May 9, 2016

Okay, how on earth is it May?! Still feels like it should be March.... Maybe I'm just weird. :)
The weather is totally bipolar lately - and keeps going back and forth between scorching hot and freezing cold. I think my brain and body are struggling to keep up.

On a different note, HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!! Yesterday at church we had a really good program, and in one of the talks the speaker said that "A righteous mother is the embodiment of success." I really liked that idea. And I know that my own mother is one of the most righteous women I know :)

Well, in the long space since I last emailed, transfers have come and gone again. My last companion finished her mission with great excitement. And President decided to transfer me to a new area. That means he had to put two new missionaries in our place, and it turned out to be Elders of all things! That was a surprise! I absolutely loved serving in that area though. 6 months is a long while, but it's definitely been a highlight of the mission. So many great people I have come to respect and love, made me sad to leave what I felt was home. Goodbyes were hard. :(

So now I am serving in a city just north of Calgary, called Airdrie! Technically the first time I've served outside the city my whole mission... I have a great new companion, Sister Merkley! This is her last transfer in the mission, and so we are trying to make it a good one so she can finish strong. Coming in we have a few investigators, including this cute little family that have been meeting with missionaries for a few months. We are working with the ward to try and help them progress towards baptism. It's a small ward though. Honestly took some adjusting since I'd grown accustomed to covering 2 large, active wards! Here it's much more quiet, and apparently 53 of the 93 households are considered less-active. So we have our work cut out! But it's a beautiful area, with a lot of potential.

Here are a few points of interest:
- We just got a new Bishop, which means new energy!
- There's a member we were visiting whose BBQ unexpectedly caught fire, and miraculously caused only minor damage to the property and injury to the dad. Fire trucks came and took care of it, but it was a crazy night!
- Cinco de Mayo happened, and apparently nobody seemed to have heard of it before! I just assumed it was common knowledge growing up in the southwest..
- We went street contacting in downtown Calgary the other day - always an interesting experience. You meet so many unique people. But there always seems to be at least one who is prepared to hear about the gospel. We also got to finally go up the Calgary Tower!! Very tall, and at the top there are glass floors - yikes! The restaurant spins too. :)

I hope you all have a wonderful week, full of miracles!!


Lots of love,
Sister Patterson

April 4, 2016

Hey everyone!

Hope you all had a great week!

I had exchanges with our sister training leaders this week - which is always an adventure. It's funny the kind of people you meet out on the street or just knocking on doors. Truly there are situations that seem sketchy or questionable that turn out to be a great and/or memorable experience.... For example, spontaneously getting to teach the Word of Wisdom to a group of individuals with evident substance addiction, and being surprised by positive responses.

Things have been a little slow - it seems like all of Calgary has been taken with a killer cold, even missionaries. I think the Lord is teaching us patience and humility. ;)

There's a baptism coming up for this investigator Atoye and her son. They are from Ethiopia, and have been meeting with the missionaries for a couple of years. But with immigration logistics it's taken this long to get it all worked out so they can be baptized! Super excited for them :)

Can I just say how much I love President and Sister Miles - they are so so so wonderful!! We got to see them this weekend for a zone lunch; it's always fun to see them. :)

Actually, this zone's been a bit different. For one, I'm the second oldest missionary, with my companion being the oldest (and she goes home in 2 1/2 weeks). We keep feeling like everyone is so "young". :)

The highlight of the week was definitely General Conference; there was such an outpouring of the Spirit. For me, the dominant theme seemed to be to draw nearer to Christ and to just keep trying. I loved Elder Holland's comment about how the Lord will bless us when we even try. To never give up is one of the Savior’s greatest characteristics.  In His hour of greatest need Heavenly Father withdrew His Spirit from Him and He was left to ‘tread the wine press alone’.  How easy would it have been to quit?  Because of His love for all mankind he pressed forward, completing the Father’s will.

I hope you each know how much the Lord loves you, and that he loves you just the way you are. His greatest desire is for all of His children to become like Him and to inherit all that He has.  He will never leave your side but will stretch your faith, courage, and determination to follow Him.  Don’t ever give up on anything that is truly worthwhile. He will never, ever, give up on you.

As always, I love you all!

Lots of Love,
Sister Patterson

March 21, 2016

Hey everyone!

It's been a beautiful week in Calgary - the sun is shining and things are looking up! Transfers are good, because they usually bring an boost of energy and enthusiasm to an area. We've been doing a LOT of finding lately, trying to build up our teaching pool. This area is not the most effective to tract in, but there's a time and a place.... It's always funny how nerve-wracking it can be, door after door, literally facing the unknown response. You run into all sorts of people and opinions that way, people telling you all the many ways you're "wrong." But I am grateful for the testimony that I have of the Restored Gospel, and the peace that it brings in facing such opposition. An area authority a while back was talking about how on average, it takes 7 positive interactions with the church for someone to accept the gospel. Since then my perspective of street contacting has changed; instead of fear, there comes a sense of excitement in thinking 'oh good, I get the chance to be this persons next contact!' Funny I know, but it helps....

This past week we had a WONDERFUL Zone Conference!! I always love attending those, because they bring the spirit in such a powerful way! We get to build relationships and strengthen each other's faith and enthusiasm for the work. President took it upon himself to consolidate and print a booklet of about 20 talks by apostles over the years, all about the Atonement! Beginning on Easter we will be reading and studying these talks as a mission - super stoked! We are all really trying to focus on finding families to teach. In Alma 6:6 the Lord said, 'Nevertheless the children of God were commanded that they should gather themselves together oft, and join in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God.' On Friday the 25th we will be holding a special mission fast, specifically praying for hearts to be softened in this area, that the Lord may prepare families and individuals to hear and accept the message of the restored gospel. I am super excited to see what miracles come ...

Anyway, on an entirely different note, we've had some adventure lately. For one, our apartment building had a flood from a burst pipe, so about a dozen apartments were affected. Some were ruined! Our's is in a spot where is should have suffered substantial damage, but miraculously we were spared! The clean up crew was floored by the lack of damage to our place - quote "Well, you must be doing something right!" We got a good laugh out of that one. :)

At the zone conference we also got the chance to have some fun bonding moments - like playing missionary pictionary, using themes from our specific mission - you'd think it was the superbowl or something with all the excitement over chalkboard drawings! Even President and Sister Miles got into it! Tis' the life though - finding joy in the simple and even silly things. :) My companion and I are having a pretty good time - we were talking about how excited we are for General Conference, so we made a paper chain countdown in our apartment. :) Again, silly things....

Sister Perrero has a family she baptized that she stays in touch with - and I got to meet them! Apparently they are looking to move to this area. But this family is going down to Utah for conference - and are staying with her family! She is super excited. :) And I recently heard from Lori (who was baptized last June) that she has been going to the temple for baptisms - and she is coming up on one year to go through for herself!!! :)

Anyway - with it being Easter this coming Sunday, I wanted to share one of my favorite scriptures about the Saviour, found in Alma 7:11-13

"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people,  that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverence; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me."

I want you to know that 'this is the testimony which is in me.' Easter is not only a memorial of his death, it is a celebration of his bringing new life - both physical and spiritual. I know as we use the enabling and cleansing power of the Atonement in our daily lives that we will find new life, that in living the gospel we will find the strength to abandon our sins and overcome weakness. I know this, because I have felt it. May we prepare for this sacred celebration by looking for His hand in our daily lives, and by remembering to use his precious sacrifice to it's fullest every day, thereby expressing our gratitude for Him.

#HALLELUJAH

Lots of Love,
Sister Patterson

March 7, 2016

Alright, so just a quick update for today. Transfers came again!! My wonderful companion Sister Page got moved down to the city of Lethbridge! We spent 3 transfers together, which is abnormally long, but I am super grateful for our time together, for the things she's taught me and for the friendship we've shared. In the mean time, new transfers mean new opportunities and adventures. For me that means getting to know a new companion, Sister Pererro. She is older than me in the mission, about 16 months. And she just came from serving in one of my old areas, Coventry ward. Small world. Anyway, I'll send more next week.

Lots of love,
Sister Patterson

Matthew 11: 28-30 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy , and my burden is light."

February 16, 2016

.....and she's back!

Ok, where to even begin....

Transfers have come and gone once again, and Sister Page and I are still together - so that will be the third transfer with each other in the same area - pretty surprising! But fortunately we have a great friendship and work well together. Still, every once in a while you itch for change, and ours came in the form of moving apartments! This is the first time in my mission I have my own apartment (instead of living in a basement) and it's wonderful! :)

Since we've been together for a while now, we have gotten to celebrate our "mission birthdays!" January was her 7 month mark, and my 11 month mark - so to celebrate we picked up some 7/11 Slurpees! :)

Celebrating our 7 and 11 month marks with slurpees :)

But as of February 11th, I have been a missionary for 1 YEAR!!!! Crazy, eh?!  I can hardly believe it. It feels like it's been more like 6 months... But that's all I've got left, and for the first time I'm feeling this thought creep in that I don't want to go home, and even though it's months ahead, I don't feel ready to wrap up being a missionary.... it's taken time, but I can truly say I love being a missionary, I love wearing this name tag and knowing my purpose each day. I love seeing the light of the gospel illuminate peoples lives with peace and joy and understanding. It's the greatest, hardest most life changing experience anyone could have, and I am so glad to have not passed up the opportunity. :)

I know this is way delayed, but way back when for New Year's eve our zone got a special invitation to have dinner with President Miles and his family. The mission home is within our zone boundaries, so it was just us and them. Some of his married children came up for the holidays to visit, and it was so sweet to see the Miles' act as loving grandparents. It was a fun evening - but we had early curfew at 6pm - so not the typical "celebration." :) I am so grateful for their positive influence, and we all love them dearly.

Actually, a couple Sunday's ago they surprised us by showing up to one of our Sacrament meetings! We were elated to have them, and the Bishop invited them to get up and share their testimonies. I was filled with appreciation as President Miles got up and bore his humble witness of the Savior and of His work, and asked the members to let us into their homes and find people for us to teach (something we've been struggling with lately). We can tract all day, and walk the streets talking to people, but in reality, the most success comes from member referrals. So we were extremely grateful for his comments in our behalf.

No idea if you heard, but there was an "historic" worldwide missionary broadcast held a few weeks back. All the missionaries around the world tuned in, whether it was 7am, all the way through 7pm (all but a few missions were able to watch live). It was a broadcast from Salt Lake, during which members of the quorum of the 12 apostles and other presiding leaders gave a 2 hour training on how to be a more effective missionary. The program was titled, "Preach Repentance and Baptize Converts." My favorite part was a little classroom seminar Elder Bednar taught, about how we often approach lessons as if we are the teachers and the Spirit is like a tool we can pull out when needed. But in reality, when we go into a lesson, the Spirit should be the teacher, and we are the tool that creates the environment needed to learn. All we can do is bring the word to the investigators, but the Spirit is the only one who can take the word into their hearts and ultimately bring them to conversion. It was a powerful experience to listen and be given direct counsel on how to move the work forward.

Since we've been in the area  a while, we have started up a mission prep for the youth in our wards. Some are getting ready to leave, and are really good about going out with us to lessons or whatever. It's been fun to see the nervousness and hesitation grow into testimony and confidence. It makes me think about how far I've come... I wish I had taken the chance to prepare more before my mission though... reaching out to the missionaries for insight on what to expect- what a surprisingly logical resource. :)

A few weeks back we had the opportunity to help our ward go clean the temple one morning - it was a beautiful experience; I got to be apart of the group assigned to clean the entire upper floor. It was a unique privilege to help do a small part in taking care of that sacred beautiful building.

Most recently, the highlight has been that of baptisms. This past weekend we had the privilege of holding baptisms for some wonderful children, all of whom we have been teaching and preparing for a few weeks. In one case, it was an 8 year old boy who's parents are active and just wanted us to teach him basics in preparation. Others, like this girl Madison, have parents that are either not members or have been less active, and so we have been working with the family unit itself. It was powerful to hear her experience of wanting to know for herself if the church is true, if she should be baptized, and through study and prayer, coming to the conclusion for herself. That is part of what it means to be converted: to have a personal witness. It has been a privilege to be apart of her and other's journeys toward baptism...

Sorry for the long ramblings, I feel like so much has happened and I have no idea where to begin to describe 2016 thus far. There has been lots of laughs, and lots of tears. But I can testify to the reality of Miracles, and I am so grateful for the knowledge that the Lord carries out His work through small and simple means, even if that means me.

I hope you all have a wonderful week, and thank you for your prayers in my behalf - they have carried me through this year, and for that I will be forever grateful.

Lots of love,
Sister Patterson

P Day at the park.

Calgary sky with geese.

Winter wonderland.

 

Calgary sky.

Calgary city skyline.

December 28, 2015

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are gearing up for a Happy New Year!!!

I made a discovery - Christmas as a missionary rocks!!! We have some great members, who made sure we were well taken care of. One of our Bishops let us Skype from his home - which is really what we were most looking forward to. It was wonderful to see and talk with the family - and I just wanted to say thank you to everyone, family and friends, who expressed love and Christmas wishes - it means the world to know your were thinking of me. Please know I thought of each of you individually, and I thank Heavenly Father to have you in my life.

So on Christmas Eve a member was kind enough to take us to the annual Calgary City Nativity Pageant put on by the Church.  It was pretty typical of what you would expect (minus the freezing cold), but towards the end as the people kneeled before the manger to worship the Savior of the world, I was overcome with a sense of awe and joy, that His birth, life, death, and resurrection was all for us. I am so grateful for His example and sacrifice, and that the Christmas season doesn't need to end; it can continue as we remember the rest of his story throughout the year.

I have such a sweet companion, and I am so grateful to have spent this Christmas with her. We were able to get up early and unwrap the parcel's sent from home, to reminisce and laugh and cry together as we thought of loved ones and felt of  your support and love.



Christmas morning

 I honestly had gone into the week of Christmas feeling like it was going to be a goneshow, that it would be a bit of a drag. But it ended up being one of the better weeks of late! We have been able to proselyte with a Christmas twist, and from it we miraculously found a new family to teach! So as "hard" as it was to not be home for Christmas - that was nothing compared to the unique joy I've been privileged to experience this year as a missionary - and that is truly a wonderful gift.

I love you all so much!

Love,
Sister Sarah Patterson



Apartment décor.

December 21, 2015

Sorry it's gonna be short today - but I wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! It's been beautiful preparing for this wonderful holiday, with ward programs, community projects, decorations, anonymous gifts, caroling, and best of all, teaching about the Savior. I love sharing the message of his gospel, teaching people about the joyous news of its Restoration and how we can experience it's promised blessings here and now. We went tracting last night, inviting people to the annual Calgary Christmas pageant produced by the church. At one door we had invited this family, and gotten a return appointment. As we left, I casually said "Merry Christmas!" And I will never forget the look on this man's face as he paused and said how he would much rather hear Merry Christmas, then the typical happy holidays. He thanked us for simply saying "Merry Christmas." I think we sometimes take for granted the tiny opportunities throughout our day to stand for our beliefs in a world that is turning farther and farther away from Christ. How blessed we are to know the reason for the season, to know the significance of his birth and subsequent life. All because a Father loved us enough to give His Son as an enabling sacrifice for sin. We have great reasons to declare with the angels, "Hosanna! Glory to God in the Highest, and peace on earth, good will to men!"

"Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets. Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfil all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the foundation of the world, and to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son ... And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given."    (3 Nephi 1:13-14)

I would like to leave you with my testimony that I know my Savior lives! I know Jesus Christ is the son of God, and that he has shown us the way to find the greatest peace and purpose in this life and eternal joy in the next. I know he experienced all our pains, sorrows, struggles, temptations - He knows how to help us become better. It is through using his atonement that we can become clean from the burden of sin. I am so grateful for him, and I love him with all my heart.


Merry Christmas!!


Lots of love,
Sister Patterson