Week of Miracles!

November 10, 2014
WEEK OF MIRACLES! So many miracles. Here's a few:          

Mike is a miracle! We met him a few weeks ago. He just showed up at church and wanted to learn more, so we began teaching him!! He's preparing to be baptized this coming Sunday, the 16th. He's almost too good to be true! He is living all the commandments and LOVES coming to church. He's very sensitive to the Spirit. He is in his 50's and has tons of hair that is salt and pepper coloring and a mustache that matches his hair that covers his mouth so when he smiles all you see is his eyes shrink and his mustache move. He's the best!
Taylor became a new investigator. She is in her early 20's. We met her last week and taught her for the first time this week. We met with her at the church when we taught her the Restoration and gave her a brief tour. We taught her in the chapel and the Spirit was so strong! She said the closing prayer and in it she said, "Coming here today has helped me realize how simple it is to be happy." She also mentioned that she didn't even know she was searching for happiness until she met us, and now she has found what her soul was seeking!
Kevin. We went on an exchange this week with the sisters in Sarnia, and while Sister Hawryluk was there she met a man who has a friend in Brantford that is looking for a church to go to. His name is Kevin. We went over and met with him and he brought his friend, Billy. They shared with us their struggles and trials, but also their pure testimony of Christ. It was such a powerful lesson!
Richard and Lesa CAME TO CHURCH! It made me beyond excited! We've been teaching them for weeks now, and they are two of my favorite people I've ever met. So seeing them in church and talking with the members and feeling the Spirit was a highlight of my week!
We met with two returning members that are cousins and listening to their stories and hearing them testify of the blessings of living the gospel was so powerful! They have both been reading the Book of Mormon every day for quite some time now and it was beautiful to hear their witnesses of how the spirit of that sacred record is changing them. It is inviting the Spirit into their lives and feeling the Spirit has been bringing them peace, reducing their anxiety, increasing their patience, and helping them feel closer to Heavenly Father. What a powerful lesson that was!
I went on an exchange with a sister from Cache Valley!! Oh yeah! She is from the south end of the valley, Avon.
What I learned from all of these miracles: 1. God is aware of each of us as individuals. 2. There are SO MANY PEOPLE who are prepared to receive the gospel in their life. When we do our part, and we work hard, Heavenly Father will lead us to them or lead them to us.


We had Mission Leadership Council this week and it was amazing! Just like always. We talked a lot about working with members and the work of salvation and changes that will be happening in the mission to shift our vision to build the members and establish the church in our areas. There were several things that were said or that the Spirit taught me or brought to my remembrance during that meeting, here are a few:

Act as if for years
Be real. Be optimistic. Be forgiving. Be lovely.
ALWAYS BE A MISSIONARY
To receive full access to the Atonement we need the Priesthood
The end of the meeting was really powerful, but to be frank, a little hard. The departing missionaries bore their testimonies, and I was included in that group. I received an overwhelming amount of peace and answer to many prayers as the closing hymn started. Number six. Redeemer of Israel. The introduction was being played when I opened the hymn book and my eyes rested first on the fifth verse of the song:


"Restore, my dear Savior, the light of thy face;

Thy soul-cheering comfort impart;
And let the sweet longing for thy holy place
Bring hope to my desolate heart."


I think I found a new favorite hymn! It was always one of my favorites, but now it has a more personal and sacred meaning to me.


I fly home on November 19th, so please don't send any mail because I might not get it in time. I am so grateful for the letters and emails I've received from each of you. Thank you for your support and your prayers! Next week will be my last email. My welcome home talk will be on November 30th at 11am at the gray church in Hyde Park.


Have a wonderful week!
Love and Prayers, Sister Felix

BEST.DAY.EVER

BEST. DAY. EVER. Of my mission. Actually, my life. By far. Hands down. Saturday. November 1st. Kashra received her temple endowment that day! It was breathtakingly wonderful. It was the first time I've seen her in almost a year, and what an occasion to reunite!


Let me back up a bit so you can see this day in context. The night before we got a phone call from a less active member that needed help moving her grandson. She needed help cleaning the apartment before he moved in, so that is what we were to help her do. When we woke up the next day, Saturday, IT WAS SNOWING! First snowfall of the season! We got to her house at 8:30am and followed her to the new place. Horrific would be a fitting word to describe the condition of the apartment. It was far from fresh. So we rolled up our sleeves and went to work! The hymns I was singing as we worked was the only thing that invited the Spirit into that environment. But we got it done and it looked 100% better. Then we went back to our apartment, cleaned up a bit, then went to wait for the member to drive us to Brampton.



It takes an hour to drive to Brampton from Brantford, and we left a little late, so I was worried we wouldn't make it! I was praying so hard the whole way there! I was sitting in the back of a little Fiat reading Jesus the Christ and trying to keep my nerves under control! We pulled into the parking lot of the temple at 12:55 and the session started at 1... Quick change would be an understatement. A quote from John Wooden came into my mind, "Be quick, but don't hurry." That is exactly what we did! We made it. Miracle.


It was an interesting contrast to be in two completely contradicting environments in the same day. Black and white. Night and day difference. I am so grateful for temples and the peace and serenity that dwells therein. The Spirit taught me something this week: We feel such peace in the temple because our spirits finally feel at home. Every sacrifice is worth it to be there. I am so grateful I was able to be there on that special day with Kashra! What a privilege and blessing!


Another incredible experience from this week happened while I was on an exchange with Sister Dyer. I love her so so much! We taught a recent convert and he described to us how he has been feeling recently a force drawing him to the temple and he feels a huge desire to go there. Sister Dyer told him that it's called the Spirit of Elijah. She looked at him and told him that he has ancestors that have already accepted the gospel and are waiting for him to do their work. I felt the Spirit so strong and it was apparent that he did too. I whipped out my "Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple" book and my "My Family" book and showed him pictures of the inside of the temple and told him about my ancestors that I am sealed to because of temple covenants. It was such a powerful lesson! He was in tears. I am so grateful for the temple! It is the place. That I know.


I know God lives and that Christ is my Savior. I love Them and desire to keep the commandments to show that love. What a blessing to have this knowledge! Have a great week!


Love and Prayers, Sister Felix
"Be still, my soul, thy God doth undertake to guide the future as he has the past. Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake." -Hymn #124


Kashra and I!
CV for life :)

"God bless us with eyes to see and ears to hear."

Hello! October 27,14


Sister Hawryluk and I had a fantastic week! As we called all of our sisters this week (we only have 10 companionships this transfer!) we asked them about the "high" of their week and the "low" of their week. It blew me away as companionship after companionship went on and on about the miracles occurring in their areas! Most of them had a hard time thinking of a low! I was so uplifted and grateful for the hand of the Lord in our life! President Clayton always says, "God bless us with eyes to see and ears to hear." It was beautiful to hear about the sisters seeing the hand of God in their life and hearing and heeding His voice. What a blessing.


We had an incredible experience with two of our investigators this week. A couple. Richard and Lisa. They hadn't been reading the Book of Mormon, so Sister Hawryluk and I read with them. 2 Nephi 2. Our ward mission leader was with us and offered a powerful witness in addition to what was shared. After we read the chapter with them, Lisa shared what she learned and it was apparent that she felt the Spirit and it softened her heart. Richard bore his testimony of Christ and it brought him to tears. He turned to Lisa, not a Christian, and said to her, "This is what the Holy Spirit feels like." It was such a powerful lesson! It was the Book of Mormon that invited the Spirit and prepared them to be taught by the Holy Ghost. It's true that the Book of Mormon is an essential tool for conversion! It is true. No doubt about it in my mind. At all.


Sister Hawryluk and I were talking about the Book of Mormon this morning in studies and I am in Ether right now. I can't remember if I already told you this, I probably have, but I am reading the Book of Mormon with a question in mind and my question is, "How does the Spirit influence people and what are the effects of that influence?" As I was reading this morning a phrase stood out to me, the people did "harden their hearts." Sister Hawryluk and I talked about what that means for a while. She taught an atheist in her last area and he talked about how when they talked about God and Jesus Christ it just seemed like a fantasized, far out idea. And the talk of angels and other things about the gospel were just too foreign to believe. We talked about how things taught by revelation must be learned through revelation to be understood, or they just seem strange. If we don't learn spiritual things with our spirit, or our heart, then our hearts are hardened are they it doesn't make sense. But when we have a "broken heart" (broken=humble. Like how horses are "broken" before they can be ridden) and a "contrite spirit" then we can understand the mysteries of God. It's simple really. It begins with a choice to desire to understand. Sister Hawryluk and I had a lengthy and incredible conversation about it this morning. That's probably why all of this is still on my mind. I am so grateful for the clarity, peace, and perspective that comes from the light of understanding. What a blessing!


I love being a missionary. So much.
I hope you all have a great week!
Love and Prayers, Sister Felix


"Be like the bird, who
Halting in his flight,
On limb too slight,
Feels it give way beneath him,
Yet sings,
Knowing he hath wings."
-Victor Hugo


I got my travel plans this week! Crazy!
And I went on an exchange with a sister from Hong Kong and we did service and there was a horse there, and it was her first time ever seeing a horse! Super cool :) She was so excited!

Primary Program

Happy Fall!   Oct. 20, 2014


What a beautiful week it has been. It's gone by quickly. We met with Jason a few times, but he had to work all weekend so he missed church again. And it was the primary program! Best Sunday of the year! It was powerful. Two of my favorite parts were both songs. Here are the words:


The Family is of God
1. Our Father has a family. It’s me!
It’s you, all others too: we are His children.
He sent each one of us to earth, through birth,
To live and learn here in fam’lies.
2. A father’s place is to preside, provide,
To love and teach the gospel to his children.
A father leads in fam’ly prayer to share
Their love for Father in Heaven.
3. A mother’s purpose is to care, prepare,
To nurture and to strengthen all her children.
She teaches children to obey, to pray,
To love and serve in the fam’ly.
4. I’ll love and serve my family and be
A good example to each fam’ly member.
And when I am a mom or dad, so glad,
I’ll help my fam’ly remember:
[Chorus]
God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be—
This is how He shares His love, for the fam’ly is of God.


I'll seek the Lord Early
I'll seek the Lord early while in my youth,
And he will help me to know the truth.
I'll search the scriptures and find him there,
Then go to our Father in fervent prayer.
I'll seek the Lord early, and I'll obey
His living prophets in all they say.
I'll keep his commandments; his love will abound.
I will seek the Lord early, and he will be found.



I loved these songs! The first one I learned in Family Home Evening a couple years ago, and I love it! I especially love the chorus! As the children were singing this song I thought about the attack on families today. A traditional family is not the norm anymore. It's actually rare. And I am so grateful for mine. Last night, I bore my testimony at a "Why I Believe" fireside and shared my conversion story. I shared the conversion story of my great great great great great grandmother and then proceeded to talk about my rich heritage of hope. Then I shared my own conversion story. And even though I was born into the church, there was still a moment of decision. Or rather, a series of decisions that determined my destiny. I felt the spirit so strong and was so grateful for my knowledge of the gospel. Which ties into the second song! I love the last line,"I will seek the Lord early, and he will be found." I am so grateful I made that decision to seek Him. For I have truly found Him. I know He lives. I know He is my Savior. And I love Him with all my heart. I seek to not only express that love through words but through what I do. I am seeking to develop charity with my heart and my hands.


Here are some other things the Spirit taught me this week:

Living the Gospel is comforting. Not comfortable. We should always be progressing. If we are not. We are not repenting.
Being pure in heart, begins with being pure in mind.
D&C 122:7-9 "All these things shall give thee experience and shall be for thy good...Therefore, hold on." I love this scripture!
We found a few new investigators this week, we're teaching a lot, this coming week is filled with appointments, we're really focusing on working with members, I have a wonderful companion, I feel the sustaining influence of the Spirit and your prayers, and I'm humbled with gratitude. Thank you for your efforts and for your prayers.


Love and Prayers, Sister Felix
"Just because things are going well does not mean that we should not from time to time consider whether there might be something better." -Carlos A Godoy


Here are some more fall leaves!

And this is me as a sun :) Haha.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving

October 14, 2014




HAPPY CANADIAN THANKSGIVING! (Yesterday) We ate pie three times. So it was a great Thanksgiving! We also saw many miracles from going out and working! We met with an investigator that we haven't seen in weeks, we met two families that we will begin teaching this week, and we were able to teach several other people! It was a great day!


We had MLC this week and it was incredible as usual! We talked a lot about the mission culture. President Clayton went up to the board and wrote "In the CTM we..." And then we shouted out phrases that described the Canada Toronto Mission. Some of them were: fear no man, are obedient, achieve the standards of excellence, are pure in heart, are Preach My Gospel missionaries, etc. Then President Clayton drew footprints on the board and explained that we have big shoes to fill and we named some of the people that had preached on this soil: Joseph Smith, President Monson, Parley P. Pratt, John Taylor, M.Russell Ballard, Neil A. Maxwell, Tad R. Callister, Brigham Young, and President Scott. Then he said, "I think all of what we do in the CTM can be summed up in one statement." He then proceeded to write, "In the CTM we invite others to come unto Christ." We discussed how we can take our purpose from our mind to our heart. It was a powerful council. We also talked a lot about the Work of Salvation and how to work with members more effectively. It's pretty much all the brethren have been talking about for the past few years is the WORK OF SALVATION! So we're trying to work in better unity with ward leaders and building the church in this area, not just bringing people in, but truly establishing the church here. Sister Hawryluk and I have already seen miracles as we've applied things we discussed in our area.


This discussion took me back to another experience. Rewind to almost a year ago, Elder Hallstrom of the Presidency of the Seventy came to our mission and he asked us a question, "What is the Work of Salvation?" People were throwing out answers but we weren't really hitting the target. Finally, a sister raised her hand and said, "Member missionary work, convert retention, activation, temples and family history work, and teaching the gospel." Elder Hallstrom was amazed and said, "Yes! And do you know where that is found?" She answered, "Handbook 2, Chapter 5." He was thrilled! That moment was when I learned what the work of salvation is. It is those 5 things and they are essential and central to keeping our covenants. I have a testimony of the work of salvation because it is the Lord's work. He is at the head of His church. And His work is the most important work on the face of this earth. Joseph Smith said, "After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to share the gospel." I know this to be true. And I'll step off my soap box now :)


Back to MLC :) For the first time, we had a special meeting with just the sister training leaders and Sister Clayton and it was AMAZING! We talked about many things, but my favorite thing we talked about was correction why it's important and how to correct and it was just great! Sister Mandla, Sister Bodine, Sister Stoddard and I did a musical number- "Because He Lives" and it turned out pretty good! After MLC, we were late getting back into Brantford because traffic was really bad, so we missed our dinner appointment, but they were so kind and packed it up to go for us! So we went and picked it up right before a lesson with an investigator named Jason. We taught him the Word of Wisdom the lesson before and he was going to have a hard time giving up tea. But when we went over that night he said he hadn't had any that day! We were so proud of him! He also got rid of all of his remaining tea so it wouldn't be a temptation! Miracles. So many miracles.


I could just go on an on about the miracles that happened this week. The Lord's hand is so evident if we will simply develop eyes that see. A scripture that stood out to me this week came from my mission chapter. Alma 26. It was verse 22 that stood out and it reads, "Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good words, and prayeth continually without ceasing-unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance." When we invite someone to come unto Christ, and they accept, they have thousands of ancestors. One person can definitely be the means of bringing thousands to repentance of both sides of the veil. This hit me so hard this week and it was a great reminder.


Have a fantastic week!
Love and Prayers, Sister Felix
"Perhaps the greatest indicator of charity is the capacity to recognize and appropriately respond to other people who are experiencing the very challenge or adversity that is most immediately and forcefully pressing upon us. Character is revealed, for example, in the power to discern the suffering of other people when we ourselves are suffering; in the ability to detect the hunger of others when we are hungry; and in the midst of our own spiritual distress. Thus, character is demonstrated by looking and reaching outward when the natural and instinctive response is to be self absorbed and turn inward." -David A. Bednar

Sisters enjoying the Fall!

I'm Staying in Brandtford!

October 6, 2014

TRANSFER NEWS!! I am staying in Brantford with Sister Hawryluk for my last six weeks!! Great things are happening here so I'm glad to stay. I spent 6 months in my first area and I'll spend 6 months in my last and I served in three areas in between that time. What a wonderful life!


One great thing that is happening is JASON! He has been reading the Book of Mormon everyday since we started meeting with him and he came to conference. We're excited for him! Please pray for him.


Conference was FANTASTIC! I absolutely loved it! Elder Andersen gave extended an invitation that I did this morning. He said to, "find scriptures in the Book of Mormon that you know are true, then share them with family and friends." So this morning during my studies I went through my Book of Mormon to find verses that I knew were true. It was a feeling of overwhelming peace and the Spirit that overcame me as I turned page after page and found verses that I knew were true. I came to a conclusion that I had already known, I know the whole book is true. Every verse and every page. It is the word of God. A few that I'd like to share are these:

2 Nephi 2:6-8,11,25

Jacob 2:1-2

Jacob 4:13

Alma 7:11-15

Alma 41:10

Helaman 3:35

Moroni 8:25-26


Some of my favorite conference talks were Lynn G Robbins, Jorg Klebingat, Tad Callister, Richard G Scott, and David A Bednar. They were all fantastic though!! I apologize for the short letter, we're in a bit of a rush today. I hope you all have a fantastic week!


Love and Prayers, Sister Felix


My lovely Canadian companion making perogies for dinner!

We had a really big district this transfer!

Perogies

Temple Trip

I Love to See the Temple

September 29, 2014

I LOVE TO SEE THE TEMPLE! The temple trip was this week and it was incredible. It was the first time I've done an endowment session in a year and it was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful in every way. It's about an hour from Brantford to Brampton so we drove up Friday night and stayed at another sister's apartment so we could make it to the 7:45 session on Saturday morning. One of my favorite things about the Toronto temple is the art work. (Naturally. Haha.) I have two favorites: When going through the front doors, on the far back wall is a huge mural of Christ ministering to people and it's beautiful. The second is right outside the doors to the exit of the Celestial room and it's of Christ standing in what looks like a tropical forest with two small girls, one on each side, and He has His arms around them. One is white and the other is native. I like to think of them as Nephite and Lamanite girls. It's a fantastic painting! Breathtaking really.


As we were driving back from the temple we were listening to the most recent general conference, and Elder Oaks talk came on about the Priesthood. I love that talk! Because I love the Priesthood. I am so grateful to be a part of Christ's true church which is directed by Him and His Priesthood. Our lesson in Relief Society was also on Elder Oaks talk so I've been thinking a lot about it. As we were listening, Elder Oaks said something about "bearers of the Priesthood" and the Spirit taught me something through several scriptures and phrases that came into my mind. Men bear the priesthood. Women bear children. These are our divine roles given from a loving Heavenly Father and that is why marriage between a man and woman is so important and essential. When we are baptized we covenant to "bear one another's burdens burdens, that they may be light." These connections brought a peace to my heart and I know that these are true principles. Heavenly Father's plan is perfect. There is a deep and abiding understanding within me of the reality of my Heavenly Father and a trust in His commandments. They are the key to peace. In the words of President Uchtdorf, "The commandments are not just motivational quotes on a pinterset board!" They are the road map to eternal life. What a joy to know, heed, and receive the promised blessings that are connected with God's commandments!


The rest of Saturday was really busy! We had appointments and met with our Bishop and that evening was the General Women's meeting with was wonderful! A common theme was the temple and covenants. Bishop bore his testimony yesterday about covenants and he said, "We don't need covenants to inherit the telestial or terrestrial kingdom, only in the Celestial kingdom are covenants required." I knew this, but the way he phrased it sparked a new understanding in my mind and I felt the significance of the promises I have made with my Heavenly Father. They are well worth making, keeping, defending, and sacrificing for. This understanding was perfectly displayed in my mind having the recent reminder of temple covenants I've made. The temple is the place. It truly is and always will be.


We found eleven new people to teach this week and we're excited! One of them is a member referral from a recent convert. She's 18 and pregnant and living with her boyfriend. The missionaries tried to teach her several months ago, but she wasn't willing. Now that she is expecting a baby her perspective has changed and she is willing to do whatever she needs to do to give her baby the best life she can. The Spirit was strong as we promised her that this is what she and her family need.


This is the last week of the transfer, so I'll let you know next week if I'll be staying in Brantford or if I'll be packing up to spend my last transfer in another area! Keep smiling. ENJOY CONFERENCE THIS WEEKEND!!! (I am beyond excited!!) The Church is true.


Love and Prayers, Sister Felix
"The crowning characteristic of love is always loyalty." -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland


Drive back from Brampton
The four Brantford Sisters
President and Sister Clayton and I :)

"I fear no man!"

September 22, 2014
Oh what a beautiful morning! This week was so much fun!

Elder and Sister Cardon came and did a mission tour this weekend and it was phenomenal. Absolutely phenomenal. Here are the highlights:

Opening song: The Spirit of God. President Clayton is a fantastic singer and he always tells us to sing it like we mean it, or sing out, or something to that effect. When about 100 Elders and Sisters were singing, "We'll sing and we'll shout with the armies of Heaven" it was a pretty powerful moment.
Elder Cardon talked about some of the details of the leadership of the church and it was incredible to hear Him talk about how mission calls are issued, how the first presidency is reorganized after a prophet passes away, seniority and how that works, and many other things pertaining to the organization and the administration of the church. The church is true. There is no other possible explanation. It has been made manifest to me logically and spiritually. It is true my friends.
He then proceeded to give an incredible discourse on the scattering and gathering of Israel then led into the coming forth of the Book of Mormon being a sign of the commencement of the gathering. It is happening and it is hastening. It's wonderful to be on board!
We also talked a lot about the Spirit and how to recognize the Spirit and how to help our investigators gain a witness through the Spirit.
President Clayton talked about fearing no man, and during his remarks he paused, pointed at me and asked if I would stand and say in my best man voice, "I fear no man!" I felt my face go red and watched my comfort zone leave, but I stood and put my fist up, with my elbow square and declared, "I fear no man!" And the most amazing part about it was feeling the Spirit confirm to me that it was true. I am not afraid to talk with people like I used to be. I am not afraid to be a missionary. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. It was a magnificent revelation and reflection of my growth. President Clayton then asked several other missionaries to stand and declare the same words and it was powerful! I love being a missionary!!!
Sister Cardon shared this scripture and talked about how it applies to us as companions: "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up." Ecclesiastes 4:9-10.
Elder Cardon closed with Alma 26:16-22. Last time I read the Book of Mormon through I dubbed this my mission chapter, because it has so much meaning to me.

16 Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.
17 Who could have supposed that our God would have been so merciful as to have snatched us from our awful, sinful, and polluted state?
18 Behold, we went forth even in wrath, with mighty threatenings to destroy his church.
19 Oh then, why did he not consign us to an awful destruction, yea, why did he not let the sword of his justice fall upon us, and doom us to eternal despair?
20 Oh, my soul, almost as it were, fleeth at the thought. Behold, he did not exercise his justice upon us, but in his great mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and misery, even to the salvation of our souls.
21 And now behold, my brethren, what natural man is there that knoweth these things? I say unto you, there is none that knoweththese things, save it be the penitent.
22 Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall begiven to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance. Alma 26:16-22




Other highlights from the week:


I had sushi TWICE! I am one lucky sister. I love sushi. One of those times was on an exchange with two sisters from Hong Kong... I, with my blonde hair and fair skin, probably looked really out of place :)
I went on another exchange with a sister I came out with and we had a BLAST! We met an incredible couple that day that we talked with for about an hour. By the end of our conversation, the wife said, "I believe Joseph Smith could be a Prophet." Music to my ears! We're going to see them again this week.
MIRACLE: "Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven." Last night the Brantford ward was holding a fireside. We are only to go to firesides if we have investigators there. We had a few people that told us they would be there for sure and a few others that gave us maybes. A woman flew in from St. George, UT to give this fireside called, "Voices from the Past Leading the Way" and these voices she was referring to are the voices from the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the First Nations people (the Native Americans). Sounds amazing eh?! We were so excited for these people to come, and nobody came... So we left. We proceeded with our backup plan and were led to two of the most incredible people I've ever met on my mission. Jeff and Robyn. We talked for probably about 20 minutes and they listened and asked questions and seemed intrigued in our unique message. I felt that the Spirit was guiding my words and I know He was directing Sister Hawryluk's too. I love that feeling! Before we went on our way, they offered to say a prayer with us! Usually we are the ones to initiate that. They are amazing. As we drove to our next appointment, the Hallelujah chorus by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir came on and we turned it up and sang along! It was definitely fitting.
Have a wonderful week. The Church is true. The gospel is restored. I know it. I live it. I love it.
Love and Prayers, Sister Felix


"Let us not give up. Let us be true to our covenants. Let us never lose sight of our Advocate and Redeemer as we walk toward Him, one imperfect step after another." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf


Five of my companions were at the conference on Saturday!
This is Sister Kubo and I! She's from Kenya, Africa.

Last Zone Conference

Sept. 15, 2014

Zone Conference was incredible! It was President and Sister Clayton's first and my last, and it was wonderful. They showed President Uchtdorf's talk from the latest Mission President's Seminar (the one they showed in MLC that I LOVED) so it was great to see it again. They also handed out a copy of the talk so we can study it! Oh happy day! At the beginning of Zone Conference there is always a talk on our purpose and then we say our purpose together:


"Our purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, Repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end."


As one of the talks was being given, a question came to me, "How do I come unto Christ?" And it's something I've thought about and studied a lot, but I received new light on the subject in that moment. I come closer to Christ when I take upon His name (which I covenanted to do when I was baptized) by taking upon His attributes. One of the most prominent being to TURN OUTWARD. That is the character of Christ. That has been a focus for me lately to turn outward and I'm not perfect at it yet, but the seed has been planted and it's growing as I nourish it by turning outward. Some other insights from Zone Conference:

Christ is the CORE of my calling. As I dedicate my work and will to Him, He will magnify my efforts.
Faith and Love-neither can coexist with fear. Faith and love are both part of the character of Christ, they are both focused outward. Fear is focused inward and the constant pressure of that inward focus causes us to shrink.
"We do not serve our Savior well if we fear men more than God...We are called to establish the Lord's standards, not to follow the world's." -Dallin H. Oaks
For the last part of Zone Conference, President Clayton did a Q&A session and it was incredible! One of the questions was how he balanced all he did in his life, and his response was, "I married well." He talked about how he married a lovely woman and how they were a team. He encouraged all of us sisters to be lovely and to be a participant in the Kingdom of Heaven. I loved that! So a lovely participant is what I will strive to become!
We had a conversation last week with a woman about prophets and she was very adamant in her belief that we don't need a prophet and that after Christ there hasn't been a need for prophets. We bore our testimonies to her, but still she wasn't willing to find out for herself. It's a conversation I've had with many people. Many people have the same belief as this woman. With General Conference coming up, Sister Hawryluk and I have made invitations and we're inviting all to come listen to a prophet's voice! So I've been studying a lot this week about prophets and the priesthood authority. It's one of my favorite things to study! We also taught Racquel and Paul this week about the organization of the Priesthood, so these two topics have been on my mind. As I have studied and pondered my testimony has been fortified and strengthened on the subject. I know there is a prophet of God on the earth and I know it is President Monson. I know that "the teachings of living prophets provide an anchor of eternal truth in a world of shifting values and help us avoid misery and sorrow." (PMG 75) I know that we can receive personal revelation for our own lives through the scriptures and the Holy Ghost, but truths necessary for our salvation will be reveled through prophets and apostles. I am eternally grateful that I live in the dispensation of the fullness of times when there is a living prophet and the keys of the priesthood on the earth. What a joy and what a blessing!


The rest of this transfer is going to fly. We have Elder Craig A. Cardon from the seventy coming for a mission tour on Saturday, then the next Saturday is the temple trip!! and the general women's broadcast, and the next weekend is General Conference! It's a wonderful life... So wonderful. I felt so strongly this week a sense of peace and a sweet assurance from the blessings of living the gospel. I think it's comforting that we can experience the blessings of the gospel in the worst of times and in the best of times. Because the blessings of the gospel are dependent upon and determined by our agency. I know God lives and Christ is our Savior. They love us and want us to come home. May we live our lives in a way that will let virtue garnish our thoughts so that we will not only long to be with our Father, but so we will also feel at home in His presence. Have a wonderful week!


Love and Prayers, Sister Felix
"To become children of light means to reject the power of the adversary and to choose daily to follow the Light of Christ...Children of Light do not sit passively in darkness they have the courage to stand up and stand out." -Elder Craig C. Christensen


After Zone Conference, a sister from the Philippines made us adobo!! So good!
And the second one is the four Brantford sisters!

"See yourself as God sees you"

Oh happy day! Sept. 8, 2014


Canada is so beautiful this time of year! It has been a cool summer because the great lakes froze over during this past winter, (coldest it's been in YEARS) so the breeze coming off the lakes has been nice instead of scorching! I can't believe it's almost fall. I'm looking forward to taking pictures of the gorgeous trees out here in the east!


On Wednesday we had Zone Training. It was one of the best Zone Training I've been to! Elder Tan (from Singapore) and Elder Healey (from Utah) are our zone leaders and they're so hilarious together! It's going to be a good transfer for sure! They talked about Alma 31 and talked about how our zone can become more like "Alma's Zone" when they were going forth to teach the apostate Zoramites. It was a great conversation. Then we set goals and made plans together for the month and the whole zone, of 12 companionships, was all excited to just get out and work!


We met with Paul and Racquel that night too. We went through the baptismal interview questions with her and it was such a good lesson!!! One of the best of my mission. During MLC last week in President Uchtdorf's talk, he said, "Overbearance is boldness without love. When you speak with love, you can never be too bold." And I LOVE that. That is exactly how this lesson was. I said some things that I normally wouldn't say because they were so bold! But the Spirit was still so strong because I love those two so much. SO MUCH! And I can't wait for them to partake of the blessings of the gospel!


Guess who I went on exchanges this week?! SISTER DYER! Best day ever. It was incredible to see how we have both progressed since we've been companions. She is serving in London now and training. She's incredible! We had some really good discussions on our exchange. She has always been really good at asking me inspired questions that make me think and ponder. One question she asked me on our exchange was, "How do you view yourself?" I thought about it for a minute and the Spirit brought many things to my remembrance. I remembered giving a talk when I was a youth titled "See yourself as God sees you." I remembered a note that is above my study desk that my mom left on my bed years ago that says, "See yourself as God sees you. Study Diligently. Pray Fervently. Live Righteously." I remembered the young women theme, "We are daughters of a Heavenly Father who loves us and we love Him." I responded that I probably don't always see myself as my Heavenly Father sees me, but I have never doubted my worth and potential. That has not only been taught to me, but I have learned what that truly means through experiences I've had and the witness of the Spirit speaking to my spirit. Sister Dyer is wonderful. She inspires me to be better through small and simple ways and I love her oh so much! Good exchange.


I went on another exchange this week with a sister from Rome, Italy and it was incredible! She's a convert of about 2 years and she's a hard worker. She started her mission in Churchville YSA and was there for her first 6 months (just like me!!) It was so fun to work with her for a day! I love the fire from new converts. She not only loves the gospel, but she appreciates it. And shows it by the way she lives. The light of Christ RADIATES from her and it was just a fantastic day!


I love being a missionary. So much. I love Sister Hawryluk. So much. I am grateful for all the prayers said in our behalf. I know that this is the church of Jesus Christ because it is built upon His Gospel. I know that He is the head of His church and that he governs it through His priesthood authority. I love my Savior and my God. Have a wonderful week!


Love and Prayers, Sister Felix
"Christlike conduct flows from the deepest wellsprings of the human heart and soul. It is guided by the Holy Spirit of the Lord, which is promised in gospel ordinances. Our greatest hope should be to enjoy the sanctification which comes from this divine guidance; our greatest fear should be to forfeit these blessings." -James E. Faust


"When the winds of adversary come, remember one thing-kites fly the very highest against the wind. Kites don't fly in spite of the opposition, kites fly high because of opposition. In fact they couldn't fly without opposition." -John Bytheway

Sister Hawryluk

Hello Hello!!


What a week! Sister Hawryluk is a party! We have way too much fun together. She is from Calgary, Alberta and she is an INCREDIBLE missionary! It's such an honor to be her companion. We are the exact same age (same month and year.) She loves to run and before her mission she was a professional bubble gum tester! The new sisters in the South are Sister Mencarelli from Rome, Italy and Sister Arnold, a brand new missionary from Kaysville, UT. It's going to be a great transfer!!


This week we had MLC and it was amazing! My favorite part was a talk President Clayton showed of President Uchtdorf's talk at the latest Mission President Seminar. He talked about the Risen Lord and bore a powerful witness of the transforming power of the Atonement and coming unto Christ. It was beautiful and I've pondered a lot about it this week.


We don't have many investigators right now, so we've been doing a lot of finding! And I love finding! We were walking downtown after an appointment fell through, and there was an old Chinese couple approaching. I have tried to talk with a lot of old Chinese people, and usually they don't speak English. That thought tried to deter me, but I talked with them anyway. I said hello and guess what! He speaks perfect English! She doesn't speak any, so I said to her one of the few Mandarin words that I know, Bing Chi Ling, which means ice cream. They thought that was hilarious! That this white, blonde girl said ice cream in their language :) Their son is a Christian minister in Toronto. They were baptized Christian in 2008. They have been to temple square!! (They really wanted to go in the temple, but were disappointed when they found out that only members can enter.) They invited us into their apartment, so we went up just briefly, because we had to be somewhere else soon, and showed them mormon.org in Chinese. They thought it was wonderful and were so excited to watch the video about a girl in Hong Kong! It was so exciting! Sister Hawryluk and I were in the best of spirits as we walked away from that apartment building. It doesn't end there though. There is a Chinese family in our ward and they know this couple!! Small world. We got to meet with the Chinese couple a few days ago and teach them about the Restoration. At the beginning they made it clear that they were baptized Christian and didn't have any intention of converting. But at the end of the lesson, he asked if they would be allowed to be baptized again into this church! Perfect lead into the baptismal invitation! They said they would read from the Book of Mormon and pray about it. Amazing. Absolutely amazing.


Another miracle this week happened when I was on an exchange. We were preparing to give a chapel tour and the member that we brought with us was waiting patiently in the chapel while we turned on lights, opened the baptismal font, etc. The man we were supposed to teach didn't show up. When we went back into the chapel to tell the member, she was crying and handed us a piece of paper. She asked us to pray for her and wrote out her situation... She is going through an incredibly hard time right now! We were able to pray with her, pull a TV in, and show the mormon message called "Mountains to Climb." She needed us so badly that day and it was an incredible thing to be a worthy vessel to bring the peace from Christ into her life.


I am so grateful for my God and my Savior. I am grateful for the Restoration of the Church and Priesthood of Jesus Christ. I am grateful to represent and witness of Him. What a message. What a joy. I hope you have a great week!


Love and Prayers, Sister Felix
This is a line from President's email this week and I thought I'd share:

"When the time comes to do the right thing, we must not consult the consequences before we consult our consciences and our covenants."

SO GOOD!


-I saw so many of my companions at transfers! Sister Zerkle, Dyer and I took a picture at the temple
-I love curry! Reema, an member from India gave us some yellow curry rice.
-Sister Hawryluk is the one on the far end with a greenish shirt and brown hair with straight across bangs. She's adorable eh?

Staying n Brantford

TRANSFERS! I will be staying in Brantford and Sister Hawryluk will be my new companion. All I know about her is that she is from Alberta and she is an INCREDIBLE missionary. She's a legend. So I'm excited to work with her! I am sad Sister Fisher is leaving though. We have become best of friends in these short, crazy 6 weeks.


We had an FHE with Kayla and Clint last Monday and it was a blast! Kayla planned the FHE so she assigned me to say the opening prayer after the opening song, which I think was a Catholic hymn that's in the movie Sister Act... I'm not sure if we were allowed to sing it but it happened :) Haha. We were clapping and Kayla was laughing and it was great! Sister Fisher and I taught about the Atonement for the lesson. It was incredible to watch their faces as we unfolded restored truths about the purpose and need for our Savior, Jesus Christ. All Christen churches believe in Him and worship him, but this is the only church with the true doctrine of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for this knowledge! We watched "Because of Him" and it had a powerful effect on both of them. We ate chips for the treat and had a closing prayer :) Success! A few days later however, we got a text from Clint saying that he is getting really busy and doesn't have time for a three hour church on Sundays and meeting with us during the week :( So we are no longer teaching them. But I know they'll come around someday. The Holy Ghost will lead them back when the time is right.



We re-taught Racquel the Restoration and it was really good! She understood a lot more this time around and Paul did too! It was cool for him to make connections with definitions that he's been hearing for so long but didn't know what they meant. Like dispensation, apostasy, gospel, etc.


We had Stake Conference yesterday because the stake president, President Jacobs, is moving. So Elder Carlson from the seventy was there with that assignment to reorganize the stake presidency. Before the meeting began, we were standing by the doors saying hello to people as they walked in. Elder Carlson came through the doors and asked if we had anyone there with us. We told him Paul, a returning member, was there and Elder Carlson said he wanted to meet him! We led Elder Carlson back to where Paul was and he shook his hand and it was incredible to watch! Paul's face went red, a little embarrassed at the attention, but you could tell he was a little feeling the spirit. I don't think he'll ever forget when a servant of God shook his hand an personally told him welcome to stake conference. It was also Paul's first stake conference. So good!


I went on four exchanges this week! This could have possibly been the craziest week of my mission! One was a trio exchange to Chatham. That means I just joined their companionship for the day. We taught a lady who was planning on getting baptized on Saturday. We taught her about the commandments and obedience and she's incredible! So prepared! At the end the sisters asked about her baptism and they asked her how she felt. She brought up a concern about her family persecuting her for her beliefs. She hadn't told them about her baptism and it's her third time being baptized, so she was so worried about it! She talked about just wanting to be a peacemaker. A scripture came to mind, and I flipped open my bible and read to her Matthew 5:9. "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." As soon as I read that her eyes filled up with tears and she stared sobbing. I panicked for a minute because I wasn't sure if I had upset her or if she was just feeling the Spirit. I couldn't tell. I figured out after a few moments that it was the Spirit! Thank heavens! It's a wonderful feeling to receive a witness from the spirit of the reality of the power and authority of my calling as a missionary. Usually it's simple things like reading a scripture or bearing testimony and feeling the Spirit confirm that witness to your own heart as He bears witness to the receiver of the message. I know that there is a scripture for everyone. I love the scriptures and the effect they have on us when our hearts are willing. She was baptized on Saturday and the sisters called me and told me in was an amazing baptism!


We had a unique and unplanned opportunity this week to go to the temple. It was definitely the highlight. There have been some crazy things happening in the lives of two sisters, so we got to take them to the temple. We were late and didn't make it to the endowment session, so we went and did initiatories instead. I have to admit that I was a little sad, because I haven't been to the temple in a year and I was so looking forward to the endowment session. But it was definitely inspired to do initiatories!! I have had my temple recommend for almost two years and went to the temple almost every week before my mission, but that was my first time to do initiatories since I received my own. What an INCREDIBLE reminder! I am so grateful for the temple. It is the place. Every sacrifice is worth it.


Have a great week!!


Love and Prayers, Sister Felix
"Every foundation stone that is laid for a Temple, and every temple completed according to the order the Lord has revealed for His holy Priesthood, lessens the power of Satan on the earth, and increases the power of God and Godliness, moves the heavens in mighty power in our behalf, invokes and calls down upon us the blessings of the Eternal Gods, and those who reside in their presence." -George Q. Cannon (At the Logan Temple cornerstone dedication)

Reflection

Hello! August 18, 2014

Last Monday when we went back to our apartment there was a letter for Sister Fisher from the mission office. It was her travel plans... She's going home on September 22, during next transfer. She's been pretty relfective about her mission this week. So it's caused me to look back on my mission and all the incredible experiences I've had! This is hands down the most incredible thing I've ever done. I am so grateful for my mission and for all the miracles, hardships, and growth I've experienced. I was reading back in some of my journals and I'm grateful for the time I took to write those things down. It brought me a lot of peace and laughter and tears as I read them! What a good life. I am grateful for the time I have left. I am grateful for my purpose and my responsibilites as a full time missionary. I love my Father, my Savior, and my calling. "How great is my calling!"

I'm emailing a little later today because there was a funeral this morning for a man in the Brantford Ward. His name was Danny Camilleri. So that was also a really reflective time. One thing that his daughter said really jumped out at me. She said that he was always in motion. And for those that knew him, he definitely was! This thought came to my head right after she said that, "As long as I'm living I want to be in motion." I read a talk from this month's ensign called "Act Upon This Land As If For Years." I also had a conversation with one sister about "being where you are." I think all of these thoughts are applicable not only to life as a missionary, but LIFE. I'm grateful I'm learning these principles and striving to apply them.

Monday night we were able to meet with Paul and Racquel. As part of the lesson, we decided to have a testimony meeting. It was incredible to watch Racquel find her testimony as she shared it. Tears filled her eyes as she expressed her belief in the Book of Mormon and the Prophet, Joseph Smith. She said she knew they were true. What music to my ears! She also said that even though she doesn't read as much as she should, when she's at word she ponders what we had talked about! YES! We talked about baptism and the Priesthood authority. She still wasn't quite sure why we kept talking about baptism, so it was great to watch her make that bridge of understanding between the two. We've decided to teach her all the lessons again to help her build upon her beautiful testimony she shared. As she continues to understand true doctrine, it will change her. Rather, it will give her the knowledge and intellectual tools to change through the Atonement.

We had a specialty training meeting on Tuesday for all the Zone Leaders, District Leaders, and Sister Training Leaders in the Hamilton, London, and Kitchener Zones. Sister Fisher and I instructed on working with the Ward Council and becoming part of the Ward and it was a blast! We showed a video called "We are one." (I cant connect the link, but you can find it on lds.org if you go to resources, callings, missionary, hastening the work of salvation, we are one video. The icon is two sister missionaries shaking a leaders hand.) And it's amazing. I invite you to watch it and be an active part of the work of salvation. Being an active part of God's redeeming work has made me so happy, and I can promise it will do the same for you. Happiness is increased and testimonies are fortified as the gospel is shared. At the end of the meeting the assistants left time for testimonies, and that was my favorite part. So powerful. At the close of the meeting, eyes were wet. There was no doubt in the room. No darkness. Just clarity and light. There is something about being in a testimony meeting of full-time missionaries... there is nothing else like it. Everyone is set apart as a representative of Jesus Christ and has the duty and privilege to testify of Him. And when we gather together to do just that, it's a beatuiful thing to be a part of. It could quite possibly be one of my favorite things about being a missionary: gathering together as missionaries and being strenghtened and edified by the testimonies of each other. It's incredibly sacred and sweet. The closing hymn was, "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" and I was playing the piano. I had a hard time seeing the notes through the tears because, one, that song already has personal meaning, and two, it was given a magnificient introduction of personal witnesses that had already started the tears. And they don't stop easily once they start. Hahaha. I think it's genetic ;)

Clint and Kayla almost dropped us this week. Many of their family and friends are telling them to not meet with us and giving them anti-mormon material. But because we listened, testified, and had established a good relationship with them, they are going to continue learning! We're going to have family home evening with them tonight, so I'm looking forward to that. Pray for them to build their testimonies on truth.

We had an appointment with Wayne for Tuesday, and he wasn't there. That has never happened with Wayne before so we knew something had to be wrong. We finally made contact with him on Thursday. We found him in his backyard having a smoke. He explained that some really hard personal and family things have come up and he's under a lot of stress. He said he'd rather not go through with the baptism at this time because he needs to sort a few things out first, but he knows this is true.

This was just a really good week! Really good. It went by fast. This is the last week of the transfer, so I'll let you know next week if I'm staying or packing up.

I hope you have a great week!
Love and Prayers, Sister Felix
"Often the deep valleys of our present will be understood only by looking back on them from the mountains of our future experience. Often we can't see the Lord's hand in our lives until long after the trials have passed. Often the most difficult times of our lives are essential building blocks that form the foundation of our character and pave the way to future opportunity, understanding, and happiness." -President Uchtdorf

Ancestors & New Pioneers

August 11, 2014
Bula Vinaka! (That is a formal hello in Fijian. Sister Fisher taught me.)


We saw SO MANY MIRACLES this week! It's incredible how great miracles usually stem from a small and simple thing. This week we were walking to our car and we talked to a man named Clint. Stopping to talk with him was a small and simple thing. He was in dirty work clothes, had his arms full, looked like he was headed somewhere, and we were late for an appointment, but I really felt like we needed to talk with him. He initially told us he was Catholic, but as we continued to talk he brought up the fact that he didn't like the church he was going to and was actually searching for a new one. He is a single father and is going through some really hard times. He commented on how happy we looked and we testified of the happiness the Gospel of Jesus Christ can bring. We invited him to come and see. He came to church yesterday and brought his 11-year-old daughter, Kayla. They both had a wonderful, spiritual experience and connected with many members in the ward! The small and simple conversation we started brought to pass a great thing.



Clint, Kayla, Racquel and Wayne all came to church yesterday! YAY!!! Wayne is doing incredible! Thank you for your faithful prayers. His countenance is completely different than when we first started to meet with him. He has a light in his eyes and a glow to his face that was not there before. The light of Christ is becoming more luminous inside of him. We are so pleased with the changes that he is making and know that he'll overcome his trials through Christ. He's still battling addiction, so please continue to keep him in your prayers.


We met with Racquel on Wednesday and had a really good lesson with her and Paul! When we left we were super happy! We went straight to our next appointment with a less active member named Reema. When we got there, our smiles were still ear to ear, but they quickly turned around when we saw her puffy tear filled eyes. We knew something was wrong. It was incredible to me how my emotions instantly changed from one of elation to one of empathy. Our lesson plan for her went out the window and we prayed in our hearts to know what to do to help her find comfort. The thought came: The Book of Mormon of course! She went and got her copy and when she came down the stairs she was flipping through and reading things she had previously highlighted. As we read a few of those, Sister Fisher had the thought to read 2 Nephi 4 with her. This isn't a chapter that we use too often, but it was right on the money! We asked Reema to start in verse 16 and read a few verses and she ended up reading the rest of the chapter. When she finished, the tears had stopped, she looked up at us and said. I am better now. Thank you. She said the closing prayer and it was beautiful and sincere. The Spirit was there for sure.


We had ward council this week and Bishop showed this new mormon message for the spiritual thought. If you haven't seen it, watch it. Right now. Ready go! Be prepared for the Spirit to tap on your heart.
http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=3701964025001&cid=HPTH073114368


One thing that has brought me a lot of joy this week is a homemade my family booklet compiled by my mother! She sent it by mail and I received it last week. Sister Fisher and I have had so much fun reading about my ancestors! It is so inspiring to me to read about their legacies of faith and lives of fortitude. Sister Fisher is the pioneer of her family in the Gospel. She is a convert and is one of the few members in her family. We were reading a short history about my first ancestor to join the church, Mary Harrison Rogerson who was baptized in 1837 in England and then a short history of each of the daughters down to my mom, and Sister Fisher was blown away. She looked up at me and said, "You are so lucky to have this. Such a faithful heritage!" This week she has been in the process of writing down her conversion story, so then we talked about how she is the beginning of that heritage for her family. It was an incredible moment we shared. The lesson in gospel principles yesterday was on temples and family history and the teacher asked what it means to me to have a forever family. Pictures of these faithful ancestors filed through my head as the thought of how to answer this question. Because honestly, it means everything to me. The thought of one day embracing them and thanking them brings tears to my eyes. I am full of gratitude for my family, the priesthood, the temple, the security of covenants, and the opportunity to be part of a family welded together by God's almighty authority if we keep the promises we have made to Him. My heart is full and definitely turned to my fathers.


Such a good week. This one is going to be wonderful as well! Keep smiling and be an active part of the work of salvation! Therein lies happiness.


Love and Prayers, Sister Felix
"When our hearts turn to our ancestors, something changes inside us. We feel part of somethings greater than ourselves." -Russell M. Nelson


Sister Fisher made this family history poster when she was here in Brantford over a year ago! This was her first area and Sister Fisher's first transfer was her trainers last. Her trainer came to visit the Brantford ward yesterday and it was a happy reunion!

Leadership Council & Picnics

August 5, 2014
We went to Mission Leadership Council this week and it was incredible as usual! President Clayton is so close to the Spirit. SO close. It's incredible to watch him as we council together. We had discussed a topic, and came to a conclusion. Then about 30 minutes later, President brought it up again and said that he feels we weren't finished discussing the matter. He suggested that we hold off until further discussion. He said, "It doesn't feel right yet, but I will know when it is right." We didn't talk about it any more in that meeting, but it will probably be on the agenda for next month. President also talked a lot about coming unto Christ. He mentioned that we as missionaries and members come unto Christ the same way we invite our investigators to. CPR. (Church, Pray, Read). He voiced his concern about missionaries who struggle and he got a little choked up about it. It was apparent that he has so much love for these missionaries and aches for them! He invited us to help the missionaries that are struggling to learn how to CPR. As missionaries we do these things everyday, but if we don't do it with real intent it will not change us. We will not feel the Atonement working in our life. I went on an exchange with a sister this week that needed this exact counsel of CPR. We talked about praying with real intent and I shared with her my testimony of what it feels like when your heart penetrates the veil... I can't even put it into words. I couldn't then either. I just know that prayer is real if we really do it. In the words of Henry B. Eyring, "[Sincere prayer] will surprise you and change you." We talked about studying the scriptures and the sacred hours we are blessed with to secure our grip on the iron rod. We talked about having a goal to find something everyday that fascinates and motivates. We talked about attending church and the Sacrament and how it is our time of the week to think about our relationship with the Savior. We talked about things we could do to make it more meaningful. I think it was Marion G. Romney that said something like, "You know you are speaking by the Spirit when you learn something from what you say." This was definitely one of those experiences. We both learned a lot from each other on that exchange and we both committed to focus on making CPR more meaningful. Back to MLC :) During the testimonies, people kept saying,"the gospel has changed my life." And I was thinking about that phrase... And I was thinking about who I was and who I am now. I have always had the gospel in my life, so I don't know what I would have been without it. The gospel indeed changes me everyday, but I think the gospel has also shaped my life. It is the blueprint of my decisions and has brought me more peace, joy, change, and hope than anything else. I am eternally grateful that I have had the gospel to shape my life and I chose to let it change my life.



We only got to meet with Wayne once this week, but he is making so much progress! He has decreased his smoking by half! He is telling his family about his decision to be baptized and they are happy to see the changes he is making. He is making many sacrifices and it's incredible to watch. He's even ended friendships that he knows are detrimental to his progression in the gospel. He's got a quit smoking date for the 10th. That's this Sunday. We're doing a stop smoking workshop with his this week, so pray for him to have the strength to quit!


Hieng came to the ward picnic yesterday and loved it! She brought her 2 year old son, Zachary, and he was a little apprehensive at first, but once he warmed up he ended up having lots of fun! We were able to give them a chapel tour after the picnic. It was amazing to watch Zachary notice the reverence of the church even though he is only 2. Children are so close to the Spirit. When we walked into the chapel, it felt as if we had walked into a different realm. We had been outside with lots of people playing games and laughing and having a great time, but when we walked into the chapel it was an instant difference. An instant sacred feeling of peace. It was a night and day difference even though both were feelings of happiness, they were different kinds of happy. I think sometimes when we talk with people and say we share a message that will bring them happiness, they feel like they don't need it because they think they are already happy. What they don't understand is that this is a lasting happiness. It isn't artificial and doesn't have an expiration date. That's why I feel it's important to let them feel it for themselves. I think Hieng felt that difference yesterday. I think my mission has helped me notice that difference in my own life.


Have a great week!
Love and Prayers, Sister Felix
"Our task is to become our best selves. One of God's greatest gifts to us is the joy of trying again, for no failure ever need be final." -Thomas S. Monson


PS. Every week President sends an email with names of everyone who got baptized in the mission in that week, and someone I had taught last year got baptized!! I just wanted to share that because I'm extremely happy and excited right now!

Exchanges

July 28, 2014

Last Monday was the first real Family Home Evening, in a home, with a family, I've had since being on my mission. Serving in YSA for a majority of my mission is probably part of the reason. Haha. It was incredible though. The power of a righteous family in a Christ centered home is one of the sweetest feelings I've ever experienced. I'm grateful that feeling was a familiar one. The family home evening was with the Wu family. They were baptized about 2 years ago and they're wonderful! They have three kids ages 13, 12, and 10. They have a relative living with them going to University right now and he's meeting with the other sisters. We talked about the Holy Ghost for the lesson and did an object lesson with it. Then Sister Fisher shared her conversion story, and the Spirit was so strong! We could tell that James was listening and that her story really touched him because he could relate. He's just got to take the leap and pray about it with a willingness to act! Then we played the squirt bottle game for the activity :) A Felix family favorite! The Wu's loved it too! Everybody was laughing and smiling the whole time. That is true joy right there! Then we had chocolate chip cookies and watermelon. So simple, but it truly makes a difference. It's the small things in our life that make the biggest difference. I know that for a fact. Daily prayer and scripture study, weekly FHE and church, and regular temple attendance is where faith is built and maintained.


On Wednesday I went on an exchange to GUELPH! It was one of the happiest days of my mission! Going back to an old area feels like going home. It was so wonderful! We were able to see Juliana who I taught and baptized at the end of last year. She told me about going to the temple to do baptisms for the dead and it make me so happy! So happy. We also saw Sister Shantz who is one of my favorite members of all time! It was just a great day!


We taught Wayne a few times this week and he is doing so good! He's preparing to be baptized on August 17th. He's got to quit smoking and drinking coffee, but he can do it! He loves the Book of Mormon and comprehends it really well. He also loves the pamphlets we bring :) The Restoration and the Word of Wisdom pamphlets are his favorite!


Oh Saturday I had a unique experience! We were on exchanges with the Kitchener Spanish sisters and I was in Kitchener. The chapel they attend had it's 50th anniversary that weekend so they made it an event! It was an open house for people to come learn about the chapel and our beliefs. It was an incredible finding method! There were random people that showed up because they saw an advertisement in the newspaper or saw a flyer or something. It was pretty amazing!


This week, one of the sisters I was with has a real struggle talking with people. It petrifies her. She asked me what motivates me to talk with everyone that I see... And I thought about it for a minute. It's a humbling experience when someone asks you a question about your motives and you have to dig deep to find out what it is. What I ended up explaining to her is that it comes from an understanding of my purpose as a missionary. I am here to invite others to come unto Christ. The Holy Ghost helps us fulfill that purpose by prompting us to talk with everyone. And every time I ignore a prompting to talk with someone, He slowly departs. It's the same with any kind of direction from the Holy Ghost. He will invite us to do something and if we ignore Him, He will depart until we seek Him out. The companionship of the Holy Ghost is my highest priority and my greatest desire. Having the Gift of the Holy Ghost and feeling His influence is a foretaste of eternal joy and a promise of eternal life. I'm ever grateful for the comfort, direction, and peace He brings into my life as I live worthy of His presence.


After church yesterday we taught an incredible Cambodian lady named Hieng. We taught her what we call lesson zero-Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, and prayer. I honestly felt the Holy Ghost giving me the ability to simplify what I was saying so she could understand even with her limited knowledge of English. When we would check for understanding, she responded in a way that told us she was understanding and very attentive to what we taught. The Spirit was so strong. So strong. Man this week was just full of the Spirit :) I think it's been a focus ever since I started reading the Book of Mormon with a question about the Spirit. "How does the Spirit influence people and what are the effects of that influence?" I am learning so much about the Holy Ghost and I think it's one of my most valued lessons from my mission thus far is listening to, following, and recognizing the Spirit in my life.


I hope you all have a great week! I am really looking forward to this week! Mission Leadership Council, two exchanges with incredibly epic sisters, teaching the Gospel. Life is good!


Love and Prayers, Sister Felix
"Men changed for Christ will be captained by Christ...men captained by Christ will be consumed in Christ." -Ezra Taft Benson