Not in Kansas Anymore

Greetings loved ones,

Name the song. Do it. ANYWAY. Surrey is not Osoyoos. Not even close. I feel like I'm in Compton or something. Kidding. It's not as bad, just different from what I'm used to.

My new companion is Sister Christensen (hah…shout out to Hermana Shelby Christensen).  She's from Colorado/Vegas.  She's been serving here for the past 2 transfers and was on the island before that.  We actually went back to Victoria this weekend to see one of her investigators get baptized.  She and I get along well…which makes a huge difference out here in the mission field.  I couldn't be more grateful to have a comp who likes to laugh as much as I do!

Surrey is crazy. I've talked to so many different people. We went to Surrey Central to street contact (it's this giant train station/mall that is fair game for all the missionaries in the area) and I was so overwhelmed.  In Osoyoos there are like maybe 10 people on the street on a GOOD day.  Nope.  Here in Surrey there are hundreds.  I was dumb enough to walk up to people at a cross walk and shout "Does anybody want this card.... anybody? No…no takers?"  Everyone just stared at me.  As you see…I tend to cause a lot of unnecessary scenes. Whaterrr…

A few experiences that I remember are 1) we tried to talk to this Asian family and the mom said no and waved her hand at us…so then her twin 5-year-old boys caught on and waved their hands and said “no no no no no no” to us for a solid 20 minutes. People were staring.  2) As we were trying to get back to the car a creepy guy on a bike rode past us and said “I'm not lookin’ at you okay? Geesh…I'm too old for you.” So we were like…“uhh okay”. And then he talked to us and began to recite all these philosophical sayings. I think he had issues or something. Anyway, there was more creepiness but it's not appropriate for this clearly uplifting email.  3) THE WORST THING. We were headed towards a bus stop to talk to the people there and this one lady like flipped her lid. No lie.  We said “Hi we're missionaries…” and she started screaming profane things and making a cross with her fingers telling us to go away. We just walked away and started talking to someone else and she starts yelling and making comments like “at least I'm human” and “everyone stay away! Those are Mormons.”  Blah, blah, blah. I don't know what came over me but I looked at the person we were talking to and said, “Will you excuse me a moment please?” I marched over to that lady and said “Why are you doing this? We didn't do anything to you. We are just trying to share a message.  We are people too. Stop being so rude.”  She kept trying to cut me off but I just wouldn't have it.  I'm too stubborn and impulsive (I'll work on it, I swear).  So we start getting mad at each other and Sister Christensen pulls me away and we start walking somewhere else.  I don't even know why I started crying but I did.  I think I was just freaked out that someone had the audacity to yell at me in public.

I was sheltered in Osoyoos.  People throw rocks at things that shine right?  After I got a hold of myself and was able to truly understand Elder Holland's talk on the cost of discipleship.  Sadly, people are not rejecting us…they are rejecting Christ.  That hit me hard.  I can't even begin to imagine what He went through.  If I wimped out at just that stupid lady yelling at me…I don't think I could handle doing this for 33 years.  I'm so grateful for my Savior.

Highlights of the week (other than the obviously wonderful ones above)

- Saw 3 whales on the ferry to Victoria

- Attended a baptism for 6 people

- Sleeping with the window open and hearing the rain come down (name the song)

- Stayed with Sister Larsen in Maple Ridge for transfer meeting. What a blessing!

- Finding a new investigator while using the fitting from at Target today #classic

Thanks for all your love and support!  Hopefully I don't get shot this week...

xoxo,

Sister Annie Holm

Last night in Osoyoos.

Saying bye to my beloved Bro. Whitesell

Me and Sis Christensen

Bang, Bang.. she shot me!

Can you name the song? If you can.. I'll send you a gift card to Tim Hortons!

I'm getting transferred!  I love [Oliver and] Osoyoos but I gotta get outa here!  I'm headed to Surrey North, known as the ghetto of British Columbia.  My new companion is Sister Christensen and together we'll convert all the drug dealers, prostitutes, and gang bangers.  I'm beyond thrilled!  I'm going from the land of the grapes and wine to a city with high crime rates.  Ah...I cannot wait to see what happens out there!

It's been an interesting week.  We've been doing the last couple things on my Osoyoos bucket list.  One was catching Sir Galihath (seen below) and driving out on 'the rez' for no reason. It was wonderful!  We also had the opportunity to teach an older gentleman wearing a darling forest green mini skirt.  I'm very grateful he kept his legs crossed..but needless to say we had to drop him.

Our beloved Mexican investigator Eliseo is still progressing.  He loves the Book of Mormon and wants to learn more about the Word of Wisdom.  There isn't much else to say about him...except that I'm pretty sure that he did Vote for Pedro.

Thanks for all the kind emails I got this week.  Last week was rough and I'm so grateful for the love and support from each and every one of you!  I'm so grateful for my Savior and Redeemer.  He truly is my anchor and keeps me grounded.  I know that I can lean on Him and that when I fall.  His hand will always be the first to reach out and help me up.  I loved Mosiah 14.  I read it during the sacrament on Easter sunday and I think my heart grew 3x's its size!  The Atonement has always been something hard for me to fathom, but once I finally was able to wrap my heart around it, it's something I cherish more than anything now.

I can't wait to tell you about my new adventures in Surrey.  Hopefully I don't get shot before next p-day.  Holla!

Love always,

Sister Gangsta Holmgirl

I will be in North Surrey, somewhere near the green "Canada Highway 1" sign.

A good rendition of me!

Kim and me.

Captured Sir Galiath.  I was scared it was gonna attack me. #classic

The new motto.

Straight Up

Hello,

Not quite sure what to write. I'm a very blunt person so I might as well just say it…It was a terrible, rough, exhausting, sad week. It's hard to be a missionary. I swear that some people just fake it all the time…like pretend that they just love their mission and don't ever feel tired and blah, blah, blah. Well that is ridiculous.  That is not real life and those people need to knock it off.  Don't think that I hate my mission or anything even close though.  It's challenging but ever so rewarding.  And no, I'm not talking JUST about baptisms.  Honestly…who cares how many baptisms you get.  What matters is if you are fulfilling your purpose to  "invite others to come unto Christ," whether that be through baptism, reactivation, and even just planting seeds. All is considered successful in the Lord’s eye.

I’ve been sick for weeks and weeks.  First the flu, then strep throat, now a sinus infection.  The last weeks or so has just been a fog…trying to do “the job” while living with a fever, attempts to identify possible food allergies, eating antibiotics.  Getting better now though.  Maybe just a new series of obstacles to handle.

Had to stay indoors for a few days to try to recover somewhat.  Some other missionaries came down to hang with us.  Sis Bowman can go out finding or teaching or whatever with one of them while the other sits here with me.  Being stuck inside most of the time I found a knack for creating native arrowheads from some rocks I found.  So there’s that.

I just want to let every person, missionary or not, know that it is totally A-Okay if things get stressful and you freak out.  I did…and I feel like I'm still a semi-normal person.  The thought that kept me going was that God gives us mountains and it's up to us to accept the challenge and climb the dang thing or to just sit a the bottom and complain.  Either way the mountain is still there, so get over it.  You don't have to smile the entire way, but you just have to keep going…and luckily He is with us the entire time.  Boy am I grateful for His help.  I'm not one to sit around at the bottom of the mountain…so I had to buck up and climb it, and I can truly say that I feel a whole lot better now that I'm at the top and can see what He was trying to show me.  And if you really think about it…Christ already climbed the mountain and made a little trail for us to follow…mind blown.

Anyway, just my thoughts. Take it or leave it.

I know that serving a mission was the right decision, even if it doesn't feel like it all the time. I'm grateful that I'm not out here in the Great White North all by myself and that my Father in Heaven is here too. Alma 26:27.

Keep it real holmies.

xoxo, Sister Holm

Fence hoppin', Joshua Smith believen', Date settin' Missionaries

Hola Mi Amigos!

I just can't seem to get rid of the Spanish vibe even though we haven't talked to Eliseo in a couple of days. He's doing well though, currently on 1 Nephi 20. I asked if he could read Tres Nephi Capital Once...pray for him.

Sister Bowman and I are doing great out here in our little village. We spent some time of the reserve [“the rez”] trying to track down some less-active [folks] and talked to some super sketch people. Also on the rez we hopped a massive fence and walked 15 minutes down a dirt road just to go contact a potential investigator.  The good news: became new investigator.  The bad news: might be a rapist. So there's that. Remember when I first got here and my first BOM handout was to someone similar? Well…let's just say this isn't the only two times I've attracted some dangerous creepers…but what can I say? Even THEY need the gospel.

Also while tracting, we ran into a man who told us that Joshua [Joseph] Smith was a felon and a dirty, rotten man. So...we asked who Joshua Smith was. (Clearly we knew who he was talking about…but you get bored and have to entertain yourself somehow). Anyway...we tried to clear that little misconception up to the best of our 19-yr-old abilities. I thought that was funny though. Poor ‘Joshua’.

We had a great week in terms of key indicators (numbers and stuff)! We set 3 baptismal dates…which is super duper great for this first-world, teensy-tiny town. People tend to think that because we are in Canada that we have a "cushy" mission. Well yeah…we do in terms of housing, food, hygiene, etc. But not in terms of finding people who are willing to hear our message. Because we are in a first-world country we have to deal with people who text during our lessons, have access to ‘anti-’ [LDS] material, and are just generally "too darn busy" to even give us the time of day. ALL missions are hard.  The difficulties just depend on where you are. 

ANYWAY...our three “dates” are Noreen, Holly, and Wei. All three “dates” have generally the same concerns: Church and Smoking. Noreen has been taught for a while now and she is very ill. She suffers from a kidney disease as well as something with her heart and then a million other things…so coming to church will be VERY difficult. Hopefully we can work something out so that she'll be able to get the sacrament at home or something. She has been to church once though. Oh! Her grandson Rori is now reading the Book of Mormon and he will become an official investigator in no time! Another “date” is Wei. He is Chinese and has been raised with no belief in God or even a higher power. He was willing to set a [baptism] date, but it's going to be slow helping him understand prayer and such. He also has an 8-year-old daughter named Ying-Ying and hopefully we'll be able to baptize her too! The other “date” is a woman named Holly! She is half native and looking for something more in her life. She has two daughters who are 6 and 3. She really wants them to know more about God…so that's the main reason she is meeting with us. She is in the process of quitting smoking. Pray that all of these will go through on April 26th!

Jim is doing well! He has received the priesthood, participated in baptisms for the dead, and is now taking a temple prep course all within a month of being baptized! I am so happy that I was able to be here when Jim finally decided to "get dunked" (as he would say). I know that we will be friends for life and I can't wait for the day that he can finally go to the temple for his endowments! He continues to ask if I will do the baptism for his mother…but he doesn't quite understand that I have to wait until after my mission. Oh well. That is still a huge compliment! What a gem!

Updates on me?

•  Uhh...I have strep throat.
• Hit 5 months.
• Got testimony blocked by 2 members and then ran out of time. Bummer.
• Dyed Sister Bowman’s hair brown yesterday. Thinking of going to hair school instead of going into politics…the world is going downhill anyway, right?
• Officially gluten free (can't say I love it, but will have to adapt).
• No longer fit into any of my clothes. Sorry mom but I've started buying new ones! #7incheslost
• Learned how to make yams.
• Crossed the US border for a solid 3.7 seconds.

It's been an uphill battle all week, but just as the ever poetic and clearly wonderful example to children everywhere Miley Cyrus said "It's the climb!"  1 Nephi 17:7

xoxo, A

On the rez.  Isn't it gorgeous?

Wild horses on the rez.

Osoyoos Lake at dusk.  Magical.

US Border.

Dying Sis Bowman's hair.

Missin' my Sis Larrrrrrsen!

Just Keep Swimming

Hola!

My Español is coming along quite nicely. I've been reading the Spanish pamphlets during personal studies and I think I'm catching on. Sister Larsen wants to kill me because I repeat things in Spanish every 5 seconds and generally make up my own words. But WHO CARES because it's the spirit that will speak to Eliseo, not me!

Anyway…Sadly nothing has really happened this week. I don't have much to entertain you with except that a man named Jep now lives in our apartment with us. Mind you Jep is nice and quite friendly. Jep began one night as I was in the shower and yelled to Sister Larsen "why don't you leave the night light on anymore?" She yelled back "I don't know, I just forGET." Well...I thought she said "I don't know, I just leave it for JEP." I thought for a moment, then asked..."uhhh who is Jep and why does he need a night light?" That is how Jep began. Whenever something goes wrong we blame it on Jep. The people who live above us now know about him and leave us notes that are from Jep. He frequently attends church (although rarely seen) and usually likes to lurk around. I envision him being similar to Boo Radley. I know what you are thinking, and no I haven't gone insane yet. Just smile and appreciate our creativity.

This week I was blessed (yes literally, the guy put his hands on my shoulders) by a Seventh -Day Adventist as we were knocking doors. We were chased off a house on the reserve by some angry lady who is very likely a crackhead. As she screamed at us and told us to never come back I gave her a quick salute and thought "God bless you too." We've done lots of yard work and both came to the conclusion that we will be having teeny gardens (you're welcome, future husband).

Now for the incredibly heart wrenching news. Sister Larsen and I are breaking up. She is being transferred to Mapleridge and will be companions with Sister Stewart (side note: Sis Stewart is black and I am jealous of Sis L.). There are three black people here in Osoyoos. I will be staying in Osoyoos and be companions with Sister Bowman. She is currently serving on the [editor: not sure which, but we think Vancouver ] Island and I'm excited to give her a tour of the now-sunny Okanagan. Not gonna lie...I cried for hours last night after we got the transfer call. It's hard leaving your trainer. But I know that I need to spread my wings and fly. It finally hit me that I'm actually on a mission and that whether I like it or not...life is going to be changing. I bought a bracelet last week what says "Just Keep Swimming." (shout out to Jason, Evan, and Hot Carl) That's what I gotta do. Only 13-1/2 more months left to serve the Lord to the best of my ability.  Keep on keepin’ on.

These last few months have been amazing. I owe Sister Larsen everything! Tribute to SIS L – Holla Holla Dolla Bill Yo.

Update: Jim is doing great. Got the priesthood this past Sunday and is going on the branch temple trip this coming Saturday. He will be caring for our love fern (zucchini plant) while we are in the lower mainland.

“Peace and blessins” (can you name the youtube video? – gold star for you!)

xoxo A

PS: new mission motto "YOMO"…you-only-mission-once

Doing a little yard work.

A view of our down.

Read carefully.

A note from Jep.

I'm going to miss this girl.

YOMO.

The Island of Misfit Toys

Hey :)

This past week has been rough, but completely worth it! Sister Larsen and I have been working our butts off to make sure we talk to every single person we see. We tracted in rain, mud, and on the “first nations” reservation (sketchy). Heavenly Father put us through the ringer. He tried my patience and faith over and over again. We were yelled at, insulted, and rejected…but that is nothing compared to what the Savior went through. When people reject us…they are rejecting Him. Those sad moments when people choose to ignore this beautiful message just make the little miracles that much sweeter.

One incredible miracle that happened this week was finding Rob and his wife. The prophet has promised us that if we have 20 quality gospel conversations (QGCs) a day the Lord will bless us. So Sister Larsen and I were driving up in the boonies trying to find this potential investigator's house. We hadn't completed our goal of 20 QGC's yet so we started going through our contacts trying to find a non-member that we could talk to. I look through everyone and no one felt right. So Sister L told me to just type in a random 250 number. I closed my eyes and let the spirit direct my finger. The phone started ringing and a women picked up on the other end. I started tell her who we were and asked if there was anything we could do for her, service-wise. She said no and handed the phone to her husband. He asked how we had gotten this number…so I told him. I went on to tell him a little about the church and how we love to help people with anything that they need. He told me they had just moved from Port Hardy to Courtney (nowhere near Osoyoos). I asked if we could walk his dog (everyone has a dog in BC). Then it was silent for a couple seconds. He took a deep breath and said…"How did you know? My wife has cancer and we really need some help." I was speechless. I somehow got out that we have sister missionaries in Courtney and that they would love to help him and his wife with anything that they need. I told him how Heavenly Father loved him and wanted him to know that there were people who cared. Rob is now in contact with the sister missionaries out there and I hope they keep us updated. Isn't that a miracle? God is incredible.

Another miracle I want to share is about our darling new investigator from Mexico! While out on Main Street in Oliver Sister L and I were talking to different people and handing out mormon.org cards. I walked up to this man and started a conversation. Well...kind of a conversation. He clearly didn't speak any English and I bombed Spanish in Jr High, so no bueno. I showed him my tag and said something about Jesus Christ. He got that part. Somehow through our broken conversation he understood that I wanted to share something about God with him. He wrote down his name and phone number for me and we parted ways. So...later that night we texted Eliseo to set up an appointment. He texted back something like "lskjgslajfkaljsreiwaljg." At least that is what is looked like to me. All I could get was "godblessu." Then he called us...God didn't bless us with the gift of tongues…but we figured out he worked at Covert Farms and they we would try to see him the next day. So... off we went to covert farms…up in the middle of nowhere. It was raining and we brought our favorite Hungarian member with us. As we stomped through the mud, going from tiny shack to tiny shack asking "Donde Esta Eliseo Sebastion?" I wouldn't give up. After what felt like 5 gazillion doors...we finally found where all the Mexicans were living and found Eliseo! We gave him El Libro De Mormon and asked him to read 2 Nephi 31. The next evening he called us and said he was on "lesson 10 in nefi" and that it was "bueno." We can't even communicate and he is progressing! He calls us every night and updates us on what he is reading. He always says "God bless you mi hermanas, Adios!" He is DARLING! We are so excited to teach him and help him work towards baptism! Heavenly Father keeps us on our toes and I love it!

I love my mission. I love being in the Lord’s vineyard with all His misfit toys here in Osoyoos. What a blessing it is to meet all of God-s ever-so-unique children :)  Thank you for all your support and love! I hope you have a great week! "Godblessu!" – Eliseo

xoxo, A

Text from Eliseo

At the border.  The USA is behind us.

The border, as you enter BC.

We figured out homemade sushi!

Mmm, mmm, good!

Growing our own zucchini plant.