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?

Staying in Mascouche

This is a forewarning. Often when I am writing an email I write the most serious moment of my letter first and then start from the beginning. And here is the warning, the ending of this letter is a little intense. But to begin I'll explain this lovely picture that I have attached, feast your eyes on this photographic beauty I title "Terrebonne Sisters cleaning the car." This literally just happened minutes ago and am still laughing =D Transfers were this week and as I believe I mentioned, I'm staying in Mascouche. However the ever so lovely Sister Leano became a Mama! Any non-missionary probably wouldn't get that reference, when a missionary trains a greenie its there child. So my mother is Sister Munive, My grandmother is Sister Godfrey, and my great grandmother and great great grandmother have died (which is to say that they went home.) So Sister Leano became the proud Mama of Sister Willis who is from Hawaii and never ceases to make us crack up. I am LOVING living in an apartment with another companionship. I've learned to make tortillas this week and also how to make a Book of Mormon into a steering wheel using paper and cardboard (sadly I just realized I never got a picture of it...) eh C'est la Vie, it made some wonderful girl really happy.

This week Sister Munive and I learned about the importance of planning. Every morning as a missionary we have a companionship study time, well almost every morning, sometimes we have someone scheduled at that time. Either way for some reason we had not had our full time to plan for the lessons of our dear dear investigator Luna but we showed up with a rough idea that we wanted to teach repentance. We parked the car and go and knocked on her door, no answer, then called her phone, with no avail... knowingly we turned to each other. Sister Munive said the exact words that I was thinking "We need to plan." So we head back to the car said a prayer and then started searching for the scriptures that would be best to share in order for Luna to understand the principle of repentance. Sister Munive had just found the perfect scripture and was halfway through reading it when Lona called. Hmm coincidence, I think not! We went in ready to teach the amazing lesson we had just planned only to realize that we needed to teach a different lesson, one of prayers and answers. Afterwards we came out of the lesson feeling happy how the lesson went and also in a way a little chastised. Sister Munive put it perfectly "Sister we have been praying that Luna may be protected as she continues towards baptism. God was protecting her from our unpreparedness." The moment we had the lesson planned then he opened the door for us to see her. At the same time we learned that no matter the circumstances we need to plan and if we plan for one lesson he may guide us into teaching a lesson that the investigator needs. So this week I have learned my lesson and I'm sure Sister Munive has as well.

Thank you all that have prayed for Luna. She is progressing very very well! We have had the opportunity to see her five times this past week! Which is crazy to even have the time to focus on just her as a missionary, or more accurately its a miracle we have been able to see her so often. She has even given us a referral to her friend living in New York City, who gladly thanked us via phone in one of our first visits "thank you for teaching my future wife about Jesus Christ." So Sister Munive and I may or may not be "shipping" them, and may or may not be making plans to get them married in the temple, but thats a minor detail. Luna is feeling the Love of Christ and is continuing onward to her baptismal date.

And this is where things get a little more intense.

As always miracles have happened this week. As a missionary it seems to be a lot easier to see these miracles, no matter how small. Everything from finding a new investigator or finding a lost sock seems to happen at least every week, if not daily. I am truly loving it here. I am truly loving being a missionary. Until this moment I didn't really seem to know why I am serving a mission. I just knew that I needed to and had no other reason beside that. Now I know. I was reading my notes from a beautiful talk given at the MTC on the 4th of July, I've began to just write what my thoughts are in my notes and when reading them something stood out that I had written. And when I read it I had no recollection of writing it, but this is what it said,

"One day I will be someone's hero, I will help lift them up out of the dark mist of sorrows and through the grace of the Almighty God, bring them to the Everlasting Gospel."

When I read that everything clicked. I am realizing how much of a blessing it is to work, no matter how oxymoronic that phrase may be, everyday I have the authority to spread the gospel abroad and to brighten peoples days. I have the power to share the gospel and to promise as a representative of Christ numerous blessings. This is my Testimony. My true and honest testimony. That no matter the trial, no matter the sin, and no matter the action, there is always a Father in heaven willing and waiting to help, all you must do is pray. Pray with a sincere heart, and I promise that God will respond. This I do in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Sincerely,

Sister Cummings

Trying Week

Dear friends and family:

This week was a trying week for me and my companion. Because of accomplishing standards last week, we were all geared up to work with all of the awesome people we had in church last Sunday. But, as the week went on, all of them had things come up that caused them to not want to go to church again or even to see us again, in some cases. It was a struggle to keep our spirits high as all of these things were happening. On Saturday morning, it was looking bleak. We didn't have anyone committed to come to church.

But then we had a miracle! We were finally able to meet with Pauline, one of the investigators who came to church last week. She wasn't interested in being baptized until after she and her fiancee were married next year. But we visited them together, taught the restoration, and then testified about baptism. They wanted to be baptized, but still not until after they were married. (They were not living together, so it shouldn't have been a problem.) So we changed strategy and helped them to realize that they could be legally married this week, and then baptized, and they could have a big celebration for both afterward. Next year, for all we care. They both thought this was a great idea, and so they met with Brother Acevedo for the marriage counseling class after church. They are still very excited to be married, and then to be baptized. If the bishop is available this week, they will be married and baptized this week. If not, then it will be next week.

This will be the first couple that I help to be married on my mission so that they can be baptized. Elder Fisher and I were very careful to emphasize the importance of being sealed in the temple a year after their baptism, and they are both looking forward to that too.

We, unfortunately, fell short of the standards of excellence this week. But we'll repent, and we'll get them this week instead! And then the week afterward! And on and on indefinitely!

Again, we can't wait for specialized conference this Wednesday. We're a little bit bummed that it's all the way in Boynton Beach, even though it would be much less of a drive to get to Miami Lakes the next day. We're going to have to be very careful with our miles these next ten days...

So, Grandma had amnesia temporarily? That doesn't sound like fun. How much of the day did she remember after prodding her memory?

And Gabe is going to NYC. I've always wanted to go to New York, all of you are so lucky!

Thanks,

Elder Slade

Good News!

Dear family,

So much good news to report this week! Darlene and Everett moved to Arizona a few months ago, and this week they went to the snowflake temple to get their endowments and to be sealed! Such a happy event for them and for me! I wish I could be there somehow, but I am so happy just to hear that they're doing so well! We also went to the cottage meeting at the mission home last night, and I got to see Jesse, the guy that I contacted at Edmonds Community College a few months back. I'm pretty sure I wrote about him in a few emails before we found out he lived in Silverlake YSA area so we had to pass him off. Right before I got transferred to Silverlake YSA Jesse moved to Marysville so he was then passed off to the Armar YSA sisters. Well, Jesse got baptized yesterday and he was absolutely beaming! I see such an amazing change in him! I asked Jesse if he remembered that first time I met him and him telling me that he doesn't agree with organized religion, and there's no way he would ever join the church, but he was willing to listen just to hear what we believe. Jesse laughed and told me that he did remember that.

Heather has officially been free from smoking for 8 days as of today! She successfully finished the 7-day stop smoking program and we are so proud of her! The first few days were extremely hard for her, but on day 6 she told us that she went out to take her dog Duders for a walk and she smelled someone smoking (not a big surprise when you're in north Everett) and she said that it absolutely disgusted her. The last few days have been easy! I have taught a lot of investigators on my mission that I have gotten very close to, and Heather is one of those that I will always have a very special love for.

A few weeks ago I mentioned that we are teaching a girl named Zahra who is muslim. This week President Bonham came to one of her lessons with us and we had a very powerful experience. We were reteaching the restoration, and we turned to the picture of the first vision in the pamphlet. Before we said anything Zahra looked up from the picture and said, "Does it make you want to cry?" and out of nowhere she completely broke down sobbing. The spirit was so strong. We let Zahra cry for a few minutes, then she expressed to us how she felt good and how she knows that this is the path that she wants to take, but she is terrified of what her family back in Gambia will think. They are muslim and she doesn't want to become a disgrace for the family if she gets baptized. This is something that she has been working through for a very long time, and I felt so much love and compassion for her as she shared her feelings. I told her that my heart went out to her for this hard decision that she has to make, but the reason we keep coming to teach her is because we love her and know that this gospel really is that important. We promised her that if she will do everything in her power to pray and read and come to church so that she can build her testimony, she will be given the strength that she needs to make the decision that is right for her. 2 days later she told us that she is going to read the Book of Mormon by one month from now, and 2 days after that she came to church and showed us that she had already read through 1 Nephi. :)

There is so much more I wanted to say about my studies and being a Sister Training Leader and other investigators but there never seems to be the time! Just know for now that I love you all! I am so grateful for the support and prayers that I feel from all of you!

Love, Sister Slade

Seeing Jesse Gilpatrick again at cottage meeting!