We had a visitor this week:) Frere Corbett taught each of us. It was really good to see him again!

 Just like the robbers!

  Yep. That all came out of our apartment:)

SIster Rodriguez also served here and we got to see her as well:)

Hola mi familia y mis amigos!

How is everyone doing? I feel like the past week has been a blur. We have been running around like lunatics or like my greenie baby says "en una locura":) But like here is Zarahemla is good, it is oh so good! Good to be in Spanish. Good to be close to the mission home. Good to be with my companions. Good to see the work we have ahead:) 

So, first of all my heart broke to leave Ottawa but as soon as I got into Montreal the madness started and hasn't really ended. It's been one crazy thing after another and now I wish I had taken better notes of it all because I can't believe what has happened in one short week. My greenie baby is named Sister Lucas, oh how I love her! I have never laughed so hard than in the past five days with this little chica! Sister Lucas is from Guatemala City, so as you can imagine I'm learning a lot from her. She makes me feel like a greenie again:) Did I mention last week that I'm in a trio? Well, I am. Our second companion is Sister Cantu, she is from Texas and is also a native Spanish speaker. These girls have already helped me out so much with my Spanish, even though I know I still have miles to go, it's good to know I have two really good teachers:)

Our ward is HUGE! I think someone told me there's something like 290 members! It's so exciting! We didn't get to know very many of them this Sunday because there was ward conference and so everyone was running around in kind of a havoc. I think I'm really going to like it here though, the members are very carinosos. And sooooo happy to have sisters:)

Our apartment nearly made us cry when we got here. And not because it was beautiful, it was so bad! Sister Lucas said, "Not even the worst hotels are this bad." I guess that's what happens when Elders live in an apartment for 5 years, but hey, after about 12 hours of (authorized by Sister Cannon) cleaning, we can almost call it home:)  Our first two days in the apartment it was as hot as Hades outside (about 38 degrees with like 80% humidity) we wanted to die. And then we got to our apartment and found out our AC unit wasn't installed....pretty cool. So a couple days later after we pretty much sweated out all of our impurities the Elders came and installed out unit for us. They did a really good job using packing tape and particle board to get in there nice and tight....yeah robbers would never think about just removing that. Well, the next day the landlord and her husband come and about knock down our door. Crazy Greek Landlord:  "WHERE DID YOU PUT THE WINDOWS?!!" Us: "What windows?" Crazy Greek Lady: (storms past us) "I paid $5000 DOLLARS for those WINDOWS. At this point she ran into our bedroom and Sister Lucas followed her in there to show here that the window was open and just covered in an AC unit, packing tape, and particle board. Meanwhile I'm standing at the door with her husband who is talking about how expensive the windows were and how we can't remove them. Then he storms past Sister Cantu and I who are so confused. Finally they both realize that just like we said the window was not removed just opened like we said. And then they started complaining about the packing tape and particle board (which I'm not going to lie, I wasn't exactly thrilled about either, but hey we were desperate). So they called our housing Elder and now he's going to be fixing our Robber-proof AC unit:) After they left we went into the bedroom and asked Sister Lucas if she had moved the dresser and she said, " No, the old crazy lady moved it in her locura!" I was dying! I'm crying from laughing as I type this. 

In other news, we have an AMAZING investigator here named Tatiana. She is as golden as they get and pretty much knows everything is true. The only thing she is waiting for is a sure answer from the Lord. We feel super blessed to get to work with her. Other than that, our area is pretty dead. It's going to take a lot of work, but I know we can do it:) However, your prayers are, as always much needed.

This week I have been thinking a lot about my greenie days and I remembered this scripture from D&C 50 that helped me through some really hard moments, I hope it helps you:)

"40 Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. 41 Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me; 42 And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost. 43 And the Father and I are one. I am in the Father and the Father in me; and inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you.44 Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd, and the stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall. 45 And the day cometh that you shall hear my voice and see me, and know that I am. 46 Watch, therefore, that ye may be ready. Even so. Amen."

Have such a good week! Remember to laugh at those crazy moments. Remember I love you. Remember that Tout ira bien! 

Love,

Sister Perkins

Leaving Ottawa...

This was at a dinner appointment at Kyle Saunderson's and his sister Camille's appartment. He is one of the kindest YSA members! He helps us so much and is always kind enough to feed us. 

Sister C and I on the balcony of the LaSalle sister's apartment. Oh my goodness the view was incredible! Montreal is one vibrant city:)

                             We are trying to convince President that this is a much better car option for us. He's not budging

Hello!

I hope you all had a wonderful week! And Dad I hope you know that it was a struggle for me to not pick up the phone and call you! I missed you so! But I hope you had a wonderful Father's Day! You are a giant among fathers and I feel blessed to call you mine.

 

I know you are anxiously awaiting to hear news about my transfer call. Let me tell you I was anxious. On Transfer Calls we are supposed to be home by 8 o'clock which is a struggle because we're usually running in circles to get home on time. Well, we practically ran in the door with enough butterflies in our stomachs to drive a person crazy. And then we waited and waited and waited. It was unnerving. And then finally at about 9 o'clock we received a call from President Cannon. He told us that I will be flushing into an Elder's area on Montreal island called Zarahemla. It is a Spanish speaking area! He also told me that I would be training and that I would have a second companion as well. Sister C is going to an area called St. Jean. And our beautiful gem, Dows Lake, will be closed for the rest of the summer. I was and I think still am in shock. I actually just laid down on my bed for a while to let it wash over me, and then I got really nervous and excited and scared and sad. It's such a rollercoaster of emotion, but I'm happy to know that it is the Lord's will. I feel really under qualified for what is to come, but I know the Lord will help me.

 

I think only an R.M. or a missionary could understand the bitter sweetness  you can feel in leaving an area. Ottawa has become a second home for me. More than Provo ever felt like home. I love Ottawa! It was here that the Lord and I became best friends. It has been Ottawa that has taught me the true gift of the Plan of Salvation. And in Ottawa I realized my potential to overcome obstacles if I but trust in the Lord. My eyes get wet everytime I think about leaving this beautiful city. I love it here, but I do know that there are many more friendships to be made and lessons to be learned in Zarahemla. But please, oh please, pray for me! This little Sister is scared and worried. I think I feel like a new mom, or at least how I imagine a new mother to feel. I'm so worried that I'm going to lead my little ones astray and that I won't teach them everything they need to know. Mostly because I still feel like a greenie.

 

Yesterday we had to say good-bye to our wonderful ward to the amazing families who have so lovingly cared for us and to our little investigators who feel like we are leaving them unfairly. Oh my heart broke over and over again. And this morning I pleaded with the Lord to take care of them. I know he will. But in the quiet moments of my own wallowing, the spirit reminded me that we break our hearts to have them put back together the way the Lord needs them. I know as I leave my home here in Ottawa, I will find a new home in Montreal.

 

The sweet side of this process is that I will get to be Hemana Perkins! Oh that makes me so happy! It will be the thrill of a lifetime to get to speak Spanish and serve with this beautiful Sisters! I know the Lord has big things in store for us.

 

I know this letter is unlike my usual prose. But I'm afraid my muse is too frazzled to write about anything other than the brokenness that come from leaving my Ottawa and the nervousness of going to Montreal. But as always I pray that you have a beautiful, safe, and happy week! That you may never forget how well the Lord knows what is best.

 

Love,

Hermana Perkins

Could Jeffrey be any more amazing? This was pretty much the best/funniest/most perfect lesson. Bing jiling!

Sister C pass this sign everyday and the first time we passed it I pointed it out to her and in my best serious face and voice said, "Do you think church headquarters knows about these people?"

Yep. Elder and Sister relations are still as awkward as ever. We were asked to present a booth at the annual Family History Fair. This is a typical Friday night for us:) So cool!

Ignore the fact that I look atrocious in this photo. There is no AC in our chapel. Gotta love Ottawa in the summer! This was at Steve's baptism and our favorite Jeffrey was the one who baptized him. With none other than the Riverside Elders (Meza and Shaver).

So as you can see. I'm happy (Dad), I'm healthy (Mom), and I'm not freezing anymore:) Each moment here in Ottawa has been more dear to my heart than I can possibly ever put into words. All I know is that it's become a part of me. I feel changed and I know that the Lord has given me that change. As transfer calls loom this Saturday all I can think to say is that I have loved every minute here in Ottawa and whatever the Lord has instore for me will be as equally gratifying.

 

This week I studied a bit about the plan of salvation. I have a bit of bad news....I didn't actually understand, I mean really understand the plan of salvation until I had been on my mission about 5 months. And I'm sure I still have more to learn. But one day in the middle of a lesson it really struck me what the plan means to me personally. What it can do for my family collectively and how important it is for the world as a whole. The plan is a promise of Eternal Life. Like it says in John 17:3 "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." What an increidble gift the promise of Eternal and everlasting life! It also reminds me of a poem that I found in the scriptures given to me by my dad before I left on my mission. The poem says,

 

"What the King has, that have I.

Rose-gold of dawn bejeweled sky,

A wealth of days slipping by.

 

What the King has that have I.

Hope deferred, ambitions high,

Hungerings to satisfy.

 

What the King has that have I.

A crown of love naught can buy.

Once to live.

Once to die."

 

Once we have passed from this frail existence we will be able to go on living in the glory of our Father inheriting all that He has. The gift of Eternal Life is the ultimate sign of affection our Father in Heaven could bestow upon us. But what really struck me about the plan of Salvation is that we are the ones who will choose to inherit or not. "Should we not go on in so great a cause?"

 

I hope you all have a wonderful week! There is not doubt things in Ottawa will be interesting. We will have highs and lows, but after it is all said and done we will count this week with all of the rest as a integral part of who the Lord is changing us to be. Never forget that you are so loved. Never allow yourself to believe that you have strayed to far to be an heir to the Lord. All that He has is yours, if you choose it.

 

I love you so.

 

Sister Perkins

Hi from Ottawa!!

Bonjour!

This has been a funny/interesting/sad/weird/gratifying week! Oh how the Lord teaches His children! I love Him so and I know especially after this week that He loves me infinitely more so.

 

The funny: This week Sister C and I had a full day with nothing but our District study and a D.A. with a part-member family set up. So, we decided to do some finding which includes: street contacting, bus contacting, train contacting, knocking, and our new favorite only for this spring/summer season...PARK CREEPING! Essentially we walk around the park and creep on all the lonely people:) Oh and feed the squirrels. Disney princess meets missionary pauper:) Anyway, we decided to do some train contacting for the first little bit. We got on the train and both sat down in different areas. Well, we started getting near the end of the route and I couldn't remember what stop Sister C wanted to get off on so I stood up as the train was stopping to see if I could find her....well, everyone thought I wanted to get off of the train so in order to not appear creepy I got off the train. New problem: my companion is still on the train. So, I decided to go in through another set of doors on the same train as I'm about to get on I see this boy walking towards me and then I realize he's a Russian investigator that Sister C and I found one day when we stopped a basketball game (desperate times call for desperate measures). I don't think it would be unfair to say this particular investigator is probably the most attractive person I've met here. And that isn't the point, but it does make the story more interesting because Sister C and I joke about how he is soooo dreamy! Well, he walked up to me put his arm around me and bisoused me on the cheek. I nearly died. He saw the look of sheer and utter panic on my face and asked me if everything was okay. The only thing I could say was "I have to find Sister Chadburn." Well, I found her and she was stuck talking to this old creepy guy. Meanwhile, I'm trying to stop blushing while sitting as far away as possible from Yura. When we got off of the train I told Sister C, "I have to tell you something." "Oh I know! I saw the whole thing!" I was so mortified....but then my district leader reminded me there is no rule in the white handbook against getting bisoused by your dreamy Russian investigator;) Only kidding. Also, he went back to Russia this week for the summer so I probably won't be getting bisoused again.

 

The interesting: This week Sister C and I had an appointment scheduled in our squirrel park which is known by normal people as Confederation Square. Well, last week at Zone Leader Council we were warned like 7x by President and Sister Cannon to "STAY AWAY!" from the protests in downtown Montreal and Quebec City. Well, we thought "No problem!" considering we're in Ottawa. Sidenote:the students and teacher unions are protesting because the Quebec government wants to raise student tuition rates like 70% or something crazy like that. Anyway, we kind of shrugged off the advice because we're two hours away. Well, we're walking to our park and we can hear someone talking really loud like on a megaphone or a speaker. And as we came around the corner we realize there is a group of protesters in the park.....not exactly conducive to the spirit. Quoi de neuf? So we are waiting just outside of the park for our investigator and meanwhile all that's racing through my brain is Sister Cannon's voice "If you can take a picture you're too close!" "If you get caught in one of these crowds they could send you back to the states." Eventually, our investigator came and we decided to have our rendezvous at a little roof top terrace. However, mid-lesson we hear the crowd of crazies down in the streets screaming and yelling and banging their little pots and pans. It was pretty epic. That night we called Sister Cannon and told her about it. She thought it was pretty funny...so I guess I over-reacted? Surprising, right?

 

Oh boo...the sad: We haven't been able to get a hold of Leah for the past week. We're almost certain she was anti-ed. Boooo! Hopefully, she will change her mind one day!

 

The weird: Our dear sweet Fallowfield Elders have been working themselves into a tizzy trying to get new investigators. And instead they keep finding pass offs for us:) We're not complaining:) On Saturday we had two lessons planned with them for pass offs. The first lesson was planned for this guy named "Mo" if you're wondering that is short for Mohamed. The Elders told us he had converted to Christianity and was totally Golden. Well, he showed up about 35 minutes late to the appointment and starts telling us that we're all wasting our time and that the Quoran is the only book from God. Which was interesting because he also told us he's never actually read it. Mid-lesson we get a text from this girl who really wants to meet with us. Well, missionaries are pretty excited about anyone who wants to talk to us. So mid-lesson I make an appointment with this girl who is super excited to meet us. Well, Mo never even noticed I was texting because he was busy telling us that God can do anything, but he can't answer our prayers. And then he was telling us about this prophet who had a really unfortunate name...he said his name was Sheetz. And then he said, "Maybe not. I cannot remember his name. But he was a man of God." Aye yi yi. So, eventually the Elders manage to tell "Mo" we gots to go. So, we head over to our next lesson and we knock on the door and a woman answers. Elder Rassmussen says, "Hi! is Mac here?" She told us he wasn't there and as she was shutting the door guess who is standing behind her? Mac. Mac tells us we need to set up another appointment for another day. So of course we do. Then we parted ways with the very frustrated Fallowfield Elders and on our way to meet Jeffrey we get a text from the same girl who texted earlier asking about our French and little questions like that. Well, we had a glorious lesson with Jeffrey, who if he was any sweeter would get translated. But then after the lesson we checked our phone and we had a text from the little chica that said, "HELP! The police are going to arrest Linda! HELP!" I handed the phone to Sister C and said, "Well, you thought this day couldn't get any weirder." Would I sound like a bad missionary if I told you we turned off our phone? Well, we did.And when we turned it back on we had a million more texts about Linda and the cops. It was awesome.

 

The gratifying: This week we had two investigators at church who are both incredible. I'm trying to figure out how to possibly express how much I love both of these investigators, but I don't think I could possibly do it justice. I love them. I think the same way a mother loves a child. It's this love that I would do anything for them. Whatever it took to bring them happiness. Watching them at church was among some of the sweetest moments I've had as a missionary. Oh of course I teared up multiple times, because sometimes I can't believe the Lord trusts me to do this work. I feel so humbled by all of the sweet moments he has given me with our dear little investigators.

 

This week I finished the Book of Mormon again. Oh how I love that book! I know that book has brought me more joy, peace, and happiness than anything else in my life. My heart brimmed with love as I finished the last few pages and prayed to know "If these things are not true" as Moroni admonishes. I can tell you the spirit bore witness to me that they are true. There is no greater love of a Father for His children than is written on the pages of that dear book. If you haven't read it. Read it. If you have read it. Read it again, and again. If you do I promise you will never question what significance you hold to our Father in Heaven and to His Beloved Son. These words at the end of the Book of Mormon really hold true for me as I think about you my dear family and friends. "I am mindful of you always in my prayers, continually praying unto God the Father in the name of his Holy Child, Jesus, that he, through his infinite goodness and grace, will keep you through the endurance of faith on his name to the end." I pray for you. I love you. He loves you. You are being cared for by His angels.

 

I pray that you will have a beautiful week full of funny and interesting, and gratifying moments! And that in each of them you will remember that God who gave you life. Because I can testify that he will never forget you.

 

I love you.

 

Bisous Bisous:)

 

Sister Perkins

 

Hello!

I can't believe it's Monday again! I feel like the fast forward button has been on the past few months. Time is going by much too quickly! It sounds like everyone is doing well:) It makes my heart so happy! We are also happily trucking along here in the CMM. This week was beautiful and eventful and equally disappointing and trying. 

We had a really really really hard time getting our investigators to keep appointments, follow through with commitments, etc. Something to do with the nice weather I think. I felt like we were being sufficiently humbled after an incredible four weeks of back to back appointments. But the Lord in His wisdom knows best and I will continue to strive to be humble enough to accept His will. 

On Tuesday after getting smurfed( i.e. our investigators didn't show up for their appts) 3 times in a row, my comp and I were walking through the park and there was this cool hippie guy sitting on a park bench. We watched him and realized that he was feeding squirrels on his lap!!! Squirrels don't normally sit on your lap so we thought this was pretty epic. We sauntered over and started up a conversation with him about his ability to feed squirrels, at which point he said, "it's easy. Sit down." So we sat down and he said, "Put your leg out." My immediate reaction was to think "Excuse me hippie man!". But he looked serious so I did. He handed me an almond and said, "Show the squirrel." So I did and he was right this little squirrel came scampering up my leg sat on my lap and ate the almond. This went on for about 30 minutes and I just wanted to squish these little guys they were so cute. And then I felt like a Disney princess and then I felt like a weirdo because I realized people were walking by and pointing. I was super happy because one time Elder Meza told a story about how he got to shake a squirrels hand, now I can tell a squirrel story too:) Long story short, that is how our worst day turned into the best day ever;)

This week my comp and I were invited to attend Zone Leader Council in Montreal. I felt so cool;) Until we got to Montreal. Then I felt like a greenie all over again. I used to think Ottawa was big, but in comparison to Montreal, Ottawa is a little postage stamp. Side note: I pretty much can navigate around Ottawa in my sleep now, which is crazy because before my mission I didn't have a clue where north was. Now I'm like a regular Magellan. Anyway, ZLC was really cool! I felt like it was a good experience for me to have because it really put into perspective a lot of the why behind the administrative stuff we have in the mission. It also was a cool experience to spend time with the Cannons, who I adore. President and Sister Cannon as usual had really awesome advice and fed us well:)

Last night we had a really cool lesson with Leah, the little chica we met on the bus last week. She was absolutely floored by the Book of Mormon and I could see so much happiness in her eyes when we gave her a copy of her own. As we explained the experience of the first vision she let out multiple gasps as if everything we were telling her was so wildly incredible. Before we left she told us that she wants us to teach her whole family! We were so happy and quickly jumped on the opportunity. It was such a blessing to be given an amazing investigator like Leah after the crazy week we had. It was a tender mercy of the Lord that reminded me that he is there. 

This week I was studying in Mormon 9. It's a chapter about miracles and the Christ and is probably one of my favorites in the BOM. I really love verses 9-11 which read: 

9 For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?

10 And now, if ye have imagined up unto yourselves a god who doth vary, and in whom there is shadow of changing, then have ye imagined up unto yourselves a god who is not a God of miracles.

 11 But behold, I will show unto you a God of  miracles, even the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and it is that same God who created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are.

We live in a world of miracles. The very fact that we are here upon the Earth is a miracle. Each day all day we are surrounded by all of the Lord's miracles. That's one thing a lot of people we teach struggle with. They don't understand how much their Father in Heaven loves them because everything he has done and continues to do for them becomes something of entitlement and less of the miracle it truly is. In John 9 there is a incident when Jesus heals a blind man on the Sabbath which causes an uproar amongst His accusers. They tell the man that it's not possible because Jesus sinned by healing him on the Sabbath at which point the man says "Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see." I can't explain the miracles that I've seen, but I do know they happened and I do know that they came to pass by the power of the Savior. I know that our God is a God of miracles and that each day he sends us miracles to show us how much he cares. my challenge to you this week is to look for the miracles the Lord has blessed you with:)

I hope your week is happy! That you feed a squirrel an Almond. That you get to feel the rays of the sun. That you eat a snow cone. That you smell lilacs(they are in abundance here). That no matter what life hands you, you can like the brother of Jared, praise the Lord in your afflictions, because he loves you and he does care. 

I love you!

Sister Perkins

P.s. I wanted to send pictures, but alas we are not able to send pictures form the family history center:( I'll try to make it to a library next week:)

Hola!!! Como estan todos!!!

First of all, FELIZ CUMPLEANOS MAMITA! I hope you have the happiest birthday ever! I'm so grateful for you and everything you taught me. Eat lots of cake and ice cream!

So, the title of this email comes from my new favorite song that Sister Chadburn and I listen to to  promote companionship unity. We are probably going to do a training next Zone Conference with this song as our inspiration;). Don't worry I've attached it so you can all listen to it and think of me dancing in my car with Sister C:) Si un amigo en miiiiiiiii!

This week was really good we had Zone Conference on Tuesday and it was just so great to see President and Sister Cannon. I love them! We also got a new phone at ZC  which sounded like a really cool idea until we saw it.....You know how when you watch movies from the 90's and they have those huge cell phones and everybody says "Cell phones used to be so big!" Well... we got pretty much the cousin of the phones from 1990. It's mortifying when you have to pull it out in public and everyone says "Whoa is that a walkie talkie!!?" It's gigantic! What can I say we live a very glamorous life:)

Yesterday we had the great opportunity to see Jeffrey baptize Steve! It was one of the most tender moments in my mission. Jeffrey was super nervous even though we told him a million times that it would be fine and wouldn't you know it, he did AMAZING!  I'm so proud of that little guy. He's such a rock star! (Sister Pace taught me to say rock star, such a good mission mama!) I love baptisms! It always reminds me of how many blessings I've been given because of this gospel. I'm so excited for both Jeffrey and Steve as they continue to make changes and learn in the gospel. It's such a blessing!

This week Sister C and I did a lot of busing around the city. We were busing home on Tuesday night and I met the cutest girl named Leah. We talked about the whole 2012 thing. She had a lot of questions, but then had to get off abruptly and so I gave her a card with our number. The very next day we were leaving an area about 25 minutes away from our house and we got on another bus and guess who was on the bus? The same girl. We talked to her again about families and the importance of prayer. On Thursday we were riding a bus to an area that is 20 minutes away from our house in a completely different direction and ran into the same girl again. We all started laughing and she said "You know I told my mom about you guys and she said that it's probably a sign. She wants me to come to your church." We were so happy to see her again and hope that we will get to see her at church one day if not on the bus again. The whole experience taught me that the Lord is truly in the details of our lives, and even when we think the insignificant things in our lives don't matter, they most certainly do to Him. 

This week I was able to experience a miracle with the gift of tongues. My companion and I taught 3 lessons in French and I was able to speak fluidly with really not much hesitation. It made me really happy! Though my French is super basic, I know that the Lord has blessed me with the ability to speak when I need it:)  

A few weeks ago President and Sister Cannon were here for a visit and President shared Matthew 11:28-30 " 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." This week this scripture has really been on my mind. As missionaries we labor a lot and most days are heavy laden with concerns for investigators, family, friends. There is a lot to labor and worry over. But the Lord promises us, if we do His will, if we are meek and lowly in heart we will find rest to our souls. Not to our physical exhaustions, but our souls will find rest. This week my feet were tired, my body was limp, but my soul felt so rested and that to me makes any physical exhaustion worth it. I testify that as you put the Lord first in your busy lives he will give you rest and your burdens will become light. 

I hope you all have a beautiful week and remember how much I  love you all! 

Love your amiga,

Sister Perkins

Hello everyone! 

I'm not going to lie I don't have much to say today. Maybe it's because I talked all of the words right out of my system yesterday:) This week was also good! We are doing really well here and are so excited for the coming weeks!!! Tomorrow we have Zone Conference and next week Sister Chadburn and I get to go to Montreal for Zone Leader Council. We're the new zone leaders:) Kidding! We were just invited to go:) AND our recent convert Jeffrey is going to be baptizing a man named Steve this weekend!!!

Sister C and I found Steve while knocking and we passed him off to the Riverside elders (i.e. Elder Meza (my best friend) and Elder Shaver (my other best friend). We passed him off at church and in Gospel principles Steve raised his hand and said "My only question is when can I get baptized?" Ask and ye shall receive, right? The Riverside Elders eyes were as big as saucers. It. Was. Epic. And then Steve met Jeffrey at the bus stop and thought he was the cats pajamas, so now Jeffrey get's to baptize him. In Jeffrey's words "It's super sweet!"

I don't know if I mentioned this...but each week we do service at the Ottawa Mission. We get to prep and prepare food for the shelter. It's one of the highlights of our week. It always makes us feel so grateful for what we have. This week I was feel a little grumpy and possibly a littler irritated with some Elders. There is an older man who lives at the Mission, he always has the same outfit on and is obviously very ill, but he walked in with the biggest grin on his face. "HELLO everybody!!!! Hello girls! No sugar for you, because you are already too sweet." (He says this every week and it always makes me laugh). But this last week he looked at me and said "LIFE is BEAUTIFUL!" I felt so grateful for this little guy and his example. Clearly I have been blessed with more than this man and he is telling me (indirectly) to enjoy my blessings. It was such a tender mercy from the Lord. 

This week I was studying in 3 Nephi 13 and I really loved the end of verse 25 which says, "Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink: nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" I LOVE  this question. We are more than just a body and raiment we are literal spirit children of the most powerful being in the universe. There is so much more to our lives than the material things we seem to get so easily caught up in. I have been realizing more and more that after we leave this life we only get to take our covenants and our testimony. So it only seems fitting that we put our time and energy to developing these aspects of our lives. 

I hope you all have a great week! Remember read your scriptures and say your prayers:) I love you!

Love,

Sister Perkins