October 23, 2019

HELLO! This was quite a week because we found out what is happening with transfers! Sister Clark is headed to Cole Harbour for her last transfer and I am getting sister Livingstone! It was super crazy! We were definitely not expecting a change this transfer. It's kind of sad because i love her a lot and we made a really good team! But I know that the Lord knows best. I am really excited for this next transfer. Only 3 left and then I'm home... I can hardly believe it. This week three of our Jamaician friends came to church! It was so exciting! They really loved it and want to come back next week! We continue to work with the members in the ward. We are visiting each of them and creating individualized family mission plans. They are really running with it! Member missionary work is the best way to go for sure! We also got the opportunity to listen to President Ballard and Elder Christofferson speak to us! They had a special missionary devotional and a special area devotional for Eastern Canada and United States. It was so interesting and so specific! Haha. He told us that we need to pray for our nation and our leaders and invite others to do the same. He also spoke a lot about how we need to be spiritually prepared for the days to come. Remember how they used to council us to have food storage ready? I haven't heard about that in a very long time. That's because it's not merely food that is going to sustain us in the last days, but our testimonies. If we are not spiritually prepared, nothing else will matter. I really have been feeling the urgency of time. The Lord is hastening his work and he's doing it quickly. I have also felt that it's important that we have a testimony of the restoration and of Joseph Smith. I know that he was a prophet called to restore the gospel in its fullness. And because of that, I can enjoy all of the blessings that come with it. I know that this church is true. I know that Jesus Christ lives and leads this church today. I love him so much. He brings peace now and guarantees complete healing in the next life. I have had way too many experiences in my life to ever deny the fact that I know that he lives. I love you all dearly! Keep being amazing! Sister Bates