Wowzers, it's been quite a week. Time flies on the mission, but so much happens every day that it feels like an eternity. First the annoying business things: could you email me my USAA checking balance? The tights I brought are already starting to die, and are woefully inadequate against the winter wind, so I'd like to buy more. There's an H&M right next to our grocery store. Also, it's time to refill my omeprazole. The RX number is 216116843. Please and thank you.
It's exam week at the University of Waterloo, and now I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that exams are EVIL. They hinder the work of God. Rather, they just give people a really good excuse to not meet with us. Some of our current investigators, and even recent converts, have dropped off the radar until after Christmas. January will be amazing. We do have a few investigators (well, 3) who are able to take time out of their schedules to meet with us and even keep their commitments. And this past Sunday, we had an amazing gift:
ONE OF OUR INVESTIGATORS CAME TO CHURCH, AND HE STILL LIKES US.
I don't know who was more nervous, him or us. The lessons in priesthood and gospel principles were Exaltation and the Law of Chastity, neither of which we have taught him yet. Sister Loar and I were praying the whole time that he would at least feel the Spirit. He wants to meet with us again, so things must have worked out. I am so grateful for members who are willing to teach with us and fellowship. I don't think our investigator would have come without the help of one member in particular. It was a great Sunday.
We try to spend as much time as possible out teaching, but finding is important, too. Here in Waterloo that means street contacting, a lot. We bundle up, fill our coat pockets with pass along cards, say a prayer, and hit the streets. There are two universities and Blackberry's big research facility, RIM, within walking distance of us, so there are usually plenty of people to talk to. Not all of them want to be spoken to, though, especially with the cold (we hit -6 Celsius this week) and exams. Their objections are either humorous or frustrating, depending on my mood:
"I'm a Christian." Great, so the Restoration will make sense.
"I'm not Christian." Awesome, you need to hear our message.
"I'm atheist." Okay, you REALLY need to hear our message.
"I need evidence." Pray about the Book of Mormon.
"I'm in a hurry." Tell me about it. There are 7 billion people on the planet without the gospel, 13 million are in my mission, and I have only 18 months.
"I'm not interested." YOU SHOULD BE!!!
"I'm busy with exams." The Holy Ghost can help.
And my favorite: "It's freezing, go home!" THE MESSAGE IS STILL TRUE!
Of course I don't say any of these flippant things, and thinking them doesn't really help the Spirit. When I first got here I was so focused on getting people into white jumpsuits that I forgot about the whole point of baptism: to bring us to Christ, to enjoy the blessings of the Atonement, to have peace in this life and eternal joy with our Father in the next. When I think about that, the wind isn't so biting, the groups of friends at bus stops aren't so intimidating, and talking to people with headphones isn't so awkward. Sister Loar look to the sons of Mosiah as examples of good missionaries: "Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble." (Mosiah 28: 4)
Speaking of scriptures, I've started reading a psalm every day as part of my personal study; I highly recommend it.
I love Canada, and I love my area. Waterloo is an exceedingly groovy college town, although I readily acknowledge that I am more than a little biased. People come from all over the world to study engineering here; this week we taught a young man from Iran! Granted he's been here since he was 7, but still. Iran. We're praying that he'll still be interested after finals. We also met people from China (usually near Shanghai) and Trinidad this week. Oh, another favor. We meet a lot of Sikhs, and I've realized that I know very little about their faith. Any pointers? It's been a challenge to explain Jesus Christ and the Atonement to people who have no Christian background whatsoever, so I've dedicated quite a bit of study time to finding a simple way to teach this ultimate truth. The gospel is simple, and I feel that if I can't teach it simply then I don't understand it clearly enough. Nephi gloried in plainness for a reason.
There are outdoor ice rinks at the city hall, used book stores, and tons of Indian food. Any idea what shawarma is? Most of the restaurants around here sell it. I have no idea what it is, but I want to try it. Despite all the international influence, it's very clear that Canada is part of the Commonwealth. For example, we live on Albert St. In our area we have Victoria, King, Keats, Shakespeare, and William streets, just to name a few. Not to mention the Queen on the coins (speaking of which, there's been a new portrait since we left Montreal) and stamps. And yes, I already sound a little Canadian. I've disappointed some people by my lack of a Southern accent (although I use y'all all the time, it's so handy), and surprised others by being American at all. The accent is SO THICK here. In the morning I sound American, but by the end of the day my -ou is more of an -oo and the conversation-inviting "eh" creeps in. Speak the language, right?
We have Zone Conference tomorrow, and guess who's playing an organ solo? This sister missionary! Guess who didn't have time to obtain any music from home? Me! Guess who managed to figure out a passable arrangement of Silent Night? Me again. I haven't had a music calling since 2006, and I absolutely love that I get to play piano, and now even organ, all the time.
Okay, time to go. I'll send a few pictures in another email. Love to everyone!
Sister Turvaville
The other email...
I'm almost out of time, but I wanted to share with you some good missionary scriptures that I've found. I HIGHLY recommend memorizing scriptures.
Mosiah 28:4
Enos 1
2 Nephi 33:6
Doctrine and Covenants 4
Doctrine and Covenants 100: 3-6
Mosiah 2:41
Alma 26:12
Ether 12:6
Ether 12:27- The only way that you'll survive, much less be successful.
Love you!
More MTC pictures!
Thanksgiving dinner at the MTC. I missed Mom's stuffing.
Sister Loar and I after street contacting in the rain. We were soaked. It took a week for my shoes to dry.
We are as (Arnold Friberg's portrayal of) the Army of Helaman
Christmas lights at the MTC!
11/11/11! Me and Sister Messer; Sister Palinikova and Sister Stout (Netherlands); and Sister Garlick and Sister Moser (Germany Frankfurt).
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