Week 6 - Christmas

Good day to you all!

First I wish you all a happy holidays! The holidays definitely aren't the same as I am away from home, but nonetheless they are a good experience. But first, I'll tell you about what has been happening lately or anything like that! We have been mostly going through our former investigators, well not ours but former investigators from the area, I call them mine now though! That is mostly where we have found success. It's hard this time of year because everyone is always gone and busy with all sorts of different things, or sick. Basically all of our investigators we haven't been able to meet with in what seems like forever now. But we have been able to find a few of the formers who actually want to be taught again! One thing we do is we will shovel their walks and then go and talk to them. Simple acts of service can truly open doors for people. But a lot of it goes back to missionaries not staying diligent in the work and how important that is. I was actually studying that attribute this morning and it hit me. Diligence and obedience are two things on a mission that are so crucial to your success. To always keep pressing forward, no matter how tough the situation may seem. And then as you do that, you must stay obedient to remain worthy to have the spirit with you. The spirit truly is the converter-easily the greatest tool we are given as a missionary. Another cool experience we had was at dinner one night in a restaurant. We were sitting there with a member. (Brother Bill, who is one of the greatest guys ever) and anyways, an older couple overheard us and just jumped right into our conversation. Family history was the main topic at first, but then they of course get onto the topic of "why on earth are two young men dressed up and up here in Canada" which we get quite frequently still. But we had the amazing opportunity of teaching them of our purpose and why we love the gospel so much. It was powerful, which is funny cause we were in the middle of a restaurant! ha but I remember the lady actually said, "well I think I really like your church!" She doesn't live in our area but we gave her a pass a long and told her to contact the missionaries where she lives, hopefully she does do that! Something else that happened this last week was that we had a guy who seemed fairly open to meeting, but upon meeting he actually just wanted to refer us to his brother, but at the same time we kept talking and eventually he asked us basically what is the greatest thing your parents have done for you? My response was something that I hadn't really thought of before. To put it into one word, I explained it as, 'opportunity'. Not everyone gets the opportunity to grow up in a loving home, where the home and family is centered in the gospel. And with that, no matter what decision I made, I always had parents who stuck by me and continually would invite me to make the decisions according to the teachings of the gospel. They did this through their example. An example that comes by living the gospel. What a blessing that is!! 

Christmas was definitely a different experience this year! Christmas Eve we basically spent with a family and my companion and I were taught to crotchet, were I did make a tie! It's pretty cool! the things you learn in Canada right?! hah then Christmas came along and it was good, just not really what I had expected. Christmas is supposed to be spent with family. At the end of the day that is all I was longing for. We spent time with members and they warmly welcomed us into their homes, which was fantastic! We even got presents! I would easily say though the highlight of my day was being able to Skype home, and talking with my loved ones. I wish I could have talked to em forever! There is something special about actually hearing someone's voice. I truly can feel the love from everyone back at home, and it is greatly appreciated. I can't tell you how many times I get down onto my knees during the day and ask for strength to keep pushing forward, to give me the feeling that I can do this. I have always been a positive person, and I believe that is helping me immensely out on the mission. Things are tough, but I know this is where I need to be! Without a doubt I do know that. I am grateful for the family and loved ones that I do have back at home, you all mean the world to me. I hope you continually strengthen your testimony; you never know when someone is going to call upon you and want to know more. This gospel blesses lives more than I can explain, and that is starting with my own. Thank you everyone for getting me to this point in my life, hopefully now I can strengthen you as much as you have me. 

A few things about Canada. I miss good bbq food, I like can't get it up here and it kills me! Mark Goodwood down as a must go in two years!! Haha. Under Armor is a life saver! I love it so much. Seriously though, I think yesterday I had on like 6 layers? haha I hate the cold... You know that though. Nobody really runs dogsleds up here, which is lame. They might in parts, but none that I know of yet! It's definitely different up here, but very great nonetheless!

Have a happy holiday and a very happy new year! Make goals that aren't just temporal this year, make goals of spirituality. I have found great joy in the scriptures. Read them, study them, love them. They are truly a roadmap of how to live your life. I'll talk to you all very soon! You all remain in my prayers daily. 

Love, Elder McFall