May 17, 2016
Well, I'm here in Canada!!!
Well, I'm here in Canada!!!
So I'll start with my travels to this beautiful land!
I left the MTC at 6:30am on Tuesday and took the train to
trax and trax to the airport (granny B. you were right)
The craziest thing happened right at the beginning, we were
dropped off at the train station by the MTC and an elder was a little bit late,
so we didn't make the 1st train which meant we had to take the next one and
wait 25 minutes. Which was something a lot of the missionaries were
grumbling about. But little did they, or I realize that us missing that
first train was a complete blessing for me. While standing on the platform
waiting I looked to my left and was shocked to see my Uncle Kurt waltzing down
towards us, so I called out to him. He looked as shocked as I was.
He was headed in to work (which is right down the street from the train) he
passed the station and saw the big group of missionaries and felt
that he needed to turn around and go talk to them. He had no idea that I
was there. Because of his willingness to listen to the still small
voice, the spirit was able to guide him to me and answer my prayers. I
was super excited to be heading out but also nervous to be leaving and doubting
myself and worrying about family. So I said a little prayer in
my heart that I would be able to feel peace and reassurance, and then my
miracle walked up to me not 2 minutes later. Kurt was able to be
that reassurance I needed and he told me what a great missionary I would
be. It was a true blessing from my Heavenly Father. For those that know
me well, you know I joke about how lucky I am. But in actuality it's not
luck, you have no idea how much I've prayed. It's not merely coincidence
or just luck. It's my Heavenly Fathers divine hand and influence in
my life.
Alright, now after a miracle, train ride, and trax ride
we arrived at the airport with plenty of time. We checked
our bags problem free, which also was a miracle. I will fully
admit I have some issues when it comes to packing. I
bring literally everything. So the fact that my bags were 50 and 49 pounds
was AMAZING! #blessed
After a layover and 10 total hours of travel and being
the "Travel Leader" of our group of 5 missionaries we made
it to Halifax and finished customs at 1:30am. When we walked out
into the airport my sweet mission president, President Pratt was there waiting
for us with the assistants to the president and sister training
leaders. They guided us jet lagged missionaries to the car and took
us to the mission home. Where we found out where were headed
and ate some good chili.
I found out I was headed out to St.
John's Newfoundland. Which meant that I would be on a plane again
very soon. Newfoundland is the one of the few areas in my mission you
have to fly to. So they told me I would spend two nights in the mission
home and then fly out Thursday evening. Then Wednesday President let
us sleep in (he seriously is so loving) We did some training and then went and
got Nova Scotia Drivers Licenses. So I had to give up my cute little 16 year
old one...but it's all good a Nova Scotia one is much cooler(;Then at about
2:00pm I found out that I was actually flying out in like 2 hours.
Something went wrong with the flight plans so I was outta there a day
early. So I didn't get to spend too much time at the mission home but, I still
love them so much! The flight to Newfoundland was only about an hour and a
half. Then when we landed I met my sweet trainer Sister Anderson! I LOVE
HER!! She is the BEST! I couldn't be more blessed to have her! She is super
sweet and such a great missionary!
I know I will learn so much from her!
Now I'll tell you a little bit about St.Johns and some of
the amazing experiences I've had here already! It is a small little town with
"jellybean houses" which are just the cute colorful little houses on
the cliffs. The people are sooooo nice!! I can't believe it! Many don't want to
hear our message, but they reject us so unbelievably politely! They tell us
that while they are happy Catholics they are just so proud of us "young
people" for going out and teaching of Jesus Christ. They are
amazing! Another thing I love very much here is that we work with a lot of
less actives as well as investigators. They are just as important!
This is week we were able to find and a teach a sweet little old lady named Dianne. We taught her the Restoration....which leads me my first funny mission story.
Sooo this is me holding the restoration pamphlet so you can
really picture this experience.
We pull out the pamphlet to begin teaching, and show her the
front cover. We describe to her the loving way Jesus is looking at this
sheep and then convo go's as follows:
Us: So Dianne, looking at this picture and how loving Christ
is what do you think this means for you? How the gospel help you?
Dianne: *with a very excited look* WOW, sooo the gospel is
for animals?!?! Like cats and dogs and stuff can be baptized too??
B'y, let me tell you it was the hardest thing in the world
to not bust up laughing. We then explained to her the story of the Savior
and the lost sheep. We also taught her the entire Restoration of the
church and at the end I invited her to be baptized and she said YES!!!
Such an amazing experience...with some humor as well haha
This week I also got...my first kiss as a missionary.....
Haha but don't worry too much! My comp and I got to help
with a special needs activity here at the church! There were quite a few very
friendly brothers that were there, so I got a couple hugs and of course the
kiss! It was pretty funny, I was shocked. But had to quickly recover to block
the second kiss attempt. Haha ahhh being a missionary sure is great!
Out here we do a lot of door knocking and street contacting.
We have so many beautiful parks and city areas we go and teach anyone who
listen. It's a hard work, but it's soo rewarding.
I am SOOO HAPPY. Being a missionary is my
favorite. It is hard at times, especially with missing all my
friends and family back home! But every time I bring someone even a tiny
little bit closer to Christ it's all worth it. Even when they say
no, and the best we can do is get them to take a pass along card.
It's all worth it!
Love you all sooo much!! Have a good week and know you're in
my
prayers!
Sister Hird
Canada Halifax Mission
p.s. my direct address is :
1A Chimo Place
St. Johns, Newfoundland
A1A 3p7 Canada
Elder Ludlow - MTC 6'7" He's On His Knees!
Breakfast of Champions! Mommy's favorite meal!
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