Jul 27...bug bites and lessons

This week was a complete turn around from last week and I am sure there are a lot of things that contributed to that but I am so grateful for the ups and downs of missionary work because it makes the ups seem a lot better haha. Kaylynn put a quote on facebook this week that really explains my week and the gratitude that has come from the hard couple of weeks before that. "When was the last time that you thanked the Lord for a trial or tribulation? Adversity compels us to go to our knees; does gratitude for adversity do that as well?" -Bonnie D. Parkin So this week I want to explain all the hard things I am grateful for because it made me see more joy in the little things. 

Exchanges: This week we got to do exchanges with the sister training leaders from saskatoon! It was fun because i got to be with sister mcphee again and its always fun to be able to spend a day with old companions. Plus this exchange was exactly what me, our area, and my companionship needed to get a good start on the last nine weeks of my mission. We got to go to the food bank and really get some extra work done there because we had two extra hands and they were really appreciative. They say we are there most reliable helpers and they LOVE having us come in. It was nice to be able to feel like we are having a positive influence with our service work, because we were doing so much we were worried it wasnt being effective but even the little things make an impact. And having the extra hands was a blessing for sure because we usually dont get as much done as we want to just due to not enough time. Just so you know what we do at the food bank is we make hampers of food for families, doubles, and individuals. All of the food is donated and then given to those who need it the most. Its fun because sometimes we throw in little extras like some cookies or chips and think of how surprised people will be, even though no one will probably notice haha. The food bank is the best! Then sister mcphee and i both werent feeling the best. We were willing to push it off and keep working but sister bronson was insistant we rest because we made her rest the last time she came on exchanges.... haha sister mchpee slept which was good and i shut my brain off for a little bit which was nice but apparently i didnt get the memo heavenly father was trying to tell me (yes dad i know i need to take care of myself, dont worry i got it now) becuase he gave me a lot of other opportunities this week to rest... and finally i had to take on, but thats another story all in itself. Then we got to teach lessons... as two companionship's we taught five lessons, found two new investigators, did service, and were able to go to young womens and other things to help with ward trust. It was really good! I am so grateful that the sister training leaders were able to come in! 

This week the SPCA (where we walk the dogs) turned out to be more then we thought it would be. We went and FINALLY finished the dog houses, two pair of pants (luckily one of them were sweats) covered in paint later those things are FINALLY done! Hopefully cute little spot likes them because that was way more difficult then painting walls in a house. Then they asked us if we could come saturday morning and help set up for their grand opening. They just barely moved to a new location which is a lot nicer then the one they were at. They were having a day with blow up toys, a bbq, and a chance to meet the animals and wanted help to make sure it was all ready to go. We told them we would try to make it but didnt promise anything incase we were unable to make it. but eight o clock in the morning six missionaries

Well I dont know if I have told you this already or not but our car here in prince albert is a nail magnet... So I am pretty sure it was last week we got a nail in our tire and while fixing it they realized that one of the lug nuts was shredded and they had to break off the lug nut and the stud to get the tire back on. So we have been driving around with only four lug nuts on one wheel. It makes all the elders worried because its not a normal thing that happens but even though the guy at the tire place thought we were stupid, and the fleet coordinator lives almost 12 hours away, and we now have to take in the car this upcoming week to get it fixed it brought a lot of appreciation for our car and the fact that we have one, and we have even mentioned charley (thats our cars name charles darwin jacoby IV) more in our prayers. 

I helped build a fence this week. It was crazy! We sawed and helped but in the screws and no one got too hurt haha. It was fun to able to spend all day in pants... haha this area is really helping me get use to being in pants again. minor miracle. The family that we helped build the fence for is great! the wife is so funny she is a lot like me. She is spunky and can do anything for herself that she wants to and i look up to her alot... and the relationship she has with her husband is so funny... sometimes i wish you could just teleport here and meet all of these people but i will have stories for you when i get home... Lots of stories! 

Now the story of the attack of the KILLER BEES. we found out this morning that we have been infested with bees and its the worst! fourteen of them! I counted fourteen of them that i could see. I dont do bees, or bugs... end of story... thanks mom i will go buy a trap now... STUPID!!! oh and i got fourteen mosquito bites..... why bugs...anybody want to explain that one to me. please and thank you. 

The people we met this week to start teaching and hopefully helping them progress to baptism are SOOOO great! there is a girl who is living with a recent convert we work with and she is sooo prepared! we are so excited for our lesson with her tomorrow. and then we found another lady whose family has just gotten through a hard time and are looking for continual happiness. we are hoping the gospel can bring them that. Thank you for all your prayers and love! i miss you all!  

Jul 21...finding

This week was good! We saw so many different miracles in ways that we
> didn't even expect to. Me and Sister Hudson are getting use to each other
> which is always the fun part of getting a new companion. We laugh through
> planning sometimes (I think its because I'm exhausted and she likes to
> laugh at me. but thats besides the point) But it always seems that with a
> new companion comes new goals. So we have made a goal to get into three new
> members houses a week. These are houses that neither I nor Sister Hudson
> have been to before. It was a goal Heavenly Father helped us accomplish
> even though we forgot all about it... haha and it came in the form of
> goodies! YAY TREATS! We also made a goal to find a new investigator each
> week. We didnt reach that this week which was kind of discouraging even
> though I tried harder to find then I have in a LONG time. But we have a lot
> of good things set up for this upcoming week which is encouraging!
> It seems like funny things happen all week but i sit down to write my email
> and go blank! its the worst!
> Here are some of the highlights of my week that i remember. We went out to
> dinner to a members house that lives thirty minutes away on sunday. They
> literally live in the middle of no where. haha welcome to PA, but its
> always fun to drive out there and the members here are so nice. this ward
> is like a family. I am so excited that I am here and I love getting to know
> the ward members here more.
> Monday we had FHE with the YSA here in the ward! Four people showed up and
> it was SUPER fun! We played card games and if you lost you had to eat some
> NASTY asian food... I had smoked squid, you could still see its dangly
> things... tenticals i think they are called, and everything! it was gross.
> Tuesday we had an incredible district meeting on following up on potential
> investigators. It wasnt like any district meeting i have ever had before
> but it was REALLY good! Then we went to the SPCA and got to volunteer with
> the dogs there which is good and we were able to teach the J*** family
> which is our focus family right now. That house consists of less actives,
> investigators, and a recent convert haha there is always something that can
> be taught or someone to focus on.
> Wednesday we had a crazy lesson day. We met with D*** and she is GOLDEN!
> we found her doing service and she is seriously incredible. says she has
> felt more peace then she has in her entire life and she is SUPER excited
> and open to read the book of mormon. Then guess what... we got ANOTHER flat
> tire, which how many car problems i have had on my mission I am suprised i
> havent been cut off from cars completely but there was another nail in the
> tire, and apparently my lug nut got shredded so now that needs replaced
> too.... haha I KNOW WHAT A LUG NUT IS... its crazy, I have changed a tire,
> learned what a lug nut is, unclogged a sink, and learned how to sew. My
> mission has taught me real life skills.
> Thursday we ended up singing for like two hours. The ward wants us sisters
> to be part of two musical performances and it is INSANE! i aint that good
> of a singer but apparently im good enough haha... hopefully i dont make
> anyone deaf with my singing. oh and PS I HATE MOSQUITOES!!!!! hate hate
> hate them. I have been bit like 20 times this past week and im done...
> someone better explain to me why this little creature is on the earth so i
> can find some love for it because right now i have none... absolutely none.
> It reminded me of the sinsects article mom sent me and it has made me look
> at the other things i should hate. The book of mormon tells us that we
> should hate sin... hopefully i can get better at that too :)
> Friday we tried having another movie night. We watched tangled. It was fun!
> We were able to talk someone we were working with to coming to it too. We
> have on average about 12 people there and we are hoping that more people
> come out to it so we can use it as a finding opportunity. But for the movie
> night we went to walmart to get some popcorn... walmart on friday night in
> prince albert is a HORRIBLE idea! haha it was so busy and we only had 15
> minutes then we had to go to an appointment and i was getting so worried we
> weren't going to make it but then the nicest lady ever let us cut in line.
> We prayed the world would be nice to her for the generous gesture she gave
> us! I LOVE NICE PEOPLE!
> Saturday and sunday were full of trying to find with no avail but it gave
> us a lot of appointments for next week! I still love being a missionary
> even though the end is so near! and I am grateful for everything the lord
> has taught me! I LOVE YOU ALL... miss you like crazy, wish i could be with
> you right now! Tell me a miracle you see in your next email! LOVE YOU!
> i attached the picture of my car after the ysa and elders got ahold of it
> haha... and me and my comp.. sorry its blurry im shaky for some reason haha

July 14...new transfer and monster trucks

So this week was transfers and full of changes but it has been a GREAT week!

Monday and Tuesday were full of goodbyes... it was so hard for me to say good bye to Sister du Plessis but she is needed in Winnipeg and will do great things there.. we even had a goodbye celebration full of KD and diet coke! She knew me too well.. :)

Wednesday I got to go to the BEAUTIFUL town of SASKATOON!!!! I love my random trips into the place that still holds part of my heart because it just reminds me that even though I have to leave for a little bit that will always be there and I will be able to visit again sometime soon. The City of Dreams, and Bridges, and Friends! I love it there! 

Then Thursday I got to spend some time at the doctors. Like three to four hours at the doctor haha! Which is apparently pretty good. Got some blood work done, felt like i was getting jibbed because i had to pay for my blood test because i wasn't Canadian. I guess me being half Canadian is only so helpful across boarders. :) But after my poor new companion Sister Hudson spent all day with me at the doctor I was able to leave with pills that might be able to help me with my shaking and an hour and a half car ride home! 

Friday and Saturday we got to do the WEIRDEST THING! President Thomas gave us permission to help with a Monster Truck Show. The lady who is in charge of it is a member from oregon called the church building asking for volunteers and the bishop said he didn't have many members but he would offer what he could and he had six missionaries that could help. So for two shows i got to be a bouncer taking tickets and trying to smile at the people that were not happy that they couldn't re-enter if they left. Sorry people, I am just doing what I am told. 

Sunday was rather disappointing as those who were committed to come to church seemed to follow through with the sleeping in that i want to do every other day. But we did see some incredible things this week! Brother J*** prayed for the first time that i have ever heard! We had people who were reading that had before said they were too shy and we were able to have seven lessons in three days which is good things are starting to pick up again! That's why when not everyone who said they were coming came to church it hurt my heart, because church is such a revelatory experience! EVERYONE that said they were coming needed to hear something that was prepared and presented that's why we invite them to go to church. I think my mission has taught me so much about the importance of church and the experiences that can come from it! I am grateful for that! 

I am so excited for this next transfer. Its weird to think after this i will only have eleven more times to email home.. then i can talk to you in person. But me and sister Hudson made a goal to find a new investigator every week so if you could PLEASE pray that would help us out a lot!!!!! With this time I have left (which I am trying to convince myself is a lot) I want to work super hard, because if I slow down i will regret it! So all your prayers will help! THANK YOU!!!! LOVE YOU!

July 7...independence week

So this week was crazy! We did so much service it was hard to get lessons in. But we are hoping with all this service we will be able to see things come from it. But let me tell you about our festive activities!

On Canada Day the ward does a fundraiser for the scouts and youth programs and asked for the missionaries help... ALL DAY! Its so different to be in an area that is so reliant on missionaries to get things done. But we helped... From nine in the morning until six at night we were at the park. And what did they have us doing. FACEPAINT! by the end of the day i swore if i ever saw another face to paint again i would go crazy. Together me and sister du plessis probably painted a hundred faces each. Which is crazy because facepainting was three dollars a face! But i attached some pictures of my work! It was a fun day. I only got bit five times by mosquitoes which drove me absolutely bonkers and got a nice sunburn that turned into a tan the next day but the ward was able to earn a lot of money for the youth programs which is good! Then we had sports night, where we got to play basketball and then i was lame and was in bed before 11 at night so TOTALLY missed the fireworks, thats okay i will see them next year. 

Wednesday we got to go to saskatoon for a zone training meeting. For kaylynn these are probably like right within thirty minutes of where she is at. for me... we had to drive an hour and a half for the meeting, then went out to lunch with the zone, then had to wait for our district leader to be done with his meeting before we could drive a hour and a half back. all in all we left at eight in the morning to get to the meeting and got back barely by five that night. It was so crazy how meetings take out so much of our day! Then we went and had dinner at a members house. We had sweet potato spaghetti. it was actually really good. Then again missionaries to the rescue as we helped back up a member to move. Elder Schmidt is a tetris master! we literally packed this family in the SMALLEST trailer ever! it incredible we got everything in! 

Then thursday we had a ton of service opportunities that just took up a ton of time. We went to as good as new and the spca... we painted dog houses all day. they still arent done and they are the UGLIEST color! and the paint ruined my pants! ruined it! thank goodness they are service pants. Then we had dinner and ward council. I love the new bishop here! he is incredible and his goal is to make the ward two wards in five years. Talk about a goal! i am so excited to be part of the missionary work here as it happens.

Friday we had a scare with an investigator and spent a lot of time at the hospital making sure she was okay! so if you can keep her in your prayers that would mean a lot! Then we had a dinner appointment where it was more like a sauna but it was SOOOO much fun! Then yes for the fourth of july we got to watch frozen. our ward is trying to do a movie night and it is SOOO good! we had about 20 people there which was fun! and then the ward suggested things to make movie nights better so its hopefully gonna keep going. And kade let it go is one of my favorite songs right now. 

Saturday we tried to finish the dog houses. They are still undone and its really annoying I am getting tired of paint. Then we had ward correlation at I LOVE the direction this ward is going! Its gonna be so great! 

I am grateful for the freedom that we have! I am grateful to be a missionary! and I am grateful for my saviour Jesus Christ!

Jun 30...feast upon the words of Christ

So this week I have had a fascination with the Book of Mormon. Its what I have been using to keep me diligent and desirous to keep going because I am getting super tired. So I am going to share experiences this week with some of the scriptures that I was able to read and relate to what I am doing! They won't be in order of what actually happened this week, sorry thoughts and days are kind of jumbled this week haha!

1 Nephi 1:1"I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents"

This week I am so grateful for my family, for my parents, and for the things they have taught me. Some days get really hard when i just want to go home and see the people i love so much but I hope my family knows that THEY are what keeps me going out here! YOU ARE EVERYTHING TO ME! I am so proud to be Sister Harrison to literally represent my family through that name!!!!! This week I got a blessing, which I'm sure I will bring up more later, but Heavenly Father reminded me of the love of my family and I am just so grateful that they are stuck with me for eternity! 

1 Nephi 1:20 "... the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance."

Now its time to tell you about the bug, the bug that saved our lives. I think the best way to describe this is by using the conversation my companion had with her mom.

Sister du Plessis:

We were driving and I was stopped at a light. Then the light turned
green, so I started to drive again, then this MASSIVE beetle landed on
the windshield and I didn't know if it was inside or outside, and
Sister Harrsion let out the most gut-wrenching scream I have ever
heard, so I was really confused and braked. And just as I started to
drive again this huge truck sped through the red light and missed us
by like three centimeters. This all happened within a couple of
seconds and afterwards I had to pull over to calm myself down. God is
good.

Her moms response:

Oh my flipping goodness!! God moves in mysterious ways and really
protects his soldiers. HOLY COW. I cant believe it.  All hail the bug.

My comments on that:

I agree with her mom... ALL HAIL THE BUG!

1 Nephi 11:17 "And I said unto him: i know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things."

So this week there was a lot of built up tension in our district! In each of our individual lives there have been a lot of things that we have all been bottling up and it was starting to get to the point where we were taking it out on each other. So we spent time doing a district inventory. Each week as a companionship we do an inventory where we talk about goals, strengths, and struggles so we decided it was about time to do this as a district. It was REALLY incredible. At first everyone was defensive, no one wanted to talk, and we weren't getting anywhere but then something happened in the room and we each took turns talking and the love that was in that room when we left was incredible! I seriously LOVE these elders, and my companion so much! they are INCREDIBLE and i am so grateful that i get to spend this time learning from them. At first we didn't understand why God would put us all together, but i guess just like Nephi we didn't know the meaning of all things but now we really know that God loves us, and that we love each other. 

1 Nephi 16:21, 23 "Now it came to pass that I, Nephi, having been afflicted with my brethren because of the loss of my bow, and their bows having lost their springs, it began to be exceedingly difficult, yea, insomuch that we could obtain no food...And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones. And I said unto my father: Whither shall I go to obtain food?"

So this week there were a couple of things that dealt with illnesses so i thought this scripture fit it pretty well since both me and sister bronson are just continuing forward. So we had exchanges with the sister training leaders this week and I got to go with sister bronson. It was weird we haven't spent more than a couple of hours in the same room with each other since the mtc so it was interesting being her companion for 24 hours. Well on the morning of our exchange she got sick so we took her to the medi-clinic and three hours later we have the pills that are needed and we had a lot of time to just talk which was nice! and she is such a trooper.. she didnt want to give up, she wanted to keep working, but unfortunately her pills make her drowsy so we took her home and put her to bed. But just like Nephi she kept going the thought of being sick didnt stop her and she always wants to fulfill her purpose! it was an incredible example to me. Then you have me. I had little bit of a shaking scare after a dinner appointment with a member one night and I got a blessing for it because I was literally vibrating (it was kind of funny) but during the blessing i was promised that I would be healed according to my faith and my willingness to do what i know i need to do! I am grateful for Nephi's example and I am also grateful for priesthood blessings. Now we can ask the question where do you want us to go!?

I love being a missionary! I love the Book of Mormon! and I am learning to LOVE Prince Albert!

Jun 23...short and sweet

So this week for my email i thought i would just fill you in on what i learned at zone conference! 

It was so much fun to travel back to saskatoon I LOVE IT THERE SO MUCH! But i think more then being in saskatoon i was super happy for the lessons i learned. 

They first started talking about hastening the work. I loved a definition that i heard about hastening. To hasten is to add momentum. adding momentum is something that i really need to work on since i am nearing the end to where i can see it! it kind of freaks me out a little bit. there was also a lot on endurance. There was a quote shared from an elder not in this mission that said 'if one does not endure to the end; faith, baptism, and the holy ghost are useless.' that put into perspective for me the importance of enduring. If we lack in areas of endurance we become vulnerable to defeat and despair. As a missionary this was HUGE for me. BELIEVE OBEY AND ENDURE thats my motto!

Then sister thomas gave a great portion on  carrying burdens. If we are too worried about the burden we are carrying we cannot focus on the work ahead. I felt this way a lot lately i have been worrying about stupid things and it makes it hard to focus so we learned that relying more on the savior will help you let go of what you are dealing with. I love what you wrote mom too about praying for the strength to endure. If things burden our thoughts they burden our actions and we need christ in everything. Then sister thomas gave another portion on shoes.. the footprints our shoes leave someone may try to follow so what footprints are we leaving? this really made me think. Are my feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace? do i need to put on different shoes? I loved two of the shoes we talked about, slippers (dont slip up on your prayers) and worn out shoes (wear yourself out in the gospel) It was so good! then we got a portion on marriage. by president thomas... haha encouraging us to get married... does that help a sister out who is going home soon, NOPE! haha but he had good insights. Marry inside the church! that was the biggest one he emphasized! It was such a good zone conference. I am sorry for the short email but I am happy, healthy, and getting in the mind set that I am going home! like kaylynn says... 101 days left. its weird! love you all! 

Jun 16...bigger than utah

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! sad i missed the baby blessing this week but i know i am where i need to be. 

Monday: For pday activity we played Risk again, and I dominated the world again! I love proving people wrong when they tell me I can't do something! Then we went to the YSA fhe and they did an incredible thought on scripture study. My favorite was when they shared Jacob 2:8  8 And it supposeth me that they have come up hither to hear the pleasing word of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul. It was really what i needed to hear that day. It really made me happy to know that just reading the scriptures could heal a wounded soul. I am so glad that even though i am a missionary god still looks out for me and cares for me. Then we went and saw a less active who has the cutest five year old in the WORLD! On monday though he was acting a little bit more like a terrible five year old but thats okay, kids can do that. He didnt want to finish his food so his mom told him to finish it and it would help him grow chest hairs haha. So things to learn about parenthood, crust makes chest hair grow. haha!

Tuesday: we had district meeting and this week instead of KD party we had a perogie party. Decided to go a little bit more creative haha... not really but it tasted good. While we were eating (since we just make food at the church to save money) we played apples to apples. haha so funny and apparently your cards are what make up who you are. So i am lazy and unhealthy but its okay im feminine. :) Then we went and volunteered at the humane society again. My dog i got didnt like other dogs at all. So i spent most of the hour alone, with in sight and sound of course but off in my own world and it was weird to have that quiet time to think. It gave me time to just look at the green around me and just love what i saw, it also gave Sister du Plessis time to get covered in dog hair... LITERALLY COVERED! she had to go home and shower after that. I also got to do my first skype lesson. I got to skype with some less active girls from winnipeg that i use to work with when i lived there and it was so much fun to be able to see them again. We had a lesson on prayer and we even got them to agree to meet with missionaries in the area! it was super good!

Wednesday: As we volunteered at the foodbank some good country music came on! TENDER MERCIES OF THE LORD! It was so nice! Then we had a lesson with a part member family we are working with. We are trying to get the son baptized! So we decided to stick with the scripture power theme that is going on right now. We talked about the importance of scripture power by me SLAMMING A CAN ON MY HAND. Yep really did that, in fact in companionship study i practised it and i did it wrong and thought i broke my finger. but i didnt and was able to still smash it during the lesson so all is well. 

Thursday: Thursday was soo good! We had a lesson with an investigator who is hopefully getting baptized on july 5 about a loving heavenly father. There is a scripture in 1 Nephi 11:17 that talks about how he doesnt know the meaning of all things but he knows that god loves his children. As a missionary i feel that way a lot. I dont know the meaning of all things but i KNOW THAT GOD LOVES HIS CHILDREN. We also had two investigators from africa pray this week. They are thirteen and eleven and apparently its a big deal I am so excited to have been able to be there for that. Oh and you need to check out the new book of mormons they are making. They are putting captions on pictures and dates in chapter headings.. .its fantastic. 

Friday: friday was a full moon and it was friday the thirteenth, so we were so expecting CRAZY THINGS TO HAPPEN and did they. NO! We had a district pow wow on friday and it went really good! We realized we need to work better with the members but have NO IDEA how to do it. So we set some goals made some plans and now we are gonna get work done! Then we went and did icecream. We are also trying to find someone who speaks niranda so if you know anyone please let us know! We asked sister menlove about it and her response was, give me a second let me call the congo. haha sister menlove is the best! 

Saturday: During our service project this week we had to work with chemicals and mold. it was gross and it made me feel sick. we had a scone party with a member and the elders. It was super fun! then we went and had chinese food with a member. it just was all in all a good day! Question how do you help shy people get over being shy? 

Sunday: We did wake up calls again sunday morning. Sister du Plessis left the stick at home this time though. but they worked because we saw three investigators at church! Then we went with the elders to give sacrament to a lady in the hospital. She reminds me a lot of corrette and it makes me really happy to go see her each week. But i think they best note from the week was did you wish heavenly father a happy fathers day! I am so grateful for a heavenly father who loves me and is patient with me... I am also grateful for my dad! LOVE YOU DADDY!!!!