The Miracle of Magic Kleenexes

 Today at
 12:17 PM

Sister Durrant and I go through a lot of Kleenexes. She's had a cold for like, ever. And our noses
 get pretty drippy while we're walking around in the cold. Anywho. The other day, we were 
walking to our supper appointment, and I'd just used my last Kleenex. I asked Sister Durrant
 if she had any, and she didn't. Bummer. Just as I was about to resort to my sleeve, I looked
up at this STOP sign, when low and behold, there was a packet of Kleenexes shoved between
he sign and the pole. I DON'T KNOW HOW THOSE GOT THERE OR WHY BUT I AM SO GRATEFUL.
 My sleeve was grateful too. We told the elders about it later and they tried to make me feel guilty
 for stealing a homeless guy's Kleenexes, but I wasn't falling for it. That was a blessing from the Lord!

On Monday, we went caroling with a family for FHE. They had made a bunch of treats and put
them together for their neighbors, along with a wrapped Book of Mormon to give to one 
neighbor in particular. It was so awesome how easy it was for them to share what the believe!
It was awesome to see the example they were setting for their kids, and also for their neighbors.
 There was also a situation where the little boys rang the doorbell repeatedly, and the oldest
 girl was so embarrassed by her siblings that she went and hid lol. It was such a funny moment,
 and it helped me realize how much I miss my embarrassing family! They're crazy,
 but you miss them when you're gone(;

Tuesday evening, we drove to South Calgary
 for our missionary Christmas party. It was so
much fun to see missionaries I hadn't seen
 in a while, especially the ones who are going
 home soon. I saw my baby, Sister McDonald!
I also had the wonderful opportunity to sing
with Sister Van Bloem (bloom) during the
 devotional part of our party. We sang On
 This Still Silent Night, and it was just so fun
 to perform with her. She's a talented
 performer! Another elder sang during the 
devotional as well. He sang Oh Holy Night,
and we found out later that he was on 
The Voice once! So that was cool.
He's awesome too. 

Wednesday evening, we had the really neat opportunity
to go to the Nativity that the Calgary Stake puts on
every year. We  went with a family in our ward and 
 was so fun! What a spiritual experience that was, 
even though it was freezing cold, and outside! It just
adds to the experience, helping us realize what it
must have been like on that night in the manger. Even though,
 I'm willing to bet Bethlehem wasn't as cold as it is  here in
 Canada.... Actually, I don't know. Don't quote me on that. 

Thursday was so fun. We had lunch with a

member and then helped her shovel her walk in preparation for her parents and
mother-in-law comingfor Christmas. For supper, we were at another member's home, and they
 had a ton of family over. It wasloud and crazy, and just like home! We sang carols and read the
 Nativity story from Luke 2 and justenjoyed each other's company. It was a blast.

                                                                                                                  

Friday was probably the best,
 obviously, because it was 
CHRISTMAS!!!! WOO HOO!!! 
We woke up and went upstairs
 and hung out with the members 
we live with. We watched them 
open their presents and they got
 us these really cute matching
 hoodies! They got their daughter
 the same one, but hers says
"Elf In Training". Does that mean 
Sister Missionary in Training? (;
 They fed us breakfast and it was a 
great time. Then we went downstairs
and opened our presents that we'd
 placed under our paper Christmas
tree from the 28th ward primary.
(Which was so stinkin' cute, thanks
 so much guys, it made my day(:) And then we
 went to the Jackson's to Skype our families! 
What a blast that was. Seriously, the best Christmas
 gift ever. The Jackson's fed us lunch, and then 
all of their kids and grand-kids came over. More
chaos! Woo hoo, I love it! Families are the best! They
forced Elder Weidner and I to both sing and play our 
songs on the ukulele which was mildly 
embarrassing/fun. We had supper with our bishop 
nd his family. His wife's brother and their kids and 
even more were there, and it was so fun. We ate tons of food and
 played Werewolf and just had a really great 
Christmas. Seriously, big families are the best. 
'm so grateful for the ones that welcome us into
 theirs. AND THEN. We got permission from our
 mission president to watch Inside Out! So we did that. And it 
was really fun. If you haven't seen that movie, I would guarantee 
it a million times over. It's so cute. And it made me cry. And that's
 probably why we're not allowed to watch movies as missionaries
, because they just make us cry. Lol just kidding, I'm just emotional
 and a girl. 

And those are the big highlights of the week. It was a great
Christmas and I'm so grateful for all those who contributed
o make it so. It was so fun to be able to talk to everyone about
Christ and the miracle of His birth. Our mission president and
 his wife extended a challenge to us. As a mission, we started r
eading the Book of Mormon over again, marking all the places
where the Saviour is mentioned. Reading 5.6 pages every day,
as a mission we will finish on Easter. It's been really neat already
 to see how much the Book of Mormon testifies of Christ! It is,
after all, another Testament of Jesus Christ. 

So my challenge to each of you, is to pay special attention to
 every time the Saviour is mentioned in the Book of Mormon.
 It's a lot. But it's so awesome. 

I love you all! Thanks for all your support and Christmas wishes! Take care and have a Happy New Year!
 *cough* Happy Birthday to Me *cough*  (;

1. Sister McDonald and I

2. Sister VanBloem and I 

3. Sister Durrant and I and the Sefcik kids at the Nativity

4. The Nativity 

5 & 6. Our Christmas tree

7. Our elf hoodies

8. Icicles in Canada that are so big they could shank you 

• 
  

The longest week of my life

Not really, but that's kind of what it felt like. It mostly felt like the longest week of my life because I was going back through my camera and we took like a bajillion photos this week. Most of them are from when my zone leaders took my camera and took weird photos of the inside of their mouths and their feet. Idk, you guys. Elders. That's all I can say. 

Anywho. I probably already said this but I'm going to say it again because I'm just so excited about it. SISTER DURRANT AND I ARE STAYING IN AIRDRIE TOGETHER FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!! WOO HOO!!!! Best Christmas wish ever. The only bummer is instead of covering both 1st and 2nd wards, we only cover 2nd ward now. It's good because now we can focus a bit more on just the work in 2nd ward, but it's also really sad because we love love loved the people in 1st ward. And now they have elders. Bleh. JUST KIDDING ELDERS ARE GREAT. But we will miss our 1st warders. (*You'll be in our hearts... yes you'll be in our hearts* name that song quote)

On Monday we had supper with a family in 2nd ward who is leaving for Australia for Christmas. They invited all the elders and we ate pizza and had a good time. We'll miss them, but the cool thing is is that now that we're both staying in Airdrie, we'll be here when they get back! Yay! 

Tuesday, we had our District Meeting at Joey's Fish & Chips. Tuesdays are unlimited fish&chips day, so we took advantage of that. We also walked a member's dog, she wasn't feeling well and her German Sheppard is like 7 months so he has a TON of energy. It was a good work out for us(: We did that a few times this week and it's actually a pretty neat finding idea. People are like a billion times more willing to talk to you when you have a dog, especially if they have a dog too. We also found a violin for Elder Pugh to play at Fred's house, per Fred's request. He busted out his accordion and keyboard for me to play and it was just a jolly good time, jolly good. 

I can't remember what we did Wednesday. It's kind of a blur, and I don't have my planner with me again, so there goes my brain! Although, we did take some district photos on Wednesday before transfers. Minus Sister 

Durrant because she didn't want to be in them/someone had to take them and she volunteered as tribute. 

 

 

 

Friday we made

gingerbread houses after supper with a family in our ward. The elders (our zone leaders who took my camera) came too. They just got into 1st ward so they don't have any suppers this week so they've been tagging along with us. Both elders really went all out on their houses. One made the temple. The other made a log cabin, complete with a souped up truck and a gummy bear climbing in lol.  

Saturday we helped a member move. Let's just say, being on a mission has taught me how to downsize. But it was really neat to see all the people that came out to help this lady, from the ward she was moving from and the ward she was moving into. 

 

Sunday we went to the stake caroling festival at the stake center. I sang O Holy Night and with the choir. I also sang in sacrament meeting for the ward Christmas program. And this week we get to go to the Nativity pageant in Calgary! Woo hoo!

Something I learned this week was that everyone has their own individual struggles and issues and challenges. We can try to evaluate the situation and try and figure out what that person needs and do all we can to help them, but sometimes it's just not our job. Our job is to love everyone regardless of those struggles, issues, and challenges. It's the Lord's job to fix their problems. It's the Lord's job to judge what they need. We just need to give Christlike love. That's something I'm REALLY trying to work on. I don't love everyone the way I should, but I sure want to. So that's my goal for this week, to have Christlike love for everyone, especially at this CHRISTmas season. 

What's your goal?

I love you all so much! I'm so excited to Skype my family on Friday. Literally the highlight of the week. Of the month. Of the transfer...

 

 

 

 

 Ok, I just love my family alright? My mom sent me a photo of her and dad dressed up for the Star Wars movie and it was seriously the best thing I'd seen all day. So those of you at home with your families, CHERISH THEM. I'm talking to you, Jake. :D 

That's all for now!

Love, 

Sister Pipkin

But wait, there's more!

P.S. I'll try to attach all the photos that are worth looking at, but no promises. 

 Thursday was transfers. Transfers are always sad. It's sad to see people go home or get transferred. BUT. My baby and my mommy were both at transfers, so we got a posterity photo(:

 

 

 

 

 

I really like taking people's devices (tablets, iPads, iPhones) and taking selfies with my comp and their kids, as you can tell. 

And those are my zone leaders. That's what happens when you take my camera. The photos get sent to my family/friends. MWahahaha.

                               Tyson




Us  plus Olivia Jackson , plus some....:)

 

Miracles, Miracles, Miracles all the way

This week has been full of small miracles that I'm just like holy cow, thank you Heavenly Father!!!!

We picked up a new investigator, Haleigh! Our zone leaders were in our area tracting/street contacting and they found her and she said she'd be interested in learning more. So we met with her at the library and she's super sweet! She wants her mom to meet with us too! So we're excited with what this next week will bring for her. 

Also, that same night, I taught a kid in our ward how to balance a spoon on his nose.

Really productive missionary work, I know. Hey mom, this is the family that came down a few weeks ago and taught you how to pronounce Airdrie. Just so you all know, it's air-dree. Not air-dare. Silly mommy. (; 

We had breakfast this week with a girl in the YSA ward who is preparing to go on a mission in February. She's headed to the Portugal Lisbon mission! She's seriously the coolest and she'll be such an awesome missionary. It's so cool to be reminded of that excitement right before my mission. Helps keep me going! 

So we have this investigator named Ramon. We haven't been able to get a hold of him for EVER because he works out of town all the time. Anyways. He's Spanish. He speaks English pretty well, but as far as comprehension goes on the lessons we teach, he really needs it in his native language. So we had the Spanish elders come with us to a lesson with him this week and it was so sick!!! I didn't understand a word that was said, besides Jose Smith, but the Spirit was SO STRONG. It was crazy. AND THEN. He came to church! It was awesome. We're so excited for him to progress, now that he can actually understand what he's being taught. 

Later that night, we went caroling with our district. It was a ton of fun. We found a bunch of people that were less active that we didn't even know where they lived, and they were all so nice because we sang to them. One lady tried to give us $30. One lady lent an elder a coat because he forgot his. Idk how you forget your coat in December in Canada, but whatever. Another family invited us in for chocolate and soda. It was a really fun finding activity. There was one guy who slammed the door on us and he was a jerk, but other than that, it was a blast. 

AND THEN. (This was the best ever) We have a part member family our ward that we just LOVE. The dad has had the missionaries over forever, since like 1992 and he comes to church all the time and he's just awesome. Anyways. They're really busy, but yesterday, he comes up and asks us if we can come over this week!!!! So we're hoping we can talk about the big B word... baptism. Mwahahahahaha. We'd love that for him and his family. 

ANYWAYS. It was a great week. And the best part is that it's transfer week and SISTER DURRANT AND I ARE STAYING TOGETHER FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!! I'm so stoked. It's gonna be the best ever. 

Enjoy these silly photos of us in this really cold winter wonderland. And then my companion and I and a really awesome lady in our ward whom we love(:.

 I love you guys all! Have a safe week!

That one time an old guy professed his love for me

You guys remember our kind of investigator, Fred, right? Fred is 86 and we help him clean every other week with the elders, and he's really stubborn and won't pray but we continue to try and teach him anyways because he's such a sweet old guy and we just cherish him. Anyways. One time, he said he needed one of us to live with him to help clean up after him throughout the week. Sister Durrant jokingly said,

"Sister Pipkin will do it!" 

Thanks, beloved companion. All fun and games, though, because Fred has a great sense of humor. 

Well, this week, he told us,

"Life without a woman is no good," 

to which we laughed.

And then he looks at me and says,

"I want you to stay with me." 

I said, "Oh yeah? Why's that?" 

"Well... because I love you!"

It was adorable and really funny and we spent the whole week reenacting the whole seen. Sweet Fred. Someday he'll decide to pray. But for now, we'll keep serving him. (:

Also this week, we were at the foodbank doing our weekly volunteer stuff, and they gave us a new job. Decorating for Christmas! Yay! I love decorating. Featured is a photo of me and Becca (the daughter of a volunteer whom I want my brother to marry someday) and I next to one of the Christmas trees we put up. She's such a doll. And she shares mine and Sister Durrant's love for T-Swift. 

Probably one of the coolest things this week was that we got to go to the temple. You guys, I just love the temple. It's the best. It's so refreshing to have your spiritual bucket filled to the brim and to be reminded of the promised blessings we are given when we make sacred covenants with our Heavenly Father. It's seriously a huge blessing to have a temple in our mission, and we have two! This one is the Calgary temple. Also, the members who took us have rockin' Australian accents and took us to this really good Vietnamese food place afterwards, so that was a bonus. 

On Friday, we helped set up for 1st ward's Christmas party. Did I mention I love decorating? I do. It was like Christmas morning for me. (which is coming up and if you really want to show your love for me you'll send me something(; *hint hing* *wink wink*) Afterwards, we indulged ourselves in the lunch buffet at Pizza Hut. Was it good? Oh yeah. Was it good for me? Absolutely not. But that's ok because we walked all day, so it makes up for it... right???

Saturday, we went to the elders baptism. They failed to get a pianist ahead of time so I filled in. They're so lucky to have me. The baptism was awesome. It was a part member family and the dad was being baptized, so it was so neat to see him take that step. Next is a temple sealing! Woo hoo! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We helped set up for our other ward's Christmas party, and then we went and helped out at the Christmas parade. Our job was to make sure no one drives into the parade from the side streets. We got to wear traffic vests and look all official and stuff. Except, apparently if you're wearing a skirt (which I was) people don't listen to you, traffic vest or not. That was annoying. But it was fun. And then our investigator family came to our Christmas party!!!! It was so awesome. I just love love love them and their cute little girls. So excited for what the Lord has in store for them. 

And th-th-th-that's all, folks! Love you all so much. If you haven't had a chance to yet, go to lds.org and watch the new video the Church has put out, #ASaviorIsBorn. It's so neat. 

-Sister Pipkin