Dec 9, 2013
Dear
Family:
Hey there how are you?! :) (she is sounding Canadian J) It's been a little
chilly here but this last week was pretty crazy so we weren't outside a lot so
it wasn't bad at all. Have I mentioned I'm glad I'm not driving? :)
Well
this week was awesome...crazy...and had its ups and downs. First...zone conference...was awesome!
It was an hour north from here. It was weird to be back in a country
town. But it was beautiful. President gave a great instruction on repentance.
I've been studying that for a while and it is amazing how it is such a great
gift. Before my mission I looked at repentance in a sort of negative
connotation. But in reality, repentance is a blessing that changes, enhances,
and transforms us into the sons and daughters that we can become. It purifies
us, lifts us, and strengthens us. Without it we would never be truly converted
to the gospel and it would be so much harder to live the gospel and share it
with others. Our Mission Mom gave a really great lesson on the birth and life
of our Savior for Christmas. I'll always remember near the end how I just felt
so much gratitude for our Savior. And I'll always remember how I felt His love
for me.
Then...we
got a surprise visitor this last Saturday...Elder (name) from the presidency of
the Seventy! So it has been quite
the spiritually crazy week! About half our mission met and we got to hear from
him. We also got to hear from (name) from the Seventy who was actually a stake
president here in Ontario
So I
learned a LOT . And it's just so cool to hear
from someone who meets with Pres. Monson and the Twelve on a weekly basis.
A few things I learned were:
1) It
is such a PRIVILEGE and OPPORTUNITY to serve a
mission; I'm so LUCKY to be here. And I shouldn't take for granted the time
that I have to serve the Lord. I need to make the most of the time that I have
here. Sometimes as you go along your mission, you are grateful but it just
doesn't hit you what an amazing opportunity it is to be here. Last Saturday it
HIT ME.
2) Two
things that influenced Pres Monson the most were 1) his calling as a bishop 2) his
calling as a mission pres for the Canada Toronto mission. Elder (name) talked
about how much his mission changed him and set a foundation for the rest of his
life. Now I'm not saying I want the mission to make me a prophet. But I know
that this sacred time I have here will set my foundation for the person that
God wants me to become.
3)
CHANGE is so so so so so important on a mission. Always strive to make changes
to become a little better. Change doesn't happen all at once but is a process.
4) The work is HASTENING brothers and
sisters! Like really though! It was amazing to talk about the Work of Salvation
and the change that has happened since last July. It is amazing. I'm so excited
to be part of this historical opportunity. This is history! People are coming
to Christ! And mission work has
been such a focus!
Then...since
half of the mission was there I got to see a lot of familiar faces...including
SISTER (NAME) (old comp)!!!! AHHHH I love her sosososososo much. We liked
hugged and got crazy excited when we saw each other. But man it was so awesome
to see her! Love her to death! We couldn't talk a lot but sounds like she's
doing great in Toronto
Okay
yup. anyways investigators....
Well we
are still finding. HOWEVER...we have seen some major miracles. So (name)...we
saw her last week with a member. We taught her more about the
Book of Mormon. I worried we were going
nowhere with her because we just had to continue to repeat and repeat and
repeat. We talked about her baptism and the importance of it. She said the closing prayer. She
stood up and said, "This where I'm supposed to go. My heart feels full! My
heart is excited!" She got her
answer. It was
amazing! It strengthened my testimony that God answers prayers. So she is working towards baptism next week!
So...because
we haven't taught her a lot we are working hard with her! She came to church
yesterday and she agreed to the Word
of Wisdom. We are seeing her tonight with a ward member from (her country). Then we have to teach her the rest before
Friday. I'm a little nervous because family is against her meeting with us. So...we
just have to trust in God that everything will work out. (Because it
always does) We'll see what happens I guess but she is going to be baptized!
it's amazing! :) She is the sweetest lady ever! She is so cute!
We had
someone else come to church yesterday. It was really funny. I talked to him on
the bus and he said, "So do you want my number or something?" And at
first I thought he was just flirting with me so I was like, "Well, yeah do
you want to hear our message about Jesus Christ?" And he said yes. So I
got his number. We called him up a couple days ago. And THEN...he came to
church yesterday. Unfortunately his English isn't the best. But he's awesome.
And he has a family! So we are going to be teaching him tomorrow. Hope it all
works out! He reminds me of (name), the girl from Congo
So the
work is starting to pick up here. Many miracles!
Transfer calls are this next Sunday. Yikes.
And for
Christmas I will be skyping you and then our whole mission is doing a
read-a-thon. We are going to be reading the Doctrine
& Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and four Gospels all day pretty much. It's
going to be crazy but awesome!
Unfortunately
the last two days have been a little rough. I picked up a flu bug. When I went home from the GA’s
talk I got way sick. Then after
church yesterday I still was feeling crummy so I stayed inside to get some
rest. I HATE BEING SICK!!! It was the worst especially after hearing Elder (name)'s
"your mission is precious" speech. yikes. It was not fun. But sleep
and ginger ale does miracles. (It does.)
After a
good 12 hours of sleep last night and a can of ginger ale I'm doing a lot
better. I hope I don't get sick ANY MORE because I hate it. So I'm excited to
get back to work this week. And I know that this week we are going to see some
awesome miracles! Because you always do!
I'm so
grateful for you guys and am so grateful for this work. I love you all! Hope
you are enjoying the holidays!
Sister
Ogden
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