The Work of Salvation

Selfie Sunday! Do you miss my cute face?!?!?! ;)

First things first..... if you haven't watched The Work of Salvation, yet... go watch it right now. Here, I will even do you a favor and post you the link so it won't take any effort.. :)  It was SO good! Every member needs to watch it and see how they can help missionaries! And some of the videos they show on there are so good.... the one where they do a missionary medley and have videos with it of like each stage of life for a missionary most definitely made me cry! It just brings back SO many memories of when I was set apart and then dropped off at the MTC by my parents. Seriously so good. :)  The whole Sunday broadcast just got me more pumped on missionary work and helped me to be more grateful for this opportunity I have to be set apart as a full time missionary. For all you pre-missionaries reading this or to anyone who is thinking about going on a mission, get pumped because you are in for the time of your life. Yeah some days suck, a lot! But..... it is worth it... it is SO worth it because this work is life changing. ok I will be done now #preach :)

Becky, Sister Norell, and Karly

Last Monday we were able to go to Niagara Falls. It was a ton of fun! The experience from the Canada side is probably way different than it would be on the American side. I must admit that it made me a little bit homesick to see America. haha Sometimes I just miss it, and the good grocery stores. (Seriously be grateful for the stores in the states. It is just not the same here!)

Karly holding a picture of her Grandma, Great-Grandma, and Mom.  The picture was taken in 1989 when THEY visited the  falls, before Karly was born. 

After the Falls we went to a place called Niagara on the Lake. It is a beautiful little town that has a ton of cute shops and places to eat.

We have started teaching a family that has 4 little girls. Twins that are 4, a 6 year old and a 9 year old. They are so cute! When we taught them last week I had them help me say the closing prayer and it was the sweetest thing ever. I would say the first words and then they would copy me and it was honestly the best prayer I have ever been a part of! The whole family came to church yesterday and really loved it. All the little girls showed up with the Book of Mormons we gave them and instantly fell in love with all of it!

The ward fed us after church yesterday... it looks like we are on a date huh? I laughed. haha Me, Elder Palmer, Elder Jones, and Sister Taylor

It has been really humid the past few days... I don't think I will ever get used to it. I guess I should be thankful that it hasn't been humid the entire month of June and is just starting now. Which, by the way, I can't actually believe that June is almost over and so is this transfer. Transfer calls are on Sunday. I am really hoping I stay, but with my track record we all know the chances of that are highly unlikely. haha Oh well, just have to remember, "I'll go where you want me to go dear Lord!" 

Well P-day is on Wednesday next week due to Canada Day on Monday and transfers! I hope everyone has an awesome week and seriously... go watch The Work of Salvation. You won't regret it! :)

 P.S. -  I volunteered to speak in Sacrament Meeting next Sunday. Yeah.... the girl who hadn't spoken in Sacrament until her farewell talk just volunteered to speak in Sacrament Meeting. Can someone tell me what happened to the old Karly Prescott? haha

Had to ......:)

Picture Perfect

Just pictures this week  -  it was an Awesome week.  I am going to Niagara Falls and  will write more next Monday !

The part of Hamilton that I wish we could be in always.
Some members live out here and it is beautiful!

This is in front of Becky's house. We helped her clean and fix up her room this week. She is so great

We ripped the carpet up and threw it out the window.
Funniest thing ever!

The squirrels are black around here and this one is dead.
Related... I hit a squirrel on the way to church last Sunday

Elder Sommerfeldt and Elder Marshall. The Assistants to the President. Mat Roundy (From Morgan) trained Elder Marshall. Elder Sommerfeldt goes home at the end of this transfer in two weeks. (They both think I am THE funniest person around. haha People in this mission just love us people from Morgan, Utah)

Elder Vanderstel and Elder Campbell at Zone Conference.
They were in my last zone

I hit rock bottom this week and resorted to eating "Kraft Dinner" Not my proudest moment

Sister Tebbs and I at Zone Conference. It was SO good to see her. The most joyous reunion I've ever had in my life. haha

Basic Missionary Grind

Niagara Falls ended up being a no go for today because it is raining, but we rescheduled for next Monday so let's all cross our fingers the weather will be BEAUTIFUL! :)

This week was full of your basic missionary grind. We did a lot of finding that was not the most successful ever, but we were able to find a few people who are interested. We ran into a couple of people this week who were interested in talking to us until they found out what church we were from.... haha When I said, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" They looked like they had seen a ghost or something and quickly shut their doors.

Apparently someone has told these people some lies about us Mormons, because I don't feel like a couple of girls walking around in skirts talking about the truth is very threatening.. ;)

Sister Taylor and I with Becky - She comes teaching with us, and she is THE BEST, funniest girl ever !

One of the members took Sister Taylor and I to the Mandarin and let's just say the Mandarin is the best and they need to get them in the States. It is an all you can eat Chinese buffet and it is just really, really good. The member started talking to one of the managers before we left and the guy was really nice. He ended up giving us all these hard back books with the history of the Mandarin. Not sure what I am going to do with that souvenir but... it is still cool. haha

This is Crystal-Lynn - she is awaiting her mission call.
She comes out teaching and tracting with us. 

We had an investigator at church yesterday which is always a good sign! He says he is looking for something and wants to keep learning so we will keep teaching him. He asks a lot of great questions and so he is really fun to teach!

Studying 

Kind of a boring week, but things were good. It rained and was super cold one day. Not what the weather is typically like here, but I am thankful for it because I do not enjoy the really hot and humid days.

Well, sorry so boring... Niagara next week! So one of these Mondays the blog post will be exciting and full of pictures from Niagara Falls! 

You Pay - "Up there"

This week was LONG... like really, really long. A lot of really great stuff happened, though! Sometimes I can't believe how much can happen in one week. I guess that's what happens when you wake up at 6:30, 7 days a week and go go go until 10:30 at night.

A little bit of a miracle happened this week in the form of a great dentist. 2 weeks ago I had found a spot in one of my teeth that looked like a cavity and it hurt. I was SO bummed because I had gotten all of my dental work done before I left and I did not want to deal with or pay for tooth problems while on my mission. I knew I needed to fix it, because I didn't want it to get worse so I ended up calling the Relief Society President, Sister Norell, to see if she could recommend me to a good dentist.  She did some checking around and found a place that a ward member goes to that does a lot of work for people who don't have dental insurance. Before I knew it, Sister Norell was picking us up and taking me to the dentist, and from that point on it was just one good thing after another.

We get there, Sister Norell tells them who referred us, tells them I am a missionary and that I am a long ways from home and that I don't have dental insurance. They tell me that they just had a cancellation and ask if I would like to meet with the dentist today. Of course I said yes, the sooner the better! So I fill out some paperwork and in about 10 minutes I go back and am in the dental chair. The assistant took and x-ray of my tooth and all I can think is, "Oh great, what is this going to cost me?" Then the dentist came in, said that he couldn't see a cavity, but that he would take a look anyway. He asked me what I was doing in Canada, and implied that I must be under some abnormal amount of stress because is looks like a grind or clench my teeth which probably caused my problem. Then he tells me that I have a hole in my tooth because one of my fillings must have cracked and that he would fix it. It took him maybe 10 minutes to fix it and then we were on our way. When I got out of the chair I thanked him and asked if I just, "Pay out there?" pointing toward the front desk. Instead of saying yes he says, "No, you pay up there." and pointed toward heaven and just kept walking toward the front desk. He talked to the receptionist, told her, "No charge" and then walked around the wall to meet another patient almost before I could get a thank you out. I could not believe it and honestly wanted to cry. That was a serious answer to prayers and I know that Heavenly Father really does look out for His missionaries. Even in something as small as not having to pay for dental work. There really is no such thing as coincidence. Everything happens for a reason!

Ryan Gosling - born in Hamilton Canada

Now on a less serious more funny note. Sister Norell informed us this week that Ryan Gosling (good looking actor from the Notebook) grew up in Hamilton! She said that he was a part of the Hamilton 2nd Ward which eventually was combined to be the ward that I am serving in now. She also said that when she was the chorister in Primary he was in Primary. Pretty cool right? Apparently his mom lives near here but isn't in this ward. So.... I am practically famous, serving in Ryan Gosling's old ward, right?! haha

We were able to find three new investigators this week! It is about time. :) I hate telling the stories of everything because it seems like when I do I jinx it and they end up not investigating the church anymore. haha  So I will just say that it started with us talking to two guys on the street, which lead to us meeting a third guy and they are all interested and none of them said no to being baptized so that is a good sign. One of the guys said to me yesterday after we taught him, "God brought you to us, you have changed the environment in our home." It is THE BEST feeling when you KNOW that the people you are teaching have felt the Spirit because they say things like this. The same guy kept mentioning the way he felt when we first prayed with him as well. It is people like that, that you know will have a greater potential to progress because they are learning things by the Spirit and not by what I say to them.

Yesterday's teaching appointment was probably one of the most powerful ones I have had since being on my mission. And... it must have went well because afterwards they fed us and the member we brought with us -  Goat Curry.

Karly's new baby goats in Morgan, Utah

(yeah I know -  I was surprised that I would allow myself to eat goat especially with my new baby goats that are at home,  but.... let's be honest, it was GOOD!) Jamaicans sure know how to cook. 

Sister Tofa and Karly

I also did an exchange this week with one of the Sister Training Leaders (that is the new leadership that was put in place with so many sisters coming out.) Her name is Sister Tofa and she is THE BEST. Probably the funnest day I have had on my mission in awhile. We got a lot done, worked hard, and spent the entire day laughing. She is from Australia (now I have another place to visit post mission, better start saving up some money dad... ;) All in all, a really great week.

It is getting pretty hot and a few of the days were completely miserable to walk around in but I will live. Oh,     we also didn't have the car for a few days because it was in the shop. Someone must have ran into us because there was some weird damage that was done. Anyway.... things I took away from this week...

1. All things happen for a reason, no such thing as coincidence!

2. In Australia people carry around Machetes because you never know, "When a kangaroo will attack your car" 

3. The Spirit is what does the teaching/converting in this missionary business 

4. Goat is good!! 

Well that was a long one! Hopefully it will make up for the short email that I will send next week. Sister Norell is taking us to Niagara Falls next Monday and I. am. PUMPED. :) Have a great week! :)

The view from our apartment

Our Apartment - Hamilton