Longueuil- August transfer :)

Longueuil- August 15

This week was a little crazy. We had lots of things to do, but none of our plans worked exactly as we'd hoped. We had so many people we wanted to see, but so many said they'd rather see us next week, or weren't home when we stopped by, so we just didn't get to see too many people. We went for exchanges down in mt saint hilaire, and did lots of contacting with the sisters there. Wonderful because I haven't yet served in an area where we really just did contacting all day. So that was a good experience.

And then Saturday we went to the wedding of a couple from Mascouche. I sent lots of pictures from it... Julie was a less active we were trying to work with when I was there. We barely had started getting our foot in the door, doing her dishes and seeing he less active daughter, Jeremie. But after I left Julie's boyfriend Michel became interested in the church. Sister B and her companion started teaching him. He was baptised in April, and Julie and Jeremy have been coming back to church. So Saturday Julie and Michel were married... in a medieval restaurant. Quite interesting! But so cool to see how much she's changed. absolutely a diferent person. And as they said their words to eachother, it was cool to hear her telling him that she wanted to be together in the celestial kingdom, that their goal was the temple. Amazing how she changed since December. The Atonement of Christ really can transform us as we turn to him in faith and with that desire to change. Absolutely amazing :)

Fabien is doing well. We had a great lesson about the plan of salvation. He told us he's stopping smoking and drinking, and has started limiting his coffee... we haven't even taught the word of wisdom yet! Sadly, he didn't make it to church because of the rain. But we're still working hard with him! Keep praying, please :)

lvoe you lots! Sorry there's not more time. I love you all :)

Sister shelley

Longueuil- August 22

Wow what a week. We've had so many wonderful things happen this past week…. 

We had Christine, one of our bishop's daughters come for a mini mission for a few days this week… which was so fun! She's so good.. and we definitely took advantage of hanging out with a real francophone and had her correct us on everything we didn't say quite right. She also got to help us with our Quebecois and give us some tips for our accents :) So that was great.

We also had zone conference. Which is always wonderful. I especially loved hearing from President Phillips… He is amazing! He'd had a training on finding that he'd given for all the other zones, but when he stood up in the chapel, he said he just had a lot of other thoughts and was going to see where the spirit let for the training. It ended up being such a powerful training, and really what each of us need to hear. I think I appreciated it even more as a sister training leader… because we talk with all the teams every week, and after some stressful situations with different teams of sisters we've been really stumped on what we could do to help each of them… but his training was exactly what was needed. It was definitely a powerful experience for me, strengthening my testimony of the power of revelation. The Lord really does know what's in our hearts and exactly what we need.

Sister Beaumont and I were able to give a training on teaching simply… which is something we've been really trying to work on lately, too. We did some great role-plays… which I'm really starting to appreciate as a missionary. To everyone who's serving or preparing to serve a mission, please… do role plays! It's probably some of the best advice I could give :) It really has been wonderful with Sister Beaumont to realize how we can continue to improve our teaching and finding. We are so blessed to get along so well, and work really well together. So rather than simply being comfortable where we are, we've really been trying to push ourselves even further, to really become the best missionaries we can be. This last transfer has been the most exhausting, but also the most rewarding, as we really are growing and learning so much :)

We also had exchanges with a team of sisters Saturday. I love exchanges… there are so many good things. I love exchanges, because I always learn so much from the other sisters… their ideas for lessons, contacting approaches, all sorts of good things. These sisters are so good.. :) It also increases even more my love for sister B… I get along really well with the other sisters. But Sister B and I have just become best friends! It's just so easy to work together! So it's making me a little nervous for the coming transfer calls this weekend. But I'm trying to just trust in the Lord :)

This weekend I ended up getting sick… so sadly had to take things a little slower. But we got the greatest call ever on Sunday afternoon. Fabien had come to church, going to the last 2 hours alone because we'd been home sick. So he called us, and told us about the good experience he'd had. That everyone knew his name and he just felt so welcomed. He'd also had a really great experience at the baptism on Saturday, and said he'd really "felt something when she went into the water". So we're talking on the phone Sunday afternoon, and he says, "I think the 24th of September should be good for my baptism". Wooohhoooohhh!!!! :) Up until this point, we've talked about baptism, but he hasn't been super set on it. He was a little iffy, and unsure if he'd be ready. But after a wonderful weekend, he suddenly had this strong desire to be baptized next month :) So we're so excited! Please keep him in your prayers :) We're so excited, though… just hoping we'll stay here another transfer together to keep working with him:) There really are just so many good things here in Longueuil.

The Lord really does direct his work. every day I get a stronger testimony of the fact that he does lead us along as we put our trust in him. He will lead us along. As we show our diligence and desire to talk with everyone and to teach and work by the spirit, the Lord leads us to those who are ready to be taught. As we show that he can trust in us, he trusts us with his work. How blessed are we to be his missionaries and share this wonderful gospel message. 

So wonderful things are happening and continue to happen as we seek those the LOrd has prepared :)

I love this work and I know it's the Lord's work. I know he guides us and allows us to be instruments in his hands as we trust in him. It's true with missionary work, and every other aspect of life as well. As we submit our will to the Lord's, he will lead us along :)

Alma 37:36-37. Trust in the Lord. Counsel with him in all you do. He will direct you for good :)

I love you all and wish you the best of weeks :)

love,

Sister Heather Shelley :)

Longueuil- August 29

What a wonderful day and week. The work continues to move forward. My beloved Sister Beaumont will be leaving me again. She's heading to Sherbrooke to train another missionary with her last two transfers. How has her mission flown by? How does time fly so fast? It seems only yesterday her and I were both new missionaries, with really no idea how to contact or teach lessons. It really has been fun these last two transfers to see how far we've come. To see what the Lord can make of us on our missions. We have definitely had great miracles, and experienced TONS of growth. These two transfers together have been so good. Sister Beaumont and I have been one of those dream teams you never want to end. Just so wonderful. We've just stretched. Really tackled our contacting, teaching simply, unity, working with the ward. So many good things. I'm sad to see her leave. so sad because she's wonderful. I may have to move up to Vancouver after my mission ;) 

But it's been a good week. We were able to see lots of wonderful people. We were sick the first half of the week. but were able to have some amazing lessons. We have a new investigator Allain. We had our first lesson with him. Invited him to baptism, gave him a date, and he said "I've always wanted this but never felt ready. Just never felt like it was my time. But I feel like I'll really be ready by October." Awesome! And he already read in the BofM and came to church on Sunday! Soooo good :) We met him a few weeks ago on the street, hurrying to a lesson, and talked to him. He said just the day before he'd prayed to know how he could regain his relationship with God. And then he met us. Miracles. I definitely see the Lord's hand in this work.

Fabien is so excited for his baptism.. already invited all his friends, and his son. He's so so excited.

Also. What a wonderful afternoon. We went to lunch with Jackeline Rivas (from Mascouche that got baptized in March), and Sister Carpenter (who is visiting this week with her mom!). What a wonderful time. both of them were just shining. It was so cool to hear Jack talk... to hear about her experiences the last few months since becoming a member. She's teaching relief society and a ward missionary right now. She shared her experience of gaining her testimony of temple work. AMAZING. How before she struggled to really believe in the need for temple work, but decided to go and study it to understand better. She loves the bible. So went to work studying the new testament. And found in Peter where it talks of Christ teaching to those in the spirit world after his death. She realized the need for temple work. so now she's just anxiously preparing to go. And she was talking of how excited her and victor are to be sealed next March. I just hope I can go. One year after their baptism is March 24. I just hope I can go, and all will work out to go right before my mission ends. It was just so special and powerful to hear her testify of her experiences, though :)

And then to see sister Carp too. She's wonderful. And I learned so much from her in our time together. I can't believe it was only 5 weeks. But reminds me of how much we have to make the most of our time as missionaries. This work really is wonderful. :)

But wonderful things are in store. I'll be with Sister Burris. We're going to do some good work together here in Longueuil. I love this work and love these people. :)

love you lots and lots. I know this is the Lord's work and that he loves his children. Love you all!

love,

Sister Shelley :)