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| Sister Tolbert and I at the Temple |
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
October 26, 2015
I hope you all have a fun and happy Halloween!!!
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
October 19, 2015
Happy Canadian Thanksgiving :)
So we had a cool little miracle the other day! We were at our Bishop's house for supper, when they Young Men's group came in for an activity. With them was one of our teenage investigators, whom we have had a hard time getting a hold of and meeting with lately. He ended up sitting with us to eat, and for our dinner message we got to share the message of the Restoration. The Spirit was really strong, and having the Bishop there to testify was perfect! The young man was really touched by what he heard and want's to keep learning. It was exactly what he needed.
So, when my companion first came out to the east, she suffered a bit of culture shock - with so many different immigrants in the area it was definitely not what she was expecting. And as expected, we have been fed some strange foods. We have joked back and forth about her being a picky eater, and then in my studies I found the best scripture (and here's a shout-out to all those countless missionaries who have had far stranger experiences!) It's in Luke 10:7-8 . It's talking about missionaries going out:
"And in the ... house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give ... And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you..."
It's hard to argue with the scriptures :)
Anyway, on October 12th we got to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving!! We were invited to a dinner, and discovered a nontraditional Latino twist - but it was a fun experience. Felt super strange to be having Thanksgiving before Halloween though!!!
On a final note, I just wanted to share some thoughts from a talk by President Uchtdorf, "On Being Genuine." He talks about how the gospel and church is a place of growth and healing, and no matter what level our testimony is at, that we can always building on whatever strength we do have as we apply gospel principles daily.
"With patience and persistence, even the smallest act of discipleship or the tiniest ember of belief can become a blazing bonfire of a consecrated life. In fact, that’s how most bonfires begin—as a simple spark.... So if you feel small and weak, please simply come unto Christ, who makes weak things strong. The weakest among us, through God’s grace, can become spiritually strong, because God “is no respecter of persons. He is our “faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments. "
To this I add my own testimony, that the minute we turn towards the Lord again, acknowledging shortcomings but with the determination to press forward anyway, He will lift and strengthen our hearts in enabling our desire to become a reality.
I love you all!
Love,
Sister Patterson
So we had a cool little miracle the other day! We were at our Bishop's house for supper, when they Young Men's group came in for an activity. With them was one of our teenage investigators, whom we have had a hard time getting a hold of and meeting with lately. He ended up sitting with us to eat, and for our dinner message we got to share the message of the Restoration. The Spirit was really strong, and having the Bishop there to testify was perfect! The young man was really touched by what he heard and want's to keep learning. It was exactly what he needed.
So, when my companion first came out to the east, she suffered a bit of culture shock - with so many different immigrants in the area it was definitely not what she was expecting. And as expected, we have been fed some strange foods. We have joked back and forth about her being a picky eater, and then in my studies I found the best scripture (and here's a shout-out to all those countless missionaries who have had far stranger experiences!) It's in Luke 10:7-8 . It's talking about missionaries going out:
"And in the ... house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give ... And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you..."
It's hard to argue with the scriptures :)
Anyway, on October 12th we got to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving!! We were invited to a dinner, and discovered a nontraditional Latino twist - but it was a fun experience. Felt super strange to be having Thanksgiving before Halloween though!!!
On a final note, I just wanted to share some thoughts from a talk by President Uchtdorf, "On Being Genuine." He talks about how the gospel and church is a place of growth and healing, and no matter what level our testimony is at, that we can always building on whatever strength we do have as we apply gospel principles daily.
"With patience and persistence, even the smallest act of discipleship or the tiniest ember of belief can become a blazing bonfire of a consecrated life. In fact, that’s how most bonfires begin—as a simple spark.... So if you feel small and weak, please simply come unto Christ, who makes weak things strong. The weakest among us, through God’s grace, can become spiritually strong, because God “is no respecter of persons. He is our “faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments. "
To this I add my own testimony, that the minute we turn towards the Lord again, acknowledging shortcomings but with the determination to press forward anyway, He will lift and strengthen our hearts in enabling our desire to become a reality.
I love you all!
Love,
Sister Patterson
Sunday, October 18, 2015
And... We're Back!
For those who don't know, Sarah's sister Angela has been in charge of posting her emails to this blog. I apologize for the missing posts- we had our baby! But, I'm back and will be posting her emails in a semi-timely manner again. I have caught up on the ones I missed and adjusted them to say they were posted on the dates they were sent.
Thanks!
Angela
Thanks!
Angela
Monday, October 5, 2015
October 5, 2015
Hey everyone! I hope you've all had a wonderful week! It's been crazy here in Calgary. We got a little snow this weekend, so I was especially grateful for Conference as an excuse to stay inside longer and avoid the cold. But we did have some investigators show up - a cute little family from Southern Sudan - and they really enjoyed it! On a side note, we as missionaries acknowledged one of the great mysteries of the church - why chapels area always freezing cold for sisters and too warm for brothers! Seems like Canada is not immune to this phenomenon :)
Anyway - I forgot to share a mini miracle we had last Sunday. We had our fast and testimony meeting a week early for conference. Near the end, Sister Tolbert and I spotted a man walk into the foyer, obviously not a member. So we got up and ended up standing in the parking lot for a couple minutes talking with him. He had just wandered in to see what we were all about, and commented how he had felt really good listening to a couple of the testimonies born. He couldn't stay for the whole meeting, so after our exchange he left and we went back into the building - super excited at a potential investigator. Now here's where it get's weird. As soon as we walked back into the lobby (it had been maybe 5 minutes), we noticed a discernible difference - the spirit had flown out the window and there was an air of uneasiness as we walked into the chapel to see half the congregation missing. Something had obviously happened. We came to find out that in those few minutes, a man had taken the opportunity to get up at the pulpit and express his "anti-Mormon" feelings. Luckily the Bishop intervened and dismissed all the kids and leaders, and had a counselor close the meeting with a powerful testimony while the Bishop and said individual left for a chat. Now you're probably wondering why this was a mini miracle: that gentleman who walked in off the street stayed just long enough to hear and feel the power of the Holy Ghost manifest in that meeting, testifying of gospel truth to his heart. But he walked out just in time to miss the Spirit leave in response to negativity and disrespect. We were so grateful, for one that he was able to experience the truth and recognize it, and second, that we were able to recognize a real difference in the lack of the Spirit. It reminded me that truth is truth, regardless of people's opinions. And wherever truth is, there the Spirit will be, and that is what helps us recognize and understand.
And that is what brings me back to the subject of General Conference. I hope you all were able to feel the Spirit in those meetings as prophets and apostles testified of Truths. I especially loved what one said, that the future of our faith is not determined by chance, but by choice! We are created to be agents for ourselves, to think and act, not just to be acted upon. I discovered this in the decision to come out on the mission in the first place! For a long while I just prayed, wanting to be shown which direction to take with my life, thinking I would do whatever He wanted, but not making a decision or taking action either way. I was immobilized by fear of being wrong. But over time I learned that Heavenly Father has given us the gift of agency for a reason, and expects us to use it! We can choose to be happy, we can choose to take a leap of faith. We can choose to follow promptings from the Spirit, or not. Moving forward with hope and desire and trust is the definition of acting in faith, and according to what we decide and the diligence we apply, our faith grows or diminishes. And "without a firm foundation of faith, our power to endure will crumble." (Elder Henry B. Eyring)
I'm sorry for the rant, but this is something we have been really trying to help our investigators and less actives understand - that our daily decisions determine our eternal destiny.
"There is something we can take home to God, in achieving which we find true happiness, and that, is Character - what you have made of yourself during this mortal existence. Character - it may be weak, it may be strong. You must decide. But whatever you make it during the 20, 30, 50, 70, 80, 100 years that you spend here will be what you take back there. Character, and the service you have rendered will determine your position and place in the next world." (David O. Mackay)
I love and pray for you all
Love,
Sister Patterson
Anyway - I forgot to share a mini miracle we had last Sunday. We had our fast and testimony meeting a week early for conference. Near the end, Sister Tolbert and I spotted a man walk into the foyer, obviously not a member. So we got up and ended up standing in the parking lot for a couple minutes talking with him. He had just wandered in to see what we were all about, and commented how he had felt really good listening to a couple of the testimonies born. He couldn't stay for the whole meeting, so after our exchange he left and we went back into the building - super excited at a potential investigator. Now here's where it get's weird. As soon as we walked back into the lobby (it had been maybe 5 minutes), we noticed a discernible difference - the spirit had flown out the window and there was an air of uneasiness as we walked into the chapel to see half the congregation missing. Something had obviously happened. We came to find out that in those few minutes, a man had taken the opportunity to get up at the pulpit and express his "anti-Mormon" feelings. Luckily the Bishop intervened and dismissed all the kids and leaders, and had a counselor close the meeting with a powerful testimony while the Bishop and said individual left for a chat. Now you're probably wondering why this was a mini miracle: that gentleman who walked in off the street stayed just long enough to hear and feel the power of the Holy Ghost manifest in that meeting, testifying of gospel truth to his heart. But he walked out just in time to miss the Spirit leave in response to negativity and disrespect. We were so grateful, for one that he was able to experience the truth and recognize it, and second, that we were able to recognize a real difference in the lack of the Spirit. It reminded me that truth is truth, regardless of people's opinions. And wherever truth is, there the Spirit will be, and that is what helps us recognize and understand.
And that is what brings me back to the subject of General Conference. I hope you all were able to feel the Spirit in those meetings as prophets and apostles testified of Truths. I especially loved what one said, that the future of our faith is not determined by chance, but by choice! We are created to be agents for ourselves, to think and act, not just to be acted upon. I discovered this in the decision to come out on the mission in the first place! For a long while I just prayed, wanting to be shown which direction to take with my life, thinking I would do whatever He wanted, but not making a decision or taking action either way. I was immobilized by fear of being wrong. But over time I learned that Heavenly Father has given us the gift of agency for a reason, and expects us to use it! We can choose to be happy, we can choose to take a leap of faith. We can choose to follow promptings from the Spirit, or not. Moving forward with hope and desire and trust is the definition of acting in faith, and according to what we decide and the diligence we apply, our faith grows or diminishes. And "without a firm foundation of faith, our power to endure will crumble." (Elder Henry B. Eyring)
I'm sorry for the rant, but this is something we have been really trying to help our investigators and less actives understand - that our daily decisions determine our eternal destiny.
"There is something we can take home to God, in achieving which we find true happiness, and that, is Character - what you have made of yourself during this mortal existence. Character - it may be weak, it may be strong. You must decide. But whatever you make it during the 20, 30, 50, 70, 80, 100 years that you spend here will be what you take back there. Character, and the service you have rendered will determine your position and place in the next world." (David O. Mackay)
I love and pray for you all
Love,
Sister Patterson
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
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
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.
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