January 20, 2025
From Abby - Let Us All Press On
Well Hello!
I can't believe its been an entire week since last email, sometimes the idea of time just slaps you in the face. What do you mean it just keeps moving forward?? And that before I know it this email will be finished and sent out and before I know it I'll be on the plane home?! Yknow?!
Anyways I diggress.. (Never)
Some thoughts about last sunday
-We went to a relief society second hour: First of all I LOVE second hours because we usually only go to one every sunday vs 3 sacraments (Still love sacrement) anyways the Relief society President got up to the front and started the 5 minute discussion that the relief society does at the beginning, she read the question/Concern that anonomously said "I'm over 80 and sometimes wonder If I'm of any use" The Relief Society President cried in response as she expressed her absolute gratitude for every "Seasoned Sister" her comments were followed by many others and each was filled with sincere love, and wonderful suggestions. I just love how women gather and bear eachother up. and how WONDERFUL is the relief society theme?! "Charity Never Faileth" Isn't that the most true statement. I think everyone should make it the theme of their existance.
Moroni 7:46-47
46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—
47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him
We also had the chance to attend a youth broadcast with Emily Belle Freeman (And another guy lowkey forgot the name)
at one point they referenced Luke 14:16-23
I think the Bible calls it the Parable of the great supper and it talks about GATHERING. In the parable the lord has this supper and first invites essentially those of the middle class > each has his own excuse. The lord tells his servant in response to this rejection of his invitation in vs 21 "Go out quickly... and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind" Which the servant does and then says "Yet there is room" and the master says "Go out into the highways and the hedges and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled"
Isn't that so special? We are called to gather knowing that NO life circumstance, no past experience, no matter how broken or hurt of left behind the master is compelling you to come, that his house may be filled and that his joy may be full. I love that. AKA unconcitional Love AKA charity AKA THE PURE LOVE OF CHRIST.
Last PDAY we went to the mall again with our brand new district!! SO weird how you're just thrown into a pool of missionaries and somehow get along and can co exist if we try. #downwithcliques we're all sitting in the cafeteria minding our own business when we see a guy approach our table (Somewhat happens a lot as a hoard of missionaries) and hes like "Hey guys!" all of our mouths DROP. ITS COACH BOLTON (Bart Johnson) Literally all jumped out of our seats and B lined it to shaking his hand. SO CRAZY. Apperently he's a member and his son is currently on a mission! SCORE. Such a nice guy and still can't believe I met him because that essentially means I've met Zack Effron so... #Girlmath
ZONE CONFERENCE
President and Sister Brown are my literal celebrities, every time I get to listen to their council I literally experience Giddy excitement. And its SO fun to gather with other missionaries. Main takeaways:
-First of all got called up for a 3 minute talk which is something you think will never happen to you until it does (It was fine I just talk on 2x speed)
- "The Pain of regret is far worse than the pain of Discipline"
We also had the chance to attend a youth broadcast with Emily Belle Freeman (And another guy lowkey forgot the name)
at one point they referenced Luke 14:16-23
I think the Bible calls it the Parable of the great supper and it talks about GATHERING. In the parable the lord has this supper and first invites essentially those of the middle class > each has his own excuse. The lord tells his servant in response to this rejection of his invitation in vs 21 "Go out quickly... and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind" Which the servant does and then says "Yet there is room" and the master says "Go out into the highways and the hedges and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled"
Isn't that so special? We are called to gather knowing that NO life circumstance, no past experience, no matter how broken or hurt of left behind the master is compelling you to come, that his house may be filled and that his joy may be full. I love that. AKA unconcitional Love AKA charity AKA THE PURE LOVE OF CHRIST.
Last PDAY we went to the mall again with our brand new district!! SO weird how you're just thrown into a pool of missionaries and somehow get along and can co exist if we try. #downwithcliques we're all sitting in the cafeteria minding our own business when we see a guy approach our table (Somewhat happens a lot as a hoard of missionaries) and hes like "Hey guys!" all of our mouths DROP. ITS COACH BOLTON (Bart Johnson) Literally all jumped out of our seats and B lined it to shaking his hand. SO CRAZY. Apperently he's a member and his son is currently on a mission! SCORE. Such a nice guy and still can't believe I met him because that essentially means I've met Zack Effron so... #Girlmath
ZONE CONFERENCE
President and Sister Brown are my literal celebrities, every time I get to listen to their council I literally experience Giddy excitement. And its SO fun to gather with other missionaries. Main takeaways:
-First of all got called up for a 3 minute talk which is something you think will never happen to you until it does (It was fine I just talk on 2x speed)
- "The Pain of regret is far worse than the pain of Discipline"
That statement couldn't be more true and I know because the natural man reviles against it. The adversary is brutal because it encourages a lack of discipline and then hounds on you when you feel regret. Horrible.
-Sister Smith
-OUR HAPPINES DOES NOT DEPEND ON OUR CIRCUMSTANCE. I've said this quote by president Nelson time and time again but I'm going to say it again. "the Joy we feel in this life has little to do with the circumstance of our lives, and everything to do with the focus of our lives" > yes circumstances can be "Easier" or "better" but they do not decide your happines.
-"When you see a human with a pulse they must be invited"
-"Faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time. Cast out doubt. Cultivate Faith."
During lunch our housing coordinators give out The Golden Toilet Seat Award (a spraypainted toilet seat) for the Companionship with the cleanest apartmment. They announced ELDER BYE AND ELDER JENKS as the winners for the Elder Apartments! I felt like a proud mom when they got called up and could only think "Of course." and THEN they announce the sisters Golden seat and its Sistet Atwood and I?!? I was not expecting THAT. Especially because when we got suprise expected it was genuinly our apartment in its natural state (Flex)
SO FUN that both winners were from the OREM ZONE. The best zone :) Elder Bye Elder Jenks, Sister Atwood and I celebrated our victory all together it was so fun.
We were able to visit with this family of two grandparents, a dad, and his kids: and shared a message on faith, we talked about how even the desire to believe is enough to start cultivating your seed of faith. at the end of the lesson I asked if there was anyone they could think of that could use a visit from us and after a short silence the Dad begins to explain with some hesitation that he removed his records in August, and quickly realised with pain and regret that he needed to come back, he explained that he felt embarrased but humbly requested that we help and teach him as he returns to the church. I quickly reassured him that we would love to help him come closer to Jesus Christ and that being willing to ask for help us the Opposite of Embarrassing. When we walked out I couldn't help but feel SO MUCH JOY. How exciting is it to see the atonement and humility work in someone! We're so excited to start meeting with him and his family :)
Gave a training in ZDC which was so fun, I could go on and on but Alma 19:16-17 talks about Abish and how she was able to gather (for some reason I'm all into gathering this week) I'll let you read that chapter for yourself
This week I felt prompted to knock on a red dot (Someone who has requested NOT to be contacted) we had left them cookies on christmas because a bishop in one of our wards had asked us to go and see them. We timidly approached the house and knocked on the door.. Somewhat terrifying because you can actually make people angry, at YOU...Which would totally make sense since we're knocking on the door theyve asked us not to knock on.
Anyways Riley (The guy we understand to be the husband) opens the door and we say hi and of course emmediatly start petting the dog hes holding.. we make smalltalk for a bit and the conversation ends with us getting his number to text to set up a time (Which usually ends with zero response) that night we texted him and he RESPONDS.. We end up setting up a dinner appointment?!? Update yet to come on that but sometimes you literally never know!
-"When you see a human with a pulse they must be invited"
-"Faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time. Cast out doubt. Cultivate Faith."
During lunch our housing coordinators give out The Golden Toilet Seat Award (a spraypainted toilet seat) for the Companionship with the cleanest apartmment. They announced ELDER BYE AND ELDER JENKS as the winners for the Elder Apartments! I felt like a proud mom when they got called up and could only think "Of course." and THEN they announce the sisters Golden seat and its Sistet Atwood and I?!? I was not expecting THAT. Especially because when we got suprise expected it was genuinly our apartment in its natural state (Flex)
SO FUN that both winners were from the OREM ZONE. The best zone :) Elder Bye Elder Jenks, Sister Atwood and I celebrated our victory all together it was so fun.
We were able to visit with this family of two grandparents, a dad, and his kids: and shared a message on faith, we talked about how even the desire to believe is enough to start cultivating your seed of faith. at the end of the lesson I asked if there was anyone they could think of that could use a visit from us and after a short silence the Dad begins to explain with some hesitation that he removed his records in August, and quickly realised with pain and regret that he needed to come back, he explained that he felt embarrased but humbly requested that we help and teach him as he returns to the church. I quickly reassured him that we would love to help him come closer to Jesus Christ and that being willing to ask for help us the Opposite of Embarrassing. When we walked out I couldn't help but feel SO MUCH JOY. How exciting is it to see the atonement and humility work in someone! We're so excited to start meeting with him and his family :)
Gave a training in ZDC which was so fun, I could go on and on but Alma 19:16-17 talks about Abish and how she was able to gather (for some reason I'm all into gathering this week) I'll let you read that chapter for yourself
This week I felt prompted to knock on a red dot (Someone who has requested NOT to be contacted) we had left them cookies on christmas because a bishop in one of our wards had asked us to go and see them. We timidly approached the house and knocked on the door.. Somewhat terrifying because you can actually make people angry, at YOU...Which would totally make sense since we're knocking on the door theyve asked us not to knock on.
Anyways Riley (The guy we understand to be the husband) opens the door and we say hi and of course emmediatly start petting the dog hes holding.. we make smalltalk for a bit and the conversation ends with us getting his number to text to set up a time (Which usually ends with zero response) that night we texted him and he RESPONDS.. We end up setting up a dinner appointment?!? Update yet to come on that but sometimes you literally never know!
We visited with this couple Colleen and Ron Smith and their friend Pat this week. We visited with them in the morning and then they invited us for dinner that night! When we came back to the house around 5:00 there was a CANADIAN flag stuck soundly into their yard XD upon entering he gifted us a smaller version! Double Canadian Companionship for the absolute win. Pat and Ron totally gave Rhett and Link it was SO GOOD (if you catch my drift). Sister Smith also overheard that I wanted to have kids while I was talking to Pat and from across the Kitchen she EXCLAIMED "Oh who said that!!! Having children will be the Joy of your LIFE and it's FOREVER!!" She declared it with so much passion if I didn't already want to be a mom she would have convinced me :)
Granola Bowls this week have been absolutely WONDERFUL oikos yogurt with honey and oats granola, rasberriess and bluberriess and sometimes peanut butter. SO YUM.
Saturday morning we left our basement apartment to discover a world covered with white! although its all cute and pretty etc my bike tires are COOKED (Def a summer bike) so we're biking to our next appointment and about to cross this street when this car comes up on the right of us and goes to turn left ON THE ROAD WE'RE ABOUT TO CROSS. DOG. I hit the breaks but the bike kept doing, so I ditched the bike and tried to land on my feet and THEN I kept going :D Definitely landed on my butt on the road, the member stopped and asked if I was okay which I'm happy to report the only thing that was wounded was my pride :)
Obviously the snow is all gone once again so tender mercy but also strange for it to be January and NO snow
I think It would be nice to have some for my birthday :)
We discovered a red dot for the first time! (Like where we Label them as such) It was a CRIMINAL interaction ive never felt so hated on in my life "We've gotten you on our doorstep before. Whoever sent you, whoever gave you our names, tell them we are not interested."
I go to explain we're literally just getting to know the area and AS I'M SPEAKING shes like "No.no, theres no way you're here by random, We're the only non members on this street" I go to explain that we visit with members ALL THE TIME and thats when I realised no matter what I said she had already projected our motices onto us from her hard hearted perspective and probably felt Genuine actual hostile anger and disgust for the fact that we were on her doorstep. I asked if there was anyone we could pray for to which she said "Honey don't try that crap with me" We told her to have a nice day and she slammed and locked the door in our face :D Done for.
I know other missionaries get this all the time I think I'm just spoiled so having one experience leaves an impression I guess
Saturday night we walk into the adult evening session of the Orchard stake conference and I see across the chapel SISTER BROWN?! I B lined it to that lady and gave her a hug and then PRESIDENT BROWN APPEARS?!? SO weird to see them outside of predictable circumstances, they tell us that theyve come to speak at our stake which was the BEST discovery. Sister Brown talked about Sacrifice: those who are willing to sacrifice when asked, to deny themselves and the world and follow Jesus Christ has SO much merit and that we need more of it, and President talked about listening to the spirit, the power of allowing god to direct our life.
Sister Brown hugs and President Brown high fives have got to be in the top ten experiences.
The next morning the Stake Presidency of the Orchard stake was reorganized. Mark Bassett from the 70 spoke, he talked about how these men are TRULY called by revelation, he refereced Artical of faith #5
"We believe that a man must be called of god by prophesy and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the gospel and administer the Ordinances thereof."
There is SO much power in the organisation of the church. raising of the right arm to the square and supporting those who are CALLED OF GOD. I love Priesthood power and authority it makes more and more sense to me as I get older.
I DIGRESS.
I think I've rambled to the point of absolute boredom and I'm so sorry if you've zoned out until this point.
I'm happy to report that this week has proven to be much better than the last in the sense that it has not ended in tears.
As always you begin to adjust to new districts and companions, weather circumstances, leadership shifts, wardrobe malfunctions all of the above.
Thank you to every soul that carves out a moment of their day to hear of all my thoughts, experiences, concerns, favorite snacks, study takeaways ALL OF IT
Carpe Diem
Onward and Upward
Fortitude Vincimus
:) https://photos.app.goo.gl/
Saturday morning we left our basement apartment to discover a world covered with white! although its all cute and pretty etc my bike tires are COOKED (Def a summer bike) so we're biking to our next appointment and about to cross this street when this car comes up on the right of us and goes to turn left ON THE ROAD WE'RE ABOUT TO CROSS. DOG. I hit the breaks but the bike kept doing, so I ditched the bike and tried to land on my feet and THEN I kept going :D Definitely landed on my butt on the road, the member stopped and asked if I was okay which I'm happy to report the only thing that was wounded was my pride :)
Obviously the snow is all gone once again so tender mercy but also strange for it to be January and NO snow
I think It would be nice to have some for my birthday :)
We discovered a red dot for the first time! (Like where we Label them as such) It was a CRIMINAL interaction ive never felt so hated on in my life "We've gotten you on our doorstep before. Whoever sent you, whoever gave you our names, tell them we are not interested."
I go to explain we're literally just getting to know the area and AS I'M SPEAKING shes like "No.no, theres no way you're here by random, We're the only non members on this street" I go to explain that we visit with members ALL THE TIME and thats when I realised no matter what I said she had already projected our motices onto us from her hard hearted perspective and probably felt Genuine actual hostile anger and disgust for the fact that we were on her doorstep. I asked if there was anyone we could pray for to which she said "Honey don't try that crap with me" We told her to have a nice day and she slammed and locked the door in our face :D Done for.
I know other missionaries get this all the time I think I'm just spoiled so having one experience leaves an impression I guess
Saturday night we walk into the adult evening session of the Orchard stake conference and I see across the chapel SISTER BROWN?! I B lined it to that lady and gave her a hug and then PRESIDENT BROWN APPEARS?!? SO weird to see them outside of predictable circumstances, they tell us that theyve come to speak at our stake which was the BEST discovery. Sister Brown talked about Sacrifice: those who are willing to sacrifice when asked, to deny themselves and the world and follow Jesus Christ has SO much merit and that we need more of it, and President talked about listening to the spirit, the power of allowing god to direct our life.
Sister Brown hugs and President Brown high fives have got to be in the top ten experiences.
The next morning the Stake Presidency of the Orchard stake was reorganized. Mark Bassett from the 70 spoke, he talked about how these men are TRULY called by revelation, he refereced Artical of faith #5
"We believe that a man must be called of god by prophesy and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the gospel and administer the Ordinances thereof."
There is SO much power in the organisation of the church. raising of the right arm to the square and supporting those who are CALLED OF GOD. I love Priesthood power and authority it makes more and more sense to me as I get older.
I DIGRESS.
I think I've rambled to the point of absolute boredom and I'm so sorry if you've zoned out until this point.
I'm happy to report that this week has proven to be much better than the last in the sense that it has not ended in tears.
As always you begin to adjust to new districts and companions, weather circumstances, leadership shifts, wardrobe malfunctions all of the above.
Thank you to every soul that carves out a moment of their day to hear of all my thoughts, experiences, concerns, favorite snacks, study takeaways ALL OF IT
Carpe Diem
Onward and Upward
Fortitude Vincimus
:) https://photos.app.goo.gl/
-Sister Smith
From Dad - Miracles
Dearest Abby,
Thanks for calling your old Dad today. It made my day. As you and Grandma Smith were talking about the highlight of the day I almost blurted out that that moment was my highlight! I am so excited for your miracle of having people to teach! I have seen multiple miracles this last week. Some of them I may have told you last Monday but they are worth mentioning again.
- On my way to Hinton Branch last Sunday, I got a call from Kathleen Burrows. Kathleen is an amazing woman living in Edson who serves and ministers to everyone there. She has some health problems and has not been able to really work much for the past 6 years. She has been receiving help from the Church and we have been working and praying for a miracle as her unemployment insurance runs out in a month. So Sunday morning somewhere between Edson and Hinton, she called and let me know that she had an interview and was accepted for a full time job! That was a miracle.
- A couple of months ago, I was working with a fantastic man in our branch who is single but very handsome and athletic. He had been dating a member of the church from Lethbridge for a long time but sometime in November they had broken off their relationship. About that same time his bank account was hit and he lost a few thousand dollars. Amidst all of that, he and I were talking about getting ready for the temple and getting his Patriarchal blessing. Early in December, I gave him a call to invite him to start paying tithing as he prepares for the temple. He was at work when he got the call and as soon as I asked him about Tithing he got very terse with his answers and we ended the call awkwardly. After that, I and other branch members could not get a hold of him for a couple of weeks. I was sure I had offended him and it gave me no small anxiety. At one point I called him again and he said that he needed to take a step back for a few weeks. I felt really bad even after he said that it didn't have to do with our previous conversation. Fast forward to coming home after Christmas holidays and I couldn't get him off my mind. I resolved to reach out to him again. That same day I got a call from the Stake Patriarch asking me about him because he had called to set up an appointment. Dared I hope he was stepping back towards the church? I took a chance and texted him and it turns out he went to a YSA event in southern Alberta over the break (along with running 50K on Christmas day) and had started dating another LDS girl. Last Sunday he came to church! That was a miracle.
- This week-end we booked time off to stay at home on Sunday and go to Devon instead of Hinton. The idea is that once a month I'll stay here and we'll have family dinner. So we excitedly started to plan dinner and opened up the invite to the family. Then Ben texted to say he was making the 5 hour drive up to join us! That was a miracle.
- Everytime I see Stephanie's posts about the new baby I get more and more excited and thankful for that future little miracle that will be joining us in 11 days!
- Many, many more miracles that I don't have time to mention.
We really did enjoy having all the local kids (and Ben) come to join us for supper on Saturday evening. We tried a new wing recipe and made fries to go along with it. It turned out well! It was really fun to have Naomi join us. She just jumps right in and plays games, helps cook and joins the conversations. I'm sure we could add her to the miracle list! We pulled out Josh's totes from the garage and it was fun to watch Madison read some mission letters Josh received from girls.
On Sunday we had the Coopers over for dinner. As you heard from Mia, they are moving to Calgary. We're sad about that. They are an amazing family and have had an impact on our lives. We enjoyed playing games with them and using the Rec room downstairs.
Mid week we had an intense wind storm with winds up to 90 km/h. Of course my PST kicked in and I couldn't stop watching the roof. Turns out it was justified because when I saw 2 shingles on the front lawn I had to scale the roof and tack it down so I wouldn't lose anymore. Needless to say I had to repent of a few choice adjectives I hurled at the roof and the wind. The cherry on top came that night when the power went out and we got to skip the "9 Tailed Fox" episode and instead pull out the candles and play cards together. I sure love your Mom! She is a constant miracle in my life!
I was happy to get the mock beams up in the living room and have just the bases left to finish. We love the way it breaks up the two rooms: Sometimes we look at our house and the acreage and remember that it is miraculous that we live here!
So there's the week in a nutshell. We love you so much. You are doing a miraculous work and you will see more miracles on your mission if you watch for them.
Love Dad.
PS. I loved your #Girlmath hash tag in your email!
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