David & Goliath

What a week...where to begin!

On Tuesday night, we had a lesson with a new investigator named Yaeb'et (I can't remember if I already told you, but apparently, his name was given to him by an angel...) and it went really well. He really loved when we told him about the First Vision! It was super cool!

 

  On Wednesday, we walked into our apartment for lunch and it was so hot! It was cooler outside which is saying something since it was almost 100 degrees not including the humidity. We had a window AC unit sitting in one of the rooms, but the people who were supposed to come install it could never get down. We decided we would just do it ourselves, I mean, how hard can it be, right? Well, leave it to us to complicate even the simplest of tasks... We got it up in the window (we're in the basement so it's up a pretty good ways), got it all situated, and then realized that the cord wouldn't reach the outlet. No problem! We have an extension cord! Problem: the AC cord has three prongs, the extension cord has two holes. So we try to pull it out of the window, but because of the way it was situated, it wouldn't budge. So I pushed Sister Gariki through the window (the same one Sister Hunter and I jumped through my first transfer here when we locked ourselves out-so many adventures with this window), and she lifted the back end up so we could pull the air conditioner back in. I'm sure it was quite an entertaining site for everyone observing, haha. In the end, the air conditioner went in, and now our apartment's nice and cool!

On Thursday, we tried something new... Elder Ballard is coming to our mission on August 20th, and to prepare, we were encouraged to do several things. One of them was to read his talk called Open Your Mouth and Talk to Everyone. In his talk, he explained that "everyone" doesn't just mean the people you meet passing you on the street, it literally means EVERYONE! People sitting in their cars, on their porches, the cashiers at the grocery store, etc. So on Thursday, we had to get the oil changed in our car. We started to talking to the guy who did the payment at the end, and he was super cool! Today, when we bought our groceries, we talked with the cashier. The other day, a guy was sitting in his car with his window rolled down, so we talked to him too. It's definitely awkward, but I've come to realize that awkward moments are just part of being a missionary, haha. I'm always grateful we opened our mouths afterwards though.

Friday was my favorite day for two reasons...

1. We had zone council in the morning, and it was so amazing! The zone leaders gave one of the instructions on obedience to the mission vision and I felt the Spirit of repentance for sure encouraging me to obey more exactly. I have to give the Lord my best! We also talked about how we can be more unified as a zone in helping each other be more obedient. One of the things we decided to do was to call each other at 6:30 to make sure we're up and going. So at 6:30 every morning, the zone leaders call us up to make sure we're out of bed; it's pretty funny! 

2. We got a new car!!!! Our other one was over it's kilometer limit, so they pulled it and we have a new one! We're definitely not complaining. We decided that the car's name is Goliath and the GPS is David (haha, I know, I know, we're so clever...!) ;) The senior missionaries over the vehicles (the Ericksons) drove it up from Brampton and then we got to have dinner with them. It was so much fun!

On Saturday and Sunday, my testimony was strengthened of the importance of members in the work. We took members to two lessons we had, and they made all the difference. They answered our investigator's questions, they shared powerful testimonies, and they really helped the lessons to be successful. I don't think members realize the powerful effect they have on the people we teach. I have definitely seen how much of an impact members have on the work. If our members aren't involved, the work will not move forward. I want to encourage all of you to really be involved with the missionaries in your unit. It will make such a huge difference in the work. Go teaching with them, say hi to the people they bring to church, if you have them over for dinner, invite people to meet the missionaries. By small and simple things, great things are brought to pass! 

One final challenge, and then I'll let you go! Last Sunday, our branch president challenged each member to pick a date to invite someone to learn more about the gospel, and now I'm extending the same challenge to each of you; pick a date and invite someone to learn more. It doesn't have to be inviting them to take the discussions with the missionaries (although I'm sure the missionaries would be thrilled if you did), but it's just through simple ways like inviting them to ward/branch activities, inviting them to your house if you have the missionaries for dinner, invite them to your family home evening, offer to give a talk in Sacrament Meeting and invite your friends, invite them to read your favorite chapter in the Book of Mormon, give them a copy of The Family: A Proclamation to the World, invite them to do family history with you. I testify to you that as you invite your friends and family members to learn more about the gospel, you will be sharing the most precious and priceless gift we can offer. The Lord will help you! Open your mouth, and it will be filled!

I love you all! Have a great week!

Love,

 

Sister Dille

 

 

The Ericksons!!! They're so cool!

The AC installation!

They do exists! I thought they only had them in Nanny McPhee!

This is us celebrating Goliath's arrival!

It's Kinder Egg Day! We get them the last p-day of every transfer and then we make a "transfer prediction" based on the toy. Honestly, we have no idea what our toys are... we're hoping it doesn't mean our next companions are going to be monsters;)

Sorry, one last picture! This is our zone at our last zone council!