Six Months!!

This week is pretty exciting- today I have one month until my birthday (eek!) and then I will hit my six month mark (six months!!!! Can you believe it?!?!) and then it is the last full week of the transfer.

This week we didn't teach a lot of lessons and the weekend was kind of rough, but we were so blessed that it really doesn't seem like it was that bad.  We had two lessons with Chris and they both went very well.  We are able to feel the spirit a little bit stronger each time that we teach him.  It's so wonderful to see how committed he is to reading from the Book of Mormon.  We will assign him a chapter and he will read it a few times to make sure he understands it.  He's very thorough with his reading.  It's so great!!! Sometimes getting people to read from the Book of Mormon is one of the hardest things to do.  Chris also told us that he has been reflecting on his life and he realizes that the Lord has protected him at least a dozen times from dying.  Pretty intense.  It's just a testimony to me that the Lord has been preparing Chris to hear the gospel.  One of our lessons we focused on prayer and scripture study.  We spent a good part of the lesson on how we receive answers to prayers.  Chris says that when he prays he hasn't felt an over whelming feeling towards things, but that it feels good.  We asked him to pray specifically about a baptismal date.  Then one of the members bore a powerful testimony that with God all things are possible.  That He will help us accomplish what He has asked us to do.

We stopped by Jacenta's again and she was just about to call the doctor because he little boy had broken out with a rash.  We tried again a few days later...no dice, but hopefully we'll be able to get in with her this week.

Haha, funny story.  One of the members of our ward's mother is in town and she's a super pro-active missionary crazy mom.  She gave Sister Hoyt and I some shirts (with strings attached, we are suppose to help her sell them). And it says "Heart Locked: Can't touch this"...:) It was so funny to talk to the mother (Sue) on the phone.  She's hilarious. Sue invited us over to dinner the next day and we ended up being a little bit late and so was Sue.  She kept going on and on and how she was so grateful that she didn't miss us.

Another funny story.  We tracted into this mother, left her a pamphlet and asked if we could come back in a week.  She told us yes.  Let me back up - we were a little nervous to knock on the house because it said that they had security cameras and it wasn't in our rich area either.  So, when we came back to follow up with her their was this huge paper on the door that said that they were not interested in buying anything or in religion and it went on and on and said "so feel free to still ring the door bell but be prepared for a grumpy person to answer." We rang and no one answered.  I'm not sure we will be going back.  Then their neighbor has a sign that says "No Soliciting or Peddlers" Then in marker they added "And Jehovah Witnesses or Latter Day Saints" :)

We have been volunteering at a retirement center and their is one lady that LOVES us. She's so great! We finally cleared things up with them that we are not nuns :) but we are missionaries.  Haha, good times, good times.

We got in with a potential investigator...well I don't know how promising she is, but she would be an incredible member.  She is very devoted stanch Catholic.  We stopped by and she let us in and told us about somethings that had been happening with her just before we came over.  We didn't really have a chance to share a lesson with her, but she is soooo family oriented and we know that the gospel would bless her so much.  She told us that some of her friends don't agree with her believes (like having a big family) and she just doesn't really have the support system from them. Ding, ding- the church would help her so much!!! Relief Society and Visiting Teachers.  She said that we could come by again, hopefully she will be touched by the spirit and want to learn more.

Yesterday was so fantastic!!! I love Sundays!!! It was two missionary farewells in one of the wards.  Both young men are serving in the same mission: Halifax. Then everyone in the ward seemed to be a little bit more missionary minded. :) We got another super solid referral from the Elders.  Its a couple that asked their member friends if they could meet with the missionaries!!!! WHAT!!! Ahh!!! We were thrilled to pieces! We have an appointment set up for Tuesday.  Then we stopped by the Brown family and they also set up an appointment for Thursday.  They are super duper prepared.  Their daughter is already attending YW's and their son is in Cubs. :) This is going to be an incredible week!!! The Lord truly blesses us as we work hard! Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of Heaven!!!
Until next week!!! Love love love you!!!!
-Sister Douglass

K-Country!!!

“You know you’re a missionary when...You have seventeen different tan lines” - Sister Hayes :)

Dear Family,

This week was pretty spectacular.  It started off a little bit rough, but then we were just showered with miracles! We had another lesson with Chris.  He is progressing, he reads from the Book of Mormon every day and prays. He feels that his faith in Christ is growing. It was nice that he said no to the firm invitation to baptism. Not that we wanted him to say no, but because it gave us the opportunity to talk to him about concerns that he has. He said that he's 90% ready to go, but the 10% of him that is holding him back he still needs to work on. Our members that we had at the lesson suggested that we should fast. We all fasted for him on Sunday and Chris also agreed to fast even though he was going to be working a 12-13 hour shift. We did have an appointment for Sunday but he got called into work. When we asked him about fasting and he said he felt like trash. :( But he said he thought it was because he was at work and he really wasn't able to concentrate on being in tune with the spirit. Chris said that he is willing to fast again on Wednesday when he is off of work!! We have a lesson with him today so we shall see how things are going with him.

We had Zone Conference, which was fantastic.  Sister Hoyt and I sang. :) We were going to sing "The Olive Tree" but our accompanist didn't feel ready, so we ended up singing Sister Hoyt's favorite song Hymn 265 or 266 "The Time Is Far Spent". Thank goodness for being in shows and taking voice lessons, I really wasn't that nervous. Yeah! But more importantly we had an amazing training by President Nicholas.  We went over Doctrine and Covenants 4 and he told us the background of the scripture and then we broke it down into verse and talked about each one.  One of my favorite verses that has really helped me a lot on the mission is "If ye have desires to serve God; ye are called to the work." Instead of preparing 3 minute talks for Zone Conference President Nicholas now will call some missionaries up to bear their testimony or teach for 3 minutes.  A little nerve racking, but I'm trying to learn how to be more in tune with the spirit and then teach.  That's mostly what I got out of the Conference.  I just love the spirit that is brought in when people bear their testimonies! And then Zone Conference always gives me the extra boost that I need to help me to keep going.

Our biggest miracle for the week is when we were out tracting we stopped by a members home and asked if there was anyone in the neighborhood that we should try talking to. They told us that their crescent has been tracted a lot, but the wife reminded us that a member family moved out so we should try their house. When we knocked on the door a young mother answered and asked if we were Mormon. We told us yes and then she said "I am so grateful you stopped by." Wow, wow, hold the phone is this really happening!?! Yes it did!! She then went on to ask if guest were welcome to church!! We were dying of excitement inside at this point. She said that she is a huge Glenn Beck fan and "If the church is good enough for him, I might as well give a try." Needless to say we were stoked!!! We set up an appointment for Saturday and her kids ended up having strep throat so we will be trying to catch her this week.  It was so fun to tell the members about our miracle and to see them get excited for us.  We can tell that the Lord has been preparing her to hear the gospel!!

Another miracle is that we got another referral for one of our wards. That's the second pretty promising referral was have had this transfer, which is amazing!!! We have been seeing so many miracles with the Crystal Ridge ward it's incredible.  We know that the Lord will help us to achieve our goal of having one baptism in that ward before the end of the transfer.

Yesterday we went out to Kananaskis for P-day!!! It was soooooo gorgeous!!! It was very nice to be by the mountains again!!! The only down side to the whole trip was the 45 minute drive out there ended up taking 2 1/2 hours both ways.  We were in a fifteen passenger van.....but it was great! We drove to Lake Kananaskis (or Kananaskis Lake...) and then we hiked up to another lake. I believe it was called Rowena Lake, but I could be wrong.  Both of the lakes were incredible! The color was just phenomenal! Ah! I just can't describe it.  The hike up the the lake was just that- up.  The first part of the trail is kind of strenuous, but thankfully it leveled off as we got closer to the top.  And I was very grateful that it was mostly shaded the entire time.  I will try to send pictures asap.

I know that the Lord is aware of us. Our needs, our weaknesses, our strengths, our desires: everything.  He will help us along the way as we turn to Him and truly put our trust in Him. He loves us so much and He wants us to be happy!!
Love and hugs!!!

Apologies

My apologies all around to those of you who follow Josie's blog.  I didn't realize that I hadn't posted for three weeks.  I know you are all terrific friends to Josie and love and care about her.  Sorry again ~ Ruby

Happy Day ~ All is Well!

We started off the week with Cael's baptism.  It was neat because Cael had his grandpa baptize him and we found out that Cael was the first and last grandchild that his grandfather would baptize.  I love attending baptisms, there is such a wonderful spirit there.  It was also great to see how many families came out to support Cael.

We were able to get in with a women who recently went less active.  She's had some challenges and hasn't been to church for almost two months.  We were finally able to get in with her and we taught a very basic lesson.  She was very appreciative and we committed her to come to church on Sunday, which she did. :) We will have to follow up with her and encourage her to continue to come.  That's one thing that I love about the gospel, that no matter what we are going through the Lord can and will help us.  Through the Atonement we are able to have our burdens lifted and given the strength to carry on.

We also had a specialized training this week with President Nicholas.  When we have lessons set up with members we are now to teach from Preach My Gospel and leave a commitment with them that is more tailored to their needs and ability.  This is a good adjustment, but that's just what it is, an adjustment to our teaching.  I know we will get better the more we practice, but we are having some struggles.  Not with teaching, but more of figuring out what commitments to leave with members.

We did some service for Brother Trottier and Dorothy.  We mowed their lawn and trimmed their hedge. Service is always fun - especially when we are able to wear pants ;) We also had a lesson with Dorothy, we watched "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration".  She definitely felt the spirit, but she said that she still needs to learn more.  We think her biggest concern is with faith and truly trusting in God.  She has mentioned that there have been events in her life that have made her skeptical towards God.  We do have dinner with them this week, so hopefully we'll be able to help her progress and have her understand the importance of reading from the scriptures and praying every day.

We had a lesson with Michelle and we taught about family history and temple work.  She seemed more open to the idea of preparing herself to go through the temple.  We watched a Mormon message, "Blessings of the Temple" and it made me want to watch "Between Heaven and Earth" and to go to the temple.  We could go this transfer, but I'm not sure we'll be able to because the Cardston temple is closing for cleaning from July 31- August 13.  I really really really would like to go to the temple, I could use that spiritual re-boost.

One huge miracle that happened this week was we have two potential investigator appointments set up for this week!! Woot!! Sister Hoyt and I are going to do our best to keep our faith strong and to be totally committed this week.  This morning we talked about how it's pretty easy to be committed on Sunday or P-day when we don't have 7-8 hours of tracting planned out.  We will continue to see miracles as we are exactly obedient and continue to work hard.

I know that the Lord loves us so much!! Have a great week!
-Sister Douglass

Tornados, Rain and Walking :)

First off, don't freak out, Okotoks was not hit by a tornado.  But there have been a few tornado warnings for southern Alberta.  It's been a little stressful, but nothing has been close to Okotoks.  People assure me that A) tornadoes up here are very rare and B) they are nothing like the tornadoes that hit tornado alley. But that was one "excitement" for the week.
 
I can't believe it's June! Seriously, it feels like April/May weather.  It's very odd weather for Sister Hoyt (from Arizona).  One member told us that the past two years June has been their wettest month.  Crazy.  We are in the process of getting a hold of a member who has bikes that we can use.  I'm not superly excited about biking in a skirt, that just sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, but it will be much more effective than walking everywhere. 
 
And now for the TWO most EXCITING news for this week.  The Sister's Specialized Training is this Thursday!!!  I am just thrilled to pieces to finally get some information about the Temple Open House AND to be able to visit with all of the Sisters in the mission.  It's going to be so fantastic!!! They finally announced the dates for the temple open house and dedication!!!!!!!!!!! The Open House will be September 29 - October 20 and the Dedication will be October 28!!!   :)
 
One miracle that happened was we felt that we should tract in a cul-de-sac.  We knocked on a door and a young mother answered.  She said that she believed in science and not God.  We tried to be more bold and to press her with questions.  She said that she felt that we all have a purpose in our life and she's trying to figure out what that is.  She also told us that there have been some recent, unexpected deaths in her family and she is trying to figure out why that happened.  We left her with a Plan of Salvation pamphlet and she said she would read it and that we could come by this week and see what she thought about it!
 
We have a new investigator!!! His name is Malcom Duncan and he's from South Africa.  He is very open minded and he really wants to read and study the Book of Mormon.  We are to invite people to baptism on our first lesson and Sister Hoyt said it was my turn to do it.  I was super nervous, but we practiced a few times and I felt more comfortable do it.  When I extended the invitation I felt the spirit and I knew that I was doing it just fine.  I was doing what the Savior would do if He was here teaching Malcom.  Malcom was super nice.  He said that he couldn't accept the invitation until he knows that it's true and then he kept apologizing just to me about not accepting it. :) We can tell that he is super prepared and since he has the desire to read and learn more he will be able to come to know the truth for himself.  

 
I guess when I look at this week and I think about all of the small miracles we have had it helps me to carry on and have the motivation to keep going.  Especially when we had a tough lesson with a potential investigator.  Jane is recently separated and had a 18 month old.  We found out that she talked to the Spanish Elders up in Calgary because she backed into them...We told her that God has been giving her chances to hear the gospel.  She was open and willing to listen, but she was just stuck on some things that she couldn't accept.  Oh well, we are doing our best and the Holy Ghost will testify to them. They have to be willing to let the spirit touch their hearts and they have to be willing to act on the message.
 
I am looking forward to this week! Miracles are going to continue to happen.  God loves us sooooo much!!!! The Book of Mormon is amazing!!! And it is true!!!
LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU ALL!!!

69 people in 4 1/2 days!

This week has been exciting.  Transfers happened and Sister Hoyt and I are trying to tear it up in Okotoks.  She is AMAZING!!!  Wednesday was kind of crazy with transfers.  The trailer that they put all of the new arriving missionary luggage in got broken into...so it was a later start for the van going down to Lethbridge and coming back up.  I went on a three leg with Sister Alsup and Sister Thrope in the Queenland/Parkland area.  Finally we got the call that the van had arrived and I picked up Sister Hoyt and we headed back to Okotoks.  

We didn't have any appointments set up for the remainder of the week (Thursday-Saturday) which means...tracting! Yeah...we decided to try and weed out our list of potential investigators and less actives that we want to work with.  We have been able to shorten the list, but we haven't really been able to add more promising people to it.  So, in the four and half days we've been out talking to everyone we talked to 69 people. Whew, I pray that we will be able to have appointments set up for the rest of the week. I'm not sure how much more of this I can handle.  It hasn't been too bad, but it does make for a really long day.
 
At one of the ward correlation meetings our ward mission leader reminded up that President Archibald promised the Foothills Stake that they would have one baptism per month until the temple open house.  I had forgotten about this and I am praying that Heavenly Father will help us to reach this goal. I know that as we are exactly obedient and do all that we can miracles will happen and we will provide the way for this to happen.

I am so excited to learn all that I can from Sister Hoyt! She has really helped me to try and get over my fear of street contacting and door approaches.  I am by no means perfect and I still have a ton to learn, but hopefully I am getting more comfortable with approaching people.

I love Sundays!!!! We had an amazing fireside that we were able to attend.  It was so powerful!!! I prayed that the less actives/recent converts that attended found peace and strength from the message.  I am so grateful for the power of music!!

Heavenly Father LOVES us SO MUCH!!! The Atonement is all about love! The first three lessons that we teach: the restoration, the plan of happiness and the gospel of Jesus Christ are all messages of love that we share with people.  I LOVE the gospel and the peace, joy and happiness it brings into our lives!

I Got Some Sun In Canada!

Transfer news is in and...I am staying in Okotoks! Sister Hoyt will be my new companion.  She trained Sister Mazzolini down in Lethbridge.  I was a little nervous about leaving, so my nerves are down and I am looking forward to what the new transfer is going to bring.
 
Last week we finally were able to have a lesson with Brother Cranmer. They had us over for dinner since it was Sister Nielson's birthday. We had a really really really good lesson with him.  He is getting so close to accepting the invitation to be baptized it kind of hurts! He said that he does feel that his faith in Christ is increasing (which is huge for him) and then we asked him if he has the desire to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, he said yes.  Well...that means that you have to be baptized first.  

 
We had a good short lesson with Michelle.  She asked about receiving answers to prayers because she had been praying about something for a while and she feels that she isn't getting any answers.  We shared the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants that talks about peace filling our hearts and minds.  After we talked she paused and said "oh, I guess He did answer my prayer and I didn't realize it."
  

Sunday was Stake Conference, but it was a very special stake conference. It was a satellite broadcast from SLC to all of Canada!!!  It was pretty sweet. Elder Walker from the Seventy spoke along with Sister Stephens (new 1st Councilor in the RS Presidency), Elder D. Todd Christofferson and President Packer.  They talked a lot on the importance of temples, raising families. And I loved what President Packer said, he talked about how the gospel isn't easy, but it is much easier to live it than by any other way we can live.
 
Yesterday we had another lesson with Anna.  She is amazing and so strong.  She is really interested in the gospel and she told us that right before she divorced her husband she was at her ends wits.  She just said a prayer and...the sister missionaries showed up at her door!!! She has had some very powerful spiritual experiences with people on the other side of the veil.  She is being prepared!! We don't know if she will be baptized by us, but we are a part of her life for a part of the harvest season.
 
I am so grateful for our Savior and His Atonement.  Last night we finally were able to get in with a less active sister.  We went over Elder Bednar's talk from the April Ensign that talks about the Atonement.  I asked her if he would offer the closing prayer and she gave one of the most sincere, heartfelt prayers I have ever heard.  It was amazing!!
 
The gospel is wonderful!!! I am so grateful for the comfort and strength it gives me!!!