Beautiful, Cold, Snowy Montreal

January 30th 2017

Hi everyone!

It`s been a beautiful, cold, snowy week in Montréal, but we are loving it here and our hearts are happy. There have been lots of changes and moving pièces in the mission this past week and it`s keeping us on our toes! We had another team of Sister`s move into our apartment for a few days, and that was good to spend more time with them, and talk with them about each of our respective areas. And then this last Friday we started an exchange (where one of the companions comes with me to my area, and the other goes with my companion to their area) with another team of Sisters and we are not sure how long this exchange will last, but it has been so fun! So since Friday I`ve been companions with Sister Poulton, who`s from Texas and has only been on her mission about 2 months. Ìt`s been funny to see how many things we have in common and to laugh together and to work together. It`s been a blessing for the both of us.

 cute Sister Poulton 

with one of our investigators cats after we went over and painted a few rooms in her house 

(yes, the second house I`ve painted on my mission, I think I`m getting pretty good)

Speaking of how she`s only been on her mission for a few months, it`s been really fun to help her with her French, but there`s been one thing I`ve noticed about teaching with her that I absolutely love, and it`s that it doesn`t matter what I even say in the lessons, because it really is her words that the people remember. Now, what I mean by that is because I`ve had more experience in French and feel a little more comfortable with teaching, I am able to present a point of doctrine and testify and teach about it, which is great and everything, but when she talks, with her more limited and maybe a little more broken French, the people always pay attention. Each word that she uses is deliberate, and they know that, so even if she isn`t grammatically correct, the people undestand and are always so touched by the testimony she shares and the spirit that she brings. We`ve seen it over and over again in teaching scenarios and it`s been fun to help her realize the power that she has. I`ve learned a lot from her about how to teach the gospel to people, and I`m very grateful for that.

I`ll highlight one of those expériences to give you a better idea, this week we met Julie, who is a friend of a recent convert in my last area, Kirkland. And Julie has been in and out of the hospital for awhile because of some lung and throat problems she has, which has been very difficult for her. The other night we received her information from the missionaries in Kirkland and stopped by to visit her on Saturday. And, after getting lost a few times in the hospital, we found her and from the moment we walked in the door we knew something was different. As we walked in and introduced ourselves and told her we were sent by one of her friends, her whole face, which was rather solemn when we walked in, change into the biggest smile. She was so touched that we came to visit her and we were all a little teary eyed because the spirit in the room was very special. And then we started talking with her, told her about ourselves and she told us about her life, and some of the difficulties she`s been having, and then with Sister Poulton leading, we introduced the Book of Mormon to her and offered her one as a gift. Again, she was touched and could immediately feel of it`s importance. She asked us to write a little something in the front of it so she could remember us forever, and we left with happy hearts as we planned to come back the following day, Sunday. So, we stopped by before Church yesterday morning to see her again, and her countenance was just different. She was bright and happy when we walked in and it was tender as we started talking. She shared with us a powerful experience she had with the Book of Mormon the previous night, and it was then that Sister Poulton offered a very powerful testimony of the divinity, truthfulness, and power found in the Book of Mormon and in reading its pages. And I know I`m now only explaining it in very few words, but we will never be able to deny what was said and felt that Sunday morning in the hospital room. Julie now knows, after searching for something more in life for years and asking God to guide her there, the Book of Mormon will have an impact on her life, and will give her what she has been looking for.

After asking her if we could capture the special moment 

Julie let us take a picture with her in her hospital room. I really love her

That is true, the Book of Mormon is true and there is power in its pages.

I realize this email was little longer today, I apologize if it`s too long, but then again, I`m happy I can share my special expériences with everyone, because things like this don`t happen everyday.

I hope everyone has a great week! Be safe.

Sister Thomas

Some very very nice members let us come over for dinner yesterday and made us a beautiful feast of French food (because they`re from France, yay!) and it was amazing. It was a dish called raclette, which is kind of like fondu where you melt the cheese, but then we put it over potatoes and a rice and meat dish, it was so good.

It's on your face

January 23rd, 2017

hi everyone!

this week was great! lots of blessings and miracles, as usual, and we`ve been able to see Heavenly Father`s hand in every part of the work, He is definitely here with us.

The people we`ve been teaching have really intergrated themselves with members of the ward here, coming to activities with us, making friends and connections and most importantly learning and seeing how the doctrine of Jesus Christ applies in our lives and then seeing a living representation of how happy it can make us. That was so cool. Funny story, Angelique, she`s 9, and she is one of the children of a family we are teaching, and this week we started teaching her family about the Plan of Salvation, and about how we existed before this life, after asking them a few questions about what they thought and believed, Angelique`s hand shot up and she said with confidence «On a choisi de venir ici!!» which means, we chose to come here. Everyone was a little shocked and surprised that she knew that, and then the family looked at us and asked if she was right, and with big big smiles we said, yes 100%. Then they asked her where she learned that, and she said at church. How perfect is that? The whole family was taught by the youngest daughter a very simple but powerful doctrine. The whole lesson was very successful.

Another sweet experience happened on the bus just the other day. As we waited for the bus early one morning, I started talking to an elderly gentlemen who was sitting down. We continued our small talk as we boarded the bus, and as I sat next to him, he looked at me and he said, «Mormon?» and I said, «yes, how did you know?» and he said «It`s on your face.» I was a little taken back by his response, but the smile I had just grew a little bigger because I knew what he meant. He then looked at me and said, in somewhat broken English (he was from Hungary) «you want to do good.» He went on to explain how he was Jewish, but how that he`s always respected Mormons and all the good they`ve done. It was a tender experience as I ponder his words, its on your face.

The joy of the gospel is a beautiful thing, and it can be seen in our countenance, clear as day, if we don`t try and hide it, if we don`t get in the way for letting it`s blessings shine. I realized that, that day where it was a little bit more than cold outside, that no matter what is happening around us, no matter the weather, or the circumstance, who we are, and how we feel about who we are, can and will show on our faces.

So lets all try a little harder, to be a little better, myself included, because the joy is something easily detected and desperately wanted by the people around us.

Have a great week!
Sœur Thomas

 

A picture of us and Daniella after giving her a chart about how to pray. She loved it. 

She`s doing so well.

Teach the Children

bonjour mes amis!

Again, running short on time this week. Sorry for that, but this week has been AMAZING, like AMAZING AMAZING. We`ve started teaching 2 new families, both from the Congo, and have had the chance to find several more people who want to come closer to their Father in Heaven. Sister Dinge and I have been working a lot on our teaching skills and it`s been so good, to practice with her as we study in the morning, and pray for these people to find their concerns, and to really just do our best to make sure these people can undersand and accept the gospel. Teaching is definitely a learning process.

And some of our investigators came to church this week! 3 of the children of one of the families, and they loved it. The ward did so good at welcoming them and making them feel loved. We are excited to continue to teach them. Again, they`re from the Congo, and they speak French and Swahili and it`s been fun to learn some Swahili phrases. And we got to give them some pamphlets and a Book of Mormon in Swahili and the mom loved it! Everyone will hear (or read) about the gospel in their own native tongue.

We had a few lessons with Daniella this last week, remember the cutest 10 year old ever? Last night we were teaching her about our life here on earth and what we need to do, we showed her a book for children that goes over the New Testament stories with pictures and little summaries and she loved it. We taught her about Jesus` childhood and about when He was baptized. She didn`t understand baptism at first, but then we taught her simply and her face lit up when she understood. And for a second memories of when I was being taught by missionaries when I was young flooded back to my mind. I remembered the wonder and amazement I felt as I learned about God`s plan of happiness for us, and I remember longing to be in the Celestial kingdom, and to be with our Heavenly Father and Savior again. I saw myself in this cute, innocent 10 year old girl and the feelings of love and hope I had for her almost overwhelmed me. I also felt incredibly grateful for the two missionaries who taught me, one Elder from Sweden and another from Arizona (I think), as a child around the same age as Daniella. They were patient with me and they were kind and I remember how much I loved hearing about the gospel, even if I was a punk little 10 year old. I then felt the incredible love of the Savior and the deep gratitude I had for everything He has done for me. My life has changed a lot in those 10 years since I was being taught by the missionaries, and the only constant thing in my life has been the gospel of Jesus Christ. And I`m so grateful for that. That I was able to hear it, understand it, and accept it at such a young age, and how that decision has changed my eternity. And now I get to be here helping others change their eternities. Now I get to be here and help give children that same sense of belonging and undying hope that I felt. And those sweet experience surpass everything else. I`m so grateful for my mission.

This week truly has been full of miracles and tender mercies. And Sister Dinge and I are filled with gratitude and happiness and hope for the coming weeks ahead.

I hope you all have a wonderful week, rememeber to smile!

Sister Thomas

Hi Everyone!

January 9th

hi everyone!

Don`t have much time today, but this week was wonderful, we continued to find people who wanted to hear about the gospel in the most unexpected ways. Heavenly Father always blesses us with wonderful surprises :)

One of our new investigators is named Daniella. And she is probably one of the smartest 10 year olds I`ve ever met. Her grandmother and her mom are both members of the church, but they haven`t gone for a long time, but after gettting in contact we made an appointment to meet with the grandmother and Daniella was there as well! We`ve started teaching her about the Plan of Salvation and she`s just eating it up. She has amazing questions, and her comprehension for a 10 year old is something else. She is a miracle. So excited to continue teaching her.

And some of our other investigators came to church this week, and it was their first time ever attending one of our church services, but they loved it! It was a testimony meeting this Sunday so it was really cool for the investigators see and hear the beautiful testimonies of the members. I swear, these members are some of the most dedicated, faithful people I`ve ever met. I want to be like them when I grow up.

2 different members shared their expériences as each were prompted to give away a Book of Mormon for Christmas, and their stories were remarkable, it really reminded me of how one of God`s greatest gifts to us is His word, the Holy Scriptures. What a blessing it is to have them. I love them so much.

I hope everyone has a woooonderful week, remember how much I love you, but remember God loves you more :)

Sister Thomas 

 

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Prov. 3:5–6).

1) here`s a sneak peek of what weekly planning at a church building/eating lunch/freezing to death because the room isn`t being heated/having fun looks like.

annnnddd it turns out that`s the only thing we decided to take pictures of this week. We have to learn how to photographically capture the miracle-moments. We`ll work on that for next week

le nouvel an

January 2nd

BONNE ANNÉE MES AMIS!!!! :)

 Happy new year! we had fun at the party, we stayed for 10 minutes. 

don't worry, we were in bed by 10:30.

WOW. 2017 is here. It's finally come. Even though Sister Dinge and I have been praying and asking God to slow down time, it has caught up to us. This year will bring with it a lot of changes, lots of things will be happening, within the coming days and months, and now our prayers have changed to asking Heavenly Father to help us keep up.

The week in between Christmas and New Years is a week of reflection. Of how the year was, and how the next year can be. And after a wonderful interview with my Mission President I know what I want to be focusing on this year. Peace. And the peace that can come into our lives from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I want to help myself find moments of peace, quietness and stillness, which is difficult in the busy city of Montreal, and even more difficult with the added business of being a missionary. Often times we get too caught up in things that are happening around us, too overwhelmed with the list of things that needs to be done, and I, myself, am guilty of those things, and sometimes those feelings can show on my face. Which is not the best circumstance for a missionary, who is a representative of Christ, who should always be letting the Light of Christ be shown in their countenance. So this year, while I still get to be a missionary, I want to focus on finding that peace, that stillness and tranquility, even in the busiest of times, and letting that be what will draw people to the gospel. 

I think my Mission President summed it up perfectly when he said, "there is a power in being centered in the peacefulness of the gospel." That is true. And that is my goal for this year, is to find that power, and to use that power to help my brothers and sisters to find the way to true and enduring happiness. 

And going along with the theme of a new year, this week included a lot of new people. We found several people who are interested in learning more about the gospel, and the best part is that some of them are families. Families that can grow together in their knowledge and their faith, and families that can support each other in the gospel. Families are so important and sooo special. And we get to start teaching some!!! 

In Haiti, there's a tradition where on New Years Day, they eat SOUP. 

Here's a picture of our soup party!

I hope you all had a wonderful week and that you've made meaningful goals for this new year. Make it the best year ever!!

Love,

Sister Thomas

 "Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me."

D&C 19: 23

 

 Doing service at a members home. 

Sister Dinge prefers that I take the selfies in this companionship.

le Christ éclaire tout

December 26th

 While Christmas caroling one night, we found the Tree of Life!!!

happy boxing day everyone!! 

(it's like Canadian equivalent of Black Friday) I hope everyone had a beautiful and blessed Christmas. There is really no time of year that can compare with the wonderful spirit and feelings that accompany Christmas. This Christmas was very very special for Sister Dinge and I, et pour ça, nous sommes infiniment reconnaissante.

 

Christmas Eve and Christmas day were spent in the best way possible, being diligently concerned for the well being of our brothers and sisters. We spent the holidays mostly in people homes, spending time with them, making crepes for them, eating amazing feasts with them, helping them wrap last minute presents, and lots and lots of singing. Pretty sure I know the Christmas songs better in French than English now. (and yes they are my favorite, French is way cuter than English) 

No Christmas in my life has compared to yesterday, and no Christmas in the future will be able to, so I've continually expressed gratitude to my Father in Heaven for Him blessing me with this amazing area, with my great companion, and for all the miracles He has given us this week.

Making crepes with my favorite Korean family!!

And I know all the blessings that have come to our companionship this week, all the happiness we have felt, has come from our Savior. As we have focused our studies on Him and His life this past week, we have felt ourselves growing closer to Him; and He really has been the light of this whole Christmas season. We sang a song in the choir in the ward, that I really think captures the essence of Christmas. The song is "Still, Still, Still" in English (and honestly have no idea how it goes in English) but in French it is "Paix, Paix, Paix" (paix, meaning peace). And in French there is one line where it says "le Christ éclaire tout" and for me, that has been my theme this Christmas. No matter what darkness we have around us, no matter what is happening in the world, we can know that Christ illuminates, or enlightens, all. 

 

Eating Christmas dinner with our recent convert family! 

AKA my favorite Congolese people ever!!! 

(Congolese = they're from the Congo, ie, AMAZING food!)

Jesus Christ can give us rest, peace, and eternal happiness. And there are is no better way to explain that by reading His own words when He told His disciples,

"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."

Matthew 11:28-30 (https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/11.28-30?lang=eng)

Have a beautiful week everyone, and Happy New Year!

Sister Thomas

 

 

People in Quebec are super festive. 

the best part is how Mickey and Minnie are scaring the snowmen, 

me and Sister Dinge have been reenacting that throughout the week.

 using the bus system is ALWAYS a party!

 

Venez tous, fidèles, Joyeuse nouvelle!

December 19th

 

Hi everyone and happy almost Christmas!!!

wow, another happy week, full of happy things.

finishing up an exchange with some of spanish sisters!!

I was thinking about what I should write in this email, and I thought to an experience that happened last week that I hadn`t shared, and I feel like I should share now,

it`s about our investigator Amadou, the one from Mali, who wants to build a giant Church there when he wins the lottery. The missionaires have been working with him for awhile, and he is so ready to be baptized, but he still has to work through somethings. But we had an incredible experience with him last week. One of his problems was accepting the principle of having a modern day prophet, he denied it. He readily accepts and loves Joseph Smith, but didn`t believe that Thomas S Monson was his rightful successor. We talked about it, but his heart just seemed hard. But he said he would pray and ask God, and continue reading in the Book of Mormon. So we went back later that week and he told us he had a dream.

And in the dream, he was in his home, and a missionary (an Elder who was serving in the ward) was there with him. The missionary was asking him questions, and he said «do you believe that Thomas S Monson is a prophet?» Amadou replied no. Then the missionary asked, «do you believe in the Atonement of Jesus Christ?» and Amadou replied yes, absolutely. And then the missionary said, «Alors, il faut pour vous de croire.» which translates to, well, then it is necessary for you to believe. As Amadou recounted his dream, we were astonished. And we talked to Amadou about what it meant, but he still didn`t want to accept the principle, even after his dream. So we continued to talk about it, to teach, and to testify. And we helped him understand that it was an answer to his prayers, and we told him that as missionaries, we are représentatives of the Savior, and once he understood that concept, he realized his dream was as if Christ Him-self was actually talking with him.

Then, continuing into the weekend, the Elder`s (the male missionaries) went over and visited him a few days later. And they asked him the same questions, about if he believe in our modern-day prophet. And Amadou said, «oui, maintenant je comprend.» meaning, yes, now, I understand.

We saw his heart change, in just a matter of a week, we saw him understand doctrine. And he is moving closer to baptism, he is moving closer to Jesus Christ. And we get to see that. We saw him this last week, and read in the Book of Mormon with him, and unintentionally on our part, the things we read directly applied to him and his circumstance. It was a Spirit-filled lesson.

I know the Book of Mormon is true, I`ve received witness after witness and I cannot deny it. I know that we have a prophet today, and it is because God loves us, and He wants to give us guidance in these days and in our times, as difficult as they are. And I`m so grateful for that. The truth is restored, and Christ is our Savior, and we get to celebrate Him and His birth in just 6 days.

And yes, I am far from home this Christmas, and yes that can be sad, but I am so happy here, because my heart is here, and it is with these people. And if one Christmas away from home is the price I`d pay to bring people expériences like Amadou`s, then I`d do it every Christmas. (but I won`t, mom, don`t worry, I`m coming home next year)

joyeux noël mes amis,

je vous aime,

Sœur Thomas

 

After being seperated, only for a few months, I was reunited with my best friend. Olive Arbuckle, aka the most beautiful women in the world. We became best friends in my last area, and it was sooo hard to say goodbye. But we were tenderly reunited this last week at a Christmas concert. happy hearts, knit together!

 

And here is my other bestfriend, Sister Loute, 

my haitian queen. It was her birthday

 and we got to celebrate it with her. Sooooo special.