Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Missionary Letter #21 - Boxing Day
I almost feel bad that this will be my last Christmas themed email for one whole year...
I do have a confession for you all though. There were many wonderful presents and I'm so grateful to you all and the kindness that you've shown me and my companion. I know that everything you gave me will go to good use... That being said, the bacon hot-chocolate was a wonderful Christmas present that I could not get down my throat using conventional methods. My companion however...
Takes a sip... "Not bad"
He's by far the manlier man of the two of us.
Nothing kicks out my Christmas hangover better than what Canada's got. For a whole week after Christmas they've got boxing day. ( basically a week for great deals in stores on flat screen tv's )
So while we go to buy my companion something at best buy the entire store is giving us evil glares like "get in the way of my 116'' inch and I'll break your knees" It was super fun, especially because we got there when it hit a high point in the shopping frenzy.
For a moment I would like to direct the average United States resident to something that I've come to have fallen in love with. To inform the masses of what they have been woefully unaware of I'm going back in time to when I first got my call letter to Toronto. My dad and I decided to direct our thirst for knowledge of our northern neighbours towards Wikipedia to satisfy our curiosity.
We found that Canadian specialty was something called poutine, which (to you southern folk) is basically fries and gravy with cheese curds.
It's so much more than that though.
It will kill you faster than a bullet but by Ne'fries' it's delicious.
Question time! could someone explain when eventide is?
And also, what is the average flight speed of an unladen swallow?
Elder Wolford
P.S email me - steven.wolford@myldsmail.net
I do have a confession for you all though. There were many wonderful presents and I'm so grateful to you all and the kindness that you've shown me and my companion. I know that everything you gave me will go to good use... That being said, the bacon hot-chocolate was a wonderful Christmas present that I could not get down my throat using conventional methods. My companion however...
Takes a sip... "Not bad"
He's by far the manlier man of the two of us.
Nothing kicks out my Christmas hangover better than what Canada's got. For a whole week after Christmas they've got boxing day. ( basically a week for great deals in stores on flat screen tv's )
So while we go to buy my companion something at best buy the entire store is giving us evil glares like "get in the way of my 116'' inch and I'll break your knees" It was super fun, especially because we got there when it hit a high point in the shopping frenzy.
For a moment I would like to direct the average United States resident to something that I've come to have fallen in love with. To inform the masses of what they have been woefully unaware of I'm going back in time to when I first got my call letter to Toronto. My dad and I decided to direct our thirst for knowledge of our northern neighbours towards Wikipedia to satisfy our curiosity.
We found that Canadian specialty was something called poutine, which (to you southern folk) is basically fries and gravy with cheese curds.
It's so much more than that though.
It will kill you faster than a bullet but by Ne'fries' it's delicious.
Question time! could someone explain when eventide is?
And also, what is the average flight speed of an unladen swallow?
Elder Wolford
P.S email me - steven.wolford@myldsmail.net
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Missionary Letter #20 - Merry Christmas!
Since this is the email before Christmas I thought I would make it especially festive...
π π π
I conclude the festivities
But in all (or at least partial) seriousness this week was an incredible week. One would be amazed to note how many wonderful opportunities we've had to share the gospel in different ways. It was a very merry week. We sang, handed out book of mormon's (books of mormon?) and hunted down a couple of former's for Elder Cruz's stepfather in Smith Falls. It went something like this
Smith Falls: Hey could you find these people for us?
Us: Sure thing how long ago were you teaching them?
Smith Falls: We have no idea.
Us: Could you give us a phone number?
Smith Falls: Don't have one.
Us: What about an address?
Smith Falls: We don't have that either.
Us: Are they still alive?
Smith Falls: ........... How many cemeteries do you have in Belleville?
The answer: a lot.
Long story short we learned from the members that they people in question moved from Smith Falls to Belleville, then to Ottawa, then back to Smith Falls. We didn't have to look to hard, Elder Cruz is still only a little bit sore.
Another fun moment this week, we've been teaching an investigator that wants to be baptized even though she has absolutely no gospel knowledge. Usually we teach people that are curious enough to learn more about the church and as time passes and commitments are kept they become ready to enter into the covenant of baptism. Tara (pronounced Terra) is totally the opposite, it's awesome to teach her because at the end of every lesson she asks how much closer to being a member is. She loves the church and really wants to be apart of it.
Which is a nice segway to the spiritual message: Commitments are something highly emphasized when teaching, and when progressing. Not only do we give direct and specific commitments we also follow up as frequently as we can. This is the doctrinal truth. That when you make a commitment to God, he blesses you as you endeavor to achieve it to the best of your ability. For example if you go to the gym without a plan in mind you will never get stronger. If you go with a plan and then never pick up a weight you'll never get stronger. The only way to get stronger in the gospel is to set a goal, make a plan and then make it a commitment.
Go Make Goals!!! ππ
Question for the week: If you were a dog what dog would you be? Or (for those of you who are allergic to animals) Who would win in a basketball slam-dunk competition, A Churro or a Taco?
Anyways until next time!
Elder Wolford
π π π
I conclude the festivities
But in all (or at least partial) seriousness this week was an incredible week. One would be amazed to note how many wonderful opportunities we've had to share the gospel in different ways. It was a very merry week. We sang, handed out book of mormon's (books of mormon?) and hunted down a couple of former's for Elder Cruz's stepfather in Smith Falls. It went something like this
Smith Falls: Hey could you find these people for us?
Us: Sure thing how long ago were you teaching them?
Smith Falls: We have no idea.
Us: Could you give us a phone number?
Smith Falls: Don't have one.
Us: What about an address?
Smith Falls: We don't have that either.
Us: Are they still alive?
Smith Falls: ........... How many cemeteries do you have in Belleville?
The answer: a lot.
Long story short we learned from the members that they people in question moved from Smith Falls to Belleville, then to Ottawa, then back to Smith Falls. We didn't have to look to hard, Elder Cruz is still only a little bit sore.
Another fun moment this week, we've been teaching an investigator that wants to be baptized even though she has absolutely no gospel knowledge. Usually we teach people that are curious enough to learn more about the church and as time passes and commitments are kept they become ready to enter into the covenant of baptism. Tara (pronounced Terra) is totally the opposite, it's awesome to teach her because at the end of every lesson she asks how much closer to being a member is. She loves the church and really wants to be apart of it.
Which is a nice segway to the spiritual message: Commitments are something highly emphasized when teaching, and when progressing. Not only do we give direct and specific commitments we also follow up as frequently as we can. This is the doctrinal truth. That when you make a commitment to God, he blesses you as you endeavor to achieve it to the best of your ability. For example if you go to the gym without a plan in mind you will never get stronger. If you go with a plan and then never pick up a weight you'll never get stronger. The only way to get stronger in the gospel is to set a goal, make a plan and then make it a commitment.
Go Make Goals!!! ππ
Question for the week: If you were a dog what dog would you be? Or (for those of you who are allergic to animals) Who would win in a basketball slam-dunk competition, A Churro or a Taco?
Anyways until next time!
Elder Wolford
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Missionary Letter #19
Unfortunately there are no castles in Canada, only apartment complexes and Canadian mobs shoveling driveways. Pitchforks and torches included. I tease them but they only get that mad when Tim Hortons closes on Christmas. From what I understand people go crazy up when they don't get their coffee and doughnuts and get themselves up into a coffeefrenzy, supposedly there are a number of maimings every year by these normally peaceful people. #killedbycrazedCanadians
But what do I know, I'm just an American.
This week was awesome, if not a tad strange , they changed standards on us so we're going to be focusing almost entirely on investigators. Apparently we've been working so hard on retention that we haven't been working on finding or baptizing. Which needs to change. Me and Elder Cruz are getting ourselves all psyched up about it. It begins today so I'll let all y'all know how it goes next week.
Since Christmas is in full bloom I'll share my thoughts on the Canadian winter...
"No."
Just kidding, it's actually very pretty. It's like a 'polar bear six feet away from you' kind of pretty. In the way that if you don't tread carefully you could just disappear.
We saw one guy this week walking on a snow bank, we thought he was doing good until he sank into it like quicksand. He pulled himself out quick but it was crazy to see how deep the snow could get in some places.
If you need a visual imagine the scene from Princess Bride where Buttercup falls into the quicksand. Now cover that with snow and instead of ROUS put fisher's there instead.
(FIsher's are vicious, I didn't know what they were until I got to Canada but they'll tear your face off.)
So switching to a more spiritual gear, I want you (yes you) to take out your scriptures and open up to Alma 38. But before you do answer me this... Do you know who the man Shiblon is?? If you do you've passed the first test. If not then allow me to explain.
So the prophet Alma has 3 sons. One is named Helaman, who is a super good guy that becomes the next prophet. The other is Corianton... Who's not quite as good but we get a lot of good scriptures because of him so we can't complain. And Shiblon, the middle child. He is the great 'average do-good' guy. He served his mission and was persecuted severely, but you can tell that Alma has a lot of love because he stuck it out to the end.
There's a great lesson here. Shiblon was a great man and even though we don't know much about him we can see a few things.
He loved the Lord.
He loved his fellow man
and, He got the work done.
This week I'm going to try and study Alma 38 and surrounding chapters because I love them so much. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and the more I read it the more I've come to love it.
Elder Wolford
But what do I know, I'm just an American.
This week was awesome, if not a tad strange , they changed standards on us so we're going to be focusing almost entirely on investigators. Apparently we've been working so hard on retention that we haven't been working on finding or baptizing. Which needs to change. Me and Elder Cruz are getting ourselves all psyched up about it. It begins today so I'll let all y'all know how it goes next week.
Since Christmas is in full bloom I'll share my thoughts on the Canadian winter...
"No."
Just kidding, it's actually very pretty. It's like a 'polar bear six feet away from you' kind of pretty. In the way that if you don't tread carefully you could just disappear.
We saw one guy this week walking on a snow bank, we thought he was doing good until he sank into it like quicksand. He pulled himself out quick but it was crazy to see how deep the snow could get in some places.
If you need a visual imagine the scene from Princess Bride where Buttercup falls into the quicksand. Now cover that with snow and instead of ROUS put fisher's there instead.
(FIsher's are vicious, I didn't know what they were until I got to Canada but they'll tear your face off.)
So switching to a more spiritual gear, I want you (yes you) to take out your scriptures and open up to Alma 38. But before you do answer me this... Do you know who the man Shiblon is?? If you do you've passed the first test. If not then allow me to explain.
So the prophet Alma has 3 sons. One is named Helaman, who is a super good guy that becomes the next prophet. The other is Corianton... Who's not quite as good but we get a lot of good scriptures because of him so we can't complain. And Shiblon, the middle child. He is the great 'average do-good' guy. He served his mission and was persecuted severely, but you can tell that Alma has a lot of love because he stuck it out to the end.
There's a great lesson here. Shiblon was a great man and even though we don't know much about him we can see a few things.
He loved the Lord.
He loved his fellow man
and, He got the work done.
This week I'm going to try and study Alma 38 and surrounding chapters because I love them so much. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and the more I read it the more I've come to love it.
Elder Wolford
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Monday, December 5, 2016
Steven Missionary Letter #18 - Big Foot Only a Size 10
'Tis the season to be doing mission work. To kick of the season the First Presidency did their annual Christmas Devotional. I'll share a bit of my notes that I took.
Christ is the greatest gift because He is the infinite sacrifice.
We wouldn't remember His birth without his death and resurrection.
Like the wise men let us bring gifts to the Savior, who gave everything for us.
Without the Savior the greatest fear, the fear of there being nothing after death, would be all to real.
Mrs. Hayward counter: seen 9 times on camera
So I'll say it was amazing experience, especially because I saw my old French Horn teacher Will Francis playing in the tabernacle Orchestra... Don't ask me how I remember his name because it was literally two lifetimes ago.
Everyone up here is always talking about how it's so dry this year and all I can think is "I'm from Utah, this is all to normal." I guess Canada has adjusted her climate to allow Elder Wolford to thrive in this desert wasteland. It's still cold though, so that's fun.
Storytime: So once upon a time we were driving through the dark forest of Belleville Canada (our GPS had us take a scenic route for some reason) and it was downright the creepiest road I've ever been on. The fact that it's pitch black by 6 o'clock doesn't make it any less eerie. Another thing that doesn't help is the fact that we were each sharing a Bigfoot story (Funny thing, Bigfoot, only size 10...) But we were in the thick of this eerie road when the phone goes off and we PANIC! I answer the phone and a super less-active answers
Her: What are you elders doing later this week?
Me: This week we haven't got much planned yet, what can we help you with?
Her: Me and (a investigator we've been trying to meet with forever) would like to meet you guys and talk.
Me: Sweet, Wednesday sound good?
Her: Yep. Bye..... (click)
I love when members set up appointments. Makes me all warm and fuzzy on the inside.
Besides that we set up for a nativity in a super small branch called Trent Hills. It was amazing and there were a lot of wonderful nativities, my favorite being one where Joseph is holding Jesus instead of Mary. I hadn't realised it but I've never seen that before.
SCRIPTURE TIME!!!!
Turn you're scriptures to 2nd Nephi and read chapter 9. Jacob is speaking of the Atonement and as the great scriptorian of the Book of Mormon he has a lot of insight about the need for a Savior and how without him it would not be good. My favorite is verse 18. It's a wonderful parallel to Christ when he says "Take up thy cross and follow me" As disciples of Him we must be willing to follow, to some degree, the path he walked. To bear some of his burden and to obey his statues so that we may some day meet him and say "I gave my all for you, just as you did for me."
Hope that'll get those spiritual cogs moving a little bit.
Anyways here's a question for this week...
If you were a butterfly what color of wings would you have? (sorry if I've asked this before it's just my favorite question)
Elder Wolford
P.S: Sendest me thine emails, and there will be much rejoicing.
steven.wolford@myldsmail.net
Christ is the greatest gift because He is the infinite sacrifice.
We wouldn't remember His birth without his death and resurrection.
Like the wise men let us bring gifts to the Savior, who gave everything for us.
Without the Savior the greatest fear, the fear of there being nothing after death, would be all to real.
Mrs. Hayward counter: seen 9 times on camera
So I'll say it was amazing experience, especially because I saw my old French Horn teacher Will Francis playing in the tabernacle Orchestra... Don't ask me how I remember his name because it was literally two lifetimes ago.
Everyone up here is always talking about how it's so dry this year and all I can think is "I'm from Utah, this is all to normal." I guess Canada has adjusted her climate to allow Elder Wolford to thrive in this desert wasteland. It's still cold though, so that's fun.
Storytime: So once upon a time we were driving through the dark forest of Belleville Canada (our GPS had us take a scenic route for some reason) and it was downright the creepiest road I've ever been on. The fact that it's pitch black by 6 o'clock doesn't make it any less eerie. Another thing that doesn't help is the fact that we were each sharing a Bigfoot story (Funny thing, Bigfoot, only size 10...) But we were in the thick of this eerie road when the phone goes off and we PANIC! I answer the phone and a super less-active answers
Her: What are you elders doing later this week?
Me: This week we haven't got much planned yet, what can we help you with?
Her: Me and (a investigator we've been trying to meet with forever) would like to meet you guys and talk.
Me: Sweet, Wednesday sound good?
Her: Yep. Bye..... (click)
I love when members set up appointments. Makes me all warm and fuzzy on the inside.
Besides that we set up for a nativity in a super small branch called Trent Hills. It was amazing and there were a lot of wonderful nativities, my favorite being one where Joseph is holding Jesus instead of Mary. I hadn't realised it but I've never seen that before.
SCRIPTURE TIME!!!!
Turn you're scriptures to 2nd Nephi and read chapter 9. Jacob is speaking of the Atonement and as the great scriptorian of the Book of Mormon he has a lot of insight about the need for a Savior and how without him it would not be good. My favorite is verse 18. It's a wonderful parallel to Christ when he says "Take up thy cross and follow me" As disciples of Him we must be willing to follow, to some degree, the path he walked. To bear some of his burden and to obey his statues so that we may some day meet him and say "I gave my all for you, just as you did for me."
Hope that'll get those spiritual cogs moving a little bit.
Anyways here's a question for this week...
If you were a butterfly what color of wings would you have? (sorry if I've asked this before it's just my favorite question)
Elder Wolford
P.S: Sendest me thine emails, and there will be much rejoicing.
steven.wolford@myldsmail.net
Monday, November 28, 2016
Missionary Letter #17
I find this past week has been a wonderful series of contradictions and oppositions. Let me explain.
1rst: Is the fact that at the beginning of the week I made a goal to not only work out like a mad-man but to also start eating healthier. (Which helps when your companion is a wonderful chef) So I thought I was all set and things were going to go great until the week began.
I could not have been more totally unprepared.
First off is that my dear, sweet and adoring mother sent me a package (hooray!!!) and so I was super stoked to get some things I desperately needed and a few things on the side (Remember that green yarn? That's going to be a scarf for Tommy). However my dear sweet mother also had the wonderful idea to put Oreo's and Reese's into the package. Disclaimer: The following is not for the light of heart or of stomach. Some people have an addiction to cocaine... I have an addiction to Oreo's. I thought I was practicing self-control very well until I realized the package was gone and there were cookie crumbs all over my face as if I had just participated in sweet Oreo genocide.
2nd is that we had a stirring speech in elder's quorum about opposition in all things. Did it keep me awake? Yes. Did it stir my soul? Definitely. Did the zeal and passion of the narration make me just a little nervous that it might chase off some of our LA's and INV's with fiery indignation? Just a little bit.
That's ok though! I realized during the lesson that if you're going to talk about the gospel to be passionate about it.
To some up the base events of our week I and my fearless companion Elder Cruz:
Visited a member who I've never seen happier in a nursing home.
Fought through the black Friday mob that was even further enraged at the sight of name tags (that's a week earlier here in Canada, for those of you U.S people)
And did a lot of preparation for a nativity festival that's coming up soon in December.
For those of you clever folk who have noticed that my spelling is much more Canadian than it normally I send my congratulations. The spell check on these computers doesn't know proper 'merican spelling so that's why I say realised instead of realized. I realize that you can't see them but there are red squiggly lines all over the place on my emails. It makes me want to go just a little bit crazy...
Just a little bit though.
Anyways I suppose that as you're reading this from your comfy chairs I should share something with you.
In Jesus the Christ ( a must-read) The Pharisees ask Christ if it is lawful to pay taxes unto Ceasar (not the salad dressing). It's a double edged questions. If he had answered 'yes' they would have accused him of being unfaithful to the law of Moses and the Jewish nation. If he had said 'no' they would have accused him with treason against the Romans. However after asking for a penny he answered "Who's inscription is on the penny?" They answered him Ceasar. To which he replied "Render unto Ceasar that which is Ceasar's and unto God that which is God's".
This lesson that I love is this. That each coin has the face and shape of a person or nation, and to that nation we obey the law of the land and pay what they have asked. "Render unto God that which is God's" Means the same thing. As children of God we have the inscription of a divine being and the potential to become like Him. With that in mind we must follow His laws and pay what He has asked of us.
Great stuff, Jesus really knew how to throw down on false doctrine.
Anywho I'll chat with ya'll later.
Elder Wolford.
P.S The snow's gone but it's still cold.
1rst: Is the fact that at the beginning of the week I made a goal to not only work out like a mad-man but to also start eating healthier. (Which helps when your companion is a wonderful chef) So I thought I was all set and things were going to go great until the week began.
I could not have been more totally unprepared.
First off is that my dear, sweet and adoring mother sent me a package (hooray!!!) and so I was super stoked to get some things I desperately needed and a few things on the side (Remember that green yarn? That's going to be a scarf for Tommy). However my dear sweet mother also had the wonderful idea to put Oreo's and Reese's into the package. Disclaimer: The following is not for the light of heart or of stomach. Some people have an addiction to cocaine... I have an addiction to Oreo's. I thought I was practicing self-control very well until I realized the package was gone and there were cookie crumbs all over my face as if I had just participated in sweet Oreo genocide.
2nd is that we had a stirring speech in elder's quorum about opposition in all things. Did it keep me awake? Yes. Did it stir my soul? Definitely. Did the zeal and passion of the narration make me just a little nervous that it might chase off some of our LA's and INV's with fiery indignation? Just a little bit.
That's ok though! I realized during the lesson that if you're going to talk about the gospel to be passionate about it.
To some up the base events of our week I and my fearless companion Elder Cruz:
Visited a member who I've never seen happier in a nursing home.
Fought through the black Friday mob that was even further enraged at the sight of name tags (that's a week earlier here in Canada, for those of you U.S people)
And did a lot of preparation for a nativity festival that's coming up soon in December.
For those of you clever folk who have noticed that my spelling is much more Canadian than it normally I send my congratulations. The spell check on these computers doesn't know proper 'merican spelling so that's why I say realised instead of realized. I realize that you can't see them but there are red squiggly lines all over the place on my emails. It makes me want to go just a little bit crazy...
Just a little bit though.
Anyways I suppose that as you're reading this from your comfy chairs I should share something with you.
In Jesus the Christ ( a must-read) The Pharisees ask Christ if it is lawful to pay taxes unto Ceasar (not the salad dressing). It's a double edged questions. If he had answered 'yes' they would have accused him of being unfaithful to the law of Moses and the Jewish nation. If he had said 'no' they would have accused him with treason against the Romans. However after asking for a penny he answered "Who's inscription is on the penny?" They answered him Ceasar. To which he replied "Render unto Ceasar that which is Ceasar's and unto God that which is God's".
This lesson that I love is this. That each coin has the face and shape of a person or nation, and to that nation we obey the law of the land and pay what they have asked. "Render unto God that which is God's" Means the same thing. As children of God we have the inscription of a divine being and the potential to become like Him. With that in mind we must follow His laws and pay what He has asked of us.
Great stuff, Jesus really knew how to throw down on false doctrine.
Anywho I'll chat with ya'll later.
Elder Wolford.
P.S The snow's gone but it's still cold.
Monday, November 21, 2016
Missionary Letter #16 - Driving in Snow
Once upon time in a mounty land called Canada there was peace.
Then the snows came.
I kid you not, the snow came in the relatively quick sense of about twelve hours. One minute it's light rain, the next every car above the border line is doing doughnuts in every available parking lot. Although who am I to complain. My companion ( who is the driver) is from California so every ride is a wonderful adventure filled with much screaming (on his part) about how he doesn't know what this 'white stuff' is. I would try to console his fears but I'm afraid I'm to busy holding on for dear life.
Mostly kidding about that last part, now that the roads are salted it's much more panic free. Although I realised while driving how strange this was to my companion, he had never driven in snow. Never shoveled a driveway or worked in snow so it really was a shock for him. It gave me a lot of funny giggles as things that seemed so ordinary like a snowplow were so alien to him. He's mostly over it now, but we'll take things slow on the road to be safe.
For those of you asking what I'm doing on Thanksgiving I answer... "Nothing, that holiday was last month for Canada." It's a government conspiracy in Canada to allow the populace to decorate for Christmas a month earlier than is socially acceptable. It keeps everyone in the "I've got to buy gifts for everyone I know and their dogs pronto" panic.
Perhaps the most exciting thing though was the fact we got to dress up as shepherds for a parade, we weren't actually in the parade but we did look strikingly good as nomadic sheep herders for a nativity scene. Pictures will follow...
To finish with a spiritual thought I'll leave with you Alma 36. Read it through and through and you may recognise that not only is it a wonderful passage with much doctrinal truth but also that it's an ancient form of poetry. It gives me an appreciation for it that makes it one of my favorite scriptures to read.
Loves :)
Elder Wolford.
P.S It's cold.
Monday, November 14, 2016
Missionary Letter #15 - New Companion and Lumberjack Service
This week was transfers, and in a suitably suitable fashion we drove with a car packed full of brief cases and bags of a thousand different varieties. If I had to describe the journey I would use words like squished, squashed, smashed and discombobulated. It was awesome, especially changing the music on the cd player, it was like doing P 90 X in a collapsed cave.
Other than that I'll let you in on the det's of my new companion. His name is Elder Cruz. He's 6' 2'', born and raised in the land where traffic lights are suggestions (california) and is 100 percent a missionary. He's pretty awesome. If I had to describe him using a picture it would be this one.
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< ⌒γ½ A
/ γΈ＼ B
/ / ＼＼ U
οΎ γ γ½_γ€ L
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/ / U
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| |、＼.
| δΈΏ ＼ ⌒)
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Some people say it expresses a thousand words but I can only think of one when I see it.
So let's talk about the daring do I managed to get myself into this week. One of things we did was a lot of planning for the week for member service, we figured it would be a wonderful opportunity to help strengthen the members in this part of the frigid north.
Unfortunately we didn't remember that it was the frigid north, and as such the only thing that anyone who didn't live under a rock was doing was preparing for the icy gale of winter. This, by default, meant that we were then assigned to chop down an entire forest, thereby exposing the fluffy woodland creatures to the void of cold that is Canadian winters.
So basically we chopped wood. A lot of wood. With an ax, a wood splitter and yes even once or twice (when we were feeling especially manly) with our bare hands. If you want a more visual perspective then take the scene in Avengers: Age of Ultron where Captain America splits a piece of wood with his bare hands, put a missionary tag on him and that's basically what we looked like.
Afterwards I realized a very valuable lesson, all ten fingers aren't really necessary for eternal salvation (justkiddingpleasedon'tpassoutmom)
But 'wood' I really joke about such a thing? I'm sorry I'll just 'leaf' that up to ya'll. Shoot now I'm just 'bark'ing.
Do you wanna guess how I knew the outcome of our presidential election? Well one morning we woke up and we had ten thousand messages from members of our branch all saying the same thing "Guess who your new president is?"
(Groan)
Anyways I'll polish this email off with a scripture.
D&C 124: 106, it's some pretty intensive stuff but there's a lot of good insight that the Lord reveals to the Prophet Joseph. I also think it was a prediction.
And in all his journeyings let him lift up his voice as with the sound of a trump, and warn the inhabitants of the earth to flee the wrath to come.
Feel free to come to Canada, I hear Alberta's a good place to stay this time of year.
But in all seriousness this week has been pretty amazing because we're baptizing an investigator we've been teaching for what seems like forever. She's finally ready to make covenants with the Lord and she's excited about it. I've come to see her grow and progress so much in the gospel and I've seen her faith increase and that has been both a blessing and a joy to me. I know with all my heart that this church is true and that Christ stands at the head of it.
Elder Wolford
Other than that I'll let you in on the det's of my new companion. His name is Elder Cruz. He's 6' 2'', born and raised in the land where traffic lights are suggestions (california) and is 100 percent a missionary. He's pretty awesome. If I had to describe him using a picture it would be this one.
⊂_γ½
＼＼ ＿
＼( •_•) F
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Some people say it expresses a thousand words but I can only think of one when I see it.
So let's talk about the daring do I managed to get myself into this week. One of things we did was a lot of planning for the week for member service, we figured it would be a wonderful opportunity to help strengthen the members in this part of the frigid north.
Unfortunately we didn't remember that it was the frigid north, and as such the only thing that anyone who didn't live under a rock was doing was preparing for the icy gale of winter. This, by default, meant that we were then assigned to chop down an entire forest, thereby exposing the fluffy woodland creatures to the void of cold that is Canadian winters.
So basically we chopped wood. A lot of wood. With an ax, a wood splitter and yes even once or twice (when we were feeling especially manly) with our bare hands. If you want a more visual perspective then take the scene in Avengers: Age of Ultron where Captain America splits a piece of wood with his bare hands, put a missionary tag on him and that's basically what we looked like.
Afterwards I realized a very valuable lesson, all ten fingers aren't really necessary for eternal salvation (justkiddingpleasedon'tpassoutmom)
But 'wood' I really joke about such a thing? I'm sorry I'll just 'leaf' that up to ya'll. Shoot now I'm just 'bark'ing.
Do you wanna guess how I knew the outcome of our presidential election? Well one morning we woke up and we had ten thousand messages from members of our branch all saying the same thing "Guess who your new president is?"
(Groan)
Anyways I'll polish this email off with a scripture.
D&C 124: 106, it's some pretty intensive stuff but there's a lot of good insight that the Lord reveals to the Prophet Joseph. I also think it was a prediction.
And in all his journeyings let him lift up his voice as with the sound of a trump, and warn the inhabitants of the earth to flee the wrath to come.
Feel free to come to Canada, I hear Alberta's a good place to stay this time of year.
But in all seriousness this week has been pretty amazing because we're baptizing an investigator we've been teaching for what seems like forever. She's finally ready to make covenants with the Lord and she's excited about it. I've come to see her grow and progress so much in the gospel and I've seen her faith increase and that has been both a blessing and a joy to me. I know with all my heart that this church is true and that Christ stands at the head of it.
Elder Wolford
Monday, November 7, 2016
Missionary Letter #14 - Solicitation for Jokes and Wellsbottom.
I'm afraid I've got to ask for forgiveness from you all, I didn't get much time last week because Halloween was kind of a crazy day because we were supposed to be in earlier. Nevertheless let me make up for it here.
I feel I've missed out on the fufu experience. The first week I was here I had some but because the sister who served us was single we had to bring a third male and he didn't like spicy food so she toned it way down for him. It was, however, quite delicious...
...Quite....
As this week is transfers I told my companion that he was leaving and going as a Zone Leader to his next area. He shook his head and laughed but his eyes got big when the Mission President called last night and told him he was going to Hamilton as a Zone Leader. Nailed it. (Hamilton is where Batman was filmed so ever since then I've been calling him Batman (which I guess makes me Boy Wonder... Not sure how I feel about that))
This week we went up to a little city north of Belleville called Cambellford (it's the city where everyone who's old and wants to fish everyday lives) to help out some of the members up there. It was a good day although the highlight is when we were helping out a member on his farm and he pulled open his well. For a while we peered over the edge and looked down into the never ending abyss that was his source of life through the necessity for water. The old farmer in question looked down with us for about a minute of silence, then said something along the lines of:
"Alright if I fall I'll need you to pull me up."
After pondering if me and my companion were strong enough to do it I said seriously:
"Don't fall."
I stun myself with my own wisdom.
He's fine though... we think...
So I've got a favor to ask, among the elders in the Kingston Zone we're having a competition for the best joke. I need help because the only good ones I've got are about a blind man and his dog and another about 'what's red and bad for you teeth'. So I really need help.
Puns do count.
We're about to baptize one of our investigators. The interview is this week and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she'll follow through. She's super shy so the fact that I will be getting a new companion scares her a little bit. Although she does have a testimony and does want to be baptized I'm so thankful that members of the branch have extended such a warm love and kindness for her or else I don't think she ever would have considered it.
So anyways, life's good, sometimes just for fun I quote Way of Kings (which makes me happy).
It's just for fun. (say it like Nacho Libre)
Elder Wolford
I feel I've missed out on the fufu experience. The first week I was here I had some but because the sister who served us was single we had to bring a third male and he didn't like spicy food so she toned it way down for him. It was, however, quite delicious...
...Quite....
As this week is transfers I told my companion that he was leaving and going as a Zone Leader to his next area. He shook his head and laughed but his eyes got big when the Mission President called last night and told him he was going to Hamilton as a Zone Leader. Nailed it. (Hamilton is where Batman was filmed so ever since then I've been calling him Batman (which I guess makes me Boy Wonder... Not sure how I feel about that))
This week we went up to a little city north of Belleville called Cambellford (it's the city where everyone who's old and wants to fish everyday lives) to help out some of the members up there. It was a good day although the highlight is when we were helping out a member on his farm and he pulled open his well. For a while we peered over the edge and looked down into the never ending abyss that was his source of life through the necessity for water. The old farmer in question looked down with us for about a minute of silence, then said something along the lines of:
"Alright if I fall I'll need you to pull me up."
After pondering if me and my companion were strong enough to do it I said seriously:
"Don't fall."
I stun myself with my own wisdom.
He's fine though... we think...
So I've got a favor to ask, among the elders in the Kingston Zone we're having a competition for the best joke. I need help because the only good ones I've got are about a blind man and his dog and another about 'what's red and bad for you teeth'. So I really need help.
Puns do count.
We're about to baptize one of our investigators. The interview is this week and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she'll follow through. She's super shy so the fact that I will be getting a new companion scares her a little bit. Although she does have a testimony and does want to be baptized I'm so thankful that members of the branch have extended such a warm love and kindness for her or else I don't think she ever would have considered it.
So anyways, life's good, sometimes just for fun I quote Way of Kings (which makes me happy).
It's just for fun. (say it like Nacho Libre)
Elder Wolford
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Monday, October 24, 2016
Missionary Letter #12 - Lame Halloween Costume
Last week it was wonderful. The sky was blue, the birds and small fluffy woodland creatures were singing and dancing and the sun was smiling down upon us with its rays of warmth. This week was a little different. And when I say a little I mean that because the weather up here has been so weird the sky is now permanently gray, the birds and small creatures are all either dead or frozen and for all we know the sun's gone out. But in terms of success it's been AWESOME!!! Turns out when you knock on someone's door they feel a tad more sympathy for you when it's cold and windy.
Seriously though this week was a power week. The Lord has seen fit in his infinite mercy to send the prepared our way. Our Zone Leader called us up and was like, "Elders, I don't know what we're starting to do right but the whole zone is starting to see more success, keep up the good work"
I must admit I felt a wonderful sense of accomplishment at that. Which was immediately shot down because it wasn't my ability or accomplishments that helped us. The only thing that changed is that we worked harder and asked that the Lord would accept our efforts. I'm reminded of Ammon when he says " I boast in my God!" I find the more I study about the sons of Mosiah and Alma that my diligence is increasing because I want to invite people to know the truth just like they did.
I don't know if you remember but we're teaching someone who believes in some interesting proposals. He came to church for the first time in twenty years yesterday!!! He has admitted he needs to be coming back to learn and grow and we're so happy. He's really blended in quite well with the branch members. He was so happy afterwards and felt like he was apart of something. I remember emailing MaryElla and she mentioned that by coming to church everything else kind of resolves itself. It's true!!!
As far as Halloween goes we've been invited to judge the trunk or treat event this upcoming week. I think they plan to bribe us... I don't know but if we do show I hope there will be some investigators there. Also for those who didn't guess I am dressing up as a missionary for Halloween. As far as I know I think everyone in our zone is dressing up as one...
Anyways feel free to have fun, take it a step at a time and sing a song.
Elder Wolford
Seriously though this week was a power week. The Lord has seen fit in his infinite mercy to send the prepared our way. Our Zone Leader called us up and was like, "Elders, I don't know what we're starting to do right but the whole zone is starting to see more success, keep up the good work"
I must admit I felt a wonderful sense of accomplishment at that. Which was immediately shot down because it wasn't my ability or accomplishments that helped us. The only thing that changed is that we worked harder and asked that the Lord would accept our efforts. I'm reminded of Ammon when he says " I boast in my God!" I find the more I study about the sons of Mosiah and Alma that my diligence is increasing because I want to invite people to know the truth just like they did.
I don't know if you remember but we're teaching someone who believes in some interesting proposals. He came to church for the first time in twenty years yesterday!!! He has admitted he needs to be coming back to learn and grow and we're so happy. He's really blended in quite well with the branch members. He was so happy afterwards and felt like he was apart of something. I remember emailing MaryElla and she mentioned that by coming to church everything else kind of resolves itself. It's true!!!
As far as Halloween goes we've been invited to judge the trunk or treat event this upcoming week. I think they plan to bribe us... I don't know but if we do show I hope there will be some investigators there. Also for those who didn't guess I am dressing up as a missionary for Halloween. As far as I know I think everyone in our zone is dressing up as one...
Anyways feel free to have fun, take it a step at a time and sing a song.
Elder Wolford
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Monday, October 17, 2016
Missionary Letter #11 - Flat Earth
I love my companion, but sometimes he doesn't tell me things that would really save me from a lot of stress. For example this last week we had our interviews with the mission president. I thought it was going to go something like this.
President Shields: Go ahead and sit down Elder Wolford how are you doing?"
Me: Aw great President, how about yourself?
President Shields: Good thank you... (pause for silence) I know you're hiding something from me, why don't we start with all the mistakes you've made... ever.
I was 100% sure that it was going to be like a baptismal interview but to my (stress relieving) surprise I had a wonderful chat about Belleville,how I'm coming along as a missionary and how we're doing as a companionship. Afterwards I got to talk to Sister Shields (who is just as awesome) and she complimented us on how many great ideas we'd come up with for finding new investigators and teaching them the gospel. Honestly I didn't know how to respond to that. I really think that it wasn't us but the Spirit, that and most of the new projects we're working on have yet to succeed or fail, but I'm confident that if nothing else we will touch the heart of someone out there. You never know what seeds you're planting.
This week at District Conference one of our Returning Members was accepted to receive the Priesthood, it was an awesome experience and he was so happy. Although the really surprising part is that a branch buddy also got called to receive it. We didn't get to stay for the ordination but you could tell they were both so happy afterwards and they could feel a difference.
Story: there are a lot of interesting and fun people here in Belleville, and it just happened that we were teaching someone for a while and the lesson was just kicking off when the guy said
Guy: "I just want you both to know that I believe the Earth is flat, and here is my evidence for that."
Us: pause
Us: pause
Me: So let's talk about church.
It didn't go quite like that but he did proceeded to procure a list of documents and Biblical scriptures that 'proved' the flat earth theory... At the time we had no idea how to respond to this but decided that a belief in a flat earth does not in fact interfere with eternal salvation. It was awesome. The guy is like 6' 7'' and the dictionary definition of a biker. It was surprising he had so much scriptural knowledge. Now we just need to get him to read the Book of Mormon.
The weather's getting colder down (up?) here. The trees are the most amazing colors and when you drive by it looks like the forest is almost on fire. Of course that also means that hockey has started and that is going to be awesome for contacting (whoot whoot). The rookie player for the Maples scored 4 points in his first game. That alone is an awesome conversation starter.
So anyways all's well here in Bellville, although I've noticed more and more American cars passing through recently. Either because it's skiing season or because they want homes before the mass flood of immigrants come driving/running/crawling to the safety of Canada. I think both reasons are good. If you want more details I'd recommend reading the latest Story Monster blog post (sponsor).
Guess what I'll be dressing up as for Halloween? I'll reveal it next week with pictures :)
Until then
Elder Wolford.
President Shields: Go ahead and sit down Elder Wolford how are you doing?"
Me: Aw great President, how about yourself?
President Shields: Good thank you... (pause for silence) I know you're hiding something from me, why don't we start with all the mistakes you've made... ever.
I was 100% sure that it was going to be like a baptismal interview but to my (stress relieving) surprise I had a wonderful chat about Belleville,how I'm coming along as a missionary and how we're doing as a companionship. Afterwards I got to talk to Sister Shields (who is just as awesome) and she complimented us on how many great ideas we'd come up with for finding new investigators and teaching them the gospel. Honestly I didn't know how to respond to that. I really think that it wasn't us but the Spirit, that and most of the new projects we're working on have yet to succeed or fail, but I'm confident that if nothing else we will touch the heart of someone out there. You never know what seeds you're planting.
This week at District Conference one of our Returning Members was accepted to receive the Priesthood, it was an awesome experience and he was so happy. Although the really surprising part is that a branch buddy also got called to receive it. We didn't get to stay for the ordination but you could tell they were both so happy afterwards and they could feel a difference.
Story: there are a lot of interesting and fun people here in Belleville, and it just happened that we were teaching someone for a while and the lesson was just kicking off when the guy said
Guy: "I just want you both to know that I believe the Earth is flat, and here is my evidence for that."
Us: pause
Us: pause
Me: So let's talk about church.
It didn't go quite like that but he did proceeded to procure a list of documents and Biblical scriptures that 'proved' the flat earth theory... At the time we had no idea how to respond to this but decided that a belief in a flat earth does not in fact interfere with eternal salvation. It was awesome. The guy is like 6' 7'' and the dictionary definition of a biker. It was surprising he had so much scriptural knowledge. Now we just need to get him to read the Book of Mormon.
The weather's getting colder down (up?) here. The trees are the most amazing colors and when you drive by it looks like the forest is almost on fire. Of course that also means that hockey has started and that is going to be awesome for contacting (whoot whoot). The rookie player for the Maples scored 4 points in his first game. That alone is an awesome conversation starter.
So anyways all's well here in Bellville, although I've noticed more and more American cars passing through recently. Either because it's skiing season or because they want homes before the mass flood of immigrants come driving/running/crawling to the safety of Canada. I think both reasons are good. If you want more details I'd recommend reading the latest Story Monster blog post (sponsor).
Guess what I'll be dressing up as for Halloween? I'll reveal it next week with pictures :)
Until then
Elder Wolford.
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Steven's Missionary Email #10 - Playoff Baseball
Just a shout-out to Tommy's primary class, I enjoyed reading the letters you sent me, they made me feel like I was an all-star :)
Shout-out to Oma for getting me info on Porter Rockwell and sending me blog-posts. I LOVE YOU OMA!!!
Shout-out to Jim and Erin for the gifs, they're awesome.
Shout-out to my mission buddy Sister Lilly Dixon
and finally a shout out to you (yes you) for being a child of a Heavenly King, keep up the good work!
This week was an absolutely wonderful week. Not because something incredible happened. Not because there was a wonderful investigator (although there was one) and not because everything just seemed to work out. It was quite the opposite. This was a week that I like to call the 'shove week'. Let's compare the work of building the Kingdom of God to a stone being rolled. This week it seemed no matter how hard we pushed against that rock it just wouldn't move. Every day was rough, hard and difficult. I loved it.
Every day as things were getting harder and the burden just too heavy to bare I found the simple, tender mercies of the Lord sufficient. A day of bombed appointments was overshadowed by a wonderful street contact, an seemingly unproductive day was followed by the sweet sense of accomplishment from the Lord, and a tired and upset attitude replaced by one of thanks and gratitude for how the Lord has blessed me. I am indeed fortunate to be here, and my heart fills with love and gratitude to all of you who have given such wonderful examples to me through your kindness and faith.
When we sacrifice something to the Lord we are not giving something up, we are preparing ourselves to receive greater and eternal blessings. I know this to be true because I have felt His love made manifest to me every day.
A couple of questions have continued to pop up and I think it's about time I answered them.
The Canadians love baseball, and more specifically the BlueJays. We can start a conversation with nearly any male over the age of six about how awesome it is that the BlueJays slaughtered the Rangers, and how they are going to win this year. Although I'm sure as soon as hockey season starts up we'll need to switch up our contacting methods. You can't really play baseball in the rain (or at least the pro's don't, according to what I've heard. I haven't really seen them play so....)
So as every missionary comes home with a team he cheers for this one is mine, the BlueJays (enter thunderous applause).
The best thing about my week was teaching a new investigator. The worst was waking up one morning and it was just above freezing because the furnace hadn't been turned on. Let me tell you our work-out that morning was intense, I don't think I've ever lifted so much in my life.
In climatic conclusion take care of yourselves, and like I said before keep up the good work. No effort is ever wasted.
Elder Wolford
Shout-out to Oma for getting me info on Porter Rockwell and sending me blog-posts. I LOVE YOU OMA!!!
Shout-out to Jim and Erin for the gifs, they're awesome.
Shout-out to my mission buddy Sister Lilly Dixon
and finally a shout out to you (yes you) for being a child of a Heavenly King, keep up the good work!
This week was an absolutely wonderful week. Not because something incredible happened. Not because there was a wonderful investigator (although there was one) and not because everything just seemed to work out. It was quite the opposite. This was a week that I like to call the 'shove week'. Let's compare the work of building the Kingdom of God to a stone being rolled. This week it seemed no matter how hard we pushed against that rock it just wouldn't move. Every day was rough, hard and difficult. I loved it.
Every day as things were getting harder and the burden just too heavy to bare I found the simple, tender mercies of the Lord sufficient. A day of bombed appointments was overshadowed by a wonderful street contact, an seemingly unproductive day was followed by the sweet sense of accomplishment from the Lord, and a tired and upset attitude replaced by one of thanks and gratitude for how the Lord has blessed me. I am indeed fortunate to be here, and my heart fills with love and gratitude to all of you who have given such wonderful examples to me through your kindness and faith.
When we sacrifice something to the Lord we are not giving something up, we are preparing ourselves to receive greater and eternal blessings. I know this to be true because I have felt His love made manifest to me every day.
A couple of questions have continued to pop up and I think it's about time I answered them.
The Canadians love baseball, and more specifically the BlueJays. We can start a conversation with nearly any male over the age of six about how awesome it is that the BlueJays slaughtered the Rangers, and how they are going to win this year. Although I'm sure as soon as hockey season starts up we'll need to switch up our contacting methods. You can't really play baseball in the rain (or at least the pro's don't, according to what I've heard. I haven't really seen them play so....)
So as every missionary comes home with a team he cheers for this one is mine, the BlueJays (enter thunderous applause).
The best thing about my week was teaching a new investigator. The worst was waking up one morning and it was just above freezing because the furnace hadn't been turned on. Let me tell you our work-out that morning was intense, I don't think I've ever lifted so much in my life.
In climatic conclusion take care of yourselves, and like I said before keep up the good work. No effort is ever wasted.
Elder Wolford
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Monday, October 3, 2016
Missionary Letter #9 - General Conference
General Conference Weekend!!!
There seems to be one popular questions circling around my inbox. What was my favorite talk. Honestly I left my notes back at the apartment under a stack of pass-along cards but the one that stuck out to me most of all was Elder Bednar's talk. Something about the way he speaks of Christ makes me feel so close to him. A lot of my questions about how to get closer to Christ were answered there. There were a lot of really good messages though, and was humbled deeply by quite a few of them (luckily it was the good type of humble not the Job kind of humble). One of my favorite suggestions to improve my BoM study was to read it as if I was Joseph Smith translating it for the first time. It's increased my testimony after one day of doing it. I can't wait to get my hands on the talks from General Conference so I can study and ponder the words of prophets.
A lot has happened to ya'll in the past week. A broken thumb, a few birthday's and a pass-around baby. Nothing very new is happening up here, although the sky has taken on a continuous gray hue as winter descends. It's funny because the people up here are like "It was so dry this summer" and me and my companion just laugh to each other about that. It is getting cold up here, which is awesome because I just didn't enjoy the icy cold enough.
Oh great I'm writing about the weather...
The really great thing is we got to go to the Brampton Ontario Temple. Which is wonderful because it's been a few months since I've got to go. So I needed that spiritual refreshment. It's always fun to go to an endowment session.
I have something to admit to... While we've been out here I've taught a new convert who has one great hobby... Crochet... Yes that is correct, my man card is under questions as both me and my companion compete viciously to complete our scarfs for the winter. It's an intense, high paced and action packed race that we both wish we hadn't gotten ourselves into. If anyone has an addiction help program for yarn and needles I would plead with you to send it to us. We need it.
We've got a new Zone Leader after this last transfer. Which is awesome except for the fact that the only other person that loved Sanderson novel's was the ZL that left. So it's a good/bad kind of thing.
I don't know if I've shared this yet by Canadians do have Thanksgiving, however it's in October instead of November. Which is awesome because that means we get a day of pure gluttony and then a week later we get an unimaginable amount of candy... (Elder McDonald is telling me that we don't get to trick or treat, which I don't think is a rule in the Missionary Handbook but I'll have to check ;)
You're all in my heart and in my prayers. I hope that something I say will at least provide a slight ray of joy for you. The wonder and joy you give me each week is something Iook forward too.
You have more power to do good than you know.
Elder Wolford
There seems to be one popular questions circling around my inbox. What was my favorite talk. Honestly I left my notes back at the apartment under a stack of pass-along cards but the one that stuck out to me most of all was Elder Bednar's talk. Something about the way he speaks of Christ makes me feel so close to him. A lot of my questions about how to get closer to Christ were answered there. There were a lot of really good messages though, and was humbled deeply by quite a few of them (luckily it was the good type of humble not the Job kind of humble). One of my favorite suggestions to improve my BoM study was to read it as if I was Joseph Smith translating it for the first time. It's increased my testimony after one day of doing it. I can't wait to get my hands on the talks from General Conference so I can study and ponder the words of prophets.
A lot has happened to ya'll in the past week. A broken thumb, a few birthday's and a pass-around baby. Nothing very new is happening up here, although the sky has taken on a continuous gray hue as winter descends. It's funny because the people up here are like "It was so dry this summer" and me and my companion just laugh to each other about that. It is getting cold up here, which is awesome because I just didn't enjoy the icy cold enough.
Oh great I'm writing about the weather...
The really great thing is we got to go to the Brampton Ontario Temple. Which is wonderful because it's been a few months since I've got to go. So I needed that spiritual refreshment. It's always fun to go to an endowment session.
I have something to admit to... While we've been out here I've taught a new convert who has one great hobby... Crochet... Yes that is correct, my man card is under questions as both me and my companion compete viciously to complete our scarfs for the winter. It's an intense, high paced and action packed race that we both wish we hadn't gotten ourselves into. If anyone has an addiction help program for yarn and needles I would plead with you to send it to us. We need it.
We've got a new Zone Leader after this last transfer. Which is awesome except for the fact that the only other person that loved Sanderson novel's was the ZL that left. So it's a good/bad kind of thing.
I don't know if I've shared this yet by Canadians do have Thanksgiving, however it's in October instead of November. Which is awesome because that means we get a day of pure gluttony and then a week later we get an unimaginable amount of candy... (Elder McDonald is telling me that we don't get to trick or treat, which I don't think is a rule in the Missionary Handbook but I'll have to check ;)
You're all in my heart and in my prayers. I hope that something I say will at least provide a slight ray of joy for you. The wonder and joy you give me each week is something Iook forward too.
You have more power to do good than you know.
Elder Wolford
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
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