August 27, 2013

August 27, 2013

Dear Family and Friends,

Miracles are happening in Airdrie, Alberta, Canada.  Sorry I couldn't email home yesterday.  Since tomorrow is transfer day for some people, the whole mission has P-day on Tuesday instead of Monday.  No worries, I'm staying in Airdrie!  Thank heavens too.  It is really starting to pick up.  Last week we were able to find 6 new investigators just from street contacting!  It's amazing.  And we were able to have several first lessons this week and we will have several second lessons later in the week. 

Last week we were supposed to meet with an new investigator (Paul) at the library.  He didn't show up.  We saw his 16-year-old friend, Donnovan, at the library and asked him where Paul was.  He didn't know.  So we started talking to him about the gospel.  He was very rude.  He was very disrespectful.  At that moment, I was so grateful for a nice younger brother like John, who would never treat someone like that!  I wanted to leave, but Sister Nuttall and I both felt like we needed to keep talking to this young man.  We were able to talk a little about the gospel.  Then we finally left and on the way out, a man said, "Hey! Are you Mormons?"  We started talking to this man (Loren) and told him about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, the whole thing.  He used to be a Jehovah's Witness but has a grudge against them now, "for what they did to my family".  We gave him a Book of Mormon and we're going to talk with him again this week!  I guess we had to endure talking to the young boy, so that we would be in the right place to talk to Loren.  

On Wednesday, we went on exchanges.  I went to Coventry (right outside of Calgary) with Sister Saegers.  She's 24 years old, 6'5", plays basketball, and neither of her parents are active members.  She's pretty cool and I learned a lot from her!  

On Thursday, we had dinner with a young family that just got sealed in the temple because he got baptized a couple of weeks after they got married.  I'm  meeting some pretty amazing converts here.  Some that sacrificed everything, literally everything, to join the church.  I'm learning what it means to be truly converted to the gospel.  It was pretty neat though.  He talked about "his missionary" and how much he loves that elder and still talks to him.  I can't wait to be "someone's missionary!" -- to have faith, when it's easy, but especially when it's hard.  I'm so glad that Meagan, was courageous enough to join the church, even if it wasn't easy.  I'm so glad she's a member of our family now!  

We visit with a lot of "less-actives" (a lot of them are "inactive") and it's sad what tiny little offenses that they have on the church.  I've been doing a lot of defending.  Sister Nuttall is very Christ-like and likes to be soft and gentle in her approach with people.  But when people wrongly accuse the church, Joseph Smith, God, etc. I'm not quite so gentle.  Maybe I should work on that.... 

On to Karen!  We have visited with her 3 times since the last time I wrote home.  She is progressing nicely.  She is reading the Book of Mormon and we are helping her understand it and we have gotten her to pray with us.  I cannot emphasize enough how hard this was for her and what a big step it was.  I know she feels the Spirit when we visit with her and it's been incredible to see the change.  We have taught her how to recognize the Holy Ghost, but she likes to deny that she "feels any different."  I know she does.  So last night, we talked about repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost.  I invited, "Karen, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the Priesthood authority of God?" She was quiet for a very long time.... "But I don't even know for sure if this is true."  I told her that we've prayed for a date and we know she can be prepared on September 21st to be baptized.  We spent about 30 minutes talking with her, helping her with her concerns, etc. It was pretty amazing.  It wasn't Crystal asking her, it was the Lord.  Sister Nuttall invited her to read and pray and have an answer on Friday when we come teach her again.  So please pray for her.  I know she will get her answer.  I just don't want her to ignore it.

A lot more has happened this week.  My 1st transfer has been amazing!  I can't wait to see what happens this next transfer!

Love you all.  I'm praying for you. Please be safe.  

-Sister Crystal Gardner