October 9, 2012 letter (the 8th was Thanksgiving in Canada)

Hello Family! (and friends)

Happy day after Thanksgiving Day everyone. Thanksgiving in October? Yeah, I know it is crazy. It doesn't even feel like Thanksgiving. As one less active member stated (he is from the US as well) "Canada is always trying to beat us. From putting Thanksgiving a month before ours with no significant reason for Thanksgiving, to celebrating an Independence Day 3 days before the Fourth of July when they are still in the Common Wealth." It made me laugh and it is SOOOOOOO true. :) I love Canada, hey? We went to a members home for Thanksgiving and had some turkey. I ate until I was stuffed and they gave us left-overs.

Last week we had an opportunity to go to Nanaimo for a Zone Conference with President Tilleman. Spiritual high! It was an amazing Zone Conference and I had an opportunity to represent the Sisters in bearing my testimony. The Spirit filled me with words to say and I couldn't look at President Tilleman because he was in tears. The Spirit is so strong with missionaries and I love it. That is so neat about the announcement in Conference about the age of missionaries. I have a feeling the number of missionaries is going to dramatically increase. And yes, I could have been home by now, but at 19, I am not sure if I would have even gone. :)

Wasn't Conference just amazing!? I love watching Conference as a missionary, especially when you are sitting next to friends who have a desire to partake of the waters of baptism. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is so true! There is no denying it! All speakers were so inspired and taught nothing but true doctrine. Honestly, it was truly uplifting and inspiring. I loved Elder Holland's talk about being a Disciple of Christ! I love that story he shared from the Bible about Peter and the fishes. I went back to read it again. His talk made me really think about the type of missionary I am and the type of missionary I want to be. It is amazing to have the knowledge of the Atonement and how it can help me become a better person.

Things in Courtenay are turning out so well. I love this area so much. Sister Nuttall and I are seeing miracles and I am so blessed to have her as a companion. I am thankful for everything she does for me and for this area. What a fabulous missionary she is. We are getting along super well and we are seeing miracles!

This week went so well. We found some new investigators and set a baptismal date. Susan is who we have a baptismal date with and she is preparing herself to be baptized on the 27th of October. She is a sweet Sister and she loves the gospel. She has barely read any of the Book of Mormon, and she is already telling people "she has already joined the Mormon church". It is amazing to see her faith. Every time we meet with her, she is telling us about a new friend she wants to bring. A miracle happened this past week. She called to ask if we could postpone the appointment for an hour and meet at McDonald's. We brought a member with us who was so amazing. Well, Susan's friends Jake and Sally joined in for the last part. They both wanted a Book of Mormon and set up a time, for tonight, to meet with them all. So in a hour lesson, at McDonalds, we had a member present, 2 new investigators, and set a baptismal date. Heavenly Father is pouring out His blessings upon us.

That same day we had another Member Present and an Other Lesson. Wow! Things are so crazy here! It is only 3 right now and we have had two Less Active Lessons, and we have an Other Lesson (with a new investigator) and a Member Present with 3 of our investigators scheduled for later today! I don't even have time to breathe!

We are having amazing things happen and I am forming friendships for life. One less active member wants to take me to China when she goes back to visit her family. Sweet!

I love you all so much. I am so thankful for your love and support. I am so thankful to be a missionary for the only true church on the face of the earth. Please write me!

As always, names have been changed.

Love you,
Sister Saal

Scripture of the week. Psalms 27:1 "The Lord is my light, and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

Also read the last scripture of that chapter.