March 25, 2013 letter

Well, hello there again.

 

It is a beautiful and sunny day here in Maple Ridge. I love the sun shine. I am getting ready to throw out my tights. They are pretty trashed.

 

This week has been really good. We have been busy, as always. It is wonderful to feel the spirit testify of the truth! I love being a missionary. Sometimes I am so happy I want to faint with joy! What a wonderful way to be spending my time, especially at Easter. I am so thankful that I get to go and share the message of our Savior Jesus Christ. I testify along with the angels at the tomb "Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen" Just as others came to know that Christ broke the bands of death, I also know that He broke the bands of death. I love focusing on the living Christ! Happy Easter!

 

This past week we had a zone conference with President Tilleman. He is the best. We had a wonderful conference in which the spirit was so strong. Sister Tilleman was talking about what she loved about Christ's church. We went through and listed some things:

The true church should have:

- a foundation of apostles and prophets

- personal revelation

- baptism the way Christ was baptized

- the power that Christ gave the apostles.

- ordinances of salvation

- way for everyone to return home

- obeying all of God's commandments, not just a few

- serve and love one another

- temples

- allowed to ask questions

 

Those are just a few! The spirit was so strong and it was so amazing! Sometimes, I wish you could all be there in a meeting with President and Sister Tilleman. They are so wonderful.

 

Before heading back to Maple Ridge, I had the chance to talk to President Tilleman alone. For the first time he actually asked me when I was going home. A lump came to my throat as I said 4 or 5 months! So crazy! Time is flying by so fast. I asked if I could extend and come home with him and Sister Tilleman. They have just over a year left. He kind of chuckled. BAH! However, I learned so much from President Tilleman. I am a new sister! :)

 

We then had the opportunity to go on exchanges. I was able to be companions with Sister Haight. She is from California and new as well. She is pretty cool. We took a lot of funny pictures together. We met a man on the street.  We were standing on a street corner waving to people and before we could wave to him, he was taking his headphones out and coming over to talk to us. We talked to him for about 20 minutes. He grew up with a lot of mormon friends. He is a Born Again Christian. I thought it was going to get contentious, but he said he wanted us to be able to talk as friends. We all shared ideas. We gave him things to consider and he gave us things to consider. Before he left he asked if we could pray! Of course! There we were on a busy street corner and he said a prayer. It was amazing. He asked if we liked Spoken Word Poetry. Not sure what that was, but he basically rapped a poem for us entitled "Who is Jesus?" It was so legit! He gave us his name and I am going to add him to my Facebook friends when I get home.

 

 The church is true! I love this gospel.

 

Until next time.

 

Love, Sister Saal

 

p.s. I learned some slang that the young people are saying these days. "Cra Cra" instead of crazy. "Jelly" instead of jealous. "Tots" instead of totally. "Awky" instead of awkward. and "Soup" instead of super. I think the young people are just getting lazy and don't want to finish their words. When one of the new sisters taught me, I felt like I was learning a new language. "That is... cra cra?" Wow. I hope it is not too much of a culture shock.