He Lives

Hi :)

So last Saturday we (us, our branch mission leader, recent convert & true friend to Jim, and Jim) all drove the two hours up to West Kelowna so that we could watch two little children be baptized and so that Jim could have his interview.  We all went to dinner before the baptism and boy was that a treat!!  Sitting in a restaurant with a few of the people you adore was a blessing in itself.  Just imagine Sister Larsen and I sitting there with 4 people over the age of 65 and laughing till it hurts.  It was a sight to see and they truly are some of the greatest homies!  I can't wait any longer...Jim passed his baptismal interview with President Tilleman!  What a miracle!  He will be baptized this coming Saturday, February 22 in Penticton!  I am sooooo excited for Jim to make these sacred covenants with our Heavenly Father!  It's been a long time coming for him and I know that this decision is one that he will reflect on throughout the eternities.

We spent a not-so-romantic Valentine's Day out tracting and had dinner with a less active family.  They took us out to a place in Osoyoos and while we were eating a man came in and sat in a booth by himself.  His glasses were kind of weird, one lens was black and the other clear.  So I’m not sure what the deal is.  Anyway, I started feeling really bad for him.  No one should be alone on Valentine's Day!  Sister L and I couldn't go sit with him (against the rules) so I made Sis L run out to the car with me so we could grab him a cupcake that we had made for someone else.  We came back in and I set it in his table and said “We made this for someone special and that's you.  Happy Valentine's Day!”  Then we sat back down.  The point is this: A lonely pirate was my valentine. 

During one of our lessons this week we watched "Finding Faith in Christ".  That movie is so powerful.  I want to bear my testimony that Jesus Christ is truly our Savior and Redeemer.  He is the light.  At General Conference in April of 1985, Bruce R. McConkie (10 days before he died) gave a talk called "The Purifying Power of Gethsemane."  In it, he talks about the Savior's life and ultimate sacrifice.  He bears his testimony, one that I admire and aspire to have.  He said:

“He is our Lord, our God, and our King.  This I know of myself independent of any other person.

“I am one of his witnesses, and in a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in his hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tears.

“But I shall not know any better then than I know now that he is God’s Almighty Son, that he is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through his atoning blood and in no other way.”

I know that my Savior lives.  I know that He is the bread of life and through Him we can return to live with our Father in Heaven.  He died for each and every one of our sins.  Mosiah 14:5 - "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." This scripture is perfect.  Through missionary work we are able help God’s children fully access the atonement.  We are literally declaring tidings of great joy!  1 Nephi 13:37 - “And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be.”

I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity teach Jim and help prepare him for baptism.  In Jeffrey R.  Holland’s [ October 2012 general ] conference talk “The First Great Commandment” he tells about what Christ might have said to Peter, “What I need, Peter, are disciples—and I need them forever.  I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs.  I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith.  I need someone who loves me, truly, truly loves me, and loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do.  Ours is not a feeble message.  It is not a fleeting task.  It is not hapless; it is not hopeless; it is not to be consigned to the ash heap of history.  It is the work of Almighty God, and it is to change the world.”

I thank Heavenly Father everyday that I am worthy and able to be out here serving Him and His wandering sheep.  I can't wait to tell you all about Jim's miraculous baptism!  It really is a miracle. 

xoxo A

It's finally gotten a little sunny here!

Finally biffed it on some ice and bruised my elbow.

My MTC companion, Sister Settle, is finally in the Kelowna Zone!

“Wo men shi chian jiao shi!"

Ni Hao! 

We stayed with the Richmond Chinese sisters for one night while in Vancouver for transfer meeting/mission council and they taught me how to say, "Hi, we are missionaries!" (subject line above) and "Sister Holm."  So, ever since we got back to Osoyoos I've been practicing non stop in case they transfer me down there, which isn't likely.  My terrible white girl attempt at Chinese is driving Sis L crazy.  Oh well.  She can practice being patient.

We spent a good portion of the week down in the lower mainland.  Wednesday - Saturday.  On Tuesday we caught the greyhound bus from Penticton to Langley and stayed with the Surrey North sisters.

Thursday was transfer meeting.  We weren't getting transferred but we did have to go down to pick up a vacuum and have interview with President.  So we had the privilege of attending transfer meeting, okay?  Haha.  We had some inspiring training for President and Sister Tilleman, the senior office couples, and the assistants.  The assistants training were about when Nephi was told to go and build a boat.  Nephi didn't just say "okay God, give me some tools.." he asked where he could find materials to make the tools.  I loved that because as missionaries, we can't just say "okay God, give us some baptisms.." we have to ask where we should go in order to find those who He has prepared.  Anyway, that night we stayed with the Port Moody sisters. 

On Friday we were blessed to be able to attend Mission Council, which is when all the Zone Leaders, Sister Training Leaders, and mission presidency discuss how the mission is doing and ways we can improve.  It was an HONOR to be there.  President had told us a couple days earlier that we would be going, but we had no idea how inspiring it would be.  It went from 8am to 6pm and the spirit was there the entire time.  I'm so grateful for our leaders out here in the Canada Vancouver Mission.  They are truly called of God.  Sis L and I were in awe at the types of concerns and solutions that were brought up.  I guess I just forgot that there was more to BC than just little old Oliver/Osoyoos!

It's also amazing to see how the work is hastening in the entire province.  I know that the Lord is blessing our mission because of the counsel of President Tilleman, "Work hard.  Love the people.  Be exactly obedient." I testify that the last one is extremely true!  I've seen it change our area and bless us with more miracles!  Sister Larsen and I then had interviews with President.  Ah...  I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful that went!  That night we stayed with the Richmond Chinese sisters, which was a hoot!  They had to take us to the bus at 5 am the next morning..  poor things.  Bless them.  The bus ride was nasty, but Sis L and I just  passed out.  It's rare we time to just sit back and sleep.  We already stick out pretty bad (skirts, tags), but carrying around a vacuum tube didn't help.  After the 7-hour bus ride, we had to wait for our branch mission leader to pick us up and take us to our car.  So..  being the losers we are..  we pretended to be ghost busters for the 20 mins we were waiting.  I wouldn't say my mission has changed me...  but it's definitely made me care a lot less about what I look like in public.

I am so grateful to be out here.  It's challenging, frustrating, and tiring..  but anything worth it in this life usually is.  I'm so grateful for my Savior and the sacrifice he willingly made for all of us.  I know that it is only through baptism that we can truly access the atonement.  I'm so grateful for the example that Christ is, especially His humility.  He was willing to come down here, suffer for our sins, and STILL give the glory to our Father in Heaven.  Incredible.  I know that this gospel is true and that Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ that glorious day in the sacred grove.  I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and goes hand-in-hand with the Bible.  I'm so grateful for this gospel and the many blessings I've seen from it.  I know that it will bless the life of every soul who chooses to listen to our message.  Thank you for all your love and support!  Happy Valentines Day!  Remember who loves you most... 

xoxo A

Being a loser (packing the new vacuum home on the bus).  What's new?

Too much fun with googlie eyes on p-day. #marceltheshellstatus

Giant box of kinder eggs from a true holmie! 

Thanks uncle Brian and fam!  You get me.

Quail tracks. there are like 46,885,432 gazillion here.

Love my friends :)

If I Had 3 Wishes...

Bonjour!

Sister Larsen and I will be staying together this next transfer here in Osoyoos! We are beyond thrilled (ha it sounds like we are having a baby or something)!!! Somewhat bad news... due to the influx of the French in the coming months (they work in the vineyards) Sis L and I will be learning French. So.... wish us luck…Psych!  We really are staying together and will continue to speak English!  So Wish #1 was granted :)

It was a week of miracles.  Heavenly Father drenched us with blessings!  On Thursday I hit my 3-month mark, which came way too fast!

While out tracting this week (which is always eventful) we talked to a couple who invited us in, but didn't want to hear our message…but they gave us some pancakes and sent us on our way.  We also met a former DJ who gave us the creeps. He was complaining about his wife of 14 years who turned lesbian...but it gets worse.  He told us he used to be a DJ on a cruise ship and all the Mormon girls would flock to him. He invited us to come back and have a party with him and listen to sexy music.  So we just turned around and left. Ew.  Also while tracting, a large Rottweiler jumped on my back multiple times (finally I just ran away from it).  At one house I biffed it on some ice and almost hit my head on their cement stairs.  That was cute.  Oh!  We also had an awesome door slam. I say awesome because the guy slammed it SO hard that it literally shook Sis L and I.

Wish #2: One of our ETERNAL (meaning he has been meeting with missionaries for years) Investigators now has a baptismal date for Feb 22!!  This truly is a miracle.  Sis L and I have been fasting and praying for Jim and he finally committed to a date!  We were at his place with some members for nearly 3 hours.  After about 85 times of asking him to be baptized and him not giving us a straight answer…I finally just pulled out Sis L's planner and showed him the date and asked one final time.  He sat for a moment…then took out a pen and signed the date.  The spirit was so strong.  I kid you not.  Jim didn't actually need to sign anything…but it was darling that he did.  He is 74 and has had a very difficult life.  He attends church every Sunday with his dog Annie (ironic I know) and says that his only friends in this area are Mormons.  So, lo and behold, he will become a member of the church on Feb 22 :)

Another miracle that we heard about this week was with a former investigator and her daughter.  Her mom, Sis B, is a very active member of our branch.  So, Sis B told us this story.  I guess our former investigator was sitting at the table when her four-year-old daughter came and sat on her lap and handed her the Book of Mormon. The girl then opened it and pointed to a verse and said "Here mommy! Read this out of the Book of Norman!" (She gets it wrong every time but it's soo cute).  So our former looks at the verse that the girl pointed to and it was 3 Nephi 11:23 which says, "Verily I say unto you, that whoso repenteth of his sins through your words, and desireth to be baptized in my name, on this wise shall ye baptize them - Behold ye shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize them."  It was the exact scripture she needed to hear.  It is a huge testimony builder that Heavenly Father works through little children.

And for the final wish...my prayers were answered...the Seahawks swept the Bronco's!! Ahh...I was dying on Sunday.  Towards the end of the evening one of our members called us and told me that the Seahawks had won 43-8!  The whole branch knew how anxious I was to hear about the game.  They are gems to say the least! :)  Wish #3 granted!

During my studies this morning I read some of the General Conference talks from this past conference.  I loved the one about when to plant a tree and I would encourage you to read it!  But the one I just can't stop thinking about is about is about how to endure well.  It talks about Finding Nemo and how Dory repeats "Just keep swimming."  I love that. It's a perfect parallel to how I feel about my mission and about life in general.  During rain or shine...all we need to do is JUST KEEP SWIMMING!  He is always there for us. I'm so grateful to be out here doing the Lord’s work.  It is a true privilege to be serving His ever-so-entertaining children here in the Canada Vancouver Mission.  Thank you for the support and love you give and know that I am sending it right back at ya!  Keep anchored to the always-loving Good Shepherd.

xoxo A

P.S. If you are sending mail, please make sure you put it like this:

Sister Annie Holm

C/O P.O. Box 1337

Oliver B.C. V0H 1T0

CANADA

I guess the postal system is getting picky about these things. One time they thought we were catholic nuns...??

View of our little town of Oliver

Wonderful steak dinner provided by some of our members who
went down to the US to grocery shop (much cheaper in the USA)

Jim's signature. Isn't he darling? :) 
We are making waffles with him today for lunch!

Seahawks baby!

Slams, Shells, and Sacrament

 It took me a while to come up with that subject line, but it is an accurate description of our week!

Although I've only been out for almost three months (I know, I know.  It feels like 2 days) I've accumulated so much!  This week while tracting, a Pentecostal woman didn't want to hear our message, but liked us enough to give us some Moon Snail Shells.  Say that fast, I dare you.  She said they are found on the island and she gathers them every year!  They are pretty large…so I'm not sure how I'm going to haul that around with me for another 15 months.  Some of our members gave some shells too…but it was more like their garbage because they had had escargot the night before (you know who you are...Sis M).  But they are still cool and we are going to beg Sis B to give us some of her [ stick-on ] googlie eyes so we can make our own renditions of Marcel The Shell.  We were also given some painted rocks by one of our investigators!  He is First Nations.  Sis L got the one with the wolf on it, but because I'm weird…I ended up with the goat one. 

On a slightly different note, we've had some super odd/wonderful things happen this week!  We've been screamed at in different languages, been told what we believe, and the best part...got a DOUBLE DOOR SLAM!  The guy tried to slam it but it didn't work...so he had to do it again as we were STILL standing there.  He just really needs the gospel.

On to the miracles!  We were talking to this woman (20's) at her door and suddenly some guy walked up to the door and said "who are you?" and we said "missionaries" and he started to slam the door...BUT the woman fought him and for like a solid 30 seconds.  Sister L and I just stood there watching them go back and forth trying to slam then open the door.  After it finally slammed...we yelled "have a nice day!" and she yelled back through the door..."you too!"

We were bummed because we had felt a strong spirit when talking to her.  Then after like 5 minutes, we hear "HEY LADIES!!  WAIT!!!" So we whip around and see the woman running after us!  She came and said something like she felt good talking to us and loves God (it was all such a blur).  Then she went on to tell us that she had almost been sent to prison earlier that day because she used to be a heavy drug user.  She told us that she had seen God's hand in her life and knew that she was able to go free because of Him.  So…of course we made her a new investigator!  In order to do that though, you have to set up a return appointment and say a prayer.  So, as Sister Larsen went to offer the prayer…the woman lit up a cigarette and grabbed our hands.  So...in the middle of the dark street we all held hands and prayed while she had a cig in her mouth.  I've never felt the spirit so strong or laughed so hard in my life.  What a moment.  This gospel is so true.  People are willing to chase us down in order to have it.  I love this woman with all my heart and I know that this is exactly what she needs to continue turning her life around!  I'll keep you updated!

Now for the final bit...sacrament.  Sis L and I usually sit in the back (with the hope that new investigators will show up and sit with us).  While the sacrament [bread] was being passed, Sis L got her piece and accidently dropped one on her lap.  So, being the great companion I am...I just ate the one off her lap.  Ya...it made us both start giggling.  One family a couple rows up turned their heads and just shook them at us.  So that was fun.

As members of this church, we truly have the Pearl of Great Price.  As missionaries, we have the privilege to share that beautiful knowledge with souls who are prepared to hear it.  It's not always going to be easy, but we just have to keep moving forward.  D&C 100:12 "Therefore, continue your journey and let your hearts rejoice; for behold, and lo, I am with you even unto the end."  Dory [ from Finding Nemo ] might have said it in her own way...”Just keep swimming, just keep swimming…”  :)

Other highlights of the week:

• Man with an axe in subway (typical Canadians)
• Interview with President Tilleman up in Kelowna and being able to see 4 baptisms!
• Drunk Man Withers...the scary guy who walks by our apartment.  One time he was drunk running down the street with a bottle in his hand and waving his arms.  So we call him, ‘drunk man withers’.
• While tracting, we knocked a door with some glass.  We could clearly see the man watching TV...so we rang the doorbell thinking he couldn't hear us.  He didn't move.  So Sis L waved.  Still no movement.  Clearly he was ignoring us.  But it's okay.  We'll laugh about it with him someday.
• There was a cricket in the washroom this morning and sis L had to come in and kill it for me because I was preoccupied
• SHOUTOUT TO EMMA TIERNAN, ELIZA ALVEY, and BAILEY PASSEY for the wonderful Christmas tree!  Thank you for helping out with that!  I loved it :)
• We talked to a Hispanic fellow who had an 1983 book of Mormon signed by the missionary who gave it to him

Thank you for all your support and letters!  I really do appreciate it!  God is good!

xoxo, A

My collection.

Our sweet first nations rocks. 

Tucelnuit Lake is still frozen.  Brrr.

My one true Holmie!

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

The Silver Lining

Ehhhhh,

 Fun fact, unicorns are mentioned in the Bible!  Deuteronomy 33:17.  So clearly they are real.  It's been a fun week, as always.  Sister Larsen and I still get along (it's a miracle, I know!) Just kidding.  I'll cherish whatever time we have left before she leaves, even though I pray every night that she'll stay for just one more transfer!  I need her!  She is the yin to my yang!  The wind beneath my wings!  In other news, we got dropped by not just one but five of our investigators.  We were devastated.  But every cloud has a silver lining and we found four New Investigators! 

Heavenly Father really does prepare people to hear his gospel and we were able to have an incredible lesson with one of them today!  She is a hard-core Christian and is looking for a church.  She wants to read the BOM and is open to learning more.  It was the best lesson I've had since being out here.  God blessed us to know how to answer her questions.  Missionaries are truly instruments in the Lords hands.  Another one of our new investigators was found outside of our chapel.  A couple of weeks ago we were having our correlation meeting with our branch mission leaders and were talking about how we haven't talk to anyone in a while (meaning people who actually wanted to talk to us)...then I saw a guy walk by the window…and the spirit literally picked me up out of my seat and I opened the door and ran after him.  Sister Larsen ran after me because we always have to be in sight and sound…haha.  We talked to him and gave him our number and card.  He seemed interested and was in a hurry.  A couple weeks later we saw him AGAIN.  We yelled his name and had a phenomenal conversation with him.  He became a new investigator and we're seeing him next Sunday.  God is Good. 

Another miracle happened, mostly with Sister Larsen.  We were driving on the main road and out of nowhere she flipped the car around and started driving the other way.  She said "there is a man on the side of the road with a walking stick and he needs to hear the gospel."  I was like “what the heck, but okay, whatever you need to do”.  So we pulled over and got out to talk to him.  Turns out he's read the BOM and studied it extensively.  We'll call him Ronald.  He said it says, "and it came to pass" 1200 times.  Like…Who is this guy?!  So we have an amazing quality gospel conversation with him and give him our info.  We were bummed he didn't become a new investigator, but Sister Larsen followed the spirit anyway.  So…a couple days later we had just got a text from someone saying they didn't want to meet with us anymore.  Not a stellar start to P-day.  Then we noticed we had a voicemail (our flip phone is suuuper ghetto and doesn't know how to do anything right) from a random number.  No one ever calls from the cards we hand out…so being the unfaithful missionaries we shouldn't have been…we figured it was from someone who hated us and was going to say mean things.  To our utter astonishment it was Ronald saying he loved our little chat and wanted us to come over for tea next week!  Tea is big here in Canada for some reason, maybe English influence.  Anyway, we called him back and set up a meeting.  Sister Larsen and I pray for miracles every single night and the Lord continually blesses us with them.

On a funnier note, one of our investigators (who tend to be old men) was mad that he couldn't hug us so he kissed our hands.  So, there's that.  While tracting we had a convo with a lady who said she was "in love with Jesus," and boy did she mean it.  Super uncomfortable.

The white, tailless cat now has a name…Sir Galihath.  We've seen him a few times and finally got a picture with him in it!

I've been thinking a lot about what I wish someone would have said to me right before I left on my mission.  So, here are my thoughts.  Be humble.  Remember that what you are doing isn't for or about you or your needs.  You are doing HIS will and serving HIS children.  Even though people will be mean or won't want to hear your message, they are all still children of God.  3 Nephi 12:45, "for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good." Love everyone.  Love your companion, your leaders (they are inspired of God 100%), love the people, and love the Lord.  Lean on Him.  Proverbs 3:5-6.  It's overwhelming, but just embrace the change and let the Lord shape you into what He needs you to be.  Don't be afraid of being dorky or not knowing something…who cares.  Everyone is here to learn and become disciples of Christ.  Look up 5 scriptures that define you.  Keep those in your heart always and don't forget who you are.  He called you to your specific mission for a purpose, even just to touch one person’s heart.  Alma 26: 30, "our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some." Every soul is precious to God.  Don't focus on numbers.  Missions are really hard, but it's only a taste of what our Savior went through in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross.  He knows all of your pains.  Enjoy this adventure.  It's the best decision you will ever make. 

I know this gospel is true.  I'm so grateful for the privilege to share it was every single person I meet.  Talk to everyone.  Trust the Lord with all your heart.  Build your testimony upon the rock, which is our Redeemer.  Go out there and kill it.

xoxo A

My great companion and me.  We love each other.