Sister Syd: Canada Week 9: Winter Wonderland Time

Hello everyone :) I hope all is well and that everyone is finding ways to thrive and look for God in their lives!

This past week was super busy but full of God's little miracles as always! We are headed into the cold winter months of Canada and I don't feel prepared mentally or physically....but I will get there eventually...hopefully! We have only had to shovel snow 3 times and so far the temps have only made it down to -21°C so we're still thriving! There was a bunch of snow all over the roads and they didn't get it plowed for a few days so cars made their own paths.....I'm the designated driver and driving has been an adventure and a half but we have been kept super safe. :)

Miracles. The first miracle I want to talk about this week was a lesson we had with a non-member who was a referral through one of our YSA members. We met with him and taught him the plan of salvation and how God has individual personalized plans for each and every one of us! We talked about where we came from, why we're here and where we go when we die. He found it interesting and all he could say was that it made sense and he agreed to meet again and learn more about the restored church and the Book of Mormon! He was awesome! The spirit was so strong during the lesson and I am grateful he is eager to know more! The next miracle was from last night. We attended our YSA's home evening and a non-member just showed up so we started talking to him. He told us someone named Ashley from the ward knocked on his car window and invited him. There isn't anyone named Ashley in our ward so my companions and I briefly had the thought that some angel inspired him to come! He said he wants to learn more and wants to learn how he can fill the empty void in his life. He even told us he has been sober for a little over a year and that he wants to find happiness to help with the depression he has been dealing with so we set up a meeting with him. He was so excited and eager to know more.

Service. We were able to participate in a lot of member service this weekend! We got to help with a wedding! Service is my favorite things and being in a YSA calls for a lot of wedding service! :) I love that the members and their families trust and love us missionaries to come help out and serve them! We also got to help another member family with a restaurant they're opening! We got to help clean and paint. It was super fun and meant a lot that they trusted us enough to help with that service! It just makes me feel good, especially knowing we have so many opportunities to love and serve other just as our Savior did! He was the ultimate example of selfless love and service and I pray we can all strive to become like Him.

Personal study is one of the best parts of my day - especially when I study with full intent and full purpose of heart. This week I focused on the Book of Mormon and making it more personal. I came up with a marking system so that I can see the Lord's hand in the lives of the people, the lessons being taught and the blessings they're receiving. It has made me grow a deeper appreciation for the words the book provides in our lives and the hope it can give us each day. This week I have also learned a lot about being an individual and standing up for myself and my beliefs. It is important to remember who I am, who I am representing and what I stand for. I have been able to recognize how God sees me and the potential He knows I have as a person and as a missionary in Canada. :)

I am so grateful for my testimony of the Book of Mormon and for my Savior Jesus Christ! This is the only true gospel. The hope and peace it can bring each of us is beyond my words of gratitude. I know we have a loving Heavenly Father who has an individual plan for each and every one of us - our own perfect plan for us and our lives. I am grateful for the peace and assurance I can receive from this knowledge. I pray that everyone can look for God in their life and give thanks for the small and simple things!

With much love,
Sister Sydnee Merrill :)