"Go ye therefore and teach all nations . . ." Matthew 28:19

"Go ye therefore and teach all nations . . ." Matthew 28:19

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Week 9 - Canadian Thanksgiving, Zone Conference in Quebec City, Knocking on doors, and Sweeeeeeets!!!!

Bonjour à tous comment va la vie?

Thanksgiving was amazing last week. We went to a less-active member's home for dinner. He made duck with sautéd mushrooms, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, aged cheese, and sparkling cider. It was an amazing meal! The best part about dinner appointments is when we share a spiritual thought just before we leave. As I learned this weekend in zone conference, it is important that we share the message after the meal so they remember it the most. It astounds me how simple, humble testimonies can bring the Spirit so strongly. 

Elder Shaw got sick this week so I had a lot of study time which was nice. I liked being able to have more time to focus and study more in depth, but it was weird because it was incredibly quiet in our apartment while he rested. Since he was sick I made soup and it turned out pretty good if I do say so myself. We had cream of mushroom with ricotta noodles, imitation crab, and carrots.
My "really good if I do say so myself" soup.
We helped Dora this week with repainting parts of her home. She is struggling right now because her husband is in the Netherlands visiting his mother and her daughter is going through a rough time right now with depression and self injury. Dora's daughter also left home and won't come back so we are helping her through that the best we can. It's really sad.

Lessons were fewer this week even with those we scheduled appointments with because no one was home. So, more service this week. One of our less-actives and her family is moving to a different apartment so we helped wash the walls and ceiling so they can paint. Gotta love service!! It's amazing, but exhausting! We went down to Quebec this past weekend for stake and zone conference with Elder Golden of the 70. We got there and I went on a split with our district leader. We taught an investigator who has known the missionaries for 30 years. He has such amazing faith and an amazing testimony, but he just has some things to work through and the need to develop greater faith before baptism. 

The rest of the split we went door contacting.  It's an interesting experience. In a trio we went knocking and that is a humbling experience for sure. Everyone shut their doors on us. It really made me sad because I don't care if they shut their doors on me, but it bothers me that they are shutting their doors on Christ and on everything He did for them. It's incredibly sad. Stake and zone conferences were awesome! Elder Golden taught us about the Holy Ghost being central to everything we do as missionaries. He taught us so much more, but there's too much to type in this email. What is important is that the Spirit was so strong in our meeting with him. 

Last few things: I saw Elder Bird and he's doing well. I was grateful that I was able to see him. As far as sweets go, Chocolat-favori is AMAZING!! They take ice cream and dip it in hardening chocolate of your choice. I had cookies and cream and oh man was it good!!! Love you guys!! Be safe, be faithful!

Love,

Elder DiReda