Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Week 15: Three Brown Musketeers

Heyoooo from Cardston! 

Well, another week down. This week was full of new things and it was good!  Trio power is killing it. We get along really well and it's awesome! Sister John is a funny one. She is quiet, doesn't like change. When I first met her I said "Hi, I'm sister Wilson" and went in for a handshake but she just stared at me. Ha ha.  She was just sad to leave her last companion and is very loyal to each companion.  So when she gets a new one it takes a little for her to adjust. She has opened up a lot more though and we are having fun getting to know each other.  Sister Ma'ake is from Hawaii and is so cool. She's a super good missionary and is so funny. We are a lot a like and have so much in common.  It's the best!
  
Oh and one more thing, Sister John when she meets people, she hugs them and lifts them off the ground.  It's SO funny to see people's reactions. A lot of people yelp or make funny noises.  I can't explain it, you just have to see it. I heard she did that before I even met her and I'm glad I get to see it everyday.

This week was good. Cardston is a lot different from Okotoks. It's a lot smaller and 86 percent of the people are members so we don't tract. We only work with members for referrals but the members are one FIRE here! Seriously it's awesome. We have a good teaching pool right now and one with a date! Her name is Violet and she's so cute. We taught her the Plan of Salvation on Monday night and we did a drawing lesson and she loved it. Her mom isn't active and at the end she said the prayer. It was so cool and the most sincere prayer. She thanked the Lord for sending us to her and Violet and it just made me really happy I was sent to them and to be able to help teach them. 

We are teaching some less active members right now too but we also have some solid investigators. We cover five wards and cover a lot of geography because it's really spread out here.  There are a lot of farms. We cover the Blood Reserve as well and there's so many First Nations here. We don't even go street contacting in town because they are all natives who just try to get money from us.  We are not allowed to give them any because they don't spend it on good stuff.  

When we go on the Reserve we have to have a man with us because it's dangerous for girls to be walking alone. There are dogs all over the Reserve too, which is scarey. They just guard the reservation and walk with the natives but we don't dare go near them.  The elders (of course) are trying to see which one of them can get a picture with one {eye roll}. 


The temple is right smack in the center of Cardston and we get to see it everyday.  It is the best! Plus, it was so warm this week and we walked a lot. It was great! My district is a lot different from my last, there's a couple elders who don't really give a rip and they aren't very obedient which is frustrating. Our zone is like an hour and a half away from us, so we don't see other missionaries much. It's okay though, The Three Brown Musketeers are out here puttin' in WURKKK and helping our other Laminate brothers and sisters on the covenant path! 😎 

The brown and whites don't like each other very much with is very historical. So we are holding multiple "Cottage Meetings" in the upcoming months.  The first one is at the end of this month and we are getting the First Nations and Whites together.  It will be like a cozy Fireside and President Keung is coming.  It's going to be so awesome! He's going to talk about culture and just pound them with the spirit. He's so amazing. They've already had one Cottage Meeting and it was a huge success. We had a meeting on Sunday with some First Nation members and some whites.  Together, we discussed how we all can come together and start being more peaceful with each other.  Our goal is to help them realize that we are all children of our Heavenly Father.  You had to be there, it was just so cool to see.  I'm really excited to hold all these Cottage Meetings with my companions and help get this going. (I'm sorry if this sounds racist - but it's the only way I could explain it. I hope you understand what I'm trying to say.)

The work here is good and the members play such a big role. It's so nice to be able to work with them and just do all we can to involve them in our work. Members play such a big role in missionary work especially in a town with 86% members. (actual statistics)  My invitation to you is for YOU to be better member missionary. I know you guys are already KILLIIN' it,  but there is always room for improvement ! ðŸ˜‰ Pray for missionary opportunities and the Lord will indeed bless you with them. I will follow up with you guys in a couple weeks.  Please email me and share any cool experiences you may have.  I'm excited to hear. 

I was so stressed last week but I'm doing much better. As I work hard, try my best every day, am obedient and don't worry about myself - just focus on helping others... it will all work out. TRUE joy comes from living the gospel of Jesus Christ and serving other people. I am settling into Cardston well and excited to keep working with my companion(s).  Plus,  SPRING is on the way! It's supposed to snow Saturday and Sunday, but I'm not letting that get my hopes up. The weather was so beautiful this week and I felt some sun on my skin! {WAHOOO!} It was the best thing ever. I was starting to feel like Edward Collins for a while there. Ha ha. 

I love you guys a whole bunch! Don't forget my invitation to you - be a missionary. Trust me, because I won't forget to follow up. 

Funny thing - everyone here always says stuff like "do you have to have tan skin with long brown hair to serve here now?".  Ha Ha. They just love to talk about it and it's hilarious.

Have an awesome week! Sing with the birds, enjoy the sunshine and pray for opportunities to serve others.  

Love,
Sister Wilson 


Leaving Okotoks! (Transfer Day)

Sushi with Sister Neild before leaving Okotoks! 

Enjoying a day of sunshine at the Cardston Temple (new area)
Enjoying a day of sunshine at the Cardston Temple (new area with new companions)

Navajo Mountain (Sacred Ground)

The Three Brown Musketeers - car selfie

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Week 14: Ain't Got No Tears Left to Cry! (First Transfer)

From the subject you will probably tell I'm very emotional right now!

Transfer calls came last night and I'm leaving Okotoks.  I'm so sad.  If there's one thing I've learned from my mission, it's that it's okay to cry sometimes. I've only been in Okotoks three months but I love the people so much.  I've made some wonderful friends and relationships. I feel like I wear my heart on my sleeve here!  Just serving the people I've come to love them so easily. I'm moving the farthest south you can go in the mission, to Cardston. 

I'm in a trio again as well, with Sister Ma'kae and Sister John. Sis Ma'Kae is from Hawaii and she is super cute. I heard she's a great missionary so I'm excited to learn things from her. Sis John is from a reservation in Utah.  I've heard she's a little interesting.  Something cool, before her mission she would literally hunt for her food. I'm sure she's awesome!  Just nervous for a change. 

Sister Nield is staying here and her new companion is coming tomorrow morning when I leave. We are both so sad to say goodbye. Sis Nield is a great friend of mine and I've learned so much from her. I will miss her so much! 

I will be over 5 wards in Cardston and one is a Young Single Adult (YSA) Ward again. Cardston has a lot of Natives and we will be serving around reserves and stuff.  Me and my companions are all brown and I know president loved putting that one together on the transfer boards. ðŸ˜‚ He LOVES the natives and always visits the reserves and goes on and on about our Lamanite blood.  Ha ha ha.  He's so funny. I'm excited for this new area and ready to work.  Last night after the call I cried and told Sister Nield to leave the room while I bawled ðŸ˜‚ 

Yesterday Kelly took us out to lunch and stopped to take a picture as well cause we knew one of us was leaving. She cried saying goodbye and made us tear up too.  We are having one more lunch in 30 minutes though to say our final goodbye and you know the tears are gonna be falling. The Osbergs called as well last night and asked to take me for sushi for supper tonight, (They know me so well).  So, we are spending the day packing and saying goodbye to people. 

This is hard for me but I know it is where the Lord needs me! I'm learning to trust him more and praying harder than ever right now. Who knows, maybe the weather will be a bit nicer there? I'm excited for this new place and new companions !! #triopower 

Sending some prayers my way would be super appreciated. I love you guys. I love Okotoks and I love being a missionary despite the heartache of leaving some amazing people! I know I'll meet plenty more as well. I testify that this is HIS work and he STILL labors with us !! and I will go where he wants me to go.

Have a great week everyone and I'm excited to update you all next Wednesday.

Love,
Sister Wilson

Calgary Temple

Calgary Temple with Kelly and Sister Nield

Calgary Temple with Kelly and Sister Nield
Calgary Temple with Kelly and Sister Nield
Kelly - I love her!

Coppied Braden's pose, but instead of a downpour or rain... it's a downpour of snow. In March. ;) 


Cute little background in Okotoks!


Happy to be a missionary... in Okatoks! 


Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Week 13: Quick Chat


Warning, this is gonna be shorter.

Sister Nield and I are running a little behind schedule today with shopping, emailing and such. We are going to the Calgary Temple with Kelly today so I want to send a quick note before we go. 

Thursday: had a lesson with Isaac and Maddie. I think I mentioned them last week.  Isaac is in his late 20's and hasn't been active in the church for a long time. He really wants to be though so he's working on it.  His girlfriend Maddie is a good example and he wants to take her to the temple.  So, we have had three lessons with them so far and they are awesome.  He's super solid! He's coming to church this week so were excited about that.

Friday: We were supposed to have a lesson with this lady named Kathy. I don't have time to tell the story, but I will next week I promise. She had to cancel the lesson because she got sick so we were bummed but that's ok.  She said this week to come back, so we will.  

Saturday: We tried to stop by Tammy's house for our lesson but she wasn't home.  We were sad because we spent all morning studying and had a great lesson planned.  Oh well - next time. 

Sunday: MIRACLE, we were tracting for like 2 hours because it was a beautiful -8 degrees. Ha ha.  Our second to last house, a lady answered and she was holding her 5 year old son and right when I saw him it was like looking at my brother!  (I almost teared up)  They don't look a lot alike but right when I saw him, I knew he was disabled even though you couldn't tell a lot. I started asking questions about her son and told her he looked just like my little brother.  She asked what he had and I told her.  She said her and her husband don't yet know what their son has as the doctors were still trying to figure it out. So she asked me a bunch of questions and we just connected so well. Obviously, we told her who we were as well and she said she's always super busy with her son's speech therapy, appointments and stuff (Mum you know how that is!), but she said that she would love to have us back over next week when she's not super busy. It was awesome and she was just the sweetest thing! I'll keep you updated. 

Monday: Normal day 

Tuesday: I got sick from something I ate, so we had to go on splits.  We had Mission Leadership Council (MLC) in Calgary so Sister Nield had to go. I  stayed back with Sister Sommerville and spent the day with her

So yeah, it was another great week! It was still between -20 to -30 this week, but I'm just holding on until spring. Ha ha ha.  I have hope that it will be warm again some day. 

Thanks for the prayers and emails and everything! 

Love, 
Sister Wilson

p.s. Sorry there is no spiritual thought this week. I will make up for it next week. 

p.s.s. Today is my companion's Half Way Mark (1/2 her mission is over).  I want to do something for her but my creativity skills are awful. If you guys have any ideas email them to me. 

p.s.s.s. Thanks for the prayers and emails and everything. I love you all so much.  

What 15 minutes of tracking looks like in -20 degrees. 

Feeding llamas, ponies and horses before dinner yesterday. 

Feeding llamas, ponies and horses before dinner yesterday. 
Feeding llamas, ponies and horses before dinner yesterday. 
Enjoying a slushie in the cold.  Call me crazy!