THREE MONTHS!!

May 14, 2012

Well, tomorrow is my three month mark!!! Crazy, eh? ;) I am so glad that we got to talk yesterday!!! It was so good hearing from everyone.  It defiantly gave me the boost that I needed.

Well this week we did a lot of tracting.  We stopped by a house that we knocked on a week or so ago.  The man who answered said to come back when the children's mother was home.  When we knocked on the door she, Jeanine, was home.  She told us that she just divorced and out of a bad marriage.  She said that she grew up Catholic, but he husband (previous) didn't believe in God and he was very controlling.  She said after they got divorced she came to find herself again and turned back to God.  She said that there are many lost souls in the world who need God in their lives.  She took a pamphlet and...a Book of Mormon!!! You have to understand that this is our first Book of Mormon that Sister Nielson and I have placed.  They told us at the MTC to only give out Books of Mormon if people seem that they will genuinely read it.  She set up an appointment for us to come back Monday (tonight). Good things are going to be happening this week!

Sadly, we did not get in with Brother Cranmer this week.  We were talking to their neighbor and best friend and she said that once spring/summer comes you rarely see the Cranmer's.  They are always down at their cabin in Medicine Hat.  We need to get that man baptized before he's gone for three months.  We did stop by on Sunday and he said that me and Sister Nelson can come by on Tuesday. (Tuesday Sister Nielson has leadership training so me and Sister Nelson get to go on splits in Okotoks).

Well this week was Mission Tour, sort of like our Zone Conference, but bigger.  I believe there were at least three zones there.  Elder Melchin was there.  He is the area Seventy for our mission.  It was so neat to be taught by him.  He gets to sit in out trainings from the Brethren.  Super neat stories.  Yeah, as I told you yesterday, I got chosen to give my 3-5 minute talk. Bleh.   Thankfully I wrote it out or else I would have completely blanked. And I think it flowed alright.  One disadvantage to being a Sister, you will always be asked to do something at Trainings or Meetings...always.  

Sister Archibald gave a talk about sacrifice and she gave us some reasons of why of the law of sacrifice: 

1- To test and prove us 

2) Assist us to come unto Christ. 

And What does sacrifice teach us: 

1) To learn something about ourselves 

2) Allows us to come to know the Lord 

3) Allows us to become more sacred and holy 

4) Prepares us to live in God's presence (putting God first and giving Him all).  

In my scripture reading I am to one of my favorite stories: the Anti-Nephi-Lehies.  I love how in the scriptures it says that they were converted unto the Lord and never did fall away.  One thing that I found really interesting when reading the story this time is how when the Lamanites come upon them and they kill 1005 people over a thousand of the Lamanites were converted.  It says that the people who were converted were true descendants of Laman and Lemuel and the Amalakites and Amulonites were so hardened they did not bring themselves down to repentance. EXCEPT - it says their was one Amalakite that was converted.  I told Sister Nielson I need to repent and not judge how ready people may be according to their house size.  They need the gospel just as much as anyone else.

I love you all so much!!!! I am so happy that we were able to talk for a few minutes yesterday!!!! The Lord loves us and we will be compensated for all of our losses and sacrifices!!!

-Sister Josie Douglass

BAPTISM!!

May 7, 2012

Dear Family,
 
Well what a week! I want to start off with Colin's Baptism, but I
think I will save the best for last :) There are so many amazing families in the wards we are over.  I seriously am going to miss them so much when I leave.  We had dinner with the Moore family on Monday.  Sister Nielson kept saying how excited she was that we were having dinner with them.  Now I know why. They are so cute and hilarious!! Sister Moore is from the UK - around
the London area...I think it's called Burkshire... probably butchered that spelling, but whatever. I don't think I have ever laughed so hard at a dinner appointment.  It was just what I needed.  They told us about their neighbors and how they feel that they need to share the gospel with them.  If they don't contact them this week they said we should knock on their door.  I am looking forward to having dinner again with them soon!
 
Wednesday we had a lunch appointment with the Bidlingmaier family. They are soooo sweet.  They are from South Africa and have the most polite manners.  I love going there because they always refer to us as the "Lady Missionaries". They have an adorable dog, Penny.  I think she's a Bishon mix, but she's warmed up to me. :) They are so missionary minded and have committed to get to know their neighbors in their cul-de-sac.
 
Then...Colin's baptism!!! When we were getting ready to start the baptismal services, who should walk in, but President and Sister Archibald and the assistance.  My heart rate went through the roof and I got soooo nervous.  We were giving the 1st lesson in 10 minutes while Colin and his father-in-law changed. Well the baptism was so nice. Colin's wife, Holly, was crying the entire time.  Their best friend, DJ, sang "I know Heavenly Father Loves Me" and she got crying so she couldn't sing.  But, she sang the song so tenderly that it brought the spirit into the room. 

We showed the First Vision from the Restoration Video and then we just wrapped it up with the Book of Mormon.  When a member, Brother Kyle, got up to talk about the Holy Ghost he just paused and said "Do you feel that? The Spirit is so strong in this room." And it was! It was just an overwhelming feeling of peace, comfort and love. Sister Nielson and I got so many compliments for our part.  We have been working really hard on memorizing the bullet points in the back of each lesson in Preach My Gospel.  It was a testimony to us that it is truly inspired and that is all we need to teach.  Sister Nielson and I are still feeling like everything is so surreal with Colin.  He was just so golden.  But it sounds like Heavenly Father has been helping Colin for the past year in preparing him to join the church.  Colin was confirmed on Sunday by his friend, Lucas De Silva.  It was soooo neat!!! The blessing was so specific and powerful.  Ahh!!! It's just so great!!!!! No worries, I will send pictures ASAP! They are such a cute couple! And their little boy, Beckam is to die for! He has the biggest brown eyes I have ever seen.
 
One of the neatest things that happened on Sunday was during sacrament
meeting.  Richard has been coming to church ever since I have been here.  His parents were totally against him looking into a church, but they are coming along.  Richard got up and bore his testimony about how he finished the Book of Mormon and he knows that it is true!!! We introduced ourselves to him and he said that he father doesn't want him to meet with the missionaries.  We told him we will respect his father's wishes.  Pray that his father will soften his heart.  At least Richard can come to church!!!
 
Things are going so great! Despite it snowing for a while on Saturday ;) I am so grateful for our Savior and all that He has done for us! I am so grateful that He provided a way for us to become clean so we can live with our Father in Heaven again someday!

LOVES!!!!!
-Sister Josie Douglass

It's Almost May!

I am so excited for Saturday!! Colin is getting baptized!! He is so solid and fun to teach.  I was asking him what he knew about keeping the Sabbath day holy and he rattled off all of the bullet points from the pamphlet/Preach My Gospel.  I was like...yup, will you continue to keep the Sabbath day holy? :) Colin is like a sponge and so eager to learn.  She is very excited that he is wanted to get baptized.  She said that she hadn't really expected him to get baptized when they got married.  Next step - the temple!!!

Oh my Elders.  They are a hoot when we are role playing with them using Brother Cranmer.  An Elder and I were teaching Sister Nielson who was being Brother Cranmer.  Sister Nielson and I were trying so hard not to laugh.  We agree that Heavenly Father loves Brother Cranmer so much that that is one reason Sisters have been in this area for almost two years.  The Elders would just get frustrated and drop Brother Cranmer.  But, dispite Elder Lewis being so frustrated, Sister Nielson and I did use some things that he talked about in our lesson with Brother Cranmer.  We were more bold with him and I told him, "Brother Cranmer, the Book of Mormon is either the word or God or it is not.  Black or white."  We, once again, went over Moroni's promise and Sister Nielson asked, "Brother Cranmer, are you putting conditions on the Lord's promise." He said possibly. We told him that by putting conditions on the Lord's promise he won't be able to get the answer that the Book of Mormon is true.  We stopped by a few days later to set up our next appointment and the Cranmer's were talking about when they will be going out of town.  Sister Nielson pointed to May 12 and said, except you will be home that weekend for your baptism, right? Brother Cranmer said "possibly". We both almost fell over. That is the CLOSEST he has ever been to saying yes.  Usually he just says "we'll see." Keep praying for him! :)

We had another incredible lesson with Heather.  Duncan, Heather's 17 year old son, actually stayed and listened to the entire lesson.  Heather actually would step up and teach some of the lesson to Duncan and in return I think she taught herself more that we could have.  She told us to keep coming back. :)

Saturday was fun.  We helped an investigator move.  I haven't had a lesson with Pam since I've been here, but we think once she has moved the Elders will be able to get in and help her continue to learn about the gospel.  We had an angel come and help us.  Brother Stewart came and brought his two oldest children,   They have six children, they all start with J, I told them that I could fit right in with the family. :) Their daughter is a talker and so cute.  I was wearing my shirt that we made for Sadie Hawkins that said "Don't you wish you were me." She saw that and said, "Yeah, I do wish I was you. I want to be a missionary." Haha, so cute.  She then talked to Pam about the church once we left.  She rattled off on some of the articles of faith and the Standard of Truth and told Pam that our church is the true church.  Sister Nielson and I told Jocelynn that we should take her to more of our lessons. ;) Brother Stewart helped out so much with helping Pam move.  He offered to let her use one of their trailers to store some of the things she has that she doesn't have room for.  Ah! He is a saint!! Sister Nielson and I were a little stressed out before because we couldn't find someone to help us. We have a little Subaru and we can't leave our area.

Despite our lack of faith with finding people last week Sister Nielson and I are going to do our best to have more faith with tracting and we will find some new investigators this week.

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU!!!!!
-Sister Josie Douglass

I Think It Finally May Be Spring!!!

I'm trying not to get my hopes to high, but we have had FOUR days in a row where it has not rained - it's be gorgeous weather!!! Ah! So nice!!! Now the flowers and the trees just need to start budding and it will be just so fantastic.  I'm sure Okotoks is just beautiful in the summer - there are so many trees up here and I'm tired of them looking dead.
 
Well after these weeks hard times and can testify that the Lord does truly compensate for being a mission.  At the beginning of the week I was having a hard time.  I've been sort of comparing myself to others...I know I need to do what Pres. Uchtdorf said "STOP IT" But I just feel that I haven't really been connecting with very many ward members and I'm just another sister that is passing through.  I will tell you about my miracle with that later.  So, have I mentioned to you how much I miss wearing jeans? Well, one thing that Sister Nielson and I love to do is volunteer work because we get to wear jeans! :)

One of the recent converts, Michelle, is really struggle right now.  We had dinner with her on Sunday and she opened up how she is having major doubts if joining the church was the right thing.  My heart just ached for her.  Sister Nielson and I feel so bad because she's single and in her early 30s and there really isn't anyone in the ward that is in her same stage in life.  She needs a friend so badly! Well, the ward put on the play "The 10 Virgins", I think Hilary Weeks wrote it...some LDS musician.  Michelle was on the food committee for the production and she didn't really want to go.  We volunteered to walk her dogs for her so she could have time to shower and go to the production.  Her dogs are huge! I know one is a pit bull..I think...and I'm not sure what the other one is, but they both would squish Durango.  So imagine me trying to walk a 50 lbs dog :) Yeah, and Sister Nielson is not too fond of dogs, but she said it really wasn't too bad.  I'm sure we looked really funny walking the dogs.  Yes, we did get a few funny looks, but it was fun.  The production was SO good! I loved the songs and I could connect to every Virgin.  

The next day in my readings I read about patience.  In Preach My Gospel under patients it asked "How are faith and patience related?"  I know this should be a pretty easy question, but it took some digging and studying for me to figure it out.  I still don't have the exact answer, but it's coming.  Any way, so I read Alma 17:10-11 and the Lord tells them to be comforted - go forth and establish my word (get to work) - Be patient - Be good examples - the Lord will make us instruments in His hands.  I've been going through that process right now.  I have been given comfort and now I am doing my best to get to work and to be patient.
 
The area is not going quite as planned.  We stopped by a referral and they told us they aren't interested.  We called another referral, we need to call her again, but her co-worker told us that she is meeting with the Jehovah Witnesses.  :( Sad day, but we will still call her.  BUT the greatest news is Colin is still going to be baptized!!! We are aiming for May 5!! But if things are still crazy with the family it will be May 19.
 
Yesterday was amazing! I have grown to love church more and more.  I always seem to get some tender mercy while at church.  We sang "Come, Come ye Saints" and I got chills while singing it.  "We'll find a place where God for us prepared (we have been told that the Lord is preparing people for us) far away in the [North]". And other lines that stood out, but that's the one that really hit me.  We also had a lesson on "You Matter to Him" by President Uchtdorf.  Good stuff all around. 

Sister Nielson and I stopped by Sister Heather Fancourt's house.  We have been trying to get with her for probably two weeks now.  We really wanted to read Elder Bednar's talk on the Atonement from the April Ensign.  She was able to come up with an example about how the Lord provides a way for us and we just have to accept Him and how He wants it done.  We asked her what she could do to go from good to becoming better.  She mentioned a few things and we slipped in reading scriptures.  She committed to reading Enos!! And to say her prayers.  Sister Nielson said that Heather has made huge progress since I've been in the area.  She says that I connect better with Heather than the previous sister.  That totally made my day!  Yeah! There is someone in this area that I am helping to come closer to Christ.  I was so happy last night! The lesson was just so perfect.  The Lord's timing is perfect. Maybe two weeks ago when we wanted to stop by Heather wasn't ready for the lesson.

I am so grateful for this gospel and to know that my Savior loves me and will help me through anything!!

-Sister Josie Douglass
 
 

WHAT A WEEK!!

Oh, my goodness it is transfers!  Wow! Surprise, Surprise, Sister Nielson and I are staying here in Okotoks.  I’m actually very grateful for that because I was having a little freak out this morning thinking about what would happen.  I will worry about that in six weeks.  J

So, the most exciting news is that I have for everyone is... WE HAVE A NEW INVESTIGATOR WITH  A BAPTISMAL DATE!!  Yes, yes, it is true.  Colin Hill is married to a member and he was talking to the Bishop and mentioned that he would like to take the discussions!!  We contacted him and set up an appointment for last week.  We asked Colin about his religious background and he has had many LDS friends and his wife, Holly, and her family has been very supportive.  He said that over the past year everything has just clicked and he’s wondered why he hasn’t seen the blessings that the gospel brings before.  Last week we asked if he would be baptized and he said yes!  The date is May 12!! Ah! It’s so exciting! I am so excited for him to start his journey in the gospel.

Now, Brother Cranmer on the other J  Oh my, he is SO sweet.  We are continuing to make a little progress with him.  He says that once he knows the Book of Mormon is true he will be baptized.  Yeah!!!  He is reading the Book of Mormon with Sister Cranmer every day.  I challenged him to pray with Sister Cranmer after they read to know if it is true.  I know he will get his answer.  Hopefully he will recognize his answer.

Sister Nielson and I think that this transfer is going to be a transfer of baptisms!  We have had a lot of members who are thinking about neighbors or friends that they would like to share the gospel with, we are praying that they will act on their promptings.

Then there is the Bruce family.  They are gems.  Sister Bruce is from England and Brother Bruce is from Scotland.  They know the Douglass’!!  They said that I look Scottish ;) And I told them that we are relatives from the Black Douglass.  Guess who their relatives are? ... the Bruce that we carried the heart to the Holy Land.  It’s a small world.  J  They have a book with the history of Scotland.  I have been surprised at how many people immigrate to Canada from England.  They are very missionary minded and they are the family that acted on their impression to invite a family.  I’m sure we will have a least one lesson with one of their neighbors. 

The Lord loves us and blesses us so much!!  This week is going to be great and it’s so exciting to look forward to a baptism!! 

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE you!!!  Thank you for all your support, love and prayers!

Surprise!!!

Guess what? The library is open today!! Woot! Sister Nielson and I are going to the temple on Wednesday.   :) I am so excited to go to the temple!!!! People have said that the Carston Temple is beautiful, well they all are, but they said that is has a Native theme so the woodwork is gorgeous and it's quite colorful inside.

This last week WHAM got a cold out of no where and it was really bad.  I got a blessing Tuesday and I felt so much better.  I was given strength to continue missionary work even though I still had cold symptoms throughout the week.  We had a fantastic lesson with Brother Cranmer this week.  We started off with Lesson 2 - Plan of Salvation which then turned into The Gospel of Jesus Christ - Lesson 3.  I think we're going to ready Enos with him.  We'll see what Thursday brings.  Overall it was probably the best lesson I've had with him.  It was so fantastic.

Guess what!?! Sister Nielson and I finally have really, really good potential investigators!!! Collin Hill has been married to a member for at least four or five years...not sure, but he told the Bishop that he is wants to take the missionary discussions!! We called him last night to see if that was true and if he would be willing to set up a time to meet with us and he said yes!!! Ah!!! Then at interviews President Archibald told Sister Nielson about a recently married couple that is moving into our ward.  The husband is not a member and the wife is very active.  They came on Sunday and the wife wanted to go to Gospel Principle class.  Sister Nielson and I gave a very rough lesson, but Chris said that he would be willing to have us over and teach him!! Yes!! THEN we have heard about a part member family that moved into one of our wards.  We have been waiting to get an address so we can go and visit them.  When we got our mail on Sunday we also got a teaching record of the father! He was last taught in November so we want to get in asap! He has had all of the lessons so we just need to figure out why he hasn't been baptized.  And then the last one is a members son and he's girlfriend (they are in their late 30s) just had a baby.  They are engaged...not sure when they are getting married.  From what we have heard from others the wife, Stephanie, has prayed and pretty much has a testimony that the Church is true.  Sine the birth our their baby, I guess the  less active husband has been much more open a willing to let the member neighbors talk to him.  Please pray for us that we will be able to get in with these part member families and teach them!!!

This week is looking like a very promising week! I love you all and I'm grateful for the Easter season we have to reflect upon the Savior's life and His Resurrection! What a blessing it is to know that He has overcome the bands of death and that we are saved from death and the grave.

LOVES!!!! - Sister Josie Douglass

Spiritual Firehose

I had a neat-o experience during personal study.  In 2 Nephi 30.  To be a covenant people we need to diligently strive to keep our covenant with God.  Once we realize what a blessing the gospel is in our lives and begin to study it, "The scales of Darkness will begin to fall from our eyes."  In our corrupted world today, how much harder do we need to work to remain pure?  As we live the commandments we become a delightsome people.  "...a little child shall lead them..."  we are to become as little children.  As we learn how to be like a child we can help others come unto Christ.  Sister Nielson had this thought and I love it.  one attribute of a child is how dependent they are on their parents.  Thus, we should be dependent on our Heavenly Father and trust in Him.  As we are dependent on Him, He will show us how to lead His children back.

CONFERENCE!!!!!  Oh my goodness, I don't think you can understand how utterly excited I was for General Conference.  It's like Christmas for missionaries.  I was a little spastic when we walked into the church and it was showing the Conference Center.  I was just so excited I thought I was going to burst!!!  You know how Nephi (I think...)  said that he was so full of the Love of God that it was consuming his flesh?  Yeah, that's how I felt after the first session of Conference.  I love Pres. Thomas S. Monson and the First Presidency and the Quorum of the 12 Apostles!!!  They are incredibly, amazing, inspired men of God. 

I LOVED Elder Donald L. Hallstrom's talk about how we need to be converted unto the Gospel of Christ.  And did you catch what Elder Paul E. Koelliker said?  How missionaries are infants when they come out.  Yep, so true.  I also loved Pres. Eyring's talk - "faith is to rise above and through trials and to have faith that there is a balm in Gilead." 

I LOVE ELDER HOLLAND!!!  Oh, I just cannot put into words how much I loved his talk.  We are in a race against SIN, not each other.  You cannot sink lower than where the light of God doesn't shine.  Even if you feel that you are the very last laborer hired -- the Master always has His arms stretched out.  His concern is not what hour you arrive, but when you have arrived in faith. 

It was so fun to see the MTC choir.  I actually knew one of the Sisters in it.  It showed her face up close!  She lived in the same residence hall level as me and she is from Scotland!!  Woot! I would like to go on, but I need to do other things. 

I love you all so much!!!
Sister Josie Douglass