Sister Fisher Thriving in MTC

Well, Sister Fisher left last week and headed off to the MTC. Here is her latest email: "Hey Everyone! I have survived my first week at the MTC. Its hard to believe its only been 7 days as it feels like a month has gone by! I've learned so much in this last week! I don't have much time to email today, laundry awaits haha I'll send more next week. I've had a great time so far and have learned lots. I've ran into fellow Canadian friends Trevor Guevara, Jesse Hillman and Jeremy Scott a few times. So great to see them, Some thank yous: Thank you Auntie Angella Yastremski Palfrey for the blanket, keeps me nice and cozy! Thank you Gayleen Lindsey McCulloch for the package, you're awesome! thank you Briana Wilson for the package and letter, I miss you! Thank you Dallin Cervo for the letter! I'll write everyone back soon. " Hoorah for Zion Sister Fisher!!! We love you!

SISTER SLOAN BACK ON TEMPLE SQUARE

Sister Sloan has returned from her 3 transfers in Tennessee and is back on Temple Square. While she absolutely loved her experience there and especially working with the people in 'the South' she is so excited to be back on 'The Square'. Here's a little from her letter: "Wow I have loved being back on Temple Square! Its been great to see everyone again. We have had excellent tours this week, with a lot of people wanting a copy of the Book of Mormon, just not missionaries yet. So we are praying for all of them that they will feel of the spirit that is contained in the Book. I love this Mission sooooo much! I remember when I first got my call and I wished that I could have a cooler mission, a "real" mission, but since I've been here I have loved every moment-- the hard times and the easy times. Though most people think that people just come to us,on the Square, its not always that easy. Yesterday we had a lot of antis on the square, and we have many people tell us straight up that we are wrong in our beliefs, but there are many other people who come that I know, even though they dont want missionaries right now, will remember how they felt and remember us somewhere down the line. All I can say now is that this is the best mission in the world! I was talking with a sister in the same class as me yesterday and she asked me "can you believe that we are in our 11th transfer?? we are a couple of the oldest sisters in the mission." Boy all I can say is that I cant believe that I'm almost done!! I feel like I am still in my third transfer! We went to the temple this morning and as we sat in the celestial room I had a flash back of sitting back in the celestial room of the Vancouver temple, right before I left, and thinking "I cant believe I'm going on a mission! How am I going to be able to do this" and that same thought had occured to me in the SLC temple except I thought, I cant believe I'm almost going home! How am I going to be able to do this!" lol. I love this Gospel I love this mission and everyday I am trying to serve the Lord the very best I can." Love, Sister Sloan

Elder Javillo Celebrates a Special Anniversary!!!

Elder Javillo treated us with a letter today. Here's a little bit of what he said: "this month April 28 i'll be on my 3rd year mark as a member of the TRUE Church of Jesus Christ.. we had a fireside yesterday and we watch the CALLED TO SERVE Video and it was amazing to remember the day i was reading my call letter and to find out where will i be serving... and i dont know where else ill be right now if i did not follow the example of Jesus Christ... I have a lot more to learn and to change in me in order for me to become like our savior Jesus Christ... 3 Nephi 5:13 "I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.. Mormon 8:22 For the eternal purpose of the Lord shall ROLL ON, until all his promises shall be fulfilled. these two verses help me to keep on going and give everything i got.. as our mission president said " obedience bring blessings but EXACT OBEDIENCE BRINGS MIRACLE" i love you all and regards to everyone... i sent letters 2-3weeks ago... it'll get there soon =) till next time Love, Elder Javillo I was so happy to hear from him today. It sounds like he is doing great. We sure miss his smile and contageous laughter!

Elder Udani says This Mission Has Changed My Life!!!

I'm doing great!!! I doing amazing. Missionary work is still amazing! So many inspiring stories. If I only had more time to email Id tell you more. But here's a copied and pasted story of mine: The Ugnayon family, our golden investigator is still going strong. We taught them about fasting on Saturday and asked them to fast the next day. He fasted and gave P200 for fast offering. 200 is alot considering the average income for low income is maybe 2000 a month or so. Especially for him. He's a volunteer garbage collector for the city and gets income through bottles he finds in the garbage. He's inspiring. This family has such great faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. They also mentioned that since they met the church, they've been experiencing more trials than before. But that's a sign that they are in the right path because Satan wants them astray. But despite their trials, the wife always tells the husband that "God would not allow them to be tested if God knew they cannot overcome it." Such great faith. They've also overcome WOW too. The only missing piece now is their marriage. We are still hopeful for a baptism this month. The mission changed my life. It changed my perspective on life. The Saviour lives, I so know it. Heavenly Father loves us, I've felt it. The Atonement is real, I've overcome some of my weaknesses. I'm handsome, dogs have chased me, good thing I've got no bites yet. I'm so excited to be in your midst again. I miss all of you. And oh, I'm in a cooler place right now. I've also met brother Sam Laurrieta's sister here in Baguio City. It's so cool. Love, Elder Udani

Elder Behira is singing "Just Know You're Not Alone...'Cause I'm going to Make This Place My Home...."

BELIEVE IT OR NOT....First Elder Ultra comes home and now, this very Wednesday, Elder Behira will be flying back to Vancouver making 'this place His Home again'. I keep asking myself, 'What have I done that is of worth over these past two years?' It just doesn't even seem to compare to what our missionaries have done. We are so excited to see him again and hear all of his adventures. Here's what he had to say: "i'm anxious/excited/nervous everything tsktsk... my mission was good :) Love, Elder Behira" That about sums it all up. Elder Behira!!! YOU DID IT!!!! We are so proud of you!!!!

Elder Scarlett exclaims: "This is a Great Time to be Serving the Lord!!!"

Elder Scarlett wrote to us today and here is a little bit of what he said: This is a great time to be serving the Lord. The work is moving all day and night. Our mission is growing with lots of new missionaries who brings the fire and desire into the work. Their faith is that of Nephi of old. God surely knows us and where we are suppose to serve. I can say i really have an awesome family back home, backed up with wonderful Friends and love ones. Indeed Surrey FHE group is the best there is to be. Thanks so much for your support. I look to the day when we will meet again and i will be exceedingly glad, Because we are all still brothers and sister in The Gospel. I think its clear to say President Monson wants us to see the importance of obedience. remember that True happiness comes because of obedience to Gospel standards. Am still serving in YSA its pretty fun serving here. At the end of this transfer i would have serve with my companion for 4 n a half months. In our mission that's a pretty long time to serve with one guy lol. Well keep in touch sure love yah.

Elder Ultra is Home!!!

Two Years has come and gone. Elder Ultra is officially 'home'. We can't be more proud of our 'first missionary'. He was the 'first' of the gang to head out. We all cried as he played his ukulele and headed off to South Carolina. And now, he's back. But, he's not the same person that he was when he left. We can all see that in his countenance. We can all feel it as he speaks. We see that he has not only grown and matured physically but that he has grown immensely in stature spiritually. Well, Elder Ultra here's something to consider: "Missions are meant to get you off the ground. Post-mission life is the time to fly higher and higher.” In other words, your work has only just begun. You have been such a force for good and that will only continue as you move along and do all those things you are meant to do in your life. HOORAH FOR ZION KEN.

It's the FINAL COUNTDOWN!!!

Elder Ultra is on his Final Countdown. Can you believe it??? It is just so very hard for us to even imagine that he is already on his way home next week. Where does 2 years go?? We can hardly wait to see him and have him back in our home strumming on that old, familiar ukulele. I know that this will be a very hard transition for him as he truly has 'given his all' these past two years. As he has done this, he will never look back with any regrets as he has served the people so very well in South Carolina! Here's a piece from his latest letter: "Well, I only have about 3 weeks left. It is a scary thought that this will end. But, I know that in order for me to continue to progress and grow, I will need to face my final transfer as a missionary. My whole mission experiences have been humbling. To see and know that there is hope smiling brightly before the people I teach is marvelous. To experience a change of heart from someone is remarkable. This work, that is hastening every day, is truly a marvelous work and a wonder. I know that I have probably said this a million times but I just love being a missionary so much!!Y'all are probably sick and tired of me saying it so much but it is the truth. Who I am becoming is because I am on a mission." Isn't he awesome?? I'm not even his mother and I am so very proud of him in so many ways. We love all of our missionaries serving out there every single day!!!...especially those 'MADE IN SURREY'.

Sister Fisher Receives her Call!!!

The long awaited afternoon, that Sister Fisher so patiently waited for, finally arrived.  We received excited phone calls that the letter had arrived in the mail and it was time for an emergency FHE.  That evening, many friends gathered to share in the excitement as she opened the special letter.  Her hands trembled as she nervously read out where she will be serving.  Sister Fisher has been called to serve in the Detroit, Michigan Mission and will report to the MTC in June 2013.  How exciting!!! Hoorah for Zion Sister Fisher!!!!  We can hardly wait for the adventures to begin!

Sister Sloan

This Week Sister Sloan Tells us: "We did have one great lesson this week. We taught Sylvia about the Plan of Salvation too, and only finished up the part about the spirit world. It was awesome! It says in Preach my Gospel that the gospel will have a familiar ring to people and it really did with her. We asked her what her beliefs were in our pre-earth life and it was what we believed, she agreed that she knew people from before this life. By the end of the lesson you could tell she believed in everything we told her and she was telling us that none of her other christian friends agree with these teachings. Anyways it was good. Anyways my new companion is sis. horkley from Washington state. she is pretty cool. I'm trying to help her with her teaching and being more confident in it. Actually its crazy cause I remember back to when I first left the MTC until now and I remember how much of a hard time I had with teaching. Now I can teach way better than before and training again has helped me see how much the Lord has blessed me and helped me improve as a teacher. I know I'm still not perfect but I can see how much I've grown-- which is so cool!" Love you all!!!

Reunions!!!!

Look who found each other!!! Elder Scarlett and Mr. Matthew M. This is a classic picture!! I would say that they both look awfully happy.

AND...here's another reunion. Two fabulous Sister Missionaries on Temple Square!!!

In Tennessee....

Sister Sloan was on the move at 3:00am and these pictures were taken 20 hours later. She was feeling excited and exhausted all at the same time.

Elder Ultra...'surprise!!..loves his mission! What a shock!

One of my favorite parts of the Christmas Season is receiving Christmas cards in the mail.  Well, although the rush is over we just received a nice card from Elder Ultra (along with a Christmas Picture) today.  How fun to hear how he is doing.  Here's just a little exerpt from his letter:

"Well, I'm not going to lie.  I love my mission!! I love being a missionary and I love the tough things about it.  Missions truly are a marfvelous work and a wonder.  Though I only have about three months left, I promised Heavenly Father that I would leave everything and expend all my energy out here.  I want to do so many things that I am commissioned here to do.  But, I have very limited time.  I am so tired every day and I just love every minute of it.  Thank you again for all you do.  Thanks for the support and the letters y'all send.  Surrey is represented well here in South Carolina.  We talk to alot of people all the time and every time we get to teach I always bear testimony of the things that I learned when I was back in 'Surrey'.  Y'all truly have been a great inspiration."

Oh, Elder Ultra.  You have truly caught the spirit of missionary work haven't you?  I think you and Sister Sloan will have a lot in common when she's finished her stay in Tennessee in May.
Hoorah for Zion!!!

Sister Sloan heads 'SOUTH'.......

 Well, Sister Sloan received her '2nd mission call' on New Years Eve.  She called us with the exciting news that she would be transfered to...KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE!!!!! All I can say is: "Hey Y'all..isn't this exciting???!!!  Here is an excerpt from her letter:


"So far things have been great! I got in late on wed. night and I think that was the only temple square withdrawls that I had. I went to Pres. Irions home and had dinner with him and his wife. When I arrived I had my interview with him. Everything was going well until they dropped me off at the apt and thats when it hit me... I realized that I wouldn't see a lot of the sisters from temple square again, either they will be home or outbound when I get back. I realized how close I got to them.  When you see them every day  they are like family to me, they are like my sisters and now I here I was in an unknown apt--no idea what it was going to be like out here realizing that I wont see a lot of the sisters any more. Unless I travel, after my mission, my only form of contact with them will be through FB or Email. So that first night in Tennessee was kinda hard, but I love it here now! My companions are great and I've been learning a lot from them. One Sister is sis. Martineau from Cali.  She is going home tomorrow but she is awesome and then my other comp is sis hollon from oregon.  She is super cool too. She is in her third transfer right now.
 I love tracting seriously! We haven't done too much of it yet but it has been great, not knowing who is going to answer the door for you. We have been teaching a few investigators/less actives which has been great. I love being able to spend time at member's homes.
On friday we had a zone conference which is completely different from our zone conferences on T2.
But it was so funny to see elders around us, it was pretty cool at the same time.
Oh I found out, the day that I arrived, that I will be helping out in the training of new sisters coming out in the field next transfer.  Apparently they are suppose to have alot arrive. This will be so much fun.  I am living in the west hills area...I think.  I really like it here and will take lots of pictures to show you what it looks like here."

Hoorah for Zion Sister Sloan.  Get out there andd teach those people in Tennessee!!! We love you!!

Elder Behira wouldn't trade these two years....

We actually received a 'letter' from Elder Behira today.  How exciting is that?  We love to tease him about his 'letters' which are usually just a line or two.  But, we are happy to take whatever we can get.

Here's a bit of what he said today:

"Well I'm here now in the most eastern part of our mission.  Part of the area is in Ottawa.  Well, guess what?  Romney's brother served in this area about 3 years ago.  I am serving with Elder Bruce.  He was originally from England but now he lives in Alberta.  He's a good man.

:(  I'm almost home.....tsk tsk.  But, my mission is really been worth it.  I wouldn't trade this two year experience for anything.  There are alot of things that I learned here that I can't learn in any other ways...    Say Hi to all."   Love, Elder Behira

Hooray, Elder Behira!!! We can't wait to hear of all of your experiences!!! We love you!!

Elder Scarlett "Knows it,Lives it and Loves it!!"

We were so happy to receive four missionary letters today.  One of them was from Elder Scarlett.  Here is a portion of his letter below:

Missionary work is the best thing ever. Christmas was awesome but lonely! It was special to share the gospel to others and testify of Christ. I just found out am getting transfer to Rainbow Valley YSA, so am leaving one ysa to another. This will be interesting but fun am sure. I also just got called to be a Zone Leader which will also be interesting! I now have the opportunity to go on lots of exchanges with other missionaries and give trainings. I really hope this new area brings me lots of success. Time is going so fast out here, i cant believe i will be home in June!
The other day i had a cool experience, our recent convert was blessing the sacrament for the first time and as i looked at him i knew that our Heavenly Father loves all of us and wants us to make it back to him. That was one of the best moment of my mission. I love the blessings we receive from the gospel. I know its true.

“I’m a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I love it.”

Thank you for your testimony Elder Scarlett!! We are so proud of you!!!!

The Rescue work continues for Elder Udani

Poor Elder Udani.  I just found this letter that we received back in late September and realize that I have never posted it.  My New Year's resolution is to get 'newly received letters' onto this blog immediately.  Otherwise, it just all gets a little too confusing for my wee little mind.

So, anyways, here is a portion of Elder Udani's last (I think) letter:

I'm doing well here.  Despite the rain, wind and flood water, the work still goes on.  There is no stopping it..unless we get sick! :)  Work here in the Philippines is mostly less active rescue efforts or reactivation.  We average 15 Less actives at church...so that's somewhat good.  I'm in my second area now, 3 transfers.  My last and current companions are and have been nice to me.  No fist fights yet!!  I'm learning and have learned alot from them.  So far, I've only had one foreign companion.  He's from Utah, but Tongan blood.  he's a huge guy.  I think i gained weight because of him.  Key word is 'think'. I hope I did though.  No baptisms yet in 3 months in my second area.  But, we've returned about 4 or so less active families into activity.  About two investigators, one of which already has a baptismal date, is set.  80 percent of our work is investigators.
Anyways, I love you all.  Lots of Love, Elder Udani

Hoorah for Zion Elder Udani!!!!

Elder Ultra continues serving as Zone Leader

Elder Ultra's last letter was received in November but, here is a "piece" of what he had to say:

I am doing fantastic as usual.  I have been a Zone Leader in my mission for about 4 months now..  After my first transfer as Zone Leader I was assigned with a Spanish speaking missionary in a new area serving the Spanish Group in Charleston.  I was learning a little bit how to speak Spanish with him.  
Well, now I am in my new area.  I was recently transfered in the WIndsor Lake area, still as Zone Leader.  I have been here for a couple of days and I love it.  We should be baptizing a Father and his son in a couple of weeks.  Our area has alot of low income housing, which makes for humble people.
Our mission has a great deal of excitement.  With the news of 18 year old you men and 19 year old young women able to serve missions everyone is anticipating the new 18 year old missionaries.  I am very excited for what is going to happen in a couple of months for the Church.   Merry Christmas.  I miss the snow in South Carolina!!!  Much Love, Elder Ultra

Another missionary...just doing what he knows how to do best!! Hoorah for Zion Elder Ultra!!!

What Elder De Vera has learned....

Elder De Vera wrote a recent letter and here is a little portion of it:

...one thing I can say that I've learned here in my first area is that I've been so blessed my whole life knowing the Gospel.  I've seen people slowly changing their lives in this short amount of time through our message!  I see the blessing it is to them.  Also, it's humbling to see how faithful they are though it's hard for them even just to go to church because of money problems.  I've learned to look at the blessings in my life and how sometimes I'm still not content.  Which is something I've learned to change.  This area really has been great.  I've learned to love my companion as well.  Much Love, Elder De Vera

Keep up the great work Elder De Vera!!!!

Elder Behira is happy serving

As we all know, Elder Behira (and he's not the only one) is not to best letter writer but, we forgive him as he is busy doing an important work.  He did write the other day and this is what he had to say:

uhmm so my new companion is elder johnson from alberta and we are here in windsor On.

 he is 6'5 tall (david and Goliath) obviously im "david" lol. but guess what we recieved a call last night that both of us are leaving and are going to  "stratford" Ontario(home of Justin beiber) .. man im greatful for my mission
I am doing good and loving my mission.  Love, Elder Behira

Keep up the great work Elder Behira!!!!! Just remember it's by small and simple things (David) that great things come to pass!

Elder Javillo is still smiling....

Elder Javillo had a wonderful Christmas and is looking forward to another year of service!!!  Hoorah for Zion Elder Javillo.  We love and miss you.