May 20, 3013 letter

Hello family (and friends)!

It is a beautiful day here in Maple Ridge. I have not hit any more poles so we are good! What a week it has been though. Let's review what happened. 

 

(Just a review - Sister Saal and her companion go for walks every morning at 6:30.  During her walk one day, Sister Saal was studying her scriptures, trying to memorize one.  She wasn't paying attention and ran into a pole and gave herself a concussion!!  We can almost laugh about it now.)

 

I was sent to the ER again this week. Things from the concussion weren't getting any better, but were actually getting worse. Because of that, the mission nurse told Sister Dean to either take me to the ER or to call 911. Let's not freak out, but seriously? I could have ridden in an ambulance  Sweet. Instead, we decided to drive there. We were there for about 8 hours. Long time to be in the ER. However, they did some blood work (I didn't even cry when they stuck me with a needle) and they did a CT scan. It was awkward. The technician doing it was male and Sister Dean had to wait outside. For the first time in over a year and 4 months, I was alone with a male. AWKWARD! I have turned into a weirdo. I can't even hold a normal conversation with someone of the opposite sex. Wow. Someone is going to be weird when they get home. Proud of it too! 

Anyway, after the hospital the next day we drove to Vancouver, a hour or so drive, to see the mission doctor. She basically told me the same thing everyone has been saying. It will take time to heal. She said it could take a few months! What? I don't have a few months to heal, I come home in 3 months! I was talking to a member last night and I told her my plan. I am going to work my butt off for the next 3 months, and then when I get home I will give myself time to heal. I think it is a wonderful plan! I know papa will like it! :)

However, other than that, not much happened this week. I have been resting and sleeping a lot, but my strength is coming back to me. Yay. 

So, big news.........

 

3 wonderful teenagers are being baptized this Saturday in Maple Ridge! The Lord is blessing them so much. They have a strong desire to be baptized, and hopefully soon we will be able to help the dad enter into the waters of baptism too! I will send pictures when I can. So many wonderful things are happening for this family and I feel so blessed to be apart of their story. They have adopted me as their child and I feel so blessed. I call the boys 'ading' which mean "little brothers" in Tagalog. Sweet! 

Sorry this is a short letter. I haven't much time left or much more to say. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I will leave you this picture of my bruise from the pole. The second one is me with the pole that did that to my head. 

Love you family! 

Sister Saal

May 13, 2013 letter

Hello again family! Twice with-in a 24 hour period? You must be so lucky. I must really love you! :) I am really glad that I was able to talk to you yesterday. Megan, you are forgiven. However, I will be coming down to your place for a week or so when I get home. Hope you are ready. Also, mom... on the way home from the airport we are stopping at Cafe Rio!

 

I have another riddle for you. I am going to give you a few clues and see if you can guess it.

What is...

-cylinder in shape

-metal

-tall

-unmoveable

- and hurts when you walk into it?

Have you guessed it yet?

 

It is a pole! And that is what I did last week. Early Tuesday morning we went for a walk. I have a bunch of scriptures I wanted to memorize and my mind tends to wander that early in the morning. Well, I thought it would be a good idea to try and memorize a scripture while we were out walking. Mosiah 5:2 is the scripture that is engrained into my head. Well, we were out walking and next thing I know, I walked into a pole! I laughed to keep from crying, though I just wanted to cry. Well, long story short we went to the ER and I was told I gave myself a minor concussion! Ha ha! Just my luck, hey? So, all week I have been on brain rest while those around me have taken care of me! Sister Dean is so great. She made me food and took really good care of me. Needless to say, I am doing much better and we are able to go out and work again! I will send a picture of the bruise shortly.

 

We are working with a few wonderful people. We have the wonderful opportunity of helping 3 of them come into the waters of baptism on the 25th! We are still working with the father and I just know that he will be baptized too. I told the wonderful sister that I would be there when they are sealed in the temple! What a glorious work to be engaged in!

 

I want to share something I learned in my personal study this morning. I was reading in Jacob chapter 2 and it says "to enlarge the wounds of those who are already wounded, instead of consoling and healing their wounds" It made me really think of the way that I talk to people. Everyone is going through their own battle on the inside, and it made me think "Am I helping them become whole? Or I am tearing them down with my words?" It just really made me realize that we need to speak kindly to others and preach the gospel. After all, in verse 8 it says "they have come up hither to hear the pleasing word of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul." The message that we share is what helps them become whole again! Then, I was reading in chapter 7 in Preach My Gospel. I love on page 127 where it says "Listed below are ways you can strengthen your faith that the Lord will help you teach and testify in your mission language:
-Recognize that you have been called of God by a prophet.
-Live worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost.
-Be obedient to the commandments and to missionary standards.
-Pray sincerely for divine assistance.
-Study, practice, and use the mission language each day."

That applies to everyone. We are all learning a new language. We are giving up slang and we are showing the Lord that we will rise above the world! I love it! One goal that I have for the rest of my mission, and the rest of my life really, is to avoid loud laughter, light-mindedness, harsh speaking, sarcasm, and anything else that pulls away from the appearance of the Savior that I so desperetly want to keep with me. It made me really realize how important our language is and how words can hurt.

 

I love being a missionary. Thank you for all your support and love. I am excited to hear from you all. Love you lots.

 

Sister Saal.

May 6, 2013 letter

So everyone here really likes hockey (no surprise since they have hockey on the 5 dollar bill) and I am learning so much more about it than I ever wanted to! It is a good way to relate to people. Everytime people mention hockey, I simply say "Go Canucks!" and they think I am a fan! Rarely do they try to engage the conversation deeper, proving that I really know nothing about the game. I feel like I am a true Canadian. Oh, and real maple syrup is not that great. :)

 

Things here are going so well. I love being a missionary. I love serving the Lord. We have seen so many miracles that I can't even comprehend it all. I feel like my spirit may burst with joy! Please pray for our family that will be getting baptized on the 25th of this month! It will be such an amazing step for them. They will be one step closer to going to the temple to be sealed for time and all eternity. Sweet! Maybe I should rent an apartment here with how many times I will be coming back to see people go to the temple! Best part about being a missionary!

 

This week has been truly the best of the mission. First, I was able to go to the temple. I talked about that last time, so I won't go into more detail. Let's just say, when I get home I want to work there! Wednesday I had the sacred opportunity to go to Richmond to attend the Mission Counsel. It consisted of President and Sister Tilleman, President Noftle (2nd councilor in the mission presidency), the assistants, the zone leaders from each zone, and 4 other sisters! How special that was to be apart of it. It was an amazing experience and I felt very humbled to be among the leaders of the mission. President Tilleman smiled and said, "Sister Saal doesn't know why she is here, but she will find out soon." Ha ha. Really? He always does that to me! I was able to bare my testimony twice in that meeting, and then the next day. So within a 24 hour period, I bore my testimony 3 times in front of President Tillman. Do you think he is trying to tell me I need to bare my testimony more? Possibly! Thursday we had a conference with all of the lower main-land. There were 4 zones there, so close to 60 missionaries(ish). We talked about many things and the spirit was so strong. All who attended were lifted and edified!

 

"I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you.

For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?"

 

One thing that we talked a lot about is knowing the Savior. At the meeting on Wednesday President Tilleman looked right at me and asked, "Sister Saal, are your thoughts always on the Savior?" A lump came to my throat and tears filled my eyes. Do I truly know the voice by which he calls me? Sadly, the answer is no. However, it makes me want to be that much better.

 

I hope that these letters have been inspiring. I love writing you. Thank you for sending me letters and keeping me updated. I am so thankful for all you do for me!

 

I love you!

I will talk to you Sunday and then see you in a few months.

Also, Sorry for all the peoples birthdays I missed! Happy Birthday mom and Abby.

Love,

Sister Saal

April 30, 2013 letter

Hello family (and friends)!

 

I hope all is well. Sorry I didn't email yesterday. I hope you weren't too worried. We went to the temple this morning so we have P-day today this week. Don't worry, I will talk about the temple shortly. Sounds like you had a lot of fun with the kiddies down in Monument Valley. I am a little jealous. When I get home I am going to go down there and spend a week straight with the kids! It's sad that us missionaries can't hold or play with little kids.

 

Mission life is great. I couldn't ask for a better life. I am loving every minute of it. The bad times seem to be done away with and I am just really seeing the miracles that the Lord has blessed me with. I don't even feel worthy to have received so many blessing and miracles from the Lord. Where to even begin?

 

Well, we are teaching a wonderful family from the Philippines. I love them so much. The mom keeps us well fed when we go over there and her husband makes really REALLY good food. I am craving some right now. We are teaching her husband and their three sons! The three boys are so legit. I am so thankful that I know them. The whole family just puts a smile on my face. The three boys have a baptismal date set for mid-May and we are working hard, and they are working hard, to prepare! How much faith they have. The mom bore her testimony Sunday in church, stake conference is next week, and then her 18 year old son bore his testimony too. It put a huge smile on my face. I am so thankful for this family and the blessing that they are in my life. We made a question jar that they can leave in their home and put in whatever questions they want about the gospel. It is an easy way to know their concerns without one of them feeling dumb by asking it. Sister Dean's idea. So good!

 

We visited a sister from Costa Rica yesterday. I love her so much! I know I shouldn't pick favorites, but she is my favorite. I am her little Costa Rican friend. I love being in her home. The spirit is always so strong. Well, she was expressing a desire to go to the temple but is having a issue with coffee. She wants to talk to the bishop, but she gets scared at times. The impression came to my mind to watch the mormon message about Esther. If you haven't seen it, watch it! It is so good. It talks about courage and it was really good for her. Well, at the end of the lesson I asked if we could take her coffee maker. She said yes! Sweet! I am so excited. We are going to destroy it. :)

 http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=2221439363001

 

The temple: What a wonderful day, even the preparation to go there. This morning we sang I Know that my Redeemer Lives. How powerful it was. It brought me to tears and I had to stop singing at a few points. It is one of my favorite hymns. We cleaned our car on the way to the temple so the spirit was even stronger in the car. When we changed and went into the chapel, you will never guess what song was being played. You got it. I know that my Redeemer Lives! Wow. I cried again. Throughout the whole session I was deep in thought about how wonderful Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are! My companion had to nudge me to raise my hand. Whoops. :) I was so lost in thought. Just wonderful things happened while I was there. I don't want to go into too much detail because I hold them sacred! The temple in an amazing place! I just love it so much. I will need a temple buddy to go to the temple with me each week. I even want to work in the temple when I get back.

 

One more exciting thing before I leave. The other day, Saturday, we got a phone call from the assistants. They left a voicemail "Sister Saal, we need you to call us as soon as you can." That was basically it. Well, I freaked out a little and called them back. Long story short, they were calling on behalf of President Tilleman to invite me to Mission Council, formally known as Zone Leaders Council. With so many sisters coming out, we now have districts and even a zone of all sister missionaries. Well, those sister districts, they need district supervisors (equivalent of district leaders only cooler, because it is a sister) to lead. Those sisters are invited to Mission Council. Pressures on!

 

I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that God lives. I know that He has blessed, not only me with so many things, but blessed everyone. I am so thankful for that. I am thankful to be here serving a full time mission for Him. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I love that book. It is the best. it has changed my life more than any other book. I am so thankful for that.

 

I love you family!

Sister Saal

April 22, 2013 letter

(Mark wrote his last letter to her on his iphone)

Hello my tech-freindly family (and friends)!

An iPhone dad? Wow, that is pretty impressive. When I get home you will have to show me all the latest technology. Sometimes I find myself saying "Kids these days" when I see teens pull out their phones to use their scriptures. It is strange. I hope you are prepared for a super weird daughter to return home.

Besides me being super weird and awkward around human life forms, things are going really well here in Maple Ridge. I got the news and I will be staying for another 6 weeks with Sister Dean. Sister Petersen went back to Brookswood with two other companions. It has been a stressful few weeks, but the most wonderful few weeks. I am excited to continue on with the work and see where the Lord leads me. Speaking of such, I talked to President Tilleman. I will be coming home some time in August. Not sure how I feel about it yet, but at least it is not next week. I am just thankful I know when it is so I can prepare myself.  Can you believe you haven't seen me in nearly 15 months? My how time flies.

We have seen so many miracles the past few days that I don't even know where to begin. We have to postpone our baptism that was set for this weekend. She is just not ready. It breaks my heart because she is only 10 and really wants to be baptized, but she needs to come to church more. We are continuing to teach her and help her draw closer. Hopefully she will have a desire to come to church more so she can help make her dream become a reality.

However, the Lord has placed many people in our paths. There is a family we are teaching. They are the best. I just love them so much. They are from the Phillipines. The mom is a member that was baptized when she was 13 or so. She married a non-member and stopped going to church. She never lost her testimony though. She has 3 boys and we have been teaching the boys. We are still working on meeting with the dad. However, the two younger boys, and soon the oldest, have baptismal dates. They came to church on Sunday and they just loved it. Their story is incredible. One of the boys plays basketball for his school team. A member in the ward is on that same team and they have become really close. Well, the two moms started talking and found out that the other was mormon. They started coming to church and then the mom came up to us and said "I have a plan to get my sons and husband baptized!" Soon they will be entering into the waters of baptism. It is amazing and humbling to be working with this family.

Another miracle. We received a referral from missionaries about 4 hours away. One of their investigators wanted us to go visit her sister. We did this morning and she let us in. We found out her son is a member in Alberta. We were talking and getting to know her. Then she asked about the Spirit world. I thought it was going to turn into a bible bashing moment, but we testified and the spirit was really strong. We asked if she would like to learn more. You will never guess what she said "Actually, I think I want to be baptized!" Wait what? I think my jaw hit the floor and she probably saw that. Miracle, that never happens!

With going between here and Brookswood, things have been pretty crazy. Now that things are settled we can really focus on our area and helping the work move forward in Maple Ridge.

One thing that I want to testify of: "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly. We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God." I love that! I have noticed that as I have been reading to Book of Mormon and the Bible side by side, I have received so many answers to my questions.
"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." I testify that the word of god can heal the wounded soul. I have felt it in my life. I have seen it in others. I am so thankful for this wonderful light and knowledge I have.

I love you all.

Untill next week.

Sister Saal

--

The church is true!

all my love,

Sister Saal

April 15, 2013 letter

Hello everyone. Greetings from Canada. What a beautiful day it is here in Maple Ridge. This past week has been kind of crazy in regards to the weather. Thankfully, no snow this week. Sorry all you Utahan's that got snow. :) And they call this the Frosty White North? HA! I don't think so!

Well, this is the big week. We have transfers this week. I can't believe it has already been a transfer of training. It seems like just yesterday Sister Dean came into my posession.  It is crazy how time flies. We will find out tonight. There are so many possibilities that I am not even going to try to guess what will happen. I guess you will have to wait till next week to find out. :) 

My companions are so great. Sister Dean is really funny. I am so glad I have a chance to be her companion. She is able to teach me a lot. I know that she will be training this transfer! She is just that good. I love her.

Sister Petersen is funny! I love her.She is trying to set me up with her brother. We will see how that goes :) She has a strong testimony of the Savior. All-in-all, I feel very blessed to have two wonderful companions by my side.

This week has been pretty good. It has been a little crazy though. We have been going between Maple Ridge and Brookswood. It has been a wonderful learning opportunity for all of us involved. Best part, the Brookswood building is in the same parking lot as the temple. Sunday when we walked out of church it was like "BAM", right there! I loved it. The church is true.

We had a pretty good week adjusting to this new adventure. We worked out all the details about showering and food and all that fun stuff. Now we are enjoying each others company and working hard to find people to teach. I love being a missionary so much. I am not looking forward to coming home... no offense to anyone.

We have had a few really amazing and spiritually teaching moments this week. One was with an amazing woman with great faith. We gave her a tour of the outside of the temple and then we were able to go in and sit in the waiting room. It was raining outside and she has a 7 month old baby, so thought it would be best for that. It was such a powerful experience. Everytime I am in the temple I just have an over-powering experience with the spirit. It was amazing. Her 7 month old baby totally saw angels. It was so amazing!

One thing that I have been studying a lot about lately is the Lord's timing. I know that all things happen in His timing and in His way. One scripture that I have been pondering about lately is in the Book of Mormon in the book of Mosiah chapter 24. This is the story of Alma and his people. They are being persecuted by Amulon. Amulon commands them not to pray a loud, so instead they "pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts." I think it is just so amazing how the Lord said he would deliver them, but also ease their burdens. And then verse 15 is my favorite!  "And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord." How unbelievably true that is! I love it.

I have had so amy experiences here on my mission that have a lot to do with this story. There are things that I thought would be best for me, but the Lord knows the timing of all things! I testify to that. He may not give us what we want, but He always, ALWAYS, gives us what we need. I am thankful for a Father in Heaven who loves me! I know that He loves each one of you! Thank you for your prayers. I know this church is true. I am so thankful for that knowledge. I am thankful for a young boy who went into a grove of trees in earnest prayer. I know without a doubt in my mind that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ on that beautiful spring morning. As a direct result of that, I know the power that was given Christ's Apostals anciently to act in God's name has been restore to the earth. I have seen the priesthood change lives! I testify that He lives!

I love you family. See you shortly.

Love, Sister Saal.

--

The church is true!

all my love,

Sister Saal

April 8, 2013 letter

Good afternoon family (and friends)! It is a beautiful day. Story time.

Wednesday morning I got a phone call from President Tilleman. In a sense he said, "Good morning Sister Saal. Will you please take me off speaker and let me know when you have gone somewhere private." There was a pause and a moment of fear in my head "Okay," I said as I shut the washroom door behind me. "Sister Saal, how are you?" I told him how I was and how the work in Maple Ridge was going. I could hear the smile in his voice as the words came out. "Sister Saal, one of the sisters is going home and Sister Petersen (who came out with Sister Dean 4 weeks ago) needs a companion. So, how would you feel about taking on another training opportunity?" WHAT!?! At first I was a little freaked out, but then the Lord calmed my heart "Sure President." I said. He then told me how much he trusted me and what an honor this was. "So, the Sisters are here in Richmond and they will bring you Sister Petersen tonight." Wait, WHAT!? Tonight? Well, after a few more minutes of talking to him, I realized I was getting a new missionary. Plus, we are covering both areas, Maple Ridge and Brookswood. How crazy!

So, who has been out in the field for 14 months and is training two new missionaries instead of one?

It has been a wonderful and sacred opportunity. Of course there are ups and downs, but that is life. However, I feel the Lord blessing me so much during these times. I have forgot about myself and lost myself in the work. My only thoughts have been about my companions and about the people we are working with. What a blessing it is to be a servant of the Lord. I love it.

Wasn't Conference so amazing?! I loved it so much! I could go on and on for hours about it. Conference was so amazing! I loved every minute of it. I think the things that really stuck out to me were more of my feelings and thoughts than what the speakers actually said. Every time I heard the word "Peace", I felt the spirit testify to me that this is truly a message that brings peace to all those who partake of it. I didn't realize it until one of the speakers were talking, but I have had some uneasiness within my self. I didn't recognize it, but when they were talking about peace, it hit me that I need to apply that. When President Uchtdorf was talking about how light and darkness can't be in the same place at the same time, it brought tears to my eyes. The spirit testified strongly to me, that the Lord wants to forgive us!  He wants us to be happy and healthy. He wants us to turn to Him. I have taken on the motto "Help thou my unbelief" and am applying it to my life. There are some things that I don't know, but the Lord will help me. How truly inspired the General Authorities are. I am really excited for when it comes out in the Ensign for us to read and study more in depth. I love General Conference! 

We are seeing so many miracles here I don't feel worthy of them. I feel like I am being so disobedient, and yet... The Lord is blessing me. Sometimes I feel like I have a microscope on me and that everyone is just waiting to point things out. I don't understand it. I am so humbled to know that He cares about His children here. I care about them. I love them so much, and most of them I have never/will never meet.

We are working with so many amazing people. One sister I am so thankful. She is amazing and has great faith, we just don't know how to get her to church. I feel like we have tried everything to get her there, but she just hasn't come yet. She has an amazing true friend and she knows that President Monson is a prophet. It is a difficult situation with her husband. He is not all that supportive of her coming or learning more. We are all just praying that his heart softens. We have to postpone the baptism because she has yet to come to church. She has been doing really well at reading in the Book of Mormon, she said she reads every day, and also giving up coffee, she says it is hard but she has been doing it. We just have so many truth-seeking investigators that Satan is working really hard on them. However, the Lord is so amazing and He is blessing them abundantly.

 We are working with a family! I love them so much. I am going to go to the Phillipenes with the mom. The mom is a member but married a non-member and kind of fell away. She still has a super strong testimony. A couple months ago she came to church with her husband and 3 boys. She wants them baptized. We taught two of the boys again this week and invited them to be baptized. They said yes! How cool is that! They are basically my favorite people ever. I am so excited to be facebook friends with all these people. All of them are so accepting of the gospel. 

We are also working with another younger family. They are so cute and I love them so much. They are both so humble and so willing to learn. It is great to have the sacred opportunity to teach them. They have amazing true friends. It is a testimony builder to me that people progress better and faster when they have someone to lean on other than the missionaries.

We haven't been able to get in contact with one of our recent converts for a while. She has been working crazy hours. However, we talked to a ward member yesterday at conference and she said that the convert talked to her boss and now has Sunday mornings off work so she can come to church. She says she has also been too busy to smoke, so she has cut down a lot.

As for me, I am doing really well. I am so thankful for the Lord in my life. I am a completely different person, even from a few months ago. I am thankful for the tender mercies of the Lord and His blessings upon me. I feel like I want to join the people of King Benjamin "And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually." The church is true! The knowledge of my Savior is the best thing I have in my life, my family at a close second, with my friends at a close third. I am thankful for that knowledge that I will be able to take with me!

Family and friends, I just want to let you know how thankful I am for my Savior Jesus Christ. He is the light and the life of the world. He is the way to eternal happiness. He is the great physician. He is able to heal us emotionally, physically, and spiritually. He is our advocate with the Father. He is the way and there is no other way!

Thank you for everything each one of you do for me! Thank you for your prayers, your thoughts, your kind words. I love each one of you dearly. I will see you in like 4 months! BAH!!!!! So crazy!

Love,
Sister Saal