Shout out to my SEAHAWKS

Found a dead bird last week!

The white tailless cat was on our porch during studies! He lives!

Sis L is the cutest... isn't she?

Another one of our investigators cornrowed my hair. She's going to
hair school and practices on me. I think I can really pull it off

I know I shouldn't be concerned with worldly matters, but the Seahawks don't count!  I am SO proud of the Seahawks for making it to the Super Bowl!  It's been years since they've been and they deserve it!  My dad has been keeping me updated (along with other fans here in Canada) and they have had a great season!  My prayers have been answered!  I literally wore my Seahawks shirt every night just to bring them some luck!  Ah…this is so amazing.  God is good.  So I just had to give them a shout out!

Also, gotta give a shout out to my little sassmaster!  Libby!  I am so proud of you (she got into the U and Utah state)!  Either way, you'll be getting a phenomenal education and having a great college experience!  You are so smart and I can't wait to hear where you decide to go!  :)

Anyway, back to life as a missionary.

I don't know what my deal is but I've been freezing up at doors lately.  Especially when they are atheist.  We start with the normal..."Hi, we are missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and we are going around sharing a message about how much God loves you and wants you to live with Him again.", and then they say "Oh, there is no God."  And I'm literally petrified and don't know what to say.  In my head I'm like...“well he still loves you, even if you don't think he's there.”  But that just doesn't come out of my mouth.  So my BFF/sidekick saves me and starts talking.  It's something I really need to work on!  Also, while out finding we saw an American flag (rare － they don't really like the US here) and immediately knocked on the door!  We met Amy who is a schoolteacher down in Oroville, which is right across the [ USA – Canada ] border.  She wasn't interested in our message, but it was so nice to talk to an American.  Amy the American.

Even though I've been freezing up at doors, Heavenly Father has blessed me with some guts!  I've chased people down and hollered at people sitting on their decks.  This week some guy was sitting in his car having a smoke (super typical here) and I tapped on the window and we introduced ourselves.  Long story short...he is a new investigator!  As missionaries we truly need to talk to EVERYONE.  This is people's salvation on the line.  We are sent to declare glad tidings of great joy to everyone we meet!  It's what we are sent here and sign up to do...so do it!  We had our lesson with the guy I told you about last week (who Sis L flipped the car around just to go talk to).  It went really well!  We had some of the younger members from the Penticton ward come out with us.  Members are amazing to have at lessons.  They are able to answer questions that we can't.  He had come into a lot of Anti [Mormon] stuff, so the members were able to clear most of that up.  I would really encourage going out with the missionaries to teach lessons!  It will not only help them, but it will help you too!

We have goals for each week, or "key indicators." These are to help push us and hasten the work.  Last week our mission as a whole found 1,085 New Investigators all over the province.  That is INCREDIBLE!  As a mission we have also set a goal for 2,014 baptisms in 2014.  If we keep finding people like this...it's bound to happen!  We need to have the faith that all things are possible with God.  Even God has goals...Moses 1:39.  He wants to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.  As missionaries we are working with Heavenly Father to fulfill his goals.  I am so grateful for the privilege to be out here in British Columbia sharing the gospel.  Even though the days feel like weeks and the weeks feel like days it is the best decision I've made in my life.  I thank The Lord every day for allowing me to be serving in this pivotal time.  The work is hastening!

[ Editor's note: For more details see Annie's companion's blog at sunshinesmilesandserendipity.blogspot.com ]

GO SEAHAWKS!

xoxo, A