Sister Ireland Goes to Canada!

HEY FAMILY!!!

Woooooooooooooooooo!!! So many things have happened so far. The plane that I boarded was a small plane...s.m.a.l.l.....so, I was a little nervous, because sometimes it's no bueno being in a small plane 38,000 ft in the air! I just understood that they have problems here and there, BUT since I'm writing to you rest assured you can know that I'm still alive. Calgary is very flat, green, and temperature right now is perfect. It's about 70 degrees or so with NO humidity, hooray! I met Sis. Archibald at the airport and she's great! As we were traveling to the mission home she gave us info about the mission and Canada itself. When we arrived at the mission home I really felt the spirit and His comfort as a I walked into that home. I felt like I was home and that this was the right place to be. We had a scrumptious lunch and then went downstairs for our missionary orientation, which was very informative and very long :) Afterwards we headed upstairs, had a great dinner and then headed the chapel a few blocks away to meet our new trainers. While waiting in the chapel for the meeting to start I was feeling very nervous, so to push out those negative thoughts I opened the hymn book and started reading. I came across the song, "Because I Have Been Given Much" and it totally related to missionary work I'm about to do. While I was reading those lyrics part of the second verse talks about sharing my glowing fire, my loaf of bread, my roof's safe shelter over head, that he to may be comforted. That's how my life has been in the Gospel. I've had plenty of fire, bread and shelter....so why not share it? So, that took the edge off to my nervousness.

At the end of the meeting I opened my call and I'm serving in Tuscany, which is the west side of Calgary and my trainer is Sis. Riley. I'm with her right now and she's a really cool sister, and I think that it's going to be a good experience learning from her. I want to write more, but next Tuesday is when I'll give you more info.

Love you!

Deb

First Week In MTC!!

Hey Family!!! (and friends)

Wow this new experience of being at the MTC has been scary and yet great at the same time. Sis. Zmolek and I taught our first discussion to an investigator (mock) at the TRC and at first it was really nerve wracking, but once we jumped in it wasn't so bad and we did a good job teaching. Of course we have a few things to work on, but while teaching this investigator I felt, deep inside, true excitement to share the gospel with this sister and can't wait to go to Canada and do the real thing. So, I know this is the right place for me to be, and I know I'll continue to grow as I put in my best effort. The Lord said to Moroni in Ether 12:27 that he would make weak things become strong unto him if he was humble and was willing to trust in the Lord. I know I definitely have things I need to improve on, but as I'm willing to obey the promptings of the Spirit and stay close to my Heavenly Father He will help me become successful.

This past week has been a whirl wind of emotions. At one point a few days ago I was feeling really really low. Since my middle name is 'obvious' I tried to stiffle my tears...but to no avail :) I was frustrated about teaching and how hard everything seemed to be here. So, I ran to the bathroom (I didn't tell my companion, but she doesn't have to know that:) and said a prayer, asking Heavenly Father to comfort me and make it through. I went back into the lunch room, but it was really OBVIOUS that I had been crying. But the Lord answered my prayer, because this one sister, Sis. Schmidt, noticed me and went out of her way to talk to me and I felt way better afterwards. I realized that the Lord usually answers our prayers through the service and concerns of others. This taught me that when the spirit prompts me to do or say something to someone else, even though we don't know the obvious reason of why, that it will be for their benefit and comfort and our personal faith increases as we see the results of following through on what the spirit asks us to do.

I share a room with six wonderful sisters! They're great to talk too and easy to get along. Luckily, Sis. Zmolek brought extra ear plugs with her because one of our sisters snores...REALLY, REALLY, REALLY LOUD! GGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!! :) So sometimes it's really hard to catch some sleep but once the ear plugs are in I sleep well...and same with everyone else! Anyways, all of them are great and we're becoming better friends as the days go by.

Sis. Zmolek and I are the only sisters in our District. The rest, of course, are elders and I remember Anne saying that with her district everyone was quiet for a little while. But, once they got to know each other more it wasn't like that. Well, the same thing goes for our district, it was REALLY quiet, but now, after this first week we all get along and we have a lot of fun! I love the elders in my district, they are awesome! I took some pictures but I'll have to email those next week, so stay tuned. Also, I've gained a lot of respect from the elders in my zone... heh heh. For gym we play 4 square and they say that I'm ruthless! WHA HAHAHAHA!!! :) It's fun to play with them, sometimes they can get a little cheap because their...man ego...get's bruised when I or one of the sisters get them out, but it's all fun and games. I really enjoy all the elders and sisters in my zone, it's the best!

I hope things are going well with everyone. This past Sunday we took a Temple Walk as a zone and I looked over in the area where everyone that I've left behind are, and was wondering what you were doing. I'm sad that I can't see you but I know we will see each other soon and the Lord will bless us individually as we strive to be closer to Him.

Sorry, there is so much I want to write but my time is already up. I love you all!

Love, Sister Ireland :)

THERE ARE SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MANY MORE PICTURES TO SHOW!!! 'Line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little' :) Ha ha next week there will be more!

Sister Johnson and I went to high school together!