Sarah didn't send a email this week for the blog. I'm sure we will hear from her next week!
In the mean time, she did send a short reply to my personal email to her, and I thought I'd share part of it:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!
Turns out my companion has a sister with a birthday the same day, so to celebrate you both, we made brownies! (In our little toaster oven by the way - great fun not having an oven/stove.)
Wish I could be there to tell you in person.
Thanks for the birthday wishes, Sarah! Hope you enjoyed your brownies!
Monday, April 27, 2015
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
April 20, 2015
Hope everyone's week went well, and that you all had some form of fun. I've heard some news about a few hard things, and I just wanted to say to those individuals that my prayers and thoughts are with you.
I guess it's been a bit of a long week for everyone, myself included. Long story short, in the process of working with certain investigators I have felt some of the greatest joy, and sorrow, yet since coming out. These people are so amazing because they are children of our loving Heavenly Father, and we have the privilege of sharing that message of love with them. Sometimes, fear gets in the way of feeling the power of that message. And then other times, you find that one humble person who has been waiting to hear that good news their whole life and who is ready. The joy that comes from seeing the Spirit work on that person is beyond words. I am so grateful for the privilege and blessing of being able to experience a tiny portion of His love for them and to have my capacity to love grow more than it ever has before. What's even better is knowing that we can all feel that.
Sorry for being so brief, more to come next week.
Love you all,
Sister Patterson
I guess it's been a bit of a long week for everyone, myself included. Long story short, in the process of working with certain investigators I have felt some of the greatest joy, and sorrow, yet since coming out. These people are so amazing because they are children of our loving Heavenly Father, and we have the privilege of sharing that message of love with them. Sometimes, fear gets in the way of feeling the power of that message. And then other times, you find that one humble person who has been waiting to hear that good news their whole life and who is ready. The joy that comes from seeing the Spirit work on that person is beyond words. I am so grateful for the privilege and blessing of being able to experience a tiny portion of His love for them and to have my capacity to love grow more than it ever has before. What's even better is knowing that we can all feel that.
Sorry for being so brief, more to come next week.
Love you all,
Sister Patterson
Sunday, April 19, 2015
April 13, 2015 - Pictures
 |
| Hockey- you know you're in Canada when a lot of driveways look like this! :) |
 |
| Trip to Cochrane |
 |
| Trip to Cochrane |
 |
| Ruins- it's not often you see artificial ruins in the middle of a neighborhood :) |
April 13, 2015
Greetings :)
I hope life is going well for you all, though I'm sure it's super busy. I had an interesting week, partly because it was transfers. Luckily, because I'm still being trained, my companion and I weren't affected. :) But we did say goodbye to some awesome missionaries....
Honestly though, since I wrote last a ton has happened. We had a productive zone finding activity out in Cochrane, a beautiful though more rural area. It's amazing what can happen when we all pitch in to help each other out.
Additionally, a couple of investigators dropped us, which is difficult when you know they were starting to understand and feel the truth. But Heavenly Father made up for that loss in some wonderful ways - we picked up two new investigators in a matter of just a few days!
It's interesting though. Because we had those cancellations, we were left to fill time with some frustrating tracting, and yet it was only once we got up and moving- in spite of the disappointment- that we received this referral. I was reminded that we are meant to be up and doing, not just waiting to be acted upon.
And if that wasn't miraculous enough, we experienced something truly remarkable at church yesterday. We walked into sacrament, and there was a lady literally waiting for us to come tell her more about the church! We had a powerful meeting because there was a missionary homecoming talk, and his sermon brought the spirit very strongly. This sister was crying, and later described how when she sat down and felt the quiet and peace, she just felt at home, like this is where she belonged. We were able to help her understand that she was feeling the Spirit testifying to her that she is indeed home, and that this is the path the Lord wants for her. The miracle grew as we went to gospel essentials, and then relief society, both of which had lessons on the restoration, which is generally the first lesson we as missionaries teach. I had the privilege of sitting in the most powerful RS lesson I have ever experienced, not because the teacher was a skilled orator (in fact, it was rather simple), but because there was a spirit of unification among the sisters coming together to teach this dear investigator, to help her feel loved and understood. So many powerful testimonies were given, and there wasn't a dry eye.
One of the most important commitments we extend as missionaries is for our investigators to come to church - because no matter how much praying or reading they do, they won't feel the full strength of the gospel until they come and join in worship, in learning, and in being strengthened by the saints. I think we often take for granted how powerful the ward family can be. At baptism we covenant to be disciples of Jesus Christ, and that means extending comfort, strength, charity, and love. It means building one another's testimony of truth, and reaching out to those in need, whether that need is temporal or spiritual. That is why it's so important to get these brothers and sisters to attend, because it is there that they will come to understand that they are not alone.
I would invite you all to not only attend your meetings at church, but to go with eyes and hearts open to those around you and to take action when you see someone in need, even if that is just a warm smile or a quick helping hand. Go not only to be uplifted, but in turn to lift another. I promise that as you do this, your hearts will expand with the capacity to love your fellow brothers and sisters, no matter who they are, and that you will feel in greater measure the depth of Heavenly Father's deep love for you.
Sister Patterson
I hope life is going well for you all, though I'm sure it's super busy. I had an interesting week, partly because it was transfers. Luckily, because I'm still being trained, my companion and I weren't affected. :) But we did say goodbye to some awesome missionaries....
Honestly though, since I wrote last a ton has happened. We had a productive zone finding activity out in Cochrane, a beautiful though more rural area. It's amazing what can happen when we all pitch in to help each other out.
Additionally, a couple of investigators dropped us, which is difficult when you know they were starting to understand and feel the truth. But Heavenly Father made up for that loss in some wonderful ways - we picked up two new investigators in a matter of just a few days!
It's interesting though. Because we had those cancellations, we were left to fill time with some frustrating tracting, and yet it was only once we got up and moving- in spite of the disappointment- that we received this referral. I was reminded that we are meant to be up and doing, not just waiting to be acted upon.
And if that wasn't miraculous enough, we experienced something truly remarkable at church yesterday. We walked into sacrament, and there was a lady literally waiting for us to come tell her more about the church! We had a powerful meeting because there was a missionary homecoming talk, and his sermon brought the spirit very strongly. This sister was crying, and later described how when she sat down and felt the quiet and peace, she just felt at home, like this is where she belonged. We were able to help her understand that she was feeling the Spirit testifying to her that she is indeed home, and that this is the path the Lord wants for her. The miracle grew as we went to gospel essentials, and then relief society, both of which had lessons on the restoration, which is generally the first lesson we as missionaries teach. I had the privilege of sitting in the most powerful RS lesson I have ever experienced, not because the teacher was a skilled orator (in fact, it was rather simple), but because there was a spirit of unification among the sisters coming together to teach this dear investigator, to help her feel loved and understood. So many powerful testimonies were given, and there wasn't a dry eye.
One of the most important commitments we extend as missionaries is for our investigators to come to church - because no matter how much praying or reading they do, they won't feel the full strength of the gospel until they come and join in worship, in learning, and in being strengthened by the saints. I think we often take for granted how powerful the ward family can be. At baptism we covenant to be disciples of Jesus Christ, and that means extending comfort, strength, charity, and love. It means building one another's testimony of truth, and reaching out to those in need, whether that need is temporal or spiritual. That is why it's so important to get these brothers and sisters to attend, because it is there that they will come to understand that they are not alone.
I would invite you all to not only attend your meetings at church, but to go with eyes and hearts open to those around you and to take action when you see someone in need, even if that is just a warm smile or a quick helping hand. Go not only to be uplifted, but in turn to lift another. I promise that as you do this, your hearts will expand with the capacity to love your fellow brothers and sisters, no matter who they are, and that you will feel in greater measure the depth of Heavenly Father's deep love for you.
Sister Patterson
Friday, April 10, 2015
April 7, 2015
Just a note from Angela. Sarah clarified in a private email that on transfer weeks p-day is moved to Tuesday. That's why we didn't hear from her on Monday!
Hello again!
First of all, I made it through my first transfer - hooray! :)
Hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend! I just wanted to send out a big thank you to those who sent me mail. It means a lot to know you are thinking of me and the mission!
Also, I assume you all had lovely spring weather for the holiday - because guess who woke up to a winter wonderland on Sunday?! Lots of fun :)
Backtracking a little: last Monday our zone used P-day to go on a hike up in the mountains near a place called "Dead Man's Flatts" (near Banff). To be honest, it turned out to be a little more like rock climbing, but we got to explore an awesome cave of wonders. (Unfortunately, no magic lamp of wonder.)
Also, we are still working on family history to help both members and less actives, and it has been AWESOME to see whole branches of info sprout from just a couple names. The Elijah bug is slowly catching on in the ward....
Honestly though, this week has been pretty slow, so we have done a ton of tracting. Here's the thing about tracting: sometimes there is absolutely nothing productive, and then other times you will find a solid handful of potentials in a very short distance. But the most amazing thing is, it's all about attitude. If we go in looking for a miracle, we usually find one! The Lord really does prepare people, and places them in our path; we just have to be receptive to the spirit to recognize those opportunities when they come.
The highlight of the week was, of course, General Conference. The missionaries all gathered to watch it at the Stake Center, and it was remarkable to feel the spirit there. Personally, I got a great deal out of the Saturday sessions, and received answers to questions I didn't even know I had... I hope you all got to watch, and that you were able to feel that same strength that comes from listening to a prophet of the Lord speak. What a sacred privilege and reminder that this is His church, organized after His original structure, and that it is led by men of God. We are truly blessed beyond measure. I encourage you all to re-read those talks whenever you get the chance here and there, and seriously ponder how those messages can change our lives now and today. I can promise as you do, you will feel the influence of the Holy Ghost in telling us what our Father in Heaven would have us do to further the kingdom and more fully live up to our divine potential.
I love and pray for you all!
Sister Patterson
Hello again!
First of all, I made it through my first transfer - hooray! :)
Hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend! I just wanted to send out a big thank you to those who sent me mail. It means a lot to know you are thinking of me and the mission!
Also, I assume you all had lovely spring weather for the holiday - because guess who woke up to a winter wonderland on Sunday?! Lots of fun :)
Backtracking a little: last Monday our zone used P-day to go on a hike up in the mountains near a place called "Dead Man's Flatts" (near Banff). To be honest, it turned out to be a little more like rock climbing, but we got to explore an awesome cave of wonders. (Unfortunately, no magic lamp of wonder.)
Also, we are still working on family history to help both members and less actives, and it has been AWESOME to see whole branches of info sprout from just a couple names. The Elijah bug is slowly catching on in the ward....
Honestly though, this week has been pretty slow, so we have done a ton of tracting. Here's the thing about tracting: sometimes there is absolutely nothing productive, and then other times you will find a solid handful of potentials in a very short distance. But the most amazing thing is, it's all about attitude. If we go in looking for a miracle, we usually find one! The Lord really does prepare people, and places them in our path; we just have to be receptive to the spirit to recognize those opportunities when they come.
The highlight of the week was, of course, General Conference. The missionaries all gathered to watch it at the Stake Center, and it was remarkable to feel the spirit there. Personally, I got a great deal out of the Saturday sessions, and received answers to questions I didn't even know I had... I hope you all got to watch, and that you were able to feel that same strength that comes from listening to a prophet of the Lord speak. What a sacred privilege and reminder that this is His church, organized after His original structure, and that it is led by men of God. We are truly blessed beyond measure. I encourage you all to re-read those talks whenever you get the chance here and there, and seriously ponder how those messages can change our lives now and today. I can promise as you do, you will feel the influence of the Holy Ghost in telling us what our Father in Heaven would have us do to further the kingdom and more fully live up to our divine potential.
I love and pray for you all!
Sister Patterson
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
March 31, 2015
I only have a little while today to write, so it's gonna be short. So, remember how we got a golden referral? It's this cute little family that basically walked into the temple lobby asking to know more - Hallelujah!!! I will keep you posted on how it goes :)
Also, I have discovered there is a whole new level of "clean" in the mission field when it comes to housing inspections. Long story short, we scrubbed our place, because President suggested a good solution for dirty homes is a tent on the boulevard. ;) Luckily, we passed with flying colors!
We were able to attend the Women's Broadcast, which was lovely. If you didn't get the chance to watch, I highly recommend it! I would like to highlight their theme, that the family is not only essential, but that it is essential for families to stand up for righteousness, to live, defend and share the gospel. I know that that is true, and we are so incredibly blessed when we strive to follow that counsel.
Now, I have something to say about Easter this weekend. I wish I could be there for the fun (especially combined with General Conference), and the treats, but I would remind us all to look forward to the purpose, to remember our Savior's atoning sacrifice and consequent resurrection. If you haven't heard, the church is commencing an initiative to spread this message through a short video entitled, "Because He Lives." It is stunningly beautiful, and I invite each one of you to watch it, and then share it with someone else who needs that message. I can promise as you do that not only will you have your thoughts and heart turned more towards the Savior, but that you will be blessed for responding to the call to share the light of Christ with all the world. So many people want it, but have no idea where to turn. We can be the instruments to bring them to it, so that they too may be partakers of that heavenly gift. I know that Christ not only died for us, but that He also lives for us, so that we too may live again.
I love you all, and my prayers are with you.
Sister Patterson
Also, I have discovered there is a whole new level of "clean" in the mission field when it comes to housing inspections. Long story short, we scrubbed our place, because President suggested a good solution for dirty homes is a tent on the boulevard. ;) Luckily, we passed with flying colors!
We were able to attend the Women's Broadcast, which was lovely. If you didn't get the chance to watch, I highly recommend it! I would like to highlight their theme, that the family is not only essential, but that it is essential for families to stand up for righteousness, to live, defend and share the gospel. I know that that is true, and we are so incredibly blessed when we strive to follow that counsel.
Now, I have something to say about Easter this weekend. I wish I could be there for the fun (especially combined with General Conference), and the treats, but I would remind us all to look forward to the purpose, to remember our Savior's atoning sacrifice and consequent resurrection. If you haven't heard, the church is commencing an initiative to spread this message through a short video entitled, "Because He Lives." It is stunningly beautiful, and I invite each one of you to watch it, and then share it with someone else who needs that message. I can promise as you do that not only will you have your thoughts and heart turned more towards the Savior, but that you will be blessed for responding to the call to share the light of Christ with all the world. So many people want it, but have no idea where to turn. We can be the instruments to bring them to it, so that they too may be partakers of that heavenly gift. I know that Christ not only died for us, but that He also lives for us, so that we too may live again.
I love you all, and my prayers are with you.
Sister Patterson
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
March 23, 2015
Hello again! I hope you all had a good St. Patrick's holiday, and a wonderful week.
My week was, um, eventful. So last weekend my comp and I both got the stomach flu, so we took it a little easy for a few days. BUT in spite of that setback, we managed to have a lot of great experiences!
You'll be glad to know that the mission office finally swapped us the truck for two little cars, so no more sharing! The downside is we have only 25 clicks a day, so yeah, we will still be doing some walking to conserve :) But it's been such a blessing, and came right in time too, because the weather is back to being crazy and cold. I don't know what it is, but Calgary has the strangest weather, and it varies dramatically from day to day. On Friday and Saturday we got this super dense fog, and even the locals were amazed. I, of course, thought it was super novel, :) and there also comes something called hoar frost (spikey ice coating everything), which is super pretty.
Our zone has been doing finding activities to help out each area, and my comp and I found a golden investigator (so exciting!) Too bad we had to pass it off, but we are excited to hear what happens :)
We also had a training conference, and it was wonderful to reunite with my MTC district. I am so grateful for that friendship we built during our time together. Even better was hearing from President, and getting training on how to be more effective missionaries. Something we discussed was the fact that we as missionaries are not alone! We have the Spirit as the third member of our companionship, to guide and to witness, and we have the ability to go where angels fear to tread.
Sister Milius and I realized that we have loads of room for improvement, and so we have tried extra hard to be exactly obedient, and it's been amazing to see the blessings that have come from it. Heavenly Father blesses us immediately for even the smallest effort, and if we are looking, we will notice it. In our case, within 24 hours we got a referral for a golden family to teach.
My comp has given me some wonderful advice, and this week's was especially good: you know how in movies people say "it cant possibly get worse" and then it begins pouring? It's like you can almost speak something into existence. Well, in her family they instead say, "How can this day possibly get better?" and they see the wonderful results. I invite you to try it sometime, and see what happens. :)
This week we also got to start teaching some ward members how to do family history online. I got to work with this sweet old lady, who I'm convinced knows nothing about computers :) SO, after a long process of setting up accounts, I was able to show her how to look at and build her family tree. It was the sweetest experience to see her cry in joy for finding family members, and by the end, we had a name for her to take to the temple. I would re-extend the invitation to look at familysearch.org and look for a name to take to the temple. In our tree, you may have to go sideways or far back, but they are there, and they are waiting for us to find them!
I would like to conclude with some thoughts from my mission President:
"If we want to become the kind of missionaries that the Lord would have us be, then we must have the courage to hearken to His words, accept His will, exercise our agency, discipline ourselves, and apply the enabling power of the Atonement to change our lives for the better.
We ask our investigators and less actives to do this every day as we teach them about the doctrine of Christ, and many of them bring about marvelous changes in their lives. Do we have the individual and collective courage as a mission to do as we ask others to do?
Each one of us has been given the power to change his or her life. As part of the Lord's great plan of happiness we have the marvelous gift of agency, that we might choose the Savior and follow His will. As a result of His Atonement we have the power to do better and to be better. "
I can testify that these things are true, and I know that they apply to us all no matter the circumstance.
I love you all, and keep you continually in my prayers!
Sister Patterson
My week was, um, eventful. So last weekend my comp and I both got the stomach flu, so we took it a little easy for a few days. BUT in spite of that setback, we managed to have a lot of great experiences!
You'll be glad to know that the mission office finally swapped us the truck for two little cars, so no more sharing! The downside is we have only 25 clicks a day, so yeah, we will still be doing some walking to conserve :) But it's been such a blessing, and came right in time too, because the weather is back to being crazy and cold. I don't know what it is, but Calgary has the strangest weather, and it varies dramatically from day to day. On Friday and Saturday we got this super dense fog, and even the locals were amazed. I, of course, thought it was super novel, :) and there also comes something called hoar frost (spikey ice coating everything), which is super pretty.
Our zone has been doing finding activities to help out each area, and my comp and I found a golden investigator (so exciting!) Too bad we had to pass it off, but we are excited to hear what happens :)
We also had a training conference, and it was wonderful to reunite with my MTC district. I am so grateful for that friendship we built during our time together. Even better was hearing from President, and getting training on how to be more effective missionaries. Something we discussed was the fact that we as missionaries are not alone! We have the Spirit as the third member of our companionship, to guide and to witness, and we have the ability to go where angels fear to tread.
Sister Milius and I realized that we have loads of room for improvement, and so we have tried extra hard to be exactly obedient, and it's been amazing to see the blessings that have come from it. Heavenly Father blesses us immediately for even the smallest effort, and if we are looking, we will notice it. In our case, within 24 hours we got a referral for a golden family to teach.
My comp has given me some wonderful advice, and this week's was especially good: you know how in movies people say "it cant possibly get worse" and then it begins pouring? It's like you can almost speak something into existence. Well, in her family they instead say, "How can this day possibly get better?" and they see the wonderful results. I invite you to try it sometime, and see what happens. :)
This week we also got to start teaching some ward members how to do family history online. I got to work with this sweet old lady, who I'm convinced knows nothing about computers :) SO, after a long process of setting up accounts, I was able to show her how to look at and build her family tree. It was the sweetest experience to see her cry in joy for finding family members, and by the end, we had a name for her to take to the temple. I would re-extend the invitation to look at familysearch.org and look for a name to take to the temple. In our tree, you may have to go sideways or far back, but they are there, and they are waiting for us to find them!
I would like to conclude with some thoughts from my mission President:
"If we want to become the kind of missionaries that the Lord would have us be, then we must have the courage to hearken to His words, accept His will, exercise our agency, discipline ourselves, and apply the enabling power of the Atonement to change our lives for the better.
We ask our investigators and less actives to do this every day as we teach them about the doctrine of Christ, and many of them bring about marvelous changes in their lives. Do we have the individual and collective courage as a mission to do as we ask others to do?
Each one of us has been given the power to change his or her life. As part of the Lord's great plan of happiness we have the marvelous gift of agency, that we might choose the Savior and follow His will. As a result of His Atonement we have the power to do better and to be better. "
I can testify that these things are true, and I know that they apply to us all no matter the circumstance.
I love you all, and keep you continually in my prayers!
Sister Patterson
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)