Abominable Snow Elders

October 18, 2016

Hey everyone!

This last week has been very cold. And very white. It dumped about 7 inches of snow on us the other day. Big storm came through and guess who was out tracting in it? 

But EVEN WEIRDER, there was a junior high football game going on, while there was about 4 inches of snow... welcome to Canada.

On Wednesday, Elder Leigh was sick, so we did what we could, and then we decided to go on splits with some brethren from the branch. We went and visited Peggy, (more news on her later), we met man named Mike, and an older couple. 

Mike is actually married to a lady we had talked to on her doorstep a few weeks ago. We were hoping to catch her, but mike opened the door and was totally open to conversation. We taught him about the Restoration and he took a Book of Mormon. He was very open to the idea of there being a bigger power out there, even though he leans towards science. He was very cool, and there is lots to build on.

Peggy, who you might remember, has been meeting with missionaries for about 2 years. She talked to her son and her ex husband about joining the church, and they said, "fine you can go, just don't drag us with you." Haha. So she is going to start coming to church. Which is great! I know she is one of the reasons I was sent to this mission. I keep having dreams where she's in white, about to be baptized. So good signs!

Thursday we went and helped the senior centre with bingo. That was a blast. That evening We went out to Mannville and had a lengthy chat with Shirley about the bible. She doesn't want to hear about our church but loves talking religion. She wanted Elder Leigh to put his hands on her head and pronounce what her gift was and he said no because that's not why we have the priesthood. She's kinda crazy.

Also, we were going through familysearch, and I found my family history all the way back through Adam!

Friday we helped out at the food bank, and tracted in the snow. I have many pictures from that day. We walked all the way across town in a blizzard, knocked like 14 doors, none of them were interested, and then we marched back through the great white abyss. We became the abominable Snow elders. #IWillGoIWillDo

Saturday there was even more snow, and we saw one of our neighbors riding his snowmobile down the road, because the snow and slush was just that thick. 

We got a call from a man named Stephen, who wanted us to help move a couch for his friend. So we showed up, and she didn't want it moved yet. But we took advantage of his time and had a great discussion with him, in which we gave him the Book of Mormon. He is very willing to read it, and has a very Christlike heart already. 

Sunday was just your average day. Full of miracles and tender mercies all around. We were able to meet with Mike again, and further discuss his beliefs. He prayed, and asked Heavenly Father to fix the boiler in his house. That was the basis of most of our conversations, and analogies. He is really scared to join the church or come to church for fear that he might not get out of it. He really likes the way Mormon beliefs make Mormons to be such good people, and he knows he can trust any member of the church. He's opening up to the idea a little bit more. 

We met a young man named Brandon. On a whim, we decided to knock on his door. When he opened it, he seemed to act like he knew we were coming, because he had a ton of questions, made himself comfortable in the doorway, and accepted a challenge to read the Book of Mormon, and even set a return appointment. This is how we know that the Lord is preparing people for us to meet and teach. 

We went and visited a less active family way out in Minburn, the husband had just gotten home, and wasn't feeling very well so we offered to give him a blessing. I gave the blessing and promised him that he'd be feeling better in no time. 

Yesterday, we got a call from Stephen again, he said that his friend Marie was ready to have the couch moved. So we went and moved the couch. She also said she had a bed to move, so we moved the bed. She wanted to pay us for it, but we had to explain to her that we can't accept money. She kind of argued about it for a bit, but then once we moved the bed, she got really emotional,  took our hands and kissed them, and was so very grateful. It was a moving experience of how much charity can help others.

Peggy invited us over for dinner, she ordered pizza, and we talked to her more about the church. She knows it's all true and is starting to work on quitting smoking and coffee.

I have learned a lot about how God knows the thoughts of our hearts. I love knowing that he hears us and answers our prayers. There is such a wonderful love that resides in our church members and this gospel. I love it. If you haven't already, read the Book of Mormon, and pray of its truthfulness. The spirit will answer. 

Well, I hope y'all are doing well, and hope you know I love all Y'all! Keep moving forward! 

Much love, 

Elder Trevor J. Wells

Canada Edmonton Mission

Pictures: 

1. Fun at the food bank

2. Crazy kids playing football in the blizzard

3. The Great White North

4. Elder Eskimo

5. He was very tired. (Elder Leigh)

6. The cover of the December Ensign? Maybe? 

7. Mormons really do have horns! (Fun with photo apps