Happy Day After!

Hello Friends and Family

Well, I am staying here in Regina with Sister Ferguson so all is the same for us. Yesterday, we went to breakfast, opened presents, talked to our families, went to the Davis's for lunch with all the missionaries, and then went to dinner at a members house (which was really nice), and then back to Davis's for a good game of Phase 10. We love the Davis's; they really take care of us by giving us rides, feeding us, and now we are using their computer because today is boxing day and nothing is open. It is a huge holiday. The Davis's have hard a hard time with the kids and the more we talk to them the more they tell us how it has blessed them, but I am grateful for our family and our many blessings that all of our family is active and have lived worthy of the Spirit. That is the greatest thing we have. I LOVE YOU ALL! Have a great day. Happy New Years, and take care of yourselves.

Love, Sister North



Here we are! Getting ready to go out into the beautiful weather!


When it gets to a good temperature the wind carries snow across the ground and it looks cool. The ground moves so it looks like it should be in a movie, like smoke or dry ice.


Both lefties! What are the odds?


Our Christmas tree, supported by the 1st Presidency above it!

Dec. 19, 2007 (sorry, this is being posted a little bit late...)

Dear Family and Friends. Here is a little news from the frozen North. Well everything is going good. I am companions with Sister Ferguson from Bountiful, Utah. She and I are working hard to meet those in our path that are prepared for us. I love sharing the gospel and have learned so much from being here. I truly am grateful for my Savior and his infinite atonement for each one of us. I am grateful that he has promised us that if we believe on his name and come unto him, he will welcome us with open arms. What a blessing! I am learning to adapt to the cold, and I still have all my fingers and toes so I feel like I am ahead of the game. I love each one of you and am grateful to have gotten to have your support and love. The gospel is true and I know that we can return back home to our Father in Heaven, and that he knows and loves each one of us so personally. I know that Joseph Smith is a true Prophet of God because of my strong testimony that Book of Mormon is the word of God. And God wouldn't put a true book in the hands of a false prophet as my companion often says. So if we can gain a testimony in that one book that gives us the promise we will get nearer to God by reading it then we should take the challenge and find out for ourselves. I hope you have a Merry Christmas, and that the spirit of Christ will be the center because this is a very special time of year. I hope you have a wonderful new year, and as you reflect on the past year that you will see what great blessings you have received through your obedience. Merry Christmas!

Love, Sister North

Zone Conference Photos

This is my district and zone, and the whole tri-zone conference group together.
Pres. Judd had them sent to us.

Okay so wow. This week has been INCREDIBLE! I have some great news and I want you to know that I am so grateful for your prayers and concern and love! So here we go. We have a baptismal date set! The guys name is Jeff. I don't remember how much I have told you but we have taught him all the lessons and just have the commandments left. So last night we took the Davis's with us because our member cancelled. And so we went over there, and we were talking about pray oft, scripture reading, obedience, and church. So we were talking to him and he was just really listening and I told him my experience of finding out that I was suppose to go on a mission. And he asked the sincerest question: "well how do I know what to read?" Keep in mind he hates reading and he doesn't feel like he understands it when he does. So we talked about different ways we can study. And then I needed to extend a baptismal date for one of my goals and so I was scared to death. So I kind of gave the 'will you...' 'do you think...' 'ummm... would you consider' type of way of getting to it and finally I asked he said he had been as a baby, and I told him it had to be under the right authority like Christ going to John the baptist, and he was like when? Sunday? hehe we were like no, we were thinking more around 29th of December. And he agreed and he was so excited and we told him of our love for him and his great heart. Sister Davis was crying and then he was like you are going to make me cry. But pray with all your hearts that he is ready for this and can stay stronger than the advesary because he needs this in his life. He is a really good guy! So yah but transfers are Christmas day so pray me and Sister Ferguson get to stay in the area with him to see it! So we might just have a white Christmas after all.

Yesterday was incredible because we also had a tri-zone Christmas Devotional where we discussed the living Christ, the purpose of Christmas, and our purpose being out here. The spirit was amazing and I sang 2 songs in the program. Me, Sister Ferguson, and Sister Winchel, and Sister Jenkins sang "Away in a Manger". This was new for me I had never sang parts on my own in front of people. It was a little rough because we had to do it last minute. In the second song I was the only one singing soprano with Sister Ferguson alto, Elder Rupert tenor, and Elder Smiley base. It was pretty good. We sang Far Far Away on Judeas Plains. I really liked how it worked out so it was good. I held my own and I was very scared but it went fine. Elder Smiley was pretty happy with the outcome as well.

So Crystal is also doing really well, she is my neighbor and we went to Costco last week with her and now we are well stocked. She came over the other night and we talked about what is going on as we often do. She needs the gospel and she told us she started reading the Book of Mormon and we watched the Restoration video with her. Things are going good with that. Pray for her too! And also Jim and Dianne come home from BC this week we have been waiting a month for them to come home. They are the one's who we said the Lord's prayer with and discussed the Book of Mormon with her family. Pray that they are still very receptive to hearing the gospel because we want to teach them so badly!

I have to go but I love you all! I love you! and I can't wait to hear everything going on! Take care! I love you. But all is well, the cold just simply means more layers not less work. Oh yah we met two potential investigators tracting last night, it is rare to get that so we have been really blessed here in Cananda! I love you!

Love, Sister North

It is COLD!

Okay here we go. It is cold here! I always have to wear one to two pairs of thermals, tights, socks, boots, 2 pairs of gloves, skirt, shirt, sweater, blazer, coat, scarf, and sometimes ear warmers depending on what we are doing. That is my normal day outfit. If I still feel cold I just add more layers! I have worn like 3 pairs of socks and more. It is good though. I try hard to not be cold but its hard not to since it is always -20 right now at least. And usually it's closer to -30.

We have been getting lunched constantly and then Sunday, we met with a guy named Alijosha, and he wanted to just learn more. He is really open but because he is in is 20's, he goes to YSA so we got to teach him one lesson and then we headed to the broadcast. The Christmas devotional was amazing! There is only one stake here in Regina. So all those that came to the broadcast met at the stake center. There aren't a whole lot of members, but enough. It was a wonderful broadcast. I loved their stories and how they quoted the songs. It really got me excited for the christmas season.

So we have definitely had a better week! We got to teach our neighbor Crystal. We see her everyday and started teaching her Monday. We wanted to have FHE with her, so we went and talked to her on our lunch break and she said that would be fine. We came back from an appointment and found a note that said to come over for dinner at six. She made homemade chili because we were asking her about it. That night we decided to share a message with her, and she had lots of questions. She had obviously been thinking a lot about our church because she just went from one question to the next, so we sat and answered them. She is Roman Catholic, and she has 2 kids. Her boyfriend is kind of the sort that sees the bible as a guideline. It was interesting to talk to her and have his contributions, I guess she rebuked him after we left for trying to give us a hard time. She is so sweet and is always bringing us things, like cake, and oranges, and many different things. She has really become a great friend to us. We watched Joy to the World with her yesterday and in part of it, it talks about the many different prophets and she asked if there was a video about Joseph Smith so we are going to watch the restoration with her and give her a Book of Mormon hopefully today. OH YAH! She is taking us to Costco today! We are so excited!

So they don't have Laughy Taffy's here and Crystal really likes them, Sister Ferguson got some for her birthday... so would you be willing to send a bag here. I guess Canadians are healthier because they don't really have all the junk that Americans put into food like certain sugars so the Oreos taste different. I guess American Oreos are a delicacy for those missionaries that were raised on them. Hehe. We are always comparing foods and talking about things we make. So what I really want is a list of recipes. Like broccoli cheese soup, pumpkin rolls, and any unique American foods.

Okay so here is another good story. We got a flat tire last Wednesday and have been driving on a doughnut for a little bit it is fixed now. When we got the flat, a cop came to see what happened, then our zone leaders showed up so we sat in the cop car with him as he showed us all his neat toys, and the Elders fixed the tire. It was fun for sure! We had a good time and could only go like 50Km on it which is like 30 mph. It was good.

Here's another good one. We went to an investigators home whose living room is up to your knees in clutter so we went over to help her clean. It was disgusting and I was grateful that I am a somewhat clean person (ps my room and everything has been staying really clean, even sonewhat more than Sis. Fergusons). Anyways it was scary and we got a lot done like 3 huge trash bags later. We were there for around 2 hours. There was some white powder on a lid and she was like what is this? Courtney her daughter listed off either pills, doughnut powder, or a mystery substance... she then puts it on her finger and licks it and says "YUP, DOUGHNUT!" Wow. I just about lost it there in laughter. We also go to an archive where we unfold paper. Yes unfold paper. So they can get names off the records and help the people here organize there antique papers and photocopy them.

We have plans for Christmas. The Cruikshanks have invited us over to open presents with them. I am so excited they have 3 little boys and they are so funny! we will also have breakfast with them!

Everything is going well and I hope this answered some of your questions. Oh yeah, I can't put my pictures and any websites because I am only allowed on this one, and the blog won't work because of the university blocks them, so I can't even see it. We are having a tri-zone Christmas devotional next week that I am very excited about! I am working on my Canadian accent, hehe. I go to bed so tired every night! I probably am becoming no fun at nights. Oh well.

We had a nice lesson last night with a recent convert. We had her home teacher there too. Honestly it is vital to have fellowshippers in the ward. If I could encourage anything for members and missionaries, the biggest thing is fellowshipping, letting missionaries teach investigators in your home, go with them to lessons, give rides to those who would need it. It takes a lot more work on our part as missionaries to get the ward involved but honestly it is the most effective way because we aren't going to be here forever and when we are going we want them to remain faithful, and they can through help of the members. It really is crucial. Things are great I love you all so much. Take care and will talk to you soon. December is going to be a great month for us all! Have a great week and work and school! And enjoy the warmth.

Love ya all!
Love Lou, Sister North

Hello!

Ok wow! A lot has been going on! We did see the President this weekend--we love the Morgans! They took us out to lunch and breakfast after the temple today. The Temple is beautiful and the people in it are lovely. Hehe. Ok so lets see, I AM SO EXCITED FOR TAYLOR AND CHELSEY! That’s so exciting! Well if they have a little boy they will win the Iron Mike Contest I think I was out of luck from the beginning on that one! Things are going so good here. So we had our coldest day the other day, -36 degrees! So we were only allowed to go to our set appointments, no tracting. Out of the 5 appointments we had, 4 canceled and the last one was going to cancel but we came a little early so she let us in. Me and Sister Ferguson found a tree in our storage closet full of random things and a lady in the ward gave us Christmas ornaments, so it doesn't look half bad.

This week because of all the lunches (ditches) we have been doing a lot of service in the ward in hopes that they might feel comfortable coming with us to teach and also giving us referrals. We are working the area book and feel we are making progress. We have been slightly discouraged but are really trying to keep a positive attitude about being lunched so much. We just really want to teach! But we are doing good and I really feel like there is good potential in this area. We are just trying to find the ones that really want it!

I was well taken care of on Thanksgiving. The Fishers, Davis's, and Blade's all put together a Thanksgiving for the missionaries. We have adopted Elder and Sister Davis from Orem, UT as like our care givers. They took us for hot chocolate the other day and had us for dinner. They are wonderful! We love them so much! They will be serving their whole mission here in Regina, so I hope to be here long enough to serve with them more. The president said I might be here for a bit which would be wonderful. I love it here.

Today is -21 but who knows with the wind chill that is what really gets. Probably -30's... Thats ok though because I layer lots and everyone just laughs at me. My coat I brought is actually quite wonderful. With the right clothes underneath it, it is quite warm so I haven't bought a new coat just boots which are very nice too. I just have to figure out how to keep my ears and face warm and I’ll be happy!

We will get Christmas off to do whatever we want so we are going to sleep in. Today we were up at 5 am to get the temple, its actually not too bad waking up early, it just catches up with me later and I get tired.

I must be off, but I LOVE ALL YOU! Ashley and Matt, thanks for the Sponge Bob stickers—they are exactly what I wanted! I am going to get some letters off today. Last P-Day was crazy with having to get boots and that type of stuff. Please keep praying for no lunches! Also, packages still go to the mission home address in Winnipeg just so you know! Love ya! Have a great week!

Love, Lou... Sister North

Second Letter From Canada!

Well as far as details go, hmm... I got here and I was extremely tired waking up the
first couple of days but it is getting better for sure. We went to our first dinner appointment last night, it was like meat balls, rice, vegetables--a standard dinner. The dessert was this intense chocolate syrupy souffle looking thing. So we are planning on cooking so if you want to send any recipes that we typically made I will give it go. My companion and I are both from Utah she is from Bountiful so we are a lot a like and we like a lot of the same things. President and Sister Morgan are really sweet I looked rough the day I got here (it showed that it had been a long day hehe). Oh well, can't change that but they were very warm and loving the party was fun. We talked and just kind of got to know each other. There are more sisters here than ever before and they are all pretty excited about the sister power it is going to bring. Wow, Stilson got married huh? Wow, that is cool that they have a chance to be happy now. How are Ash and Matt (*editors note* - we are good)? everything good? They are probably busy as usual. Yeah I think that is the way I would choose to go...together. I am so proud of Ash, she is amazing if only I had her help to pass tests I would be feeling pretty good. She can do it. She is pretty much beyond impressive! I am sure she is being kept busy because they recognize she is one of the best, and if they don't yet they will! About Thanksgiving, there are some couple missionaries who are putting on Thanksgiving for us so sweet! I am excited because all the missionaries in our zone are coming. My MTC district got pretty split up so there are only 3 of the 10 in Regina, but it is still better than just me. The other day someone asked us if we were going home for Christmas and I told them no. They looked at us in astonishment and couldn't believe it. It is a price that I am paying right now for the opportunity to be here. He thought we were quite peculiar on that one. I show Kamryn off in the book Ash made me, it has been a good thing to have although I don't have all my pictures it is a good start for sure. Of course she likes you, you are Grandma! That is so sad about Brynlee that makes my mouth hurt, that would be miserable! We have a family of dancers! It is good to have some support and friends so moving will be good for them,hehe. Good ol' bachelor, I didn't have time to call Linda at the airport we were pretty busy but relay the message that I love them! Oh Marlee the little roll of fun, she was already getting a personality so now I am sure its even better, hehe. I would be extremely excited about Maudi's dance recital! It will be so funny! The cabin will probably be small but it will still be good. So I am happy to hear Grandpa is doing a little better, he is such a good guy and I really hope he gets fully recovered. I am praying for him. That is crazy about Michael's call, that is exciting! Hopefully it isn't as cold as it is here. Good ol' pushing the button its important, but always quite intense. That is good he isn't as shy, because it is hard to be a missionary and be shy. In the MTC some of the couples there were on their 6Th missions, I think it is worth it if they continue to come back. We have some very sweet senior missionary couples out here that are really cute.

2408- 79 Cambridge Ave.
Regina Saskatchewan

But remember I am only here 6 weeks for sure, and now it is more like 5. But as of 3 days ago I will have been out of a month. OK, spiritual time - Mom, know that I am protected out here. I don't want you to worry. I have been trying to make my prayers less repetitious and more meaningful. It is a working process, but it is helping so much. Also, I know that there are reasons people are put in our paths. The family I was talking about (Jim and Dianne) we had the wrong address on. We had the cousin's address but she just happened to be there, and we got to teach both families at once. Had we gone to her house that is across the street we wouldn't have found them. I have scripture especially for you. Mosiah 28:5-7. We have a daily morning exercise and at 8 am we have personal study. I can't tell you how much I have been learning. I started at the first and wow, it is amazing how much can be applied to you. I hate when it's over because that is my only time to be by myself to think, study, learn how I can teach others, learn how I can grow personally, and really how I can be strengthened to teach these amazing people. I want people to know how important the gospel is to me, I want them to see the light and want to improve. I want to be perfected through our Savior and really have the chance to be something more than just myself. I love you mom. Today I read 1 Nephi 13 and how it prophesies of both the Book of Mormon and Bible and how they are there to teach and testify of each other that we may have the fullness of the gospel. We are so blessed. I will get to go to the temple next week and I am so excited. I love this gospel, and sharing it. I still feel very weak in myself, but I know the Lord can fill my mouth. I am trying to recognize the Spirit more in my life. If you want to send this to whoever you are welcome to. Just know I am happy and all is well. And most importantly THANK YOU! You helped me so much so that I was prepared to be here both physically (clothes), and spiritually for your example. I will write a letter later. Most emails probably won't be this long. We have a P-Day activity coming up where all the sisters and elders play some kind of activity so it should be fun. I will talk to you next week. I can check the blog so I need the address for next week. THANKS!

Love, Sister North

Here are a few pictures from the MTC:

First letter from Canada!

Dear everyone!

WELCOME TO CANADA! Well me. I am here. The mission president met us at the
airport and then we sang them O Canada. I am sorry I didn't get to talk to
everyone on the phone but everything is good. IT IS FREEZING (*editor's note: you can see weather conditions on the right side of the screen*)! But I am very
grateful to have my coat. It was perfect and I knew that my mother really loves
me. We went to the mission home and ate an amazing meal. We were starving and
now we are all stuffed. Everything is good and I love this people. We are at the
mission office here and we are going to get our cards, more information, and
meeting substitute moms that greeted us wonderfully. I am ready for this
adventure. All the sisters get to have a sleep over tonight! "But it is not a
party" according to president... But it really will be! We are excited and I
will get to see Sister Allan soon. I have to go have some fun back at the
mission home, but I made it in good shape, and am excited to serve. I will talk you
next week and answer all the unknown questions... like who my companion is because we find tomorrow. I LOVE YOU! Take care... Talk to you next week.

PS - We are in good hands they have been preparing for us to come for quite some time. There are only 6 sisters here, so everyone is a trainer.. awesome!

Love ya, bye!
Love, Lou (Sister North)

November 8th, 2007

Hello hello. Well this week has been pretty eventful. We have been going full
force and have already started the second lesson. We had some very funny things happen this week and some very spiritual things also. It is funny how those two sometimes can go hand in hand. We go to a place called the referral center and talk to all those who call in for the DVDs or bibles or books of mormon and talk to them and encourage them to allow the missionaries to come to their homes to discuss it. We got a lot of referrals as a district and have set some high goals. I have received a ton of support from letters and what not. It has been awesome so thank you. I really know that I have a team rooting for me back home.
We play volleyball every so often and the sand is always freezing so we leave happy from all the laughter but half the time we can't really feel our feet and we just tell ourselves that we are just preparing ourselves for Canada. Hehe. Really optomistic thought. So 10 of us in our district are going to Winnipeg and we are all pretty excited. We are getting worn out from the studies but we are still pushing ahead.
Here is a funny story: So the other night we were all getting ready for bed when the branch president's wife knocked on the door. When I opened it she started coming in, but Sister Burns wasn't ready for company so she climbed in her closet. It was hilarious! So Sister Bailey (the branch president's wife) is meeting us all for the first time and while we are talking well she is like, "where is the other one?" So Sister Winchel (her companion)went to check the bathroom because for some reason I was the only one who knew she was in the closet. She is just watching with everything with the door slightly open, waiting for Sister Bailey to leave. As we are all standing there Sister Winchel comes back and says, "she is in the shower." Sister Bailey then sits down and says, "I'll wait, I really want to meet her." so Sister Burns is trying to get my companion Sister Peterson's attention, and Sister Peterson thinks someone is talking to her like the Holy Ghost and is all freaked out. Meanwhile, Sister Winchel thinks she has lost her companion and suddenly she gets this terrified look on her face. I finally tell Sister Bailey that she has been in the closet the whole time we all laughed hysterically. I think Sister Bailey was a little worried about that one--way to make a first impression! She saw us on Sunday and informed us that she hadn't told anyone, probably because of the embarassing way we acted. It was great.
I must go but I have loved the Spirit here, I love you all. Thank you for everything. This place is amazing. LOVE ALWAYS AND FOREVER!

LOU...Sister North

Farewell and MTC Photos

Hello momma, daddy, and family!

Bonjour,

Well today is our P Day and we have set up our password someone has already used lindsey_north so i guess there was another one previous to. So it is just sisternorth@myldsmail.net. Okay where to begin. Lets start at the first. We got here Wednesday and we were running from one meeting to the next, it was pretty crazy. They got us established and try to make us feel as welcomed as possible. We met our Mission President, President Bailey, He is a very nice guy and concerned with all of us. I was made Coordinating sister. We went to a lot of orientation and got familiar with our surroundings. My companion is sister Peterson, and she is great. We are progressing great, and we both work hard so it makes it all that much better. I love her lots. There were less meetings toward the end of the week because on
Saturday we had the chance to do service and our first gym period. We also taught our first lesson, scary but good. Sunday was very good, I had a lot of meetings because of my calling, and relief society was so good, sister Dalton from YM presidency. She did amazing and you could feel her love for us so strongly. later at the fireside that night we heard from Stephen Allen, a member of the missionary training leadership. He went through Preach My Gospel amazingly, every time we hear a speaker they give us a new challenge so we have been working on those challenges, like memorizing chapter headings, the articles of faith, smiling, praying, and testifying everyday. The progress you can make is amazing. We are striving to better every part of our lives. Tuesday was the most amazing talk! We heard from Elder David A. Bednar, and it was powerful. We were in the choir, and honestly his talk just filled you with the spirit. What an amazing spirit. Here is a spiritual story: Sister Peterson and I were waking up sick in the morning but fine the rest of the day. So we got Priesthood healing blessings Monday and I woke up Tuesday feeling a lot better, however, she was still very sick. I was worried about her, so I took her in a room and a began a fast in her behalf. We went about our normal routine, and we taught our first investigator lesson in the TRC. Then we had that devotional (with Elder Bednar) that night. The next day we woke up and we were both healed. I know that the power of fasting is real. Thank you dad for your letter, I received it at lunchtime where I read that part to Sister Peterson to show her where I had received my testimony of fasting. I know that it worked and that the Lord healed her. I was so excited! Yesterday we changed our outline of the first lesson again (this is like number 5) to add more questions to help the investigator with understanding. It was powerful I felt the spirit so strong and I know the others did too. It was amazing. We played volleyball at gym as a district it was awesome. I still have my serve and they seemed to be impressed! It was one of our best days here--we were laughing, and having fun as a district in volleyball. The other two sisters are so fun, Sister Burns and Sister Winchel both have cool stories why they are here. I will have to tell you about them later. And now today is Thursday and we are trying to be obedient so that we can have the Spirit with us, so that we might be touch the people we talk to at the referral center; this will be our first time there! I am excited about all that have been learning. Thank you for your love and support. I have received many packages and letters. Thank you! I love you so much. You are all so important to me. I testify that this church is true and that our Heavenly Father knows our needs and will answer our prayers if we ask. We have been praying constantly and testifying just the same. The Spirit can honestly be a constant companion. I love you so much! Take care and I will be sending a letter too. With all my love. Sister North

My Hero, My Best Friend!

Last weekend was Lindsey's farewell down in good'ol George. There were so many friends and family there to support Lindsey on her big day! She spoke for 35 minutes...and if my mom wouldn't have been giving her the cut signal I'm pretty sure she would have taken the entire meeting! Lindsey is so excited about the gospel and she has taken every opportunity to share it! I always knew that she would make a great missionary, but I was blown away by her testimony and her love of the scriptures. I also had the opportunity along with my parents to say goodbye to Lindsey at the MTC in Provo. I have now officially dropped off all of my siblings at the MTC...wow! It was a lot harder than I thought it would be! I was so excited for Lindsey that I didn't want to be sad. Suffice it to say, I cried like a baby. Anyways, I am really proud of Lindsey and I know she will touch many lives in Winnipeg, Canada! Matt and I will be updating a blog for Lindsey while she is gone, so that everyone can read her letters and see her pictures.

New Blog!

So Ashley and I had this idea that instead of trying to forward Lindsey's letters and news to everyone and risk people getting left out, we would set up a blog so that we could post her letters, photos, and other exciting news! We will also keep her address and other info. on here too. So if you are reading this and know others that might be interested in keeping up to date with The Adventures of Sister North, please be sure and share this site with them!