Thursday, April 23, 2009

Hey family.
Things are great here. We have had a lot of miracles happen this week. We were
able to meet some great people. So right now I am in the YSA so we can only
teach the 18-30 year old women that don't have any kids so it can be a
challenge. But we are out trying to find them like crazy. We did meet a man
named Ken the other day and were able to help him find a need for the book of
Mormon. He is ready to make some changes in his life and he recognized a void.
As we taught him on the street about the Book of Mormon, our Savior and the
Atonement. He recognized we had a lot of good things to teach him. It was such a
great opportunity to talk to him and help him understand that God hasn't left us
alone. And that the gospel of Jesus Christ in now here in its fullest. It was
powerful to help him feel that need to feel a void.
We had a day of walking on monday. I felt like a pioneer in a small way....
cause I felt like we walked, and walked, and walked, and walked,... and walked.
We were out walking downtown and back to our apartment that is on the south end.
It took us 3 and 1/2 hours. So it was a lot of fun. But we came home and just
crashed on the couch. hehe. But at least we can say we could do it! We were
invited to teach part of achievement days yesterday so we were teaching these
8-11 year old girls about missionary work. And when they asked how many want to
go on a mission it was at least half. And I was so proud. I just wanted to be
like DO IT!!!!
We took a member Street contacting with us and she running people down right
next to our side. I LOVED IT! you could not wipe the smile off my face. hehe. It
was so hilarious. We found a lot of people and taught a lot of lessons that day.
We were really blessed. I love the seeing members excited about missionary work.
It just makes the week better! We are going to do a fireside this week on
Missionary work. Maybe someone else can catch her fire for it!
Today at Preparation day activity. We play this game called King's ball which
is pretty much ultimate dodgeball!!! And today I actually held my own. The rules
are whoever gets you out when they get out then you get to come back in. So one
person has to get everyone out. So it was down to me and another Elder. He threw
the ball and I caught it... I felt like the champion.... except he had gotten
people out so they came back in and then they ganged up on me and I was out. but
I felt pretty excited to stay in there as much as I was. It was a lot fun. You
just run around crazy. so everyone is against everyone. So I loved it! It is
good exercise to.
Wow... missionary work is the best. I hope you all have a great week. and
maybe I will hear from you soon! (thanks ash got your letter)
Love, Sister North (LOU)










so first picture.... we went to get thai food with the Davis' for lunch one day.
Sister Reynders doesn't like chopsticks so she we trying to pick up a spring
roll and couldn't so she eventually just stuck it with the chopsticks. It was so
funny. I love here because she is willing to try things that aren't easy for her
and doesn't worry about it.
second picture. we are in a huge coats because there was an extremely windy. and
crazy. so we whipped out our big coats but I think this was the last day. It
also rained at what not.
We were out on our balcony on a blustery day. So we were trying to catch it.
There was a rainbow behind us we were trying to get in the picture as well but
we missed... oh well still a good time.
Love ya, Lou




Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Hey everyone.
Well I am home (Regina)! And I am so glad to be back. This is one place that is dear to my heart. So I was grateful for the opportunity I didn't think I would have.
Here are some pictures of Sister Burns and my parting, but also, of Sister
Reynders and my glasses day, and some good events that have already happened.
So I have been able to rejoin with a lot of people here that I left before I didn't think that I would have that chance. So it is a great blessing. Also
though we have had a chance to find ways to help this area grow that I am excited about. Regina has a bad rap...but it is going to change. I love this area and the people, it is a lot more tracting then most area, but that
shouldn't make it worse...it should make it better. There are been some great things happening already and know there is more to come. I know that this is an important area or I wouldn't be here with sister Reynders.
I loved General Conference. And to hear those stories about Robert Gardner, Jr. It brought me great excitement to be in the family that I am and the legacy of which our ancestors have left. I am blessed to be in this family. I loved Elder Hollands' talk, he understands the Atonement more personally than I can even imagine. But he speaks of it with such depth, and love, and gratitude to give hope to those whose hands hang hopelessly down. We have encouraged a couple of the people we are teaching to listen to it. and apply it. Why would we allow ourselves to be alone if we don't have to. Or to feel healed if its possible. So I am grateful for the words he spoke and of the apostles and Presidnet Monson. I felt like those hours went way too fast! I think I am getting use to long meetings. hehe. But I felt spiritually uplifted. and so grateful becasue Heavenly Father answered my prayers through the words spoken.
I know this work is true. I am grateful for easter and for the chance that we have to celebrate the life of our Savior and know that "He Lives" and that because He lives we too will live. What a priceless gift. How often we take advantage of it! And how desperately each one of our Father's children need it. I am grateful to that we know who we are and the plan that Heavenly Father has for us.
I love you all! Linda- Malea is beautiful! I can't wait to meet here. Take care!
Thank you for the support!
Love, Sister North











Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Last Transfer

Dear Family and Friends!!!
WOW! What a week to say the least. Okay I don't even know where to start I guess it will start last week...
We went into Winnipeg for a Sister's Conference on Tuesday. It was such a great conference and the spirit was so strong. So many of our concerns were answered and I was so grateful for the powerful words spoken by our leaders. I felt I had a lot to apply and work on by the end which was exciting for me. When it was finished President said because it had been snowing for a day and 1/2 the roads weren't good to stick around winnipeg until we got the signal to go. We ended up staying until friday morning. We did make it back and then were in a rush for teaching and preparing for the baptism.
The Baptism was amazing everything went well. The weather cleared up so everyone could travel safely in. We got there early set up the chairs made sure the font was going. We checked the font about an hour in, and it was cold. So it had to be turned off so it would heat up again. So needless to say about a half hour before the early comers saw us filling up pots from the kitchen and taking them to the font. However, it was high and warm for them which was good because Nancy just had hip surgery in November. However, the whole baptism was a success and I am so grateful for the branch. They helped out.
Nancy called us yesterday, she told us how nervous she had been, and thanking us for the beautiful baptism with everything so perfect. She then said she had a question. She said that as she was being confirmed she felt like the hands were really heavy and her head and she was so nervous, she then had the voice say, "relax, it is all going to be okay." and she said she felt so happy after. And I was able to explain to her that was one way the spirit speaks to people, and she
said "I thought so but I just wanted to make sure." They are both amazing people. I love them very much. It was a perfect day.
Now to Transfer Calls. I had my last transfer call last night... and I am staying, jk... I am actually going to Regina. To be companions with Sister Reynders. Sister Reynders is from California she has been out 3 transfers previous to this upcoming one. She is really sweet and I am excited to go work hard there. It is an area where it is mainly tracting but things can change. I am so excited to finish my mission in Regina. Regina is like my home away from home because I started there. I have a lot of great memories in Regina, and more to come! Good thing! So I have been packing in hopes that it will all fit.... this will be good practice.
I love the gospel and the joy that it brings into the lives of those we teach. I hope that I have made as much of an impact on portage as it has made on me. It is going to be hard to leave the people here that I love. But it will be a great opportunity to return to Regina and be able to attend the temple again. Oh, how I have missed it.
I love you all. Thank you for your encouragement it really helps so much. I know that I am really blessed to have the friends and family that I do that support me through everything. I hope you all have a great week... and that you write and tell me about it. hehe.

**pictures from our road trips, and the baptism.

love you all.
love, sister north