missionary or I would probably not be in one piece. :)

Anyways. So one of our investigators is already in 2 Nephi. And we met her a week ago. WHAT. Her name is Juli, and our lesson didn't work out on Wednesday because she was feeling sick, but we gave her a call on Thursday and she told us that she's put sticky notes and questions everywhere and likes what she's reading. So we're going to see her tomorrow evening. :)

Tina got hit by a bicyclist on Saturday and spent a good portion of her day in the ER. So she couldn't come to church on Sunday. :( Tina is 86, so getting hit by a biker is no bueno. But this woman is incredible. She has taken her landlord to court three times in the past five ish years and won each time. (Verified by one of the neighbors who referred us to Tina). Does Canada have a Supreme Court? She said she took it to a Supreme Court and won. So she is still really there and can still decide for herself. She also is reading the Book of Mormon, and when we invited her to be baptized, she said, don't you think it's a little early? :) She wanted to study more before she decided, but she is definitely the first 86-year-old woman that I have met that is still willing to make a change. I love her. But man, is she facing challenges! She is afraid she might be starting to get Alzheimer's which would be so sad. :( And she got hit by a bike.

I really want to share my testimony of my Savior because I didn't get too much of a chance yesterday.

I know He lives. I've been memorizing the Living Christ, which is helping me so much to know Him better and more able to testify of my belief in Him. About every 30 minutes when we're out proselyting, someone will tell me I don't know Jesus Christ or believe in a different one than they do. Sometimes every door or every other door, depending on the street. But it's only helping me feel more sure and more confident of the reality of my Savior. I believe in the Jesus Christ that was born of Mary, that walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. I know he was "the firstfruits of them slept." I know that because of Him, I have truly been set free and am able to even be on a mission. I know that it has been such a blessing to serve in Chilliwack, because so many are so hostile. And yet I have never been confounded. It's taught me a lot about how key humility and charity are to everything we do. I feel like the fierce opposition has been exactly what I have needed, and my testimony has never been so strong. I have watched as I testify and people's hearts soften. And I know this doesn't seem like part of a testimony of Jesus Christ, but it is. Like Elder Holland said, we all have to go through our own mini-Gethsemane if we really want to be His disciples, and know Him better..

I know His mercy is perfect. No one has gone too far, and His Atonement is for everyone. I wish I was better at sharing this testimony, but I know my Savior. I know He lives. And I know that He wants us to be obedient.

Love you all and hope you weeks are all going well!

Sister Thomson

PS. I keep meaning to take a picture, but I have two driver's licenses. How great is that? :) Blame it on Canada post and how everything takes 3 years to send.
PPS. Sister Reed gave me an Easter Bunny yesterday and made me a bunch of sticky notes with clues on them to find it. :) She assembled all of it while I was in the bathroom. I love her.

Week 28

Dear Family,

Our p-day was today because we got to go to the TEMPLE! :) It was great.

So I have no time to write... so. Here's some of my letter to President Tilleman.

"We had a potential come to church on Sunday! :) We have an appointment with her on Thursday. Her name is Alicia. We also taught the investigator we found during conference last week this past weekend. Her name is Tina and she is 86 years old! And she is not just a cute woman that wants to have us over for cookies! (She can't afford cookies anyways...) She marked Moroni 10 to read and pray about before we even asked her and she promised she would come to church with us this upcoming Sunday. I really think she is still seeking truth! We also met a woman named Juliann yesterday that the Elders gave us. She apparently knows our ward mission leader and his wife really well and has wanted to know about our church but didn't want to pry with her friends. We talked for a really long time and she is so prepared! She just recently got back together with the father of her son and wants to marry him. She has already committed to live the law of chastity on her own and she told us she would facebook our ward mission leader's wife to invite her to our lesson on Wednesday. We called the Turners and were praying so hard that Sister Turner could come because they are a really busy family, but she can! We are so excited.

We have had so many miracles this past week, and my only set-back has been feeling unqualified for the work! I kept thinking to myself, man, we are finding so many awesome people and have so many great people to teach. If it weren't for me these people would be progressing so much better. But then I realized that was silly. And maybe somewhat true, but the Lord gives us weaknesses, and all He's ever had are imperfect servants. And I know that hard work makes up the difference, like you told us. So yesterday, we had a miracle day and found five new people to teach! And all of them are really seeking truth. The first was at 10:30 in the morning. :)

The temple was great! I kept wanting to go there with Juliann. I know I just met her, but I kept thinking about her in there. I really want her to go through the temple."

So yesterday I expected to be a really hard day because it was the day before the temple. Instead we found five new investigators and just before we had to go inside for the night, a kitten jumped out of the bushes! What. Not as cool as the cat that followed our Sister Training Leaders around for two hours while they were finding,  but still. So of course we played with it.

This work is too great. So. Yes.

Love you all!

Sister Thomson

Week 27

Dear Family,
 
Has anyone besides me noticed how many times Alma tells us in the Book of Mormon that he "inquired diligently of the Lord" to know the truth of the things he has learned for himself? It's all over the place! I swear, as I was reading the Book of Mormon this week, I found four of five references! Alma 5 talks about it, and then again in Alma 34 on. He tells people he knows because he's asked. Last night we met a man named Dennis who told us, "I used to be a hell-raiser. I always wanted to be a Christian; I always wanted what other people had. I wanted faith like that. And I've always been a seeker. I used to go to church about once a month with my friends (before I was a Christian). I never turned them down. Not once. And then one day in church [I had the most remarkable experience]. And now I know for myself that God is real. That Jesus the Christ is my Savior. I can't tell you more than that, but from that point on I knew [it was true] and I am Christian now. I left my old habits, I left my old ways, and I lost a lot of friends. But I didn't care, [because I knew it was true]." I too, know for myself the things I share with people are true. Elder Lawrence Corbridge's talk is going to be something I will read again and again until I can speak with that much clarity, power, and simplicity. I wish that I could tell you all how much I know this is true right now, but sadly I've only been out for 29 weeks and my words are still weak. But I know this church is true. Like Elder Corbridge said, consider the evidence. All of it, together. Not one piece but all of it. And now tell me that some 14-38 year old boy just dreamed it up. And that by some dream all of the miraculous things and all of the lives that have been changed are just coincidence. No. I know my Savior. I know my Father-in-Heaven. I know there is absolute truth and I know they have a plan for us.
 
This week we met with a woman who "did some research." We set up this appointment about two months ago, so I knew she would. She came back with a stack of papers--evidence that this church cannot be true. I knew she would. But I know what Elder Aidukaitis said at Confrence to be true. "One should not roam through garbage." I know it takes more than a simple, hey God are you up there, to get an answer. After Joseph read James 1:5, he was excited! He finally had his simple answer! But he also was careful and went somewhere quiet and in the morning. He took care on how and where he asked. I know that God answers prayers, but we have to ask dilligently! We need faith. And sometimes God wants us to act in faith before He answers.
 
Before I chose to serve a mission, I really wanted to go. So I just decided that if it was wrong, God would stop me, but it was all systems go until then! And nothing stopped me. And it felt right. And it worked out. And here I am. :)
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2014/04?lang=eng&vid=3439077335001&cid=7
I have like fifteen minutes to finish this... why is p-day time so short!
 
Anyways confrence was incredible. I absolutely loved it. I felt so much spiritual power from each talk, and really know that each and every apostle is one of the Savior's apostles. I know President Monson is God's prophet. We missed the second hour of the Saturday morning session, but that's okay, because we'll watch it soon! And I know we were blessed for being obedient, because we found a new investigator during that time.
 
One of my favorite thoughts from confrence was in Elder Perry's talk. He said that we should be willing to change the course of our entire life by even the slightest "tug of the Master." I took that to heart and already had the chance to apply that last night. We felt a slight tug to a street I usually avoid. So we went. It was one of the first times in a long time that I've almost cried during finding time. I was so sad for those people that would not listen and did not understand. It was really hard. And it's a long street. But we did it. And then we discovered a small street of about 18 houses that I had never seen before. (And I've been here for over six months!!!!! That's crazy!) We didn't get the chance to talk to a lot of people (because of Dennis :)), but found 3 awesome new investigators in five houses. Miracles come after faith. And faith is shown by obedience.
 
Love you all! Elder Ballard told us to all have copies of Preach My Gospel! So have them and study them!
 
Sister Thomson
 
PS. Sorry if I didn't write you individually yet, I have less than five min left so sorry!
PPS. Sister Reed=awesome. That's all.

Week 26

Dear Family,

I have nine minutes to write this. Here's a portion of my letter to President Tilleman:

We also met a man named Nathan this week.  We went to see a less active woman in the hospital, and her long-lost half-brother was there! He is half-Native and grew up Christian. He moved to Chilliwack to be closer to his kids (he's in his early twenties and recently separated from his wife). He said he's had nothing to do, so he's just been reading the Bible, going to the gym, and working. (I don't know how true that is, but he said he doesn't have a lot on his agenda.) We gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon and explained it's origin and invited him to read it. We read over some of the introduction and asked him if the Elders could come teach him, and he said yes! So we gave the Elders his number, and don't know too much beyond that, but we were really excited about it! :)

We also taught Jeanette this week and I think her heart is softening towards the idea of being baptized. She knows the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith is a prophet, but can't seem to get over the fact that we believe in being baptized by proper authority. But she has been reading the Book, so I think she will slowly soften.

Sister Tilleman told us at transfer meeting (I'm still in Chilliwack, but we went anyways because Sister Reed is still a greenie.) that we can always have more faith! She said she prays each time before she reads the Book of Mormon that her testimony of it will grow. Man! I thought I had a testimony of the Book of Mormon, but nothing like I have now. It really works! God grants us our righteous desires.

Other wisdom from transfers: "Seeking positions in the church is priest-crafts."--Elder Call

Being exactly obedient means we LOOK for the commandments. "We don't wait to get hit by a spiritual two-by-four at conference" in order to obey a commandment. --President Tilleman. We search out the things we think the Brethren want us to do. That's why we read the white handbook every day.

"An enduring convert is an endowed convert."--Elder Nelson

I love this church and I love God! If this wasn't true, I would have gone home a long time ago. But it is. :)

Love you all!
Sister Thomson

PS. We went to the Seik temple last Monday and ate free Indian food. And then got food poisoning. :) Moral of the story: never eat free Indian food. I'll send pictures next week.

Week 25

Dear Family,

Miracles this week:

We had a lesson with a woman in our ward who has done everything under the sun. In fact, she laundered 305 million dollars. When she went through the repentance process, she had to go to court and confess, but the only evidence they could find was $18,500 or something and so she's on probabtion for two years instead being in prison for twenty. She's told us a lot of her other past transgessions (we're not suppossed to talk about them.... but sometimes people just tell you....) and every time I see her, I feel the Spirit so strongly. She truly is a miracle and it always makes me think of the infinite and eternal sacrifice our Savior gave to us. I think it's easier to imagine Him suffering for a lie to our sibling or a petty theft, and the Atonement really taking care of that, but I think it takes a lot more faith to realize that the Atonement has worked on this woman as well. And she's letting it! If she can forgive herself, how much more should we be able to forgive ourselves! I am always amazed by the power of the Atonement when I see her. I feel it so strongly when we visit her. It is a real power, and can save anyone. It does not matter how far we've gone as long as we are sincere in coming back, no matter how hard the process may be. Repentance is worth it.

We also were going to close a lesson with a member when her roommate walked in. I invited her to come pray with us, and she did! Our member was floored. After the prayer, I started reading Alma 22 with her, and the Spirit was so strong! She got really excited, and wanted to read it really badly. She actually started reading 1 Nephi 1 on the spot. She's Native and has hated Christianity for years.... Miracle!

So....yes. Happy St. Patricks Day. Six-month mark is tomorrow. ....... So. That's all. 

Love you all!

Sister Thomson

Week 24

Dear Family,
 
On Saturday afternoon we asked our dear ward member Sister Schmidt if she'd had any missionary opportunities recently. This is what she said.
 
First she proceeds to tell us a story about how she decided to share the gospel with her friend Janice who is Buddhist and then about how she is sharing the gospel with the guy that played Jesus on Son of God. I was really starting to feel trunky about this area..... 5+ months in the bible belt.... but then we visited her and I remembered why I am here.
 
So she watched this movie with a girl in our ward and the girl was like, Sister Schmidt, now would be such a perfect time to share the gospel with him. He just played Jesus. Sister Schmidt looked on her facebook and remembered her friend Penelope Streisand happens to be the agent for Aaron Eckhart. Or something. Anyways she got them to have lunch. I don't know how effective it will be and I don't think half of you are even going to believe this, but it's true. Sister Schmidt used be in the entertainment business..... she says she wandered in the desert for 40 years.... anyways. Sister Reed and I thought it was the greatest thing ever. And we're teaching Janice this week. When we ran into Janice outside the apartment about a month ago, she was semi-interested, but didn't want us to come back. So pretty much I just love this woman so much. There's a reason President Kimball blessed her to be a missionary....
 
So. On that note. We taught a Seventh Day Adventist woman this week because we talk to everyone! She was walking by when we were on our way to an appointment and she told us she was strong in her faith, but then she started to cry. She asked us to pray for her husband because he's been struggling with a drug addiction and had gone missing the previous night. I was like, of course we will pray for you! Can we come back later this afternoon and pray with you in your home? :) :) So we did. And shared a Book of Mormon. And we're going back on Wednesday.
 
Also Sister Reed and I went on exchanges with the Sister Training Leaders this week. Sister Reed and Sister Facer went to a street that Sister Allen and I went to a month-and-a-half ago. There is a guy that is born-again and asked us a bunch of questions like, "Who is God? and "How did you come to know your church was true?" He hung on our every word looking for flaws, but we weren't confounded. :) This was the guy that got kicked out of temple square. Anyways, when Sister Reed and Sister Facer knocked on his door, he didn't even bother!!!!!! He told them Joseph Smith wasn't a prophet and the Book of Mormon was false, and before they could get a word out, he just started to pray for them. He said, "Oh God, I know I can't convert them, but you can!" Please save their souls... or something. Anyways. :) It just made me sooo happy. Sister Allen and I were in there for an hour with him and his wife wanting to attack everything, but this time he just gave up! Somehow this was so ridiculously satisfying.
 
Sister Reed is getting better at testifying. She is really amazing me all of the time. She is just so good at things! She has so much faith, and doesn't let fear get in the way of sharing the gospel, even if they aren't very nice. I'm so proud of her. :) She is seriously the best. Pre-trained.
 
That's all. The church is true. The Atonement works. Pray that I am transferred next week. Just kidding. I love Chilliwack. ish.
 
Okay quick thought about the Atonement. I really am struggling with the whole training thing. I'm just trying to be humble enough to believe that I can do this. (PMG teaches saying you can't do something the Lord asks of you is a sign of pride.) So on Sunday, (and Saturday, and Friday, and Thursday.....) I was feeling really inadequate and by Sunday I couldn't take it anymore! After letting a couple walk by while I was sitting in the car, because I was too weighed down to talk to them, I went home and repented. And it felt so good! I had strength for the rest of the day, and I really  know it's only the Adversary that wants me to be weighed down and feel like I can't do this. The Atonement is so real. It takes care of all everything.

Also I know this church is true. It's such a miracle to literally see people's faces change as we testify of the truth. People will be so mad! but as we testify of the truth, their hearts really do soften.

Love you all!
Sister Thomson

PS. Someone showed me a picture of our new mission president yesterday. No. I don't want a new one. Who is this person and why is President leaving us. Only two more transfers........