Week 96 – I went to the woods…

I'll start with telling you about something a little different we got a chance to do this last week! Our ward had a campout, and the determining factor was we could go if we could have an investigator there! Well, that turned out to be a lot easier than we thought it was going to be, so we got to go out and spend the evening around the campfire, singing songs, playing games, and just having a really good time with the members and those that were invited! It was a blast! It was out at a place called Wabamun Lake, super cool. It is just great to be able to connect on a different level with those who are investigating the church and help them see that although there is a lot to this gospel and we do have a culture that may seem different, we are all just people who love to be with one another, and you know we aren't that much different. I think it helps them really begin to have the thought of, "I could see myself being a member of this church" type of idea. Isaac, one of our investigators was there, and he really enjoyed himself.

Another highlight would have been teaching Jessie this week. We taught her the beginning of the Plan of Salvation. It basically ended with her telling us this is essentially everything she has thought growing up and has wanted to believe. She never really had any religion, but what she believes is things she gets from here or there, or simply felt right. What we have been teaching, has felt right and she wants more. The baptismal date she had, we won't be able to make due to church attendance. But hopefully before I go home, I'll be able to see her make that great step in her gospel progression. She is a great lady though!

We also got a call from some other elders who had this guy that previously dated a member call them and asked to be taught the lessons. From there, we jumped right on that because he is in our area. Super humble, great desire to learn and to change. Tough life right now though! His name is Patrick. He will get passed to YSA later on this week though. He came to church yesterday and just loved it. I would ask him after each block what he thought, and basically it was just like well it all just makes sense. He talked about how the spirit hit him that morning in Sacrament meeting, which was really cool. We will be teaching him tonight.

Kennedy Mukebezi, the good brother I taught awhile back and then Elder Winnie and his companion finished the teaching with in Londonderry prior to his baptism, moved back to Castledowns ward recently. Due to work, he hasn't been to church in a while. But this last week he came out to church, had a less active family we have been working with bring him out to church, (that has been a really cool experience in itself), and he just loved it. I loved being able to take the sacrament with a brother that I have seen come so far and change so much. I just love him! Definitely got to now help him set those sights on the temple!

That then brings me to the Sherman family. I got a text from Brother Sherman this last week after we had another one of those real heart to hearts over texts! haha but it ended with him thanking me for coming out on a mission because I have helped him change his life. It was just a moment that I am not really sure how to describe. It came at a time where that was definitely needed. I love the people up here so much. I wish I could do more for them, that I will have more time with them. I just always need to make the most of the time I have to serve!

I love you all! Keep up that scripture reading! Talk to you soon!

Love, Elder McFall

Out at the camp!

Week 95 – I looked out the window and what did I see? Snow.

I woke up to snow today, pretty sure a part of me died. The leaves on the trees are all still mostly green, which gives me hope though! But on the bright side we went right from there and we were able to help our investigator Jessie out. So she is like the kingpin of making Bannock for this one company that does a lot of catering. Bannock is basically Indian fry bread, or in other words, delicious. But she got a huge order to do today, 400, so we said we would go over and help her. So Elder Winnie and I were outside with this big fryer just standing under a tent, freezing in the snow, and frying up bannock for about 3 hours! It was a blast! It was good to be able to help her and help her to recognize that we are more than just some missionaries who come knockin at your door trying to convert you to a religion. That we do care, that we do want to help. It was great as well because we were able to work with her husband for a bit who hasn't shown much interest. Now while he may not yet be interested in the message, he knows a lot more about us and really supports his wife in looking into the church. It was pretty funny though, he would keep just referring to us as the "mormonites", good times! They are definitely a super cool native family!

This last week we were also able to have some good experiences with some members. Since we cover the two wards, I have been able to go on splits with my ward mission leader and his assistant. The WML is Brother Eveillard, and the other is Bro Jamieson. Both are super cool guys. But we got out and tried by a bunch of less actives and we were blessed for sure. We finally got a hold of this family we have been trying, well I have been trying since I got here! And then this other Brother, who then started to really open up, so that was great! Miracles have happened this last week though with who came out to church! Isaac was out at church again, which was great. He may not be able to be baptized until he gets permission, but he is basically going to be our "dry Mormon" investigator. Not bad! But we also had great progress with others we are working to reactivate. Brother Fisher, Brother Sherman, and Sister Santiago all made it out to church, it was so cool! Just to see how the spirit then touches them there, that then motivates them to continue on and really help them to rediscover their testimonies. I just love having the opportunity to not just tend to people because it is my duty as a missionary, but lately I truly feel that I have seen that I just love these people so much and I will do absolutely whatever I can for them to help them in their lives. Sometimes I wish there was more I could do, but in other ways you need to help others to learn to fish, rather than give them the fish. Just exciting to see them progress in that way. 

We had a member invite a non-member friend out to supper the other day. We shared a great lesson on the Plan of Salvation, and it really hit home for him. He loved it and I know that in the future he will accept the invitation to learn more.

I had the opportunity to talk with a couple families from back up in Barrhead this last week. The Woodcocks and the Williams. It was good to reconnect there. Unfortunately, I am the last missionary to be in either of their homes. I am working on it so see what I can do to help the missionaries get back in again though. Just such incredible families up there, I miss them! But grateful I was able to have an impact on their lives. It is neat to see some things come back in full circle on your mission.

Not much else for now, gotta get running. Go find somethin fun to do today! I love you all! Pray for the sun to shine! I'll talk to you soon!

Love, Elder McFall

Fun with Bannock

This morning...

Week 94 – BIG FISH LITTLE LAKE

Honestly I am not sure why I have that as the subject, it has nothing to do with what I did this week. I am going to go from the back to the front. Yesterday, I went to Jasper! I went with the Olsen families down from the Bearspaw ward. Pretty sure they are family to me. They really are just the salt of the earth! It was a blast though. I went with them, then all the Bearspaw elders, we had a blast. Got some good hikes, sightseeing, you name it. I miss the mountains for sure though! It was good to get out in the fresh air and just enjoy some of God's beautiful creations! A nice change of pace as well as a missionary to be able to go do that as this last week had some epic moments for sure! 

Things in the investigator category are going pretty well with all things considered. We had a great lesson with Jessie this last week. It was especially great cause she made us Bannock (Indian fry bread), and it was delicious. Okay, no it was actually incredible because the way the spirit has been working on here as of late. She has come around so quickly. At the beginning of teaching her she made mention that she doesn't want to join a church, but is just looking into this. We left there this last week with her saying how she told her husband she wants to join, how she has seen the blessings flow into her life ever since she let us in, and how much she is enjoying our visits. When it comes to just the learning and keeping commitments to read and different things, she is doing great, but we need to help her get out to church! The other great experience this week was with Jane. We finally got to see her and teach her again. She really does want this, it is evident, we just need her to make that connection and help her to sacrifice, easier said than done there. We focused on Revelation through the Book of Mormon and church. As we continue to work on finding that right match with fellowship, I think things will take off. We will see her again tomorrow morning. 

Brother Fisher came to church this week, so that was incredible! I have worked so hard to help him to get reactivated. Nothing that I have done, but just help him to feel the spirit and allow the spirit to change his heart. But as well when he fully understands doctrine, quite simply that changes people. It has been neat to be a part of.

We also taught Maxwell and Rebecca. A lot of testifying, a lot of scripture, but in the end it went pretty well. I just love being able to feel so confident as we teach knowing that in the restored gospel we do have the answer, but to testify with humility and see the spirit work is incredible. 

The big change this week though was that Elder Silver unfortunately had to go home. He will be alright, no worries there. The fun news though is I am with Elder Winnie from back home and his greenie Elder Nelson! Elder Winnie and I have too much fun! Elder Nelson is a quiet guy from Northern Ireland, no accent though, but we get him going! We have just been working things out as we cover two wards now, but so far so good. Excited to see what is going to happen! 

In the end, life is good! Then again, why wouldn't it be? I feel that I have been so blessed recently with opportunities to really help others to feel of God's love and be able to truly feel as a representative of Jesus Christ. It has been incredible, there are miracles absolutely every day. I am just so grateful to be a part of all this work! I love you all! I will talk to you soon!

Love, Elder McFall

I'm so artsy it hurts!

Adventures in Jasper

Week 93 – Fall might be coming…

The weather this last week has really been starting to cool down, that isn't a good thing! I am just hoping that snow doesn't come until the day I go home! Which won't happen, I just don't wanna deal with it for extended periods of time anymore! You have no idea! The nice cool weather we have right now is similar to what it is typically first week of October back home. Reminds me a lot of the weather we get on the Elk hunt, on the good years! It has made work really nice though as it killed off a lot of the mosquitoes. People are trying to tell me the mosquitoes are the worst they have been in a decade. I don't know if I believe them though. Seems like every season and every moment we have up here is the "worst we have seen in a decade" all the time. Maybe this is just a real bad time to be around! I don't think so though, I am loving it up here!

This week we did a lot of finding, and we were blessed. It is as simple as that. We were able to find 8 people this week that wanted us to come back and teach them more. We will follow up with them this week and see where things go from there. We have a good brother, named Keelan, who has right form the get go had this connection with me and my companion and said he really does want to change, and trust me, he has some changing to do. It is crazy, anyone who has served a mission will know this feeling, but the second you meet someone you can just love them and want what is very best for them. That is what I have seen over and over! These people need my help, I cannot be shy or apprehensive about extending that assistance. I love being a missionary and really helping people to change their own situations through understanding these beautiful doctrines.

Another great experience was this last week with a good man named Thomas. We found him actually while trying by a potential in our area book. We got buzzed into this apartment complex and usually after we try the person we will sometimes knock a door or two, but not the whole complex. Well we decided to knock this bad boy and we talk to this Thomas fellow and have a great conversation and leave him with a copy of the Book of Mormon and set up a return appointment. From there we go back and turns out, he is the son of the old potential that we had initially tried and wasn't interested. The Lord leads you to those who are prepared and willing to hear your message. He will lead us if we allow him to. If we pay attention to the spirit, we will see miracles. We went and have another appointment this week, we will see how it goes!

Had a cool experience tracting. We knock this door and this guy answers and initially he isn't very interested, but he lets us in with the whole, "well I am not the owner of the house I am just working on it." So we don't care, we step right in. He was a real upright man, he was doing cabinets for the house. Just in his twenties, but has a wife and a little kid. Get talking and we were able to teach him so many truths. "mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts"(D&C 29:7), this is a perfect scripture for Adair. He lives way out in the boonies, but accepted a Book of Mormon and the invitation to read. Now he is a little bit in the Lord's hands though, as he wasn't quite ready to receive any missionary visits due to his schedule. We will see!

So many great experiences lately that I wish I could share with you all. Just read my journal when I am home! I am sure there is a lot that I leave out every week! Thanks for everything! Stay diligent, keep praying, expect miracles! Talk to you soon!
Love, Elder McFall

My companion, Elder Silver

Week 92 – New comp, new gators, new perspective.

Okay so basically this week was full of these miracles and moments where I have really begun, once again, to see how our Father is just waiting to bless us and hasten this work. Early on in the week we taught 7 lessons on one day, which was just a powerful way to send out Elder Ustare from the ward and really get things going to hit the pavement with Elder Silver, so that was great! The first day while I was with Elder Silver we went tracting, I LOVE tracting. A lot of missionaries think I have lost it, but I just love being able to talk to so many people even when they aren't interested because it further helps me to know how true this church really is and the purity of Christ's teachings and the clarity we have in the restored church. But anyway that first day we were able to knock on a potentials door, she wasn't home, her bro in law was, named Taiwo, and he immediately let us in after we said who we were. We were able to introduce our message and share with him a copy of the Book of Mormon and bear testimony of the truthfulness of our message. He wants to know more and we are going back this week. The next would be with Maxwell and Rebecca, a sweet couple from Ghana. They know a Mormon fellow so that helped our relationship from the beginning, but from there we just stared at the door with no real desire for him to hear our message. As we kept sharing, his desire was increasing, and you could see the spirit working with this brother. He ended up inviting us in and we were able to teach a bit of the first lesson and they too are willing to have us back to learn more of this great message. I am just so grateful for these experiences because it is truly allowing me to develop that life of teaching in the Savior's way. I have really been focusing on and trying to teach through His pattern and I can see a noticeable difference. I also have really understood my purpose as a missionary more fully and the power and authority of our calling as missionaries. We are the ones who have the gospel that brings salvation, it is as simple as that. I just never want these experiences to end.

We also began teaching this lady named Jessie, she has been looking for a church and has previously studied with the JW, but it just didn't work out the way she had wanted. As we share our message I love the trust that I can extend into any part of what we share with others, this gospel and church are transparent. I am just helping others to come and see the divinity contained. I am helping them to see the blessings that can flow into their lives as they take this gospel and make it a part of their everyday living. This gospel, ultimately the Atonement, will only change so far as we allow it to. The small actions we make and the decisions we make as well are ones that transform us. And in both the Book of Mormon and NT, first in Mosiah 27:26 "And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God." and in 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." A lot of the same, but it is each of us putting away that old, becoming a new creature in Christ, and from there we then are candidates for Eternal Life as we stay true to the gospel teachings.

New updates with some less actives and returning members which is good, we will just have to see how things continue to develop and hope that it will develop into some good progression and conversion. I am absolutely loving my mission right now! I will miss it so much!

I will talk to you all so very soon! Thanks for everything!

Love, Elder McFall

Elder Stewart and Elder Jolley. Elder Jolley is from back home, just returned last week.

  

The sign means the "pogi pose" which is a thing in the Philippines to mean handsome! Turns out we didnt' take a picture with Elder Silver... I will get it to you next week! MY BAD!

Out to lunch! That is bro DeGuzman!

Week 91 – Transfers!

This week we had a lot of experiences where I am absolutely sure that we have been able to be instruments in the Hands of the Lord. We have been able to have many opportunities where simply we are loving others and just being who we are, that those moments turn into powerful experiences. We had one with our new friend Chris. He came over and we talked in the parking lot of our apartment, well the grass beside it, for about an hour and just answered different questions and helped him to learn more about the gospel. He saw how we lived the gospel and that was what really sparked interest. He began asking more and more questions about baptism and how he could do this type of missionary work down the road. Hoping we will really be able to teach him. Another was an experience we had with a couple by the names of Allen and Linda. We were about to go to our supper and we saw a car with a Filipino sticker, that is a big thing we look for when we are out and about. We knocked this house and found a fella that was interested in our message and said we could come back the next day. (I tell you this because it all comes together in the end.)Then as we came back from supper that same night we talked to Allen and Linda and had a good chat. The next morning as we tried by that new potential again, Allen came out and had this smokehouse thing on his porch, then invited us over to his place for BBQ that night. Of course we accepted! We went over that night and turns out this guy is even a chef! So we had some delicious food, and were able to really tell them so much about what our church believes and bear simple testimony of the gospel. It was just a huge blessing that I know was also us being put in the path of others.

We have had so many experiences this last week where we would receive a prompting to do this or do that and it always led to us finding someone who was ready for the gospel and willing to have us back to teach more. It is just so powerful to really feel you being led by the hand of the Lord and seeing Him use you the way He would be ministering to others. I think that is one of the great lessons I have been learning; we need to minister to others in the same pattern of our Savior. That whole "I am trying to be like Jesus" has taken upon a different form lately as it has been not just trying to develop his characteristics, but allowing those characteristics to then transform the way you act and minister to others. To teach in the Savior's way is something I have really set my goals on. So many lessons to be learned!

I wish I could read some other books more. I am loving the scriptures though! I have developed the biggest love for the scriptures on my mission. As we look into the gospel, all things are made possible through the Atonement. Everything we do is because of that great and last sacrifice, which is eternal. That is the most incredible gift that we do not understand the way we should. As we understand the Atonement we more fully understand the need to help others to delve into and allow that power to change them. We can change because he atoned for us. The redeeming, exalting, and enabling powers are each able to stand on their own and I could take forever it seems like. Yet, I still have just an infancy of knowledge when it comes to the Atonement and what is truly made possible because of it. Another thing that I love about the restored gospel is that with the Plan of Salvation we don’t just have a "hope" of seeing others. Hope is transformed into surety and knowledge. I absolutely know surety that what we have in knowledge of the Plan of Salvation is real. We will be with our loved ones as we are obedient to the words of Christ and take upon ourselves through covenant promises of eternity. I know others want this, I know they need this, we just need to offer it continually. They may reject our invitation, but if we invite, it may leave a feeling of wonder and desire to then look into things deeper. That is the beauty, we then are entitled, I use entitled deliberately, to revelation. It is a grand promise.

We had a great turn out this week at church! Josephine was there! And Isaac, a new investigator in our ward, was at church. Then for less actives and returning members we had Brother Paghubasan, Brother Tagabuan, Brother Roche, Silagiora Family. I know it isn't because of anything we have done and we are just great missionaries. I know it is because the spirit of the Lord is working with them and helping them to make those necessary changes in their lives. If we can simply teach in a way that the spirit will bear truth, they will feel that and want to be different, ultimately to repent.

There is so much to say! We had transfers, and sadly I will no longer be doing Tagalog work. I love the Filipino people, I really do. I will miss them so much! It is like a chapter of my mission has come to a close, I guess that is what happens the closer you get to going home. I will be with Elder Sliver, he is a great elder. It caught me by surprise, I'll be honest. I didn't see this one coming. Pres. Manion got quite emotional though as he explained my assignment and how I am an answer to many prayers from him and just how grateful he is. It will be a good experience I am sure. I really feel we will be able to do a great work here in the Castledowns ward. Excited to see what the future holds!
Thanks for everything! I love you all!
Love, Elder McFall

Morning sports!

Week 90 – Heritage Festival!

This week was a blast! We had our emails today because this last weekend we had Heritage Festival, which is the biggest festival of its kind in all of North America! That is what they say at least. I believe them though because there were so many people there! It really was crazy! We were able to volunteer there at the Filipino Tent serving food. Oh, this festival is pretty much just countries from the entire world, having foods and different things that you can buy. So back to it, we were in the Filipino tent just serving food like crazy! It was definitely a great time and a great way to talk to tons of people and get the church's name out there. I think that is the biggest thing, helping others to just see the Church in action and helping them on their way to opening their heart and mind to the message. I was talking with the mission president at lunch and we got talking about this festival that we were all at and how there are so many good people around us, but how can we help them to have that desire to hear our message? We were with the mission president at lunch because we had a special time to go to the temple as just the Tagalog missionaries.

We had a great experience this last Sunday! We were up at one of the wards where Josephine goes to church but there is another one of the Filipino members there and she brought two friends to church! We were able to have them stay for the first two hours, which was great and then change around our schedule and see them later on again at the member’s house that we usually teach Josephine at every Sunday. Out of the two, one is really interested and we started teaching her that night and she is excited to read from the Book of Mormon! Miracles without a doubt! When we have the members actively involved with the work, I am confident we will see miracles take place consistently. The members are the key to missionary success. This lady's name is Ruby, and she is seriously so prepared for the gospel. We are hoping to then have Ruby's and Josephine's baptisms on the same day in September! I really am loving serving here right now. I don't want this to end. Just seeing others starting to take the gospel into their lives and seeing the changes it makes and will make is so empowering. 

We helped a bunch of people move this last week and the one that we helped the previous week, Chris, stopped by this week and since we helped him and chatted with him a ton he then went on to look all into the church and why we do things the way we do as missionaries. He was talking all about how he was interested and wanted to chat more. We are hoping to go out to supper with him this week as we had to reschedule last week. Such a good guy. I will have to do my best to stay in touch with him! Just those simple acts of service, just doing the right thing honestly, changes people's perspectives and softens hearts to our message. Got to always follow that perfect example of Christ. 

Chatted with our new friend Eric this week and had a real nice discussion. He got talking about the day that we met and he was just like, you know usually I just kinda brush people off, I mean I am comfortable, but when you two came to my door that day and we talked it was different. I don't know what it was, but it was different. I wanted to talk more. I mean that day he went back into his house and then we just kept on going. He came back out hoping we would be close, and sure enough that exact time we walked back around the corner and talked more. I know without a doubt that God is at work in his life and doing all He can to gather him in. I know that God is perfectly loving and knows the hearts and minds of His children, that is the beauty of this work. So long as we are instruments we are able to do all things. We need to always live that way so we can go on His errand. 

"Nevertheless, ye are blessed , for the testimony which ye have borne is recorded in heaven for the angels to look upon; and they rejoice over you, and your sins are forgiven you. " This scripture from D&C 62:3 has really stuck out to me this week. I am just so grateful to be a missionary at this time and to have that authority to bear testimony of my Savior being His authorized representative. Hit the 21 months, got to give it everything the next 3!

Thanks for everything. I'll talk to you soon!

Love, Elder McFall

Heritage Festival

Tagalog missionaries at the temple

Tagalog missionaries and president and sister Manion