WEEK 14 December 26, 2011

So how is everyone doing since I talked to you all....yesterday?:) I'm doing really good...still. Sorry that yesterday was a little hectic. The life of a missionary:) I'm really glad that I got to talk to everyone. Here is something I forgot: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MONICA! Oh my goodness! I'm so happy that you were born. I'm also so happy that you are my sister. I love you, seester. Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MISS SHARAY!!! I can't believe how old you are now. My babies are getting so old:(

Christmas here in Ottawa/Gatineau was great! I really couldn't have asked for a better 1st mission Christmas. Really. Jaclyn and J I got your presents last night from my District Leader. You guys are amazing! J I can't believe you tied all 6 million of those knots by yourself! The Cd's were much needed, I'm pretty sure you read my mind on that one. Jaclyn you always send the best things, I'm wearing the socks as I type this:) Monica...I think the Canadian post sacrificed your package, JK. I'm sure it is either in Montreal or will be soon. After I talked to you last night we met some people from our district at Parliment and it started snowing again! Surprise! It was a lot of fun.

So as a missionary we have the pleasure of visiting less actives. In the Gatineau ward we have A LOT! There is one woman we visit about once a week named Josephe. Josephe was baptized about 6 months ago and just needs a little bit of help.....She came from Haiti with her two boys and is trying to go to school. Everytime we visit her we always start with a song. So, if you know me at all you would know I laugh at the most inconvenient times. Well...let's just say Haitians are not very good singers. Really. So we're singing "The First Noel" only it doesn't sound like it. No. It sounds like something much more painful. Josephe is singing "No-ELLLE NOEL! NOOOOEEEELLLE!" And this is the part where I'm trying to think of every sad thing that's ever happened to me in my whole life so I WON'T die of laughter. Oh Haitians. Also, another Haitian fact: they ALWAYS sound angry on the phone, but almost never are. I don't understand it. If I was going back to doTERRA I wouldn't be afraid to take any phone call now.

We have been teaching this lady from Iran named Nikki. Nikki is great. She doesn't actually speak French so we teach her in. Very. Slow. English. Very. Slooooow. We were worried when we first met her because she wouldn't tell us her religious beliefs. We were worried that she was Muslim, because teaching Muslims is a "no no" in the CMM. But she told us she doesn't like Muslims because they are too pushy. So who knows....Since her native language is Persian she has been reading the BOM and is crazy about it. She told us she hasn't read a book in Persian since she left Iran. She told us that she wants to get baptized because she trusts Jesus. She said "I don't know why, but I trusting this Jesus. I think he's a good man. Not like other men." Love Nikki. This is the part where I petition for prayers. My companion and I have set a goal for 2 baptisms before January 31. This is kind of a high goal, especially for Canada, but I honestly feel like it can be done. We have so many investigators like Nikki who are teetering on baptism. We need your prayers, not just for the goal, but for helping this mission become a baptizing and converting mission. If there is anything you could do for me it would be to pray for those two baptisms.

This week I was reading Enos and I was so touched by that brief little chapter. I love that he says " And my soul hungered, and I kneeled down before my Maker and I cried unto him mighty in prayer and supplication for mine own soul." I have felt this way a lot on my mission, both in the MTC and here in Canada. My soul has hungered for the comfort that only our Savior can give us. After hours of fervent prayer the Lord speaks peace to Enos and tells him that his sins are forgiven, and from that moment all Enos wants is to preach to the Lamanites to bring peace to them as well. This is the part where I committ you again to read the Book of Mormon and highlight every time the Savior or Heavenly Father is mentioned. If you accept this "engagement" (French) email me and tell me what day you plan to finish and then I will follow up with you. Why? Because I'm a missionary. And also because I promise this will change the way you feel about the Book of Mormon. Like brother Tad R. Callister said in General conference "this book is either from God or it's not." Challenge accepted? Email me:)

I'm so glad I got to hear your wonderful voices yesterday! I love you all like a Quebecquoi loves poutine:) Canadian humor:) So funny. Everyone be safe! Read your Scriptures! Say your prayers! Eat your veggies! Scatter Sunshine! Je vous aime!!!

Bisous Bisous!

Soeur Sabrina Perkins

p.s. No-eeeel! NOEL! NOellleeee! Oh my entire life:)

1968- Ignore the fact that I look hideous in this picture...This is me and Sista Sandoval in Montreal!!!

1969-The Baker's on Christmas Eve! I love these people. Brother Baker is a hoot!

1974- Isn't Parliment amazing! P.s. that is Elder Meza and Elder Leon (my dad and brother, tee hee)

1986- I know, I know, I'm very festive. Seester Pace and I...oh and snow.

Week 13: Joyeaux Noel!

Bonjour! How is everyone doing? From your emails it sounds like everyone is really busy! Short concise, scattered emails:) But I love them all the same. Before I forget Merry Christmas!

Today we are driving to Montreal for our zone Christmas party with the Cannon's. I'm pretty excited, since I've only really be in Montreal for a total of 12 hours. For Christmas Eve we will be spending it with the Baker's. I'm really excited because the Baker's are like Grandparents to us. They are so sweet! Then Christmas Day...well we'll let the ward figure that one out. Everyone has been fighting over who gets to have us over. As far as Christmas phone call.....I'm thinking it will be after 2 your time. I may just call to tell you when I'm calling:)

Last week Sister Pace and I were driving to Ottawa to go on splits with the Sisters in Ottawa. As we were driving we saw a sign that said "Best Quality Leather Garments in Town." We really wanted to stop and take pictures, because honestly church headquaters needs to hear about this:) Kidding. But when you're a missionary you really only have gospel jokes. For example, last night we were at a dinner appointment with a family in our ward. They have a son who was supposed to come so there was a place setting set but he never came. The mom said something about how we waited and waited and he never came. That's when I turned to Sister Pace and said "It's like we're waiting for Elijah to come." Oh so funny. I bet you all miss how funny I am. I know Sister Pace thinks I'm hysterical....I know I think I'm hysterical.

I was with sister Ariiotima in Ottawa. Ottawa is the only area in our mission that everyone really speaks English. The problem is Sister Ariiotima doesn't speak English. So I'm saying "Hi" to EVERYONE and NO ONE would say hello back. Welcome to Ottawa. We walked by Parliment and I smiled at this Haitian and said "Hello!". He stopped and started talking to us. I kept trying to tell him who we were and what our message was but all he kept telling me was "Girl, what are you doing tonight?" "Preaching the Gospel." "No, no, no, after that." "Everyday. All day. From 8-9:30 I preach the gospel." He didn't believe me. Afterwards he gave me his number and told me to look him up on Facebook....I don't know if it's worth it.

We had our baptism with Josie this week and it was beautiful! Josette (yes) Josie's mama gave an amazing talk about the baptismal covenant. It was really touching because Josie had some non-member family there and I know they all felt the spirit. The whole thing was great! Josie's uncle Winsor came to church the next day and told us we could meet with him after the holidays.

I really hope everyone has a beautiful Christmas! Sorry my email was scattered and crazy....maybe it's because I know I'll be talking to you in 6 days!!!! I love you all!

Bisous Bisous

Soeur Perkins

Pic above: Sometimes I'm really funny. Really though.
1949:Josie's baptism! I love this little munchkin!
1937: Sister Ariiotima:)
1936: I look funny in this picture, but that would be Parliment in the background.
1926: This is Jaden. The child I'm going to kidnap before I leave Canada. Isn't he the cutest pie?

Week 12: Seigneur j'ai tant recu, je dois aussi donner.

(This was taken before she left but this is what I like to think she is doing, haha.)

Bonjour!

Hello hello! how is everyone doing? I'm doing really well. Your letters are amazing! Keep them coming! Everyone seems to be doing awesome.I know that the Lord is blessing you. Mom and Dad you are too much! I got that package and I looove my sheets and blanket. Really. You are the best! I'm sorry it cost an arm and a leg to send it but I can promise you it's going to good use.

This week is very exciting becauseI will have my first baptism on Saturday! Her name is Josie and she is in a part member family. Her parents are from Haiti her mother, Josette, is incredible and she has helped her daughter so much as she has prepared for her baptism. Josie actually speaks english and she loves the Beebs. She actually reminds me a lot of Sharay. I'm really excited and kind of nervous, because well I've never been in charge of a baptism before.

This week we did a lot of contacted, which I'm not very good at. When people say no thank you I'm usually like "Okay. Next!". My companion said that wasn't okay, so she's been making me be more pushy. Well...the other day we were contacting in an apt building and this lady opened her door. As soon as the door opened a horrible ordor leaked out. It was incredibly bad!!! Like every bad smell in the world was congregating in her house. So we go through our door approach and of course she says "No!" and I can barely choke out "pourquoi?" and then I turned my head and took a huge gulp of air. My comp lost it. In front of this lady! Needless to say. We are not going back:)

So everyone has been wondering about the weather. Surprisingly, we don't have snow yet. It's snowed but it hasn't stayed. It's been cold, but bearable. Also, my companion is great! I only get annoyed when she stops talking during a lesson and makes me struggle through with my cave man French. My favorite is when people say "You can speak in English." Most of our investigators are from Africa. Yeah. We kind of stopped talking to most Canadians. Don't judge us, it's just that the immigrants are waaaaay more receptive.

So, this week my comp and I visited a less active recent convert named Silvano Kirika. He's a refugee from the Congo and was baptized in March. He hasn't been to church in a long time. So we set up an appointment to meet with him and he wasn't home when we got there. So we called and he said "Oh I'm so sorry! I forgot and I'm out running errands. Do you think you could meet me at the mall?" We ran around and around trying to find this man and had about 15 minutes left until our next appt. We toyed around with the idea of telling him we couldn't make it. But in the end we decided we really needed to meet with him. When we finally sat down we could see instantly that something was not right. He looked exhausted and there was so much pain in his eyes. He immediately started telling us about his wife who is stuck in the Congo, the governement won't let her leave because of the war. He told us he has been praying so hard to find work because right now his job forces him to work every Sunday. My heart was aching the entire time I was talking to this man of incredible faith. We talked for a little while longer and then I felt prompted to promise him that he would be able to attend church again with his wife. Tears welled up in my eyes and his and he told us he felt a peace he hasn't felt in a long time. We said a prayer in that crowded mall and I poured my soul out to Lord begging that this man would be blessed in broken and almost incomprehensible French. We told him we would stay in contact and then went to our next meeting. That night I started to write the whole instance in my journal and I couldn't help but cry. This man has incredible faith. And even though he said we helped him, I'm more convinced that he helped me. My eyes are welling up even as I'm typing this. I don't know at what point it happened but I have a deep and profound love for the people I have met here.

Family it's almost that time again. I get to call home on Christmas so I'm planning on calling around 2 or 3 our time, which would be 12 or 1 your time. I'm excited to talk to you all! I also have a small selfish Christmas wish. Do you think Jordan could conference in or that I could talk to him for like 5 minutes or something? That would be a really good present:)

Okay since I'm a missionary I'm going to leave you all with a commitment. When I arrived in the CMM Pres. and Sister Cannon challenged us to read the BOM and highlight in yellow every time God or Jesus is mentioned. They gave us those paperback BOM that you cand get for a couple of dollars. This experience has changed my view of the BOM. I love what I've learned from doing this. In this last general conference Elder Tad R. Callister said "this book does not merely claim to be a moral treatise or theological collection of insightful writings. It claims to be the word of God, every sentence, every verse, every page." So this is my commitment for you for the new year.

I love you all. Really. If you thought I loved you before you better believe that I love you even more now. This is God's church. The Book of Mormon is true. Have a beautiful week and remember that tout ira bien!

Bisous Bisous

Soeur Perkins

P.s. Congrats Adrienne on your call to the Quezon City mission! I love you girly!

Week 11: I'm Officially An Awkward Missionary!

Hello everyone!

This has been a really crazy P-day! We've been running around all day like chicken's with our heads cut off. But all is well. So if I don't have time to write letters please don't hate me:(

So last week my companion had to go on splits with some sisters that were having problems so I had to be Senior Comp! It was super scary because I had to drive...in Canada! I was not prepared for that. But we survived, so no worries:) Just so you don't worry mom there isn't snow yet so it wasn't even dangerous. Oh but we were driving in Ottowa....enough said:)

Last week we met one of our investigators who lives in Ottowa, we didn't actually have too much hope for the situation. When we got to their apartment the door opened and three small children began attacking my legs. The smallest one was like a little monkey. After we were able to pry the children off the parents sat down and we sang a very sad version of "I am a Child of God" then the parents shooed the children to the back room to play. We started the lesson a little nervous that it would end badly. George (the father) asked a few questions about the priesthood. After we were certain we lost him,he said "I'm going to pray and if God tells me to get baptized in your church my wife and two oldest children and I will all get baptized." We sat there a little stunned because George is a very faithful and sincere man. Please pray for the Abojdi family. We love them so very much!

We also met with another family last week. Sister Pace actually taught them when she was here in Ottowa a year ago. The family is from Barundi(sp?) and they are amazing. The mother swung the door open and gave us great big hugs and bisous bisous. Then this is where sister Perkins became a real missionary(my awkwardness level was at an all time high)...the father walks into the room and comes up to give me a big hug. So I give him a weird arm hug thing and he looks at me like I'm nuts. All of the while sister Pace is just laughing at me. So rude! I was mortified.

Our ward mission leader is a little crazy. His name is Frere Oula and he is from the Ivory Coast. I'm pretty sure every time he says my name he says it differently. Soeur Purk, Soeur Peking, Packing, Per, Purking. Also his watch has a picture of his face on the...face. It's really bizarre.

Mom and dad I sure love you. Really. Thank you for everything you have done to help me get to this point. I always tell our investigators (i wish you could meet all of them, even the crazy ones) how awesome my family is. This week I read the talk by Elder Hales from this last conference and he said "We may not know when or how the Lord's answers will be given, but in HIs time and His way, I testitfy, His answers will come...Let us not give up on the Lord. His blessings are eternal, not temporary." I testify that I know this to be true. The Lord will never let a prayer go unanswered. Remember you Lord, because He remembers you. Go to the Lord with all your worries and he will make your burdens light. I love you all so much!

Bisous Bisous!

Soeur Perkins

p.s. Dear J, Yes. The Canadian mail system is terrible! Be patient. You're the best!

Week 10: Oh Canada

(Note: There was no week 9 letter because that was her travel day to Canada and since she called home there was no time for e-mails.)

Hello!

How is everyone doing? First off, Happy Birthday to little Miss Gabrielle! I hope you got my card:) Also, I hope everyone had a really happy Thanksgiving. Mine was actually really good, more on that later.

So, first of all I'm serving in the Gatineau area of Ottowa French speaking which is about 3 hours away from Montreal. The first night we were here my trainer drove past the parliment building in Ottowa and I almost cried. It was insanely beautiful! I wish I had pictures to show you,but we have a car which doesn't allow for many photo ops. My trainer's name is Sister Pace, she is from Texas and she is a total nut case. In a good way. I really love her. She is a really good missionary and I hope one day I can be more like her. In language skillz and also in proselyting skillz:) We've already shared a lot of laughs and we're getting increasingly better at singing opera in the car to our appointments. Monica you should be so proud.

On Thanksgiving we had a service opportunity it was really incredible! Potentially one of the best Thanksgiving's of my life. We were able to serve in the Ottowa mission, which is a hospice/shelter for men in the Ottowa area. I'm not going to lie I was a little nervous about serving in a shelter for men, but they were all so kind. And not in a creepy way, but I knew they were genuinely greatful. We were able to help prepare and serve dinner. Everyone who came through was so grateful and I actually teared up a couple of times because I could feel the sincerity. I was so grateful for the entire experience.

Later that night we met a family from our ward. They reminded me so much of your old fashioned Italian family except for they were French. But they were great! They made us feel right at home and they kept asking over and over "You come to our house for Christmas?" They REALLY want us to come:) Let it be known that our entire ward is amazing! I really lucked out. The Relief Society president is from Brazil and she has already been so great at helping us out. The ward is thrilled to have us because they haven't had sisters in Gatineau in 10 years! It's kind of a lot of pressure, but I'm excited to see what will happen.

We have a lot of investigators in this area....and a lot of crazies. Last night Sister Pace and I had a lesson with this investigator the Elder's left named Jasky. He. Was. Crazy. He was from Haiti(most of our investigators are from Haiti). We walked in and he was super nice, his wife was nutty and pretended like we weren't there. Anywho we started talking about the BOM and the priesthood and that's when all hell broke loose. Literally. He started to tell us that we were being led by a false prophet yadda yadda yadda. After a while I just stopped listening and concentrated on not laughing, which was hard. But finally Sister P told him we had somewhere to be and we left. While we were leaving he said he hoped we could be freed from our evil prophet or something nutty and gave us back our BOM. Needless to say it was a success...oh wait. It wasn't. But in his prayer he prayed that I would be saved, but not Sister Pace. Hahaha, hooray!:)

We have a not crazy investigator, named Daphney. She is also from Haiti and she is married to a member. They are really great. We're just a little nervous she's getting baptized because of her husband and not because she actually wants to. They have a little baby named Jaden and I'm pretty sure I'm going to kidnap him. Jaden is like a little haitian cabbage patch baby. I love him so much.

The other night after our lesson with Daphney we were getting in our car and sister p saw this lady walking by at like 200km (I'm so french canadian) and she starts booking it after her. The lady was like "I'm late for work, but if you want to walk with me I would love to listen to your message. So we did. And I was trying so hard not to laugh, because we looked ridiculous. But she did give us her number and said she would like to know more. Well see:)

I miss you. A lot. But today and at least for the moment I know that I am where I'm supposed to be:) I have my moments, but for the most part I am doing really well. Thank you for your prayers. I need them. Don't worry I pray for you every day. I am so certain that the Lord answers our prayers. Read the talk from this last conference about the Power of Prayer. It's amazing! I know there is so much I could say, but I'll just leave it at that. Thank you for allowing me to have this once in a life time opportunity. I know it's the best thing for me. Sorry this email is weird and don't worry I'm going to get the hang of this communicating through emails and letters thing soon. Also, anyone who wrote me last week, I will be writing you this week! I love you! Can't wait to talk in 3 weeks!!!

Je vous aime!

Soeur Perkins

P.s. could you make sure J gets my emails when I send them, he said he hasn't been getting them. Thanks!

Pictures:

1849- My favorite Elders. Really. Love their guts. (Picture at the beginning)

1866- The district that does their laundry together stays together.

1870-Elder Corbett, Frere Corbett's little Brother, who is pretty much my best friend:)

1907- President Zimbleman my branch president who was incredible!

1913- I don't think we could get any better looking:) Love Elder Bequette and Adams!!!

1918- Sister Pace and I eating some Poutin it's a traditional Quebec meal:) It was so salty!!!

New address!

Sabrina's new address is:

Sister Sabrina Perkins
470 Rue Gilford
Ste 300
Montreal, QC H2J1N3
CANADA


Write her, send her packages or e-mail her at sabrina.perkins@myldsmail.net!

Week 8: Last week at the MTC!

The night she was set apart with her cutie niece Sofia.

Bonjour!

Can you believe that this is my 8th week in the MTC??? I can't! It's gone by so quickly! First off, sorry to everyone who read my Debbie-Downer email last week. So not cool on my part. Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Fia! I love you, Pookie! Keep an eye on your mailbox for a little birthday fun:)

Last thursday a very happy thing happened called we finally got our travel plans!!!! I will be flying out of the SLC airport on Tuesday November 22 at 7:30 a.m. Which means I have to be at the MTC travel office by 4 a.m. No big deal:) I literally jumped up and down when I got my travel plans. It was quite a happy day. Mom and Pop that means I will be calling you sometime before 7:30. I'm thinking around 6? I guess just be prepared to be surprised. To everyone else, I wish I could call each one of you to tell you that I love you and that you are the best, but I've been asked to only call my parents home. However, if you happen to be there at 6 am (eh-hem Monica) I would love to say "Bonjour!".

Also, I think some of you have not been getting my letters on time. Boo! I think there has been a letter monster going around the past couple of weeks. Hopefully, you have recieved your letters by now. If not know that whoever writes me usually will get a response the next week. So I really hope your letters aren't getting lost in the mail. Booo!

Last week, as you may recall, I was having the pity party of all pity parties. But don't worry about me, I'm over it. I talked to Frere Corbett and he said this "Hermana your Spanish is really good. I knew a sister when I was serving in Montreal and her Spanish was worse than yours when she got there. But now she has perfect Spanish. If you see her tell he I said "Hi", but don't tell her I told you her Spanish was bad." It was a really good reminder for me it made me think of Exodus 4 when Moses is talking to God about how he can't go gather the Israelites because he is slow of speech, and then God rebukes him and says, "Hey Moses! I promised you that I would help you! Now go gather the Israelites!" I know it will all be okay. Or as the French say "Tout ira bien."

In the MTC you prepare a talk each week, without knowing if you will really be called on to speak or not. It's kind of like the Price is Right. Well this week they called on me. I was really happy that I was so prepared because when I heard "Sister Perkins, come on down!" (dramatic rendering) my heart really started pounding. I actually felt pretty good about my talk. I know it wasn't perfect, but I know it was my best. One thing I wish I could've changed was this weird habit I have to say "N'est pas?"(Is that not right?) frequently when I speak in French. The branch presidency said it was endearing I think that's a nice way of saying "It was strangely adorable." Oh well, n'est pas?:)

This is the part where I share my irreverent moments....okay some of them. So every Saturday night we have workshops, this week our workshop teacher must've forgotten or something, because our workshop was to look up scriptures on random topics. He was walking around and he came to our group who was already slap happy and he said "So, God sent prophets to restore the gospel in every dispensation. Adam, Noses...." Guess who couldn't not keep it together. Guilty. I proceeded to laugh for the next 3-5 minutes. He just kind of ignored me and kept talking. I'm sorry, but he said "Noses".

This week I was studying in Alma 48-49 about the Moroni and the Lamanite invasions. I really love these chapters. I really love Moroni. Through this chapter the Lamanites continue to be "exceedingly astonished" because of the preparations that Moroni and his army took to fortify their city. And in verse 23 in 48 it says "And in their weakest fortifications he did place the greater number of men; and thus he did fortify and strengthen the land which was possessed by the Nephites.' I know that the Lord is sending angels to fortify His children in their weaknesses. I also know that through sincere prayer we can overcome so many of life's challenges. Even Spanish and French.

I hope you are all well and so happy. This is a gospel of JOY! Make sure you remember that "Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they might have joy!" This is a beautiful season of Thanksgiving and rejoicing because the Savior promised us he would come and he did. He promised us He would suffer our pains and afflictions and He did. J'aime mon Sauveur et Redempteaur, Jesus-Christ. Have a beautiful week! Smile! The next time you get an email from me I will be in Montreal!

Je vous aime!!!!

Soeur Sabrina Perkins