Toured Boeing

Dear family,

I'm late emailing today because Sister Smith, Sister Wikstrom and Sister Tennant (some other sisters we have been living with the past few weeks) went this morning to tour Boeing! I've been wanting to tour Boeing for months now, and it was definitely worth it! It is the biggest building in the world, and not only is the building huge but the planes are HUGE! Some of which go through the assembly line and are finished in just a few days. Crazy!

The highlight of this week was that we had our first official lesson with LJ, and it was a powerful experience! The lesson started out a little rough and neither sister Smith or I felt like we were being given what to say or what questions to ask, but we both kept praying and at the end we were somehow given the right words. LJ said the prayer afterwards and we all knelt quietly for a good 5 minutes, the spirit was so strong. Finally Sister Smith asked LJ how he was feeling, and he started crying and said "I don't know." Sister Smith explained to him that what he was feeling was the spirit, and he just cried some more and nodded. There is nothing like seeing a grown man break down and weep because of the spirit that he feels.

The assistants asked Sister Smith and I to give instruction at Mission Leader Counsel this week. We've had to teach at zone meetings and interviews before, but this was just plain scary! Basically we taught President Bonham, the assistants, the zone leaders, and Sister Training Leaders in the mission about companionship study. It was intimidating and I felt pretty inadequate but it actually turned out to be a success! I talked a little bit about some of the principles I learned from my parents and watching their companionship and how those things apply to our companionships and helping our investigator "kids." I don't know if any of you knew this, but I have some pretty amazing parents!

What about that conference! It gets better and better every year! With all those talks about following the prophet, Sister Smith and I were sitting on the edge of our seats waiting for President Monson to do something crazy like call the Saints to Missouri or lower the age for missionaries or something! Next conference. :)

Love, Sister Slade

Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite?

Dear Friends and Family:

My new area is Fort Lauderdale, East. We cover part of the Fort Lauderdale 2nd Ward in English, and all of it in Creole. We have a car. It looks like an awesome area.

My new companion is Elder Kwon. He's awesome as well. This is only his fifth transfer, but he is already such a great missionary. He had everything prepared when I came into the area.

It has been a great week. We're trying to get the area up and running again at the moment, because Elder Jackson had a problem with his knee and so couldn't do much work in the area. But we should be able to get the area to a healthy state in another week or so.

Yesterday was probably the most chaotic Sunday I've ever had on my mission. The most bizarre part occurred after general conference finished. We had a meal appointment with a part-member family at 6:30. Then, we found out that the meal appointment was actually a surprise birthday party for one of the members of the family. This should have sent warning bells ringing through our heads, but we trusted that we could still get in and out in an hour.

The party was delayed, as we were waiting for all of the guests and then the birthday boy (55-year-old Frè Michel) to arrive. Eventually, we had a brilliant idea to invite an investigator to come over to the party with us, because it was at the church and so we could give him a chapel tour afterwards. We got permission from the hosts of the party and then we went off in search of some guests.

The first family we tried declined, because they had to wait for another family member to return home first. So we continued inviting other people. One family decided to come. So we returned to the church with them and introduced them to the actually party guests. They started eating and talking. Then... the first family we invited showed up as well. As well as another member of the family who had decided to come, who came towing several neighborhood friends with him as well. All in all, our guests almost numbered more than the actual guests.

Then we had to do a chapel tour, so we invited Frè Michel to come and do it with us. He was fantastic, and helped many of our guests become more familiar with the church. Then the night ended.

It was so crazy. We literally crashed the party. On accident.

Our biggest potential baptism for this Sunday is Marie Eugene, who is a part of a part-member family who is looking forward to being baptized. She is the last member of the family who has not yet been baptized. They all came to general conference with us for one of the sessions.

As always, I loved general conference. It has meant much more to me on my mission than at any time before. The more effort we put into spiritually preparing for conference, the more we can get out of it; and I was able to get much more out of it this time around than ever before as well. Unfortunately, I realized that I only have one more general conference on my mission; when the next October general conference comes around, I will have been home for about a month. It's sad, but I am still resolved to use the rest of my time on my mission as wisely and as effectively as I can.

I'm sorry to hear about the bedbug problem you are all having, my dear family. I feel like I can empathize, though. There are bedbugs in my new apartment. I think I may be allergic to bedbugs, however, because all of the bites I've gotten so far have swollen up a massive amount as well. Have you tried to use a steamer to kill the bugs in your mattresses? That is what they have us doing here in Florida. It seems to work decently well.

I'm sorry to hear about Rick Reidhead. I'm glad he's getting married, but I'm less than happy to hear about the rest.

In terms of things that I need at the moment, the short answer is I don't. I'm good for now, I'll let you know if I think of anything in the meantime.

Thanks for everything,

Elder Slade

The Way the World Works

What is the way the world works? Very little people know that I am/was not only studying Civil Engineering before my mission but also a minor in Philosophy. I love thinking about how things work whether it be forces working on an object or the forces working around us. As I mentioned in my past letter General Conference was this weekend and I had advised to you to approach it with a question. Well I did the same, and I saw the benefit of that. I believe I now know how the world works. It is simply belief and the unending, undimmed Love of God.

This was the first time I ever took true notes during General Conference. Before I would sort of pay attention and maybe design a house, or shell a million and two eggs for a giant egg salad. In short I was not being the student God needed me to be so that he could touch my heart with certain knowledge. However this conference I was there. I was fully awake with my pen in hand, writing the things that I felt rather than summaries of what was being said. Attached is a lovely picture of my study journal and of course the amazing pen my ever amazing District Leader gave me. (Look! Its a feather!! May or may not have felt like I was in Hogwarts...) In essence I truly enjoyed the words of encouragement and even the hidden words of chastisement that help us to continue farther.

Now let me explain my point. We are all here on this beautiful Earth. Ever changing with the seasons and ever full of life. How did this get here? In fact how did We get here? By understanding that point we are able to understand everything about how the world works. As a Latter Day Saint, otherwise known as Mormons, We know the answers to these questions, in fact I don't know why it took the Prophet of the Lord to say something that made me realize that I knew the answer to what is the way the world works. All these answers can be found in what is called the Plan of Salvation or the Plan of Happiness. Before this life we lived with our father in heaven. I say Father because we are literally his spirit children, and as any father He wants us to be happy. But just as any children we wanted to be just like our father. Heavenly father has a body like we have now here on Earth but at the time We were without bodies, living only as spirits or intelligences. Knowing the desires of our hearts God and his first born son Jesus Christ created the world, the world we live in now. We were then sent here at this time to gain our bodies and in turn learn the things that only a body can teach us. Like pain, heartache and need, but also warmth, happiness and longing. This Earth and this body are living evidence of the Love of our Heavenly Father. The Genius behind it all is breathtaking. One needs just to look at a joint of a finger to know such a fact. Who would even think to put a bit of extra flabby skin on the joint so we could be able to bend it. Who would think of that? Only a Heavenly Father who loves us.

It is my testimony that I know our Father in Heaven loves us and I see his hand in every moment of my life here in Canada as a missionary and also in the lives of others. I have the privilege to bring others to the knowledge that someone out there does love them. And the someone out there cares for them. No matter the hardship, no matter the heartache, and no matter our feelings of inadequacy. He will Always love us. And I not only testify of this but I testify that I have a love for him. I love him because he blesses those I love, he gives me those things I need, and he gives me the courage to stand up as an example of the believers with His son's name blazing on the plaque I wear as a missionary. I know that my father lives and I know that He loves us. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

With all my heart,

Sister Cummings

Transferring out of Miami Shores

Transfer calls happened last night. As it turns out, I am leaving Miami Shores again. I've been there for two transfers now, which makes four total because I was there for two when I started my mission. I still don't know where I'm going and I still don't know who my new companion will be.

I am sad but resolved as I prepare to leave Miami Shores, Creole for the second time. I had wanted to stay, but I had expected to leave. Now I am busy packing, but my companion and I are also resolved have the area in a very good condition when my replacement comes in to work with Elder Fisher. We'll make sure the Area Book is completely up to date, and we'll keep working hard tonight to find more solid investigators and keep our current ones solid.

In Miami, our two most solid investigators are still Pauline M. and her fiancée. They are working towards being married and then baptized. They have already met with Brother Acevedo to take his marriage counseling class, now the thing that is holding them back is that they don't feel ready to be married. They feel like they have to prepare and plan a lot before they can be married. Elder Fisher and his new companion will keep working with them to build more urgency and to get them focused less on the preparations for their marriage and more on the temple.

I enjoyed specialized training a lot this past week as well. We had to drive 50 miles up to Boynton Beach for the training and then back, which puts us in a bad spot for miles today (on the last day of the month), but I really loved President Richardson's training on repentance and baptism. I feel like I understand more what investigators need to do before they can be prepared and ready to make the step of baptism. In addition, it helped me to understand more fully what promises I made at my baptism and I learned several things that I can be doing to improve and to more fully keep those promises.

Unfortunately we did not receive iPads at this specialized training. It looks like there are technical difficulties in other places in the world which are preventing new missions from receiving iPads. As far as we know, our mission won't be getting them until January or February of next year. They pushed back their plans while they resolve those problems. Sad face.

For those of this email's recipients who are not in my immediate family: it looks like my family will get to adopt my new sister, Liv. If only I had ever once even seen her...!

For those who are in my immediate family: I might have to mention that Liv is a much better name than Olivia. Liv means book in Haitian Creole, but Olivia makes me think of olives, especially the dried out kind that you can sometimes find sitting out on our table because I forgot to put it in the fridge the night before after I finished eating. Heh heh. Liv is clearly the better name.

For those of you who are serving in the FFLM, or who at one point have: you may be interested to know that the Miami Shores (Creole) elders now are in a two-man apartment. Our roommates moved out just yesterday to a new apartment, to live with the Miami Beach (Creole) elders. So last night, we slept alone in our apartment. It was a relatively quiet night. And now I'm moving out anyway, so I only have the two days to spend in a two-man apartment.

Thanks,

Elder Slade

Sister Milkbone

Dear family,

Where to begin?

It was quite the eventful week, with a trip to the emergency walk-in clinic that put me out of commission for the first few days! You know that stereotypical missionary story where the elders get chased by a dog but they barely get away? Well I guess I've now lived that story, but unfortunately this time the missionary didn't get away! Sister Smith and I went to drop off some things for a member on Tuesday morning, and right when she opened the door her dog started going crazy. She tried to restrain him but he got loose and bit Sister Smith! Luckily, he didn't break skin, but then he came at me and... 7 stitches later, I now have a great mission story to tell! When the doctor asked me what happened I told him, "I got bit by a dog," and he looked at my leg and laughed and said, "You didn't get bit by a dog, you got chewed on by a dog!" The doctor said that I had to stay off my leg for a few days, and it was pretty painful at first, but we've taken it easy the last few days and even though it's still sore and very bruised, I'm healing great! Bishop Bushman now calls me "Sister Milkbone," and according to Sister Smith I seem quite a bit more "holy" than she has ever seen me!

The positive side to the whole experience is that I got to have an awesome missionary experience as a result of getting bit by a dog! When Dr. Tu was stitching me up I started asking him about his family. He told me that his dad died a few years ago, and that he had a brother who passed away on Father's day this year. I asked him if he believed in life after death, and he told me that he didn't. He grew up in China, and he has no real belief in a higher power, but that he simply believes that when we die there is nothing more. He asked me what I believed and I was able to share with him how I gain a lot of comfort in my life in knowing that there is life after death. I explained how I believe that we aren't just made up of physical bodies, but that we have a spirit as well, and that even when our physical bodies cease to live, I do know that our spirits live on. Afterwards he took a mormon.org card, and told me that his sons (who both happen to be YSA!) had a nanny for almost 15 years who was Mormon and who the family grew very close to! So maybe Heavenly Father knew that I had to get bit by a dog so that I could meet Dr. Tu. :)

Despite having so much less proselyting time than we normally do, it was so cool to see how Heavenly Father consecrated the time that we did have and provided us with miracles! The absolute highlight of my week was yesterday! Sister Smith turned to me in the middle of sacrament meeting and said "You'll never guess who is sitting by Heather... LJ is here!!!" I can't count how many times we've invited Heather's boyfriend LJ to come to church, and he's always told us that even though he has a very strong faith in Christ, he considers himself to be "spiritual" and that he only believes in following the "red road." (LJ is Native American and very connected to his culture.) We have always invited LJ to sit in on lessons with Heather, but he has never shown interest in actually learning more for himself, until the last few weeks when we have really been seeing him heart be softened as Heather continues to change and prepare for baptism. LJ's situation is similar to Heather's. Because of things that have happened in his past, if he was baptized he would have to be in the singles ward for life, even though he is in his 50's right now. I have developed such a huge love for LJ as I have gotten to know him better over the past months! We went to have a lesson with Heather last night, and it was very powerful! We talked about repentance, and the spirit. LJ was quite emotional, though he tried to hide it. It's crazy that I don't even remember most of what Sister Smith and I said, but somehow we came out of that lesson (which happened to be a chastity lesson haha) with LJ having agreed to take the discussions and telling us that he really wanted to go into this with an open heart and open mind, to find out for himself what it was all about. In that moment I wished I could have the feeling in that room and the joyful look on Heather's face forever ingrained in my memory. SUCH a MIRACLE! I see Heather and LJ in the temple.

There truly is no sin and no sorrow that cannot be overcome with the help of the atonement of Jesus Christ. When we accept Him into our lives the power is real. I know it is. I have seen it over and over again, not only in my own life but in the lives of so many people that I have been able to meet since coming on my mission. There is not one individual on this earth who Heavenly Father has not very lovingly and carefully devised means and plans to save. He knows us individually. He loves us individually.

Lots and lots and lots of love,

Sister Slade

Tuna fish & inspiration

That probably sounds like a strange title but hey that's been my week this week. To begin with, we had an opportunity to have a potluck with both the wards that meet in this building as we were getting ready to watch the Woman's Conference broadcast. (Definition moment. Potluck- meeting where everyone brings food and there are heaps and heaps of deliciousness. Woman's Conference- A meeting held by the LDS church where the presidencies of the Relief Society, Young Woman's and Primary speak to us as well as the First Presidency, or in other words the Prophet Thomas S. Monson and his two counselors.) The meeting was WONDERFUL! But I'll get more on that later for right now I want to talk about food. At this amazing potluck there was a giant pile of the most delicious nouritture on this side of the veil in my thoughts that is. Seriously though. These were the BEST Tuna Fish sandwiches I have ever had, (might have been because I was hungry...) Anyways that's why it says Tuna Fish in the title.

As for this inspiration part. An area authority came to visit the Canada Montreal Mission this week. His name is Elder Bruce A. Carlson and he is a member of the second quorum of the Seventy, and as missionaries we got to have pretty much an entire nine hours of instruction and eating. (whoops I'm talking about food again...I haven't had lunch yet, can you tell?) Most people would think that sitting and hearing someone teach about the gospel would be perhaps a little bit boring. On the contrary. Every word that came out of his mouth was AMAZING! My note book is full of little bits of his inspired message in every bit that I could find to write it.

Before I get into what he said I have a little story.  So President Patrick, our mission president, asked everyone of the missionaries to write a five minute talk and he was to pick two out of the crowd to give their talks in the meeting. Well I had prepared my talk and had written about three fourths of it. I didn't really think I would be called on because I was in fact giving a musical number. Well I woke up the morning of the Zone Conference and had a feeling that I needed to finish my talk. So as any good missionary I did. We headed to the conference, the meeting started and President Patrick goes up and says "today we will be hearing from Sister Cummings and Elder Ritz." (Or something like that...my mind kind of went on alarm mode when I heard my name.) So I gave a talk in my first zone conference. I was so thankful that I had had the prompting that morning to finish my talk. After supper I then had the opportunity to sing "If the Savior Stood beside me," accompanied by my amazing companion. She did amazingly! And my voice didn't crack so I think it was a good performance.

Well I don't have much time to telling you about all the inspiration I have gotten to hear this week but I can tell you one thing that Elder Carlson told us. For those of you who don't know General Conference is this weekend. This is a meeting where everyone has the opportunity to hear and watch as the prophet and other auxiliaries of the church speak and give divine guidance. I highly, highly recommend that you watch this. Whether you are Mormon or not you should really experience this. Its on Saturday and Sunday (if my loving Aunt could put all the information up that would be wonderful) I am so excited to see this conference, I have a feeling that every word that is spoken will fill my heart with knowledge and warmth. Any who attend here's a message, Elder Carlson wisely said "Approach Conference with a problem and a question." He then promised us what I am going to promise you now. I Know that the Savior loves us and he speaks to us through this Prophet, and I promise you that when you watch conference, the question or problem will be answered and addressed. I give this promise in the name of Jesus Christ our Loving Savior, Amen.

 I love you all and I love hearing from you!

Sister Cummings

Picture Updates

Dear family,

I never really know what to say in my weekly emails because I feel like there are always way too many feelings and experiences to cram into one email! I'm about out of time so this will be short. Again. sorry!

Zahra is on date to be baptized the 25th of October! We think that she has finally made the decision to make the jump, even though it frightens her! We're not sure what has finally made the difference. The spirit has been working on her for a long time. She prayed all week long, and she talked to her mom and called her grandma this last week and told them that she officially wants to be baptized. The miracle was that her grandma took it a lot better than expected. Now she's praying all this week so that she can call and tell her grandpa, which will be a lot harder.

Heather is doing better than ever! Her boyfriend LJ joined us for WHE last Monday and almost came to church with her, which is a HUGE deal! Long story. Stay tuned for more explanation... after the mission :)

Haley and Emma are both doing splendidly.

I'm doing better than ever! Always learning and growing! I've had many experiences this week through lessons with investigators, street contacts, and other moments where I have had the chance to reflect on the tender mercies of the Lord in my life. I don't understand why I was so blessed to be born having the gospel in my life, with a "goodly" family to love me, and so many other blessings. Sometimes the Lord blesses me with moments when He fills me to the brim, then fills me even more until I'm overflowing. I love Him for so many reasons.

Keep reading, praying, and taking the sacrament like you mean it. Remember that when you're not allowing the spirit to work on you, there's someone else who I can guarantee will be!

Love, Sister Slade

Service for Amelia! She's not painting her ceiling until a month from now, but she gave me permission to do some free advertising for the church until then :)

 Zahra thought we needed some bling. I swear these earrings she gave me weigh 20 pounds.

Exchange with Sister Glancy this week!  It was just like old times!

 I'm in denial but Sister Smith says I hit my 9 month mark a little while back.... whoops, did I mean to send this picture? :)

Us with the lovely Zahra!

 It rains in Washington. Can you tell I'm making up for my super short email but just sending pictures this week?