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

Sister Fisher

What a week! July 21, 2014


Sister Fisher is incredible! She is from Figi. She's a convert. She was baptized when she was 16 years old. She really doesn't like frogs. She has a testimony like a rock! She started her mission here in Brantford North 16 months ago so she already knows all the members and the area. It comes in really handy. She is HILARIOUS! I think I'll keep her :)


Our first day together was full of the Spirit! We planned out the exchange schedule for the transfer and we both agreed that it had been a significant, revelatory experience! We went and visited a few members that evening and had incredible spiritual experiences with them as well! I just know it's going to be a good transfer.


Wayne. Oh Wayne. Wayne is a new investigator and he's incredible! He is so excited about the Gospel! He met with missionaries about 10 years ago and even came to church, but wasn't ready at the time. He has recognized and expressed to us the reasons he wasn't ready back then and he firmly believes now is his time! He loves the Book of Mormon and all the pamphlets we give him :) He isn't working so he has a lot of time to meet with us. So we met with him three times this week. He called us a few nights ago after he had read 2 Nephi 31 and was so excited to get baptized! He said that when he is baptized by fire it's going to be more like an explosion! Haha! So I'll keep you updated on good ole Wayne! Pray for him though because he's got addictions to overcome which is never easy. He smokes a lot and drinks coffee. He's already doing better though just in the past week!


Really incredible experience with Family History happened this week. The Spirit of Elijah is alive and well! Just so you know. A few weeks ago we knocked on a lady's door. Her name is Carmen. As we got talking we found out she knew a member of the church, and elderly lady that passed away some time ago. This elderly lady worked in the Family History Center so Carmen knew that she did that every Wednesday and we told her we could show her what it's all about. She was going to be out of town for a while, so she just told us to call in a few weeks. We set up an appointment with the family history consultant for this past Thursday then left Carmen a message telling her about it. We didn't hear back from her and the FH consultant cancelled, so we weren't planning on going. But an hour before the scheduled time of the appointment, Carmen called us and said she would love to come and would just plan on meeting us there! Thank heavens we were on an exchange and the sister I was with knew a lot about Family History! We met Carmen at the church and she had a binder of old pictures, newspaper clippings, pedigree charts, etc. She is Italian and had a real interest in one of her uncles, so we typed his name into family search and found census records and marriage licenses and all these other documents and it was SO EXCITING! Carmen was elated about these discoveries! I have a testimony of the spirit of Elijah softening hearts. I believe it's the only way to reach some people. I'm excited to see what happens with Carmen!


On one exchange we went on this week the sister shared an incredible analogy that I've been thinking about ever since. She compared a lifestyle of sin to a funnel. At first life seems so free and appealing, but the farther we get into the funnel we find that our choices become really limited really quickly. On the flip side, if we turn the funnel upside down, a lifestyle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ might seem limited at first and might seem like rules and restrictions, but as we live the commandments and the gospel, we will find that those commandments set us free and our options become expanded until they eventually become eternal. I know I am not perfect, but I am ever grateful I decided to devote my life to the quest of establishing a pattern of righteous living, because that righteous living will lead me straight to the mercy seat. Straight to my Father in Heaven and my Savior, Jesus Christ. It truly is a blessed and happy state when we live the commandments!! Keep the faith and have a great week!


Love, Sister Felix

Friends!

July 14th TRANSFERS

July 14, 2014
TRANSFERS! I'm staying in the blessed land of Brantford :) And Sister Hansen is going to Oshawa!! She's going to love it there. Sister Fisher is going to be my new companion!! She's so incredible!! She's from Figi :) So I'm excited to work with her.


This week was a good one! We met with Racquel and Paul yesterday and that was the first time in two weeks. We had walked to their house and it was a super hot day so they gave us ice cream sandwiches and water as we read the Book of Mormon with them! Then they drove us to our next appointment in Paul's 50 year old Studebaker! It was sweet! I love them so much!


We also had interviews this week so President Clayton could get to know all the missionaries. It was combined with our Zone Training meeting and it was fantastic! The Clayton's showed us a slideshow of their family and introduced themselves before getting into the interviews and instructions. When President Clayton started the interviews Sister Clayton instructed and she started off with us teaching her how to say "hello" in as many languages as we know! Because this mission is a melting pot, we came up with tons!! Then she talked about three main points: 1) Begin with the end in mind 2) Empowered and authorized people 3) A successful missionary. It was so good! Sister Clayton was born to be a missionary! And you can tell that she just loves it so much!


We went on three exchanges this week. Two were back to back, Friday and Saturday. I was in London for both of them. Both are bus areas and it was SO fun to get back on a bus!! I missed it a lot! The first day was July 11, so it was 7/11 and there were free slurpees at 7-11, so guess what we got during our lunch hour? Yup :) Slurpees. It was about 36 degrees Celsius the next day and we were walking for about 7 or 8 hours that day! I got a pretty nice sunburn! Welcome to summer in Ontario!


2 Nephi 4 will always be one of my top 10 favorite chapters of scripture, and I read it this week. Verse 34 stood out to me. "cursed is he that...maketh flesh his arm." I remember reading somewhere that in the scriptures, an arm represents strength or power. So when it talks about "God making bear His arm" it means He is going to show forth His power. So when I read this verse with that insight in mind, it made more sense to me. When we make flesh (human, carnal, mortal) our power, we won't get far if we get anywhere at all. But when we rely on the power of God, that is when we become free. I know that is a true principle. There were a few days this week that I knew I was using strength beyond my own even just to walk. I have seen too many miracles and had too many witnesses to deny this power. It's real and absolute.


I hope you all have a great week!
Love and Prayers, Sister Felix
"We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues." -Thomas S. Monson


Here are pictures of Paul and Racquel and the Studebaker!
And I'm not looking at the camera on the other one because I was driving :) Valid excuse.