Monday, September 28, 2015

September 28, 2015

Greetings from Calgary

Hey! Hope you're having a great week! We had transfers this week, but luckily it didn't affect me this time. Still in the East for a while yet. Our mission was able to reach a goal of having at least 50 investigator's on date for the month of September, which is awesome! The work is rolling forward more than ever. :) My favorite thing about this area is how often people just walk into church off the street and we get to teach them. We had two this past Sunday! :)

We got to watch the Women's Conference, which was great. :) But I am super excited for General Conference this weekend!! I hope you will take the time to enjoy it and find the direction and inspiration you are looking for. Listen for the message the Lord has for you.  As you listen with a prayer in your heart the Lord will tell you what you need to hear. Then, have the courage and faith to act on your feelings! The voice will be still and small; He will speak to your mind and heart and tell you ‘all things which you should do’. What a blessing and privilege to be living on the earth with the Lord’s prophets and apostles to lead and guide us. I know that they are men called by God, given priesthood authority to direct the people. I know that the Lord operates in inspired patterns, including that of calling new men to the apostleship. Please know that his weekend is a manifestation of God’s love for us by allowing us to hear his prophet's voices.


I love you all!
Sister Patterson



Tuesday, September 22, 2015

September 22, 2015

Tuesday Missionary Message

Hello! Sorry it's been a while... How is it already almost the end of September?! 

It's been a crazy few weeks. We had a huge mission wide conference because a member of the quorum of the 70 came to visit and give a training. It was incredible the power and spirit he carried, and the instruction he relayed from headquarters. We worked on ways to be more effective missionaries, and the thing they are really emphasizing is working more with the members. Truly this is meant to be a combined effort, not just in giving the missionaries names to visit, but to go with them, to pray for them, to open your homes to them and offer support in whatever way we can. When we as members volunteer to help, the work doubles, and miracles happen :)

We've also been getting to do a lot of service. This past weekend there was a city wide food drive held as a combined effort between the church and the Calgary food bank. All the missionaries spent a day loading trucks with the donations collected - and it was amazing to see the generosity in how much people gave. In our stake boundaries alone we collected about two semi trucks full of food!!! And there were five stakes participating... That is one of my favorite things to do as a missionary, to serve, because it brings a unique kind of joy. :)

On another note, Sister Tolbert and I are working on building trust with the ward. Any ideas on how you all have come to gain that with your own ward missionaries over the years? Thanks!!

Anyway, Canada is beautiful, the fall colors are in full swing, and it has definitely gotten chilly! I am expecting to stay in this area for a third transfer, and then probably move somewhere new at the end of October. But in the meantime, we're trying to rock the east and baptize nations! Our biggest setback is that a lot of people here speak Punjabi, so it's hard to contact. But we finally found someone who can translate!!!! We are super duper excited in hoping to finally teach some of these people who've shown interest in learning.

I love you all and keep praying for you! Remember, life by the yard is hard, but life by the inch is a cinch!!! ;)

Love,
Sister Patterson

Monday, September 14, 2015

September 14, 2015

No Missionary Message today from Sarah, but she did get some exciting news today...
 

Here nephew was born yesterday morning! She's been checking in every week lately to see of he had come yet, and it was driving her crazy during the week knowing that he could come any time and she wouldn't know until the following Monday! I had decided that if he was born too early in the week, I would just call her mission president and ask him to let her know. But he helped out and came on a Sunday, so Sarah got to know while I was still in the hospital. She replied today with a congratulations, said he was handsome, and asked us to keep her posted on how his big sister handled her new brother.

Monday, September 7, 2015

September 7, 2015

Monday Missionary Message

Hello!!

So, it has been a wonderful week in Calgary. Last Monday evening we were able to put another investigator on date to be baptized!!! AND we were out walking to an appointment when a car pulled over and a former investigator introduced himself and asked to start meeting with the missionaries again!! Random crazy miracles...

Anyway, short on time today, but have a good week!!


Love,
Sister Patterson