February 25, 2013 letter

Dear Family (and friends) -

 

Another week has come and gone! I hope you are enjoying the cold weather. It is a little chilly here. No snow. Lots of rain. I hope that I don't walk a hole in my rain boots before the end of the season. That would be unfortunate.

 

Really quick, we ran out of time last P-Day so I will be sending the pictures this week. I hope you are ready, they are good pictures! :)

 

This week has been epic. We taught like 17 lessons this week, 10 of which with investigators. The work is speeding up and it is soon going to become quicker. President Tilleman came to a few lessons with us on Thursday. He gave us a little inside information about transfers. This transfer is only 5 weeks instead of 6. Talk about stressful. Everything that we need to do has to be done a week earlier. We have been keeping very busy. It is really nice because it keeps us focused and helps us not "get lazy" as Sister Duffy would say. Another update about transfers! We have 11 sister missionaries coming in this transfer. We have about 15 English speaking sisters right now, with two going home. How crazy! We are going to basically double in one day. Plus, with all the new missionaries and the new rules with the MTC, we will be getting missionaries coming here in between transfers. The Lord is hastening the work and I hope I can keep up. Shortly, as President Tilleman said, I will be in charge of a new missionary.

 

Our investigator in Courtenay was baptized this weekend! As sad as I was not to be there, she entered into a covenant with our Father in Heaven and that is all that matters. I love being a missionary. I love seeing how much the gospel changes lives! It has changed mine forever.

 

I had the opportunity to go on an exchange and go to Abbotsford with the sisters down there. They are both great missionaries and I am blessed to be around such amazing sisters. We had a lesson with a couple that invited us in right away. They are Bahai. We were talking to them and then a knock came on the door. It was their pastor or preacher or whatever they have. Well, we got into a heated discussion (heated on his side. Contention is of the devil so we refused to be contentious) and he was trying to prove us wrong. Finally we had to go in for the night anyway, so we just left. It ended on a good note and the wife was really interested to learn more. The sisters will be going back, though the preacher promised he would not be there.

 

There is not much else I can think of. I seem to be just SOOOOO tired all the time. I feel like I could take a 72 hour nap and still be tired. It is an amazing feeling at the end of the night when you are trying to say your prayers and your mind won't stay focused. That is proof that you did a lot that day!

 

Love you family. I know this is true. I know it can change your life if you let it. Test out Moroni's promise in Moroni 10:3-5. Read the Book of Mormon. Pray about it with real intent. Let it change your life.

 

Love you.

 

Sister Saal.

 

I love you papa! You are the best. I couldn't ask for a better dad.

February 18, 2013 letter

Hello family (and friends)!

Sounds like everything is going really well at home. It brings tears to my eyes to hear you say what an example I am to the kids (a niece and two nephews who just ADORE Sister Saal). I hope that I am, and I hope that I am an example to those around me as well. I thank you all for your prayers and love in my behalf. It means the world to me.

Missionary work is hard! No surprise! However, it is the best thing that I have chosen to do. I know that this is where I need to be because I see lives changing multiple times a day. I love this gospel and there is no way that 56,000 young adults are spreading false things! It just doesn't make sense.

This week has been pretty busy. We are very richly blessed here in Maple Ridge. This past week we found 5 friends that want to learn more about the gospel. Some days we forget to schedule a time to eat, we are that busy. However, I am making sure to eat my fruits and vegetables. I feel weird just sitting still at this moment. I feel like we should be running around.

A little about the area;

-Our contact (in Courtenay) is getting baptized on Saturday! I am so excited for her. I am coming back when she goes through the temple in a year.

-We are working with 4 people who have entered into the waters of baptism in the past 6 months! They are so great and so strong. I didn't know them before, but by the sound of things, their lives are completely different. I know that is what the gospel does for people. It changes lives. Especially the Book of Mormon. I invite each one of you to read from it every day this week and pray about the message! It is so true!

-I have learned to rely on my Saviour so much more. I have learned that I cannot do anything without Him. Even getting up at 6:30 every day! I need Him! I see my faults and I am humbly trying to work at being better. I know that it is only with His help that I can become "a new creature".

- I have two wonderful companions who love me. Things get stressful at times, but we are working together to become the best missionaries we can be. Sister Duffy, she has been out for 3 months longer than me, really pushes me to become the best I can be. I am so very thankful for it! I know of her love for me. I feel it.

-I am so thankful for the experience I have been having here to help build my faith. I was reading over some notes from a Zone Conference and something President Tilleman said really stuck out to me. He said "Don't waste your time trying to figure out if the church is true; just go to work and you will see that it is." I loved that! It hit me hard. There have been a lot of people talking about Joseph Smith being a Free Mason. I am not entirely sure what that means, and at first it made me doubt a bit. I stopped myself. I know that the church is true. I see that as I go out among my brothers and sisters. I go out to work and I know without a doubt that this is the only way to return to our Father in Heaven again. I love it. I don't have to know everything now, I just have to share the things I do know and trust that the Lord is on my side. I love this work.

I want to leave my testimony with each one of you. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I have read it. I have prayed about it. I know that it is true. I am a 22, almost 23, year old girl. I go out and I knock on random peoples door to tell them about God and Jesus Christ. How strange is that? It is not though! Because I know how much this message can bless people lives. If I didn't believe with all my heart, I wouldn't be out stopping people on the street.  I know that Jesus is the Christ. He came to this world in love to redeem all people from the Fall. If we but use His Atonement, we can be healed. I don't remember if I shared this, but I still love it! 3 Nephi 17:7 "Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy." No matter what we have gone through, are going through, or will go through, Jesus Christ can heal us!  How wonderful it is to have a Saviour that we can turn to. It has brought me a lot of comfort.

I love you all family. Again, I am so thankful for the prayers and thoughts on my behalf. These are received with a warm heart and open arms.

Until next time:

Cheers

Sister Saal

February 12, 2013 letter

Hello family (and friends)!

Greetings from Canada. It seems to be getting colder here, not warmer. It is sad. I just want spring to be here. However, it will come soon enough. I am sure you still have like 8 inches of snow! :) Ha ha.

What a wonderful day it has been thus far. Probably the best morning of my mission so far! We just finished up a session at the temple, which is like a 20 minute drive from our apartment, and I am so thankful for the time that I was able to spend there. What a wonderful place to feel the Lord's love. The whole time I just had an over-whelming, over-powering, over-excited feeling that covered me from head to toe. I sat in the Celestial Room and tears came to my eyes as I thought about this amazing place, the house of the Lord. What a wonderful work that happens with-in the walls of the temple. Thoughts about an eternal family soared through my mind and I know without a doubt that this is the only place where families can be sealed together. I am thankful my parents were sealed in the temple to have their kids with them for eternity. Sorry, you are stuck with us. :) How wonderful it is to have the priesthood back on the earth. I can't imagine my life without it.

This week was pretty good. We had a lot of lessons set up with potential investigators, but they all fell through. It was a bit frustrating, but it is something that we are learning more about. When someone doesn't show up, someone else needs us. That has been my attitude. I have been really trying to stay positive. So far I feel like I am doing really well.

I am so sorry I forgot to talk about my companions. How rude of me. I am in another tri. Sister Duffy has been out about 3 months longer than me. She is from Arizona and graduated from BYU to do history teaching. We get along pretty well. She was companions with Sister Doria, my mom, for 7 and a half months! wow. Crazy! My other companion is Sister Brown. She has been out about 6 months. She is super sweet and really catching hold of missionary work. She is from Rexburg/Brigham City.

Sister Duffy is the district leader of the Sister's district, something new President Tilleman is doing. She went down to work with the sisters in Abbotsford yesterday so I had a chance to work one on one with Sister Brown. She is a fantastic missionary, and I see a lot of myself in her. She is a hard worker and loves to go out and get things done. It was different to be the senior companion. I have never been the head hancho in charge. I learned a lot about myself and my commitment to the Lord.  

We had a miracle last night. We had some time before a dinner appointment and we prayed about where we should go. We felt impressed to go and see a potential investigator who was unable to meet with us Sunday. We knocked on the door and her "other-half" was walking out of the door and said she was upstairs. She told us to come on up. She had read through the pamphlet and we talked about Joseph Smith and the Restoration. She really liked what she had read in the pamphlet and she invited us to come back. It was a miracle. Not only was she interested, her daughter was also interested. We explained the Young Woman's program and she wants to come! It was a miracle and a tender mercy from the Lord.

One thing that I have really noticed is how tired I am! I seem to be tired all the time. It is not a bad tired at all. It is an exhaustion that seems to cover me from head to toe. I know that the harder I work, the more tired I get. I love it. I feel like when I get home I will sleep for 3 weeks straight.

It is official, I have been out for over a year. I know that the time seems to be going faster and faster. Soon enough I will be on a plane home. BOO!

I love you family!

Sister Saal

P.S. Wash your hands and say your prayers, cause Jesus and germs are everywhere!

February 4, 2013 letter

Hello family (and friends)!

Sounds like all is going well. I am jealous you got to be with the grandbabies. I miss them like crazy!

Well, my year mark happens this week. So crazy how time has flown by. Before you know it I will be home and bumming off mom and dad once again. 6 more months! We can do this!

Well, I bet you are all wondering about transfers. Before I tell you, It came as a surprise to me. But at the same time, I wasn't surprised. Can you guess yet? Maybe I will just tell you.

I was transferred! I am in the lower mainland in a place called Maple Ridge. It is a great area already and I have been here for less than a week. Best part is, on February 12th, I get to go to the temple! Sweet. it is an answer to my prayers. I have wanted to go to the temple for a long time now. And come next week, I will be there. President Tilleman was inspired to send me here.

Funny story, I am in the library right now and this little boy keeps saying "mommy, mommy, mommy" and crying. Put me off kids for a while. :)

We had a really neat experience yesterday that I would like to share. Saturday night we were calling potentials at the church, so we could use the cell phone and church phone. We called one and invited him out to church. He said he wanted to come, so we got him a ride. I honestly thought he was going to blow it off. Sunday morning we were in the library meeting only one of lots of new people. Our Ward Mission Leader came in and said Michael was there. We were really surprised, since none of us have actually met him. We went into the chapel and sure enough he was there. We introduced ourselves and he thanked us profusly, saying if we had not have called him, he would not have been there. He loved sacrament meeting. A lot of people came up and talked to him. After sacrament we gave him a church tour. We thought it was going to be rough because members were walking the halls and coming up and talking to us. However, the spirit was so strong there. He wanted to meet basically everyone that walked by. We taught him about the Apostasy using Amos 8. When we got to Joseph Smith, he asked if that was when the "famine" ended. We told him yes! He liked that. We also invited him to be baptized. He said yes! We set a date for the 23 of Feb. That is also Sister B's date in Courtenay. Please pray for them both! I love you family!

The work here is moving forward at a fast pace. I love it!

This truly is the Lord's work. I so testify!

Love,

Sister Saal

January 28, 2013 letter

Hello family (and friends),

Sounds like things are going very well for you down there. Papa, you called this the Great White North? You have more snow than the Island, so that is a little unfortunate. The weather here has been pretty nice lately. It is gray and sad looking, but not too cold. It is nice, but I am ready for a change. Bring on the sun!

Well, there are many wonderful things going on here in Courtenay. This could very well be my last time emailing you from this wonderful place. Transfer calls are tonight. I have been here 7 months or so. It may be time for a change. However, I am prepared to go where the Lord needs me. It is really crazy how much the time has flown by. My mom, Sister Doria, goes home in like 2 days! How sad. I was able to talk to her last night and it was so sweet. Sister Nuttall goes home in 6 weeks. It is so crazy. It seems like just yesterday we were paired as companions. It has been like 4 months. I am almost at my year mark, and yet it feels like just yesterday I got here! Wow! I am pretty sure time is speeding up.

I have had a really neat experience helping Sister B prepare for baptism. Her date is set for the 23rd of February. It is coming up so quick, but she is so excited. She is telling everyone about her date. You should see her light up. It is really neat because her husband is starting to warm up to us as well. They had us over for dinner the other night and he was very friendly. I guess he has been asking Sister B more and more questions. It is amazing to see how things are unfolding.

I want to share my testimony of this work that we are all engaged in. It makes me think of a story in the Book of Mormon in the book of Ether. When the Brother of Jared has the Lord light stones to shine in darkness as they are crossing the great waters. In verse 3 it says "And thus the Lord caused stones to shine in darkness, to give light unto men, women, and children, that they might not cross the great waters in darkness." Then jump to the end of verse 10 "and they did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under the water." In our life we have many times that we seem to be passing through the great waters of darkness, whether we are above the water or below the water. Times may be good and we are above the water, but times get tough and we seems to sink below the water. However, We have been given many lights (scriptures, prophet, prayer, parents, church, etc) that we have to travel through life. I pray that we may be able to use those lights we have not only to bless our own life, but also the lives of others. I know that my Savior lives.

I love you all so much family and friends! I hope you have a wonderful week. Until next time.

Sister Saal

January 21, 2013 letter

Hello family (and friends)!

Greetings from the Island. I am still here in Courtenay, but transfers are next week so we will see what happens. Who knows where they will send me next. I will be ready for a new adventure though.

Things here are going well. It is relatively warm, but really foggy. Everyone says they are having strange weather. Maybe I brought it. :) We haven't had snow in a while, so that is good. Driving a Chevy Cruize in the snow is no fun. By the way, that is the kind of car I want when I get home.

We have had a wonderful week in the service of the Lord. We had a Zone Conference down in Nanaimo with President Tilleman. It was so great to see him again. I was able to have an interview with him and receive a blessing. What an incredible man. Check out this link. A few facts are wrong though. http://www.lds.org/church/news/karl-tilleman-an-example-of-determination-and-endurance?lang=eng&country=ca

The conference was and amazing time and the spirit was there so strongly. What a way to spend a day. We learned about applying the Doctrine of Christ to everything we do, not just missionary service. Sweet!

I also did an exchange with the Sisters in Campbell River, about 45 minutes north of here. I got to work with two amazing Sisters (they are in a tri) and I learned so much about myself from them. We had an amazing lesson with two wonderful daughters of God. We taught them about the Restoration and I did most of the talking. Sorry Sister Vallejo and Sister Arbon. We invited her to follow the example of Jesus Christ and she said yes. We set a date with her.

We have an investigator who is doing well and preparing for her baptism on the 23rd of February! So sweet. She is really loving the gospel and embracing it. I can see it change her life. It is such a great and wonderful to be a part of. 

That is really funny that you brought up that story from the Book of Mormon is Alma chapter 22! I love that story so much, and read it at least once a week. It is amazing to see how much we can liken the scriptures unto ourselves, though I am still working on liken Isaiah to myself. It is amazing to see how the spirit of the Lord works on peoples hearts, including our own.

Love you family,

Stay warm.

Sister Saal.

January 14, 2013 letter

Hello family (and friends)!

Sounds like you are having fun in the snow. The past few days it has been sunny, but very cold. Okay, so not as cold as Utah, but a lot more humid here. It is -1 C with like 100% humidity.

That virus that Ry and Connor have, it seems to be going around up here too. I was sick the past few days with a nasty flu-like bug. Thankfully, I am feeling a lot better. It is no fun being sick, but tis the season I guess. Lots of fun.

The work is going well here. Sister Nuttall is super awesome and I love her so much. She is the best. Sadly, she goes home soon. I hope I am not the one that kills her. We have been getting along super well and she is so patient with my crazy behavior. Our one investigator is great - she is doing well. She still preparing for baptism but we had to push her date back a little. She is amazing. She is one of my favorite people in the world. We are trying to work it out where she can get baptized and the next week go with the ward to the temple. She most likely won't be able to do a bunch of baptisms, but maybe one or two. She is just so enthusiastic!

A cool experience I had these past few weeks. I was talking to Brother Todd and he pointed this scripture out. I really love it now and I want to share it with you. This comes from the book of Third Nephi chapter 17. This is when Jesus Christ is among the people in the Americas. I love these verses.

7 Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.

 8 For I perceive that ye desire that I should show unto you what I have done unto your brethren at Jerusalem, for I see that your faith is sufficient that I should heal you.

 9 And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their blind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him.

I love that! Afflicted in any manner. Jesus Christ is capable of healing us, whether it is emotionally, spiritually, physically, mentally. He is there waiting to heal us. However, he invited them to come forward. He didn't force anyone, he simply invited them to come forward to be healed. It is only as we go to the Lord that he can heal us.  I love the Book of Mormon. It is so true.

I love you family and friends. Keep reading. Enjoy life.

Remember, it is not about instant perfection. It is about eternal progression.

Cheers.

Sister Saal