"It's Not About Me....."

Today was an exciting day. We received our very first letter from Elder De Vera, in the mail!!! Here is a little piece of what he wrote: I just want you all to know that the first few days here at the MTC has been great. Long days but good days!! There's so many opportunities to feel the spirit here. Also, I'm learning the new language pretty well! It's pretty similar to Tagalog so I've got somewhat of a head start! The food here is as good as they say. The cookies and cream 'ice-cream' is SO good. I might have gained four pounds already but at least they have a gymn. We had a chance to watch the Restoration movie last night and I thought it was such a testimony builder. It strengthen my testimony of the restoration and the Book of Mormon. ...I want you to know how much I am enjoying missionary work. I do know of it's truthfulness and how it is an important part of God's work. It's not about me! This is about us as represtnatives of Christ himself giving our best to find those that are ready to receive the gospel. I want to bear my testimony to you guys. I know that God and Jesus Christ live. I know that Joseph saw them in a vision. Through Joseph, the Book of Mormon was restored and the true church of Christ is now back on the earth. I know that God loves us and provided us with the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We only need to humble ourselves and repent of our sins to feel the joy that it brings. I know Joseph really was and is a prophet of God and that the Book of Mormon is true. My purpose is to declare this message to people. As a missionary, I am here to invite others to come unto Christ through faith, repentance, baptism and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I love you all. Love, Elder De Vera OK. I don't know about all of you but I LOVE all of our missionaries. What a strength they are in our lives. I feel so very priviledged to know each of these wonderful Elders and Sisters. What a great blessing they are to all of us!! HOORAH FOR ZION ELDER DE VERA!!!! We love you!!!

Miracles Never Cease....

Recently, Sister Ultra had a wonderful experience that she shares with us below: On July 9, Monday, I fell off of a bridge. As per my previous email to you, last Monday, we taught in San Roque. It is a farming area. The bridge is like an iron bar, it's thickness is like a piece of lumber, in diameter, maybe. It is made of bamboo sticks on the left side which imbedded only in the river bed. I slipped and fell into the kangkungan (swamp cabbages) into deep water (over a man's head). It's good that I knew how to swim and that's why I did not panic. I did get out of balance due to my heavy shoulder bag that I used. I was the only one who fell into the water. My companion was safe. She was so worried about me and she was shaking until we got back to the house of the member in the middle of the farm. So, when I fell, I couldn't swim properly. I tried going to the shallow side due to the swamp cabbages. It's good that there were farmers there to rescue me. They pulled me out from the water. The member, where we came from, immediately helped me. There was then a miracle that happened. My bag fell down with me in the river, and so everything inside the bag got wet...including my camera. But, here is the miracle,the only items that were not wet were my scriptures. Isn't that great? After I got out of the water, we went back to the people and they let me take a short shower and lent me a dress and garments. I got changed, and then we went back to our home in town and I didn't look like a missionary, but I looked like a friend of my companion because the dress that they lent me was just an ordinary house dress. They are poor remember. Once we got home, I immediately took a shower. I kept on laughing to myself about what happened to me. I consider myself to be an 'astig' (tough) missionary due to that experience. What other missionaries can say that they've had an experience like that? Not a lot. I'm so lucky. Don't worry. I will take a lot more care when crossing that bridge, and maybe, I will bring with me extra clothes and a back pack also when we go back there. he he Take Care always!!! Isn't that a wonderful story? It reminds me of the scripture found in Mormon 9:15- "And now, O all ye that have imagined up unto yourselves a God who can do no miracles, I would ask of you, have all these things passed, of which I have spoken? Has the end come yet? behold I say unto you, Nay; and God has not ceased to be a God of miracles." Hoorah for Zion Sister Ultra. We are grateful you are safe and sorry that your camera got wet. But, hooray that your scriptures were protected just as you were. We love you!!!

A Day on 'The Square'....

Here's a bit from Sister Sloan's latest letter: Monday was super busy until around 2:30 that day, half of the Sisters on the Square were gone for Zone Conference. So, we had tour after tour after tour until around 5:00 or so. Our zone conference was great! The President and his wife and the AP's talked about becoming a 'consecrated' missionary. They explained that there are 'good' missionaries and 'great' missionaries but there are only a few 'consecrated' missionaries who put everything they have on the 'alter table'. I realized that I have much more that I need to work on, even though I kind of already knew that. We are only serving for 18 months. Why can't we give our all? Love you!"

Sister Sloan and Sister Eggenberger (from Switzerland) celebrate Swiss Day on August 1st (same colours as Canada!!)

I LOVE IT HERE!!!

Elder Behira and 'Kyle?'

Elder Behira is a man of 'few words' and so we are always 'thrilled' to receive even just a sentence or two from him.  He recently told us: "I'm in St. Catherines now and serving with Elder Jasperson in a Chinese speaking area.  I love it here!!!  My last companion hasn't sent me our pics yet, but, here is one and it is interestingly familiar.....IT'S KYLE!!!!!!!!! Miss you all!!! "
 Love, Elder Behira   


 

And.....He's Off!!!

Well, the long awaited day has finally arrived.  Elder De Vera walked through the Vancouver Airport for the last time until he returns home, again, in two years.  Accompanied by friends and family members, Elder De Vera bid his farewells and headed through the large gates--separating himself from those he loves as well as letting go of his 'regular' life. A new adventure will begin for him as he dedicates the next two years, serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We can hardly wait to receive his first letter!! We know that he will be a wonderful, faithful missionary.
Hoorah for Zion Elder De Vera!! We love you and will miss you!!