Jan. 26 2015

So I have been pretty blessed this last week I would like to think. 

When I first got in this area we were sharing a car between two companionships. One week we would have the car and the other week we would be walking. So this last week I was driving my comp and the two other missionaries because at the time we were sharing a car and handing out service fliers to business everywhere. During that time our car coordinator calls them and asks them for service and they agree to help. Near the end of the day they called our car coordinator back because they needed to get some more info about where to go, what time ect.  And so after the phone call Elder Sorensen, the one that called, said that we needed to drive to Calgary to the mission office right now because they were going to get a new truck to drive! So we all hop in the car and I drive everyone to Calgary on the highway during rush hour, THAT WAS SO CRAZY! When we get to the office we wait a little while, waiting for Trim (Car Coordinator) to get back from whereever he was, when he gets there they fill out all the paper work, and they get the keys to a NEW 2015 Chevy Colorado! It is way nice! New car smell and back-up camera etc.

Then we drive back to Airdrie on the highway during rush hour. That was also crazy! It is about 30-35 minutes from Airdrie to Calgary. That’s a lot better than 7-8 hours from my last area haha.  So now we get a car all to our selves. I'm so happy we don't have to share a car anymore. But we only get about 100 clicks a day, but that can be worked out. We have a 2013 Subaru Impreza, same car I was driving in my last area. 

On Friday or Saturday when we went on exchanges I got to drive the 2013 Chevy Cruze. That’s a fun one to drive. I got a hair cut that day too from a member that is not in our area but it was in my comps area. That day we did a lot of visits. The WML gave us a list of people that the bishop wanted us to visit. Pauil (my comp for that day) said that this was the most work he has done all week, because Thomas his original comp doesn't do much.

There is a Costa Vida here! We went there last week after DTMs. It was so amazing! I have been craving Costa Vida for 7-8 months. 

The past couple of weeks we have been doing alot of tracking. That is always fun...

   We also do a lot of service at the food bank. 

This area is really cool. I really like it. There is lots and lots of work, places to eat, lots of malls and other stuff. 

So we email at the library. I don’t have my camera on me. I will send pictures later. 

Thanks for all that you do. Love you guys. 

Also my blog looks great! lol      

Exchanges with Elder Pauil

Amanda's Baptism

Jaden was a little disappointed to to be unable to baptize his investigator Amanda after she asked him to, because of his transfer, but Todd received these messages via Facebook the day of her baptism:

Best Day of my life- Elder Colton Simpson baptized me and Elder Riley Johnson witnessed- I feel very blessed. I have been blessed with amazing Elders that helped me every step of the way, and have truly became some of my closest friends. I am so deeply grateful for all each of you have done. My children didn't have church clothing this day Elder Jaden Condie. We can giggle now how hard of time I gave Elder Joshua Lybe and Elder Jaden Condie and how Amazingly you stood strong and calm and still taught me. I can never say Thank You enough for what you have given me and my family- I love you each with all my heart.

From Todd: We have been praying for you every day and even fasting for you a few times. I'm so pleased to see you join the church. Stay strong and the Lord will watch over you. Sorry to hear that Elder Condie was transferred before you were baptized. I hope you can keep in touch of him through out his mission and your life. If you need his contact info let me know.

Thank you so much. Elder Condie touched my life so much. I miss him everyday. He was my strength through all I have gone through, along with my Heavenly Father - we often prayed together each night before bed- I drew on my Elders’ Strength- they taught me and my children so much. I give my utmost gratitude to all of his family for what I have been given. My love for my Elders is strong. I cried the night he left. Both Elder Lybe and Elder Condie saw me through my ruffest time in my life. I was very hard on them and I surely tested their faith. I asked so many questions and they guided me every step of the way- I have never felt the love like I did the day they came to first meet me. You have a very amazing strong loving son. I am so deeply grateful. I am a true honest testament to all that is spoken of that Heavenly Father is true, that what I am taught is true and my love burns even deeper as each day passes. I am the very reason why all should know that we do have a Heavenly Father, I have had direct blessings and my testimony speaks volumes. Please know I am so deeply thankful and honoured on the gift you each have given me. I send my love.

Todd: Amanda did Elder Condie know of your baptism? Have you been able to write/talk to him about it?

Amanda: Yes. He does know. I spoke to him on Monday by email. He was very happy for me although he knows, as I expressed, I wanted him to baptize me and to be there, but he was not allowed to come back. I can only hope one day I will see him in the temple as my family and I get sealed.

I cannot express what he has given me. How he has touched my life forever.  I

was raised in a very religious home- I know the bible well. I tested them (the missionaries), questioned them and even fought with them- I stood my ground. They remained calm and still taught me- I cried many, many nights to them. They prayed with me- talked to me- I often purely breathed off their strength-  I had lost everything I ever loved- I was at my weakest point in my whole life.

To Jenny: Your son means the world to me. I really miss him, I wanted him to baptize me.  He saw me through so much and became my true friend although he had to go where he was called.  I will always keep in touch. My daughter Jade is now preparing for her baptism.  I was sent to Castlegar for a reason.  God guided me every step of the way.

Jan. 15, 2015

After Jaden received a transfer to his second area, I sent a message to Sister Aldina Parslow through Facebook thanking her for all she did for Jaden, including hosting him for Christmas Eve, Christmas morning, and New Year's Eve. This was her reply:

Jaden's last dinner with the Parslows.  His favorite: Buffalo chicken

"We are sure going to miss him.  He brought a sense of humor to our home every time he walked in J I just want you to know I had your son give me a blessing yesterday.  He did such a good job.  I have been ill for a bit so it was nice for him to want to do that for me J  Thank you for raising such an awesome young man who wanted to serve a mission cause we have been blessed having him in our home and lives.  He truly is one you don’t forget J I know he will do great and he has his feet planted firmly on the ground!  Take care and hope to hear updates on him often." J

Jan. 19th 2015

Well not much went on... I’m now in Airdrie, Alberta. We have a car every other week, but we are suppose to get a car this week to ourselves. We did a lot of tracting. My new comp is Elder Williams. He has been out for 3 months.

Happy Birthday MOM! I sent a letter to you. I hope you get feeling better soon.

There is a Coasta Vida in our area we are going there tomorrow after district meeting. I can’t wait. I have been craving that for 7 months. Airdrie is a cool place. The traffic lights are sideways haha.