Salutations from Canada :)

Ahoy Family,

This past week has been a challenge....a good challenge I must say. Sister Macias (from Ecuador) and I are still considered the 'new sisters' in our mission and this week we went on an exchange. Sis. Hill and Sis. Macias's companion, Sis. Chase had to go to training meetings in downtown Calgary, which left two jr. companions to fend for themselves for four days. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! :) When I realized that Sis. Macias and I were going to be working together I felt very nervous and was wondering how things were going to go because we were still relatively new. But, while I was thinking about it I felt this feeling of peace come into my mind and heart telling me it was going to be okay...and it was! Actually, it was great! Sis. Macias has such a strong, powerful testimony of the Gospel and I was able to learn a lot of things from her this past week. The Lord watched over and guided us as we worked together and it was a neat experience. Every other day we would switch out on areas, so one day we would be in my area, Tuscany, and the other day, Airdrie. It was different but good to learn to be the senior companion for both of us in our areas and I felt that we taught with the Spirit with the people we taught.

Sis. Hill and I have experienced a couple of miracles this past week. We were going to visit a member who was on a street that we previously thought we should tract. So, while walking to the member's house we decided to knock on the first door we came to. A man in his twenties answered the door and while we talked with him he was very interested about the church. Usually when we talk to people we ask them questions, but this time he was asking us questions! He wanted to take our materials that we had about the restoration and Joseph Smith and asked when our church service was because he really wanted to come. He did ask one question that if he joined our church if he could still drink....dun dun dun!!!! So, Sis. Hill told him that we didn't drink and explained that when we put those things in our body we can't be receptive to the spirit. That basically made sense to him and he told us that he would try to come. On Sunday we waited outside for him before church started and he didn't show. We're going tonight to follow up with him and see if he would be interested in learning more. To be honest, he seemed really sincere when we were talking with him so we hope and pray that he will be able to accept the message we want to share.

Also, on the same day we went to an investigator's house, Vance*, to see if he happened to be home. We saw that his car was there and it's REALLY hard to catch him because he works 7 days of the week. Vance wasn't home but the man's name who answered the door was Maribeau (Mare-a-bo:) who is also from Cameroon like Vance. While talking with him he said that he was in a bible study group and they're trying to find the church that is closest to the primitive church back in Christ's time......:) We gave him a Book of Mormon with a restoration pamphlet that he was willing to read and we're following up with him this week. Ha ha! The field is white in Tuscany! Heavenly Father has been blessing us according to our faith.

Yesterday we met with, Iris*, the woman that we tracted into this past Sunday who's husband died this past January. We asked her if she would want to hear our message and she's being a wee bit resistant. She feels that she needs to find inner peace within herself and get her 'ducks in a row' before she can go to church. Little does she realize right now that you can't find inner peace all by yourself. True, you can decide if you want to be happy but when Christ is not in the picture in achieveing that happiness and peace you will not be entirely fulfilled, you're still thirsty. In the the New Testament when Christ is speaking to the woman at the well he testifies that she would never thirst. "Wha?!" she says, "Where can I find this water?" He tells her that He is the well of living water and that through Him she would never thirst (thanks dad for that letter). Satan does everything to convince us that before we need to make changes in our lives we need to do this, and we need to do that.....oh and DON'T forget to do that other thing before you make this major change! When we listen to him we are procrastinating the peace and healing we could receive if we just ran to the Saviour and the well where he stands. If we need to make changes in ourselves we need to take the Saviour by the hand and let him lead us and to not depend on our own strength. "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things." (Alma 26:12) Turn to Him and let Him help you.

I love you family and I hope things are going well in the land of 70 degree weather in September! Jealous. :) It's getting pretty cold here. Burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Love, Sister Ireland

aka Debalee

*Names have been changed to preserve privacy

The Field is White in Tuscany!‏

Hi Family!

I'd like to share two cool experiences that Sis. Hill and I had this past week. We decided to stop by a potential investigators house but she wasn't home. So, we decided that we would knock doors nearby her house. While we were walking I noticed this man pulling his recycling bin back to his house and he gave us a smile as we were going to the next door. After knocking at three doors with no success we were heading back to our car and I had the impression that we should go to the home where that man went to. So, we walked back, knocked on the door and his wife answered. Sis. Hill started talking about the Church and she seemed interested but told us that they were busy and to come back another time. I received the impression to give her a Book of Mormon...and she accepted it! So, we are going back soon to see if they really are interested and hopefully teach them a lesson.

Alright, now the BIG ONE! So, Sis. Hill and I were looking at the area map a few days ago and she had a good feeling to go to this specific area and tract it. Yesterday we went to that specific place and the first door we knocked at an older woman answered the door. She was very nice and as we talked to her for a little bit she started to cry. Her husband had passed away this January and it has been a hard for her to heal. She let us in her home and we talked with her for about an hour. Her name is Iris* and she is a very sweet woman that has been raised Lutheran most of her life, but has stopped going once her husband became ill and passed away. She has the mind set that if she can get her 'ducks in a row' she'll be able to go back to her church. She didn't want us to teach her a lesson BUT she doesn't mind us coming back to help her out....which is the perfect opportunity to serve her and teach her more about the Gospel. This situation looks very promising and we're hoping that we can help her come to our church and be able to teach her more. Bit by bit though. So, the FIELD IS WHITE IN TUSCANY!!! woooooooooooooooooooooooo!!! We've both showed Heavenly Father our faith by being willing to talk to anyone that we see on the street and after a few weeks of doing this he's opened the door for us by leading us to Iris. Faith rocks! :)

Also, this past week Elder Zivic from the Seventy and his wife came to our mission and spoke to us for mission tour. It was a really neat experience and the Spirit was very strong.

I love you family and want to let you know that my testimony of this Gospel is getting stronger and stronger as I immerse myself in this great work. It's challenging, hard, and very cold :) but what keeps me going is that I have faith that as I do my part in serving the Lord, miracles will come to Tuscany where Sis. Hill and I serve. I believe that as I do my best to serve Him that He will continue to help me through my weaknesses and challenges that I face personally. My testimony of the Atonement is growing stronger also because it's helped heal me in many ways that at one point in my life I thought wasn't possible. We just need to show Him our faith by doing and He will help with the rest.

Love you!

Sister Ireland aka Spaghetti Ninja :)

*Names have been changed to preserve privacy

Family, eh?

Hello Family!

It's been another good week in Canada. Today is 'Transfer P-Day' which means that you find out whether you're going to be transfered or not. I'm still staying in my area of Tuscany and Sis. Riley is going to the '17th Ward' which is still in my zone. My new companion is, Sis. Hill, and I've heard that she's awesome so I'm excited to get to know her for this next transfer. I'm a wee bit nervous. Anne wrote me in her letter about when you're seperated from your trainer it's like your training wheels are being taken off...and I don't have fond memories about my training wheels being taken because I biffed a lot on my bike...:) Anyways, the Lord is in control and I know that this will be a great experience. I know because I've already felt that comfort from the Spirit.

It's starting to get pretty cold here in Canada. There is already a bunch of snow in the mountains and soon enough it will find it's way down here. I just can't wait to whip out my Darth Vader coat when the weather starts getting extreme, wha ahahahaha! "You will be baptized!" (with the 'force' hand motion)

I've really enjoyed the emails that I've received from everyone this past week and I'm sorry if I'm a wee bit slow responding back. I love hearing from you and it's a comfort to know that everyone still exists :)

I love you!

Sister Ireland

aka Debbie (just in case you're wondering)

Also, please pray for me for tonight. We're meeting a non-member in a member's home and I'm extending the baptizmal date. I really need to learn to rely on the spirit and not myself...because it's just a plain disaster if I try to do it alone :)

#6 and Dear Family #..............7? ha ha who knows :)‏

Letter #6 Monday, August 16, 2010

Hello Family!

Well, many things have happened here and there. Sis. Riley and I were able to do two church tours this week. As part of the mission rules, every lesson you teach to a potential investigator or investigator you ALWAYS have to extend the invitation to them to be baptized. So, for both church tours Sis. Riley extended the invitation but both didn't committ. The first tour that we did was with this woman named, Patrica*, who isn't a religious person, but likes to study religion. Ha ha, let's say she wasn't the most...'cooperative' person but it was neat to share the gospel with someone who wasn't part of the church. She was my first non-member lesson! She wasn't rude or anything, but rather, brushed it off, didn't like to consider certain things and so forth. But, we gave her a Book of Mormon and hopefully a seed was planted. She seemed really surprised when Sis. Riley said that Christ was at the head of our Church and not President Monson...that seemed to get her attention...

The other church tour was with, Mark*, who's wife is a member and he's really interested in the church, but he feels that he's not ready....even though he's been a faithful hometeacher for many years, says consistent family prayer with his wife, has own set of scriptures and reads them..............ddddddddddddddddaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! But yet, he still thinks he isn't ready and wants more time. But, through that tour I received the message from the Spirit that I'm nothing if I don't teach by Him. I can talk until I'm blue in the face about how the Gospel is true, that Joseph Smith is a true prophet, that the church is Restored, but if it's not with the spirit testifying through me I will never be effective. It made me realize how important it is to be worthy of his presence and it's through the Spirit that the word progresses. I'm learning many many things out here on my mission that I know I wouldn't learn anywhere else, so I feel that I'm progressing ever so slowly as I'm learning the ropes of being a missionary.

The work here in Tuscany is slow but it's picking up a little. We're able to make appointments with members to help increase their faith to do missionary work, but finding investigators and trying to teach them is difficult. They're either not home (go figure), their busy, extremely sick etc etc etc. It feels at times like we're wading through mud and it can be frustrating....and right now my eczema on my hands is starting to flare up. No bueno. Ok, let's be honest, I'm a little discouraged. It's hard out here, there's this thing called 'agency' and it sucks (take this off the record:)! People are just so stubborn, why don't you listen?! 'I pitty the fool!' :) Missionary work is HARD! It tries your patience, your faith, knowledge, diligence, your bladder.....let's just say 'D' ALL THE ABOVE. But through it all, I feel that my testimony is getting stronger, my ability to teach is improving, and I'm learning as I go day by day, etc. I know that this is the right thing to be doing, and I'm grateful for the love and support everyone gives me whether it goes said or unsaid. I'm feeling supported every step of the way.

I hope everything is going well down in ye olde Utah and I love you all very much.

Love, Debbie

Letter #7 August 30, 2010

Hello Family!

This week has been awesome! This past Thursday Sister Riley and I (with a member friend) went to the Cardston Temple and it was awesome.

This temple is very different because it has wood work inside instead of white. So, as you go throughout the session the wood becomes darker and darker as you progress. I went into the temple with a prayer in my heart about a certain question that I had and came out with an answer. After leaving the temple I felt at peace and had a different perspective about things. That's what the temple can do for us, regardless if you're endowed or not you can still experience the Spirit as you go and keep Him with you when you leave. The Cardston temple is 2 hours away from my area.....it amazes me how blessed we are in Utah to have temples dotted all over the state. Take the time to go as often as you can and you will be blessed with the insight and help that you need.

Sis. Riley and I had the opportunity to teach 3 non-members this week! One of them who's name is Brent* has accepted the invitation for us to teach him more lessons! So, we have an investigator! WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! He's amazing. He's been coming to church these past three weeks and was already reading his own copy of The Book of Mormon. We taught him the Restoration and we watched 'The First Vision.' Afterward we asked how he felt about it and he said he didn't know how to exactly describe it but he felt good about it and what the gospel has to offer. We extended the invitation for him to be baptized.......................................................................................and............................................he said he wasn't ready yet but he was planning on being baptized in the near future! So, accepted us to continue to teach him and we're really excited.

I love you family and I hope that all is well. Miracles happen we just need to have faith.

Love, Debbie

*Names have been changed

Letter #4 and Letter #5

Letter #4 Tuesday, August 3, 2010

AHOY FROM THE LAND OF CANADA!!!

Well, I'm definitely in the learning curve right now. I'm serving in the area of, Tuscany! While my trainer, Sis. Riley, and I were driving to our home she told me a little bit about the area. Tuscany consists of people that are well off financialy and are very comfortable. So, the area I'm serving in is a difficult because people are not willing to hear about the Gospel because they already have those things that they need. Our main goal or focus in the mission is to do missionary work among the members and not focus as much on tracting because it's not very effective. I've had to learn to wrap my brain around that concept, because from the missionary stories I've heard from home it seemed like all you did was tracting, tracting, tracting....and more tracting. But not so in the Canada Calgary mission, it's a different up here. This past week Sis. Riley has taken me to many homes of the members of our ward in Tuscany. I love the members!!! They are so wonderful and open PLUS they make great dinners :) Sis. Riley and I don't eat dinner very often at home because usually the members are willing to invite us over for dinner and a lesson.

We're living in the basement of a ward member who's name is, Sis. Jones. She's from Scotland and has a VERY STRONG accent and it's the best! Our living quarters are very very nice and don't forget the memory foam mattresses! We've been able to teach a few members throughout this past week and I'm learning how to teach better and better. Plus, Sis. Riley helps me during role plays as we're trying to figure out ways to teach better.....she says I need to teach more simply...and breath. Ha ha and it's true! Learning how to teach the Gospel simply is so important especially trying to teach people who have no concept or understanding of it yet.

We have three investigators that we are focusing on (I'll go into more detail in the next letter with the rest). There is Victor who is from Cameroon, Africa and before I came Sis. Riley and her comp. were able to teach him all the lessons which he learned to accept....until they came to the Word of Wisdom. Victor is soooooooooo close to getting baptized but the Word of Wisdom is stopping him from progressing. He has a deep desire to be baptized, but he wants us to change the rules about the W of W so he can still join. As I've come to learn when we're asked to observe the W of W the principle is not the 'science' of it. Yeah, we can be healthy and our bodies feel better but that's not the whole point. Our bodies are temples. When we destroy our temples by bringing in harmful things the spirit leaves. That's the principle of the W of W, we keep it so the spirit can dwell within and guide us. So, imagine if we changed the rules for Victor. Ok, you can be baptized and you can still drink etc. It's all in vain. The spirit can't enter and be with him, because he 'does not dwell in unholy temples.'

One thing, I just want to bear my testimony of how aware Heavenly Father is in our lives, whether we know it or not. For example, when Pres. Trent set me apart he told me study the Atonement and the desires I had to accomplish things would come to be. Then at the MTC one of my teachers, Bro. Haskins, asked me specifically to study the atonement, and then, once again, when I was opening my call to my first area my 'travel intinerary' told me to specifically to study the atonement. This has shown me how very aware Heavenly Father is aware of me and that He is also very aware of all His children and the specific needs that they have. We just need to look, and we can see Him right there continually calling to us individually. He's really there. I testify of that.

Oh there are so many other things I want to write!!! But, stay tuned for next week's letter :)

Letter #5 Monday, August 9, 2010

Hi Family!

Well, this past week has gone well. On Monday for P-Day we went to Banff and it was B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L. I'll send some pictures your way. We went to two lakes which were amazing and then we went to downtown Banff afterwards and went to their candy store. I can't remember what the store was called on Harry Potter, but I think the store that we went to was just like it! There was candy everywhere, and since I'm a true Ireland I got a bunch of chocolate bars....I didn't know I was missing something in my life, but I had found it. The chocolate here in Canada is sooooooo much better than in the states. Holy cow! I was very impressed. I'll send some down your way in a little while.

Sis. Riley and I have made a goal for this upcoming week to committ two investigators for baptism. There is Brother A, who has a Catholic upbringing but his wife is very active in the church and she's amazing. Before I came Sis. Riley and her comp. tried to committ him to baptism but he said he wasn't ready yet. From what I understand from Sis. Riley, Brother A is literally 'at the door' to being baptized. He knows the church is true, he has a foundation, but he hesitates to be baptized for whatever reason that may be. We're doing a church tour with him which is basically teaching the first lesson, but in visual form at the church. Sis. Riley is going to extend the invitation and we both have a good feeling about this.

The next person is, Brother B, who I mentioned earlier in my past letter. The only hold up he has is the Word of Wisdom and it's been really difficult trying to get in contact with him because he's trying to set up his own business. The neat thing is that he called us a few days ago telling us he was still alive and that he was busy but still wanted to meet with us. He's also 'at the door' we need to seek guidance from the spirit to help him resolve his concerns. We hope and pray that things will work out for both of them.

Yesterday we had dinner at a member home and they had a non-member friend, Brother C, who was interested in the church. Before hand Sis. Riley and I thought it would be important to emphasize on the atonement. After dinner we sat down and shared some scriptures about the atonement. Mine was from 3 Nephi11:14-15 where the Saviour asks everyone to feel individually, for themselves, the marks in his hands, feet, and side. I bore testimony that even though we can't literally or physically see the Savior with our own eyes like the people of Nephi did, the invitation is still the same for us individually. He asks us to come, to see, to feel for ourselves and be healed. Then Sis. Riley shared an awesome quote and then we showed a 'Mormon Message' by Elder Holland called, "None were with Him." Afterwards Sis. Riley sealed our message with a testimony. The spirit was present and Brother C seemed affected by the Spirit that was there. We're hoping that we can be able to teach the lessons to him, he seems very interested. Delivering a spiritual message is nothing when you don't have the Spirit with you. He was definitely there though.

Work in the area of Tuscany these past 1-2 weeks have been slow, BUT the Lord has blessed Sis. Riley and I with many sheaves! :) The mission goal is to have 20 lessons in a week, in the past year no one has reached that goal, Sis. Riley and I have 15 set up! So, we are in range to accomplish this goal! On Saturday members from our ward were willing to have us over to teach them this upcoming week and it's added up to a good amount. Through these lessons our goal is to increase the members faith and encourage them to do missionary work. Tracting in our area is not effective, so, through the members that's where we find success in teaching non-members. Family please do all you can to support the missionaries, through you they can find people to teach that they couldn't find elsewhere.

Well, the mission field is definitely a place to learn and grow. Line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. There are times where it gets discouraging and challenging but I remember something that Ben Carson said at his homecoming talk, "When you're going through hard times remember that something good is waiting for you right around the corner." The key is to 'walk' to that corner and not just 'stand'. We have to put our faith into action. It's hard here, but I know it will be rewarding as I forget myself. I know that as I do so that the Lord will help me become the instrument that he wants me to be.
Random note, the Calgary Alberta Temple is actually being built in my area! The church that we go to is right by the construction site! Our goal as a mission is to have 2600 baptizms before the temple is dedicated. So, you could say that we are trying to baptize a whole stake. Your prayers are in high demand! :)

Love you! Debbie

P.S. I forgot to tell you, the Prime Minister of Canada lives a few houses away from us!