La Vie D'Ivee

Saturday night we received our transfer calls and I got the most shocking news ever. I figured I would be staying in Lemoyne with sister J preaching the gospel, hasting the work. However, Heavenly Father had different plans for me! I will be…flush training in Zarahemla! Which happens to be a Spanish ward in Montreal! So what that basically means is I will be opening up the area, with a new missionary, in Spanish! Talk about an incredibly humbling experience… and just when I was getting super comfortable in French! However, in all honestly, I am very excited to be trusted with all of this responsibility, and know that Heavenly Father would not call me to do this work if I wasn't capable.

This past week in Lemoyne was truly the best! One day we got a phone called from a man named Dieudonne and he told us he had met with missionaries in Toronto and was hoping to get back in contact with the church. So we had the awesome opportunity to teach him a lesson! It went really well, he has a ton of questions about the church but is genuinely interested in learning more! He even came to church on Sunday which was a huge bonus.

We had another investigator come to church, her name is Danitza! She has a son and is currently church searching. She is the best! She wants to decide on a religion for herself and not just one that her mom has told her to go to. She has a strong desire to raise her son in a good religion. And at the end of our lesson she even said, I won't make a decision until I read your book, a chapter a day! So we were like, "yes! please read the book"

This past week we got to go to the baptism of a 97 year old man! His name is Vern and sister J taught him while she served in St. Jean. It was probably the oldest baptism anyone has ever been too. It required 2 missionaries to help get him under and lift him back up out of the water. It was really amazing, once in a lifetime experience for sure!

This Sunday was pretty hard for me. I had to say goodbye to Lemoyne which has been my home since the beginning. I have such a great love for the people here and for all that they have done for me. I truly believe Lemoyne helped shape me into a better missionary. I really learned how to demonstrate Christlike love for others here. These people and this place will forever hold a special place in my heart. 

With all my love,

Hermana Garcia

Scripture of the week:

Ether 12:27 (Might have used it before but it is so applicable currently)

Quote of the week:

"They made fingers before they made forks, so don't be shy"

Miracles. Sister Johnson and I have been wanting a miracle for a long time. Well, this past week Heavenly Father delivered! We tried a new approach to contacting where we prayed the night before about where we would contact rather than praying as we're on the street. And what do you know, prayer works! We found 11 potentials that day. And as we were walking past this soccer field we saw 4 boys just messing around. Sister J gets an impression to go and talk to them. So she grabs my arm and makes us go up to them. Well they start talking to us and agree to a lesson. We figured the lesson would be later on, but instead they say, "lets hit the bleachers right now" So they agreed to 10 mins but we talked for over an hour about the restoration and plan of salvation. 2 of them posed really great thought filled questions, it was amazing! One claimed to be an atheist but at the end said it might just have been because his parents never taught him religion. We really hope that we can meet with them again, because it was awesome!

President Phillips and his family have just become my new favourite people (besides my family of course). I am so grateful that they have been called to preside over this mission. We were able to meet them on Friday, and have a little testimony and get to know you, it was fantastic! Some things I really gained from it was:

"We are in the business of miracles"

"The Lord takes ordinary people and gives them extraordinary experiences"

"If you are worthy of a current temple recommend, you are worthy to serve in any calling around the world"

"Salvation is a personal matter, exaltation is a family matter"-President Nelson

And lastly, Lemoyne has gone through a big change! Elder B who also happens to be our district leader has to go home for surgery. This means he's leaving his companion mid-training and that Lemoyne will only have sisters for the next little bit! We are sad for him, but excited to take on this responsibility! Also, transfer calls are this Saturday. Pray that I will stay with my cute sister J and that we can continue to help Lemoyne progress!

With love,

Hermana G

Scripture of the week:

Alma 36:24

Quote of the week:

"You speak english?"

"Little bit, yes, no, toaster"

I love the USA, and I am actually so incredibly sad that I can not be there to celebrate this glorious holiday. Nothing like sunburns, parades, barbecues, and fireworks to show some good old american pride. Unfortunately, the Canadian's will not be doing anything to celebrate…but, no worries, sister J and I got a hold of an American flag!

This past week we actually had Canada day! I was expecting it to be just like the 4th of July except instead of red, white, and blue, it would be red and white. Well…maybe in the rest of Canada, but not here in Quebec! There was no BBQs, no parades, no fireworks, just sadness. Apparently if you want a big celebration you have to go to Ottawa. Maybe next year!

This week was pretty good! We were able to go to the temple, which can never be beat. However, this time I went in French instead of English, and it was awesome! If you speak another language, definitely take advantage. It was just really cool because I understood so much, and even the parts I didn't understand, I could still feel the spirit as strong as ever. Really amazing how that works out!

Sister Johnson and I have decided we need to work on humility. And amazingly enough, Heavenly Father gave us a very humbling experience. On Saturday, we made an amazing schedule. We had a set plan, confirmed every single appointment, and studied for our investigators. Well, Saturday, everyone cancelled. EVERYONE. We had 5 appointments call and cancel. And one of the appointments called 5 minutes before saying he had to pick his son up at the amusement park last minute. We had every reason to be frustrated, but instead we just laughed it off, and moved on. Sometimes things don't always go according to plan, but that's okay! It doesn't mean that we are bad missionaries or that we're being punished.

I know that in life there will be so many instances when we feel that we are being unfairly punished. We think that we are living our lives exactly how we are supposed to, yet we don't get the blessings we think we deserve. Well, we must remember that this life is not meant to be perfect or easy. We are all given trials that help shape us. We are here to learn and to grow and to progress into the people that Heavenly Father knows we can become. I am so grateful to know that I have a purpose in this life, and I am thankful that my mission is helping me to fulfill it!

I love you all!

-Sister Ivonne Garcia

Scripture of the week:

Alma 13:27-29

Quote of the week:

"We became friends when the missionaries brought her to convince me to join your church"