Dec 28 2023: Welcome to the Weekly Season 9 Ep. 6 I promise it's real!

Hello Hello!

Transfers are this week. We're running it back in Etobicoke where it all began, except this time around I'm headed to the young single adult ward with Sister Beckwith who I came out with. I'm so excited! 

I can't even begin to express how blessed I feel to have served in Toronto YSA for 3 transfers. I love this city. I love these people.

 This past week I have been able to witness the baptism of 3 individuals whom I have taught and who have a very special place in my heart. We were able to go to Mississauga for my friend Jonathan's baptism!! When I taught him in Mississauga, he was no where close to making the decision to be baptized. We invited him to be... every lesson. It became our running joke. I asked him what the tipping point was. Jonathan told me that he actually started reading the Book of Mormon like REALLY reading it not just skimming the pages, the spirit he felt when studied the words of the prophets was the game changer. I testify that the Book of Mormon combined with the Holy Ghost is where the power of conversion is found. 

I also had the opportunity to watch my dear friend Shamar het baptized and confirmed. I met him on the subway. He saw me give a Book of Mormon to someone else and instantly knew that he needed one. He came to church to get one and we taught him. He's a rough guy. Tattoos on his face and arms. He's been through a lot in life but I knew when he was feeling the spirit because his scattered thoughts quieted down and suddenly you were able to understand what he was saying. "I met you on the train, and you brought me to church and now I'm here. Everything is going to be OK." Are the words he said to me when we had to pass him to the Family ward missionaries because he's too old for ysa. Shamar is the epidemy of 2 Nephi 26:33.

For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.

I testify that God invites all to come unto Him. He remembers the heathen. And through Jesus Christ the Heathen becomes healed. I saw that first hand this week.

I am overjoyed to have had the opportunity to meet, teach, learn from, and get to know my best friend Tomoaki. 4 weeks ago he didn't even know who Jesus christ was. But now he does. When tomoaki first came to the church, he was so shy, he didn't talk to anyone. But the very minute we taught him who God was, everything changed. Tomoaki knows everyone, the principles of the gospel have sunk deep into his heart. He asks questions, invites people to come and belong. He is a true disciple of Jesus Christ. I testify that living the Gospel of jesus Christ changes our very natures. He feels and follows the holy ghost. Yesterday in our first lesson with him post baptism. He told us of his experience with the Holy Ghost as his constant companion. Before, he didn't know what to do for his school and work. But now he knows because he says he was able to feel God guiding him through the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Tomoaki is a friend to all, he has been a friend to me, and will continue to be. How grateful I am to have him numbered among my bestest of friends. My love for this work and the Lord's hand, is ever increasing. 

This work is real! This work is true! I promise! 

I love you all many bunches! Go give them Heaven! 

Love, 

Sister Court 

Weekly Fridge Phrases!!

♡Jesus' potential proved the potential we have ourselves 

-elder jones

♡Prayer is for all the am's and all the pm's, during confusion, joy, turmoil, and even when we dont know what to say

♡My joy is truly full for the one. 

-sister Waldron weekly

Dec 20: Welcome to the Weekly Season 9 Ep. 5 How the Grinch Found His Brother Jesus

Hello! Hello! 

And Merry Christmas from the 6ix!🎄6️⃣🎁🏙

Our friend Tomoaki is getting baptized this Saturday! He is like a sponge. He soaks everything up and loves it AND applies it. He knows everyone at church. The first day we met him, Tomoaki was so shy and quiet, he didn't talk to anyone. But I can testify that the gospel changes our nature. It has changed Tomoaki's nature. He is filled with charity and shares that love with everyone he talks to... and he talks to EVERYONE! He is so excited to be baptized this Saturday and to recieve the gift of the Holy Ghost on Christmas Eve. He told us this week that he is so excited for Christmas because it is going to be His first Christmas as a Christian. Oh how I love him! 

Our friend Maris is an angel. She has come to institute and she came to the Christmas party, and church in Sunday. Yesterday we had our first lesson with her. We taught her all about the sacrament and Jesus christ and she just opened up about her experiences and perspectives on religion and on God. The existence of a God is a hopeful thought to her. She just doesn't feel like she's had much of a relationship with God before in her life. But she wants to learn more about that. 

She's going home for Christmas so this was the last time we were going to see her before transfers. And who knows what's happening then.... not I. Maris told me how grateful she is that she met me on the street and that we have been such a source of hope to her in the last couple weeks. My heart melted. I love her. She is my sister, and a very very dear friend. We didn't do much, we've met her just a handful of times. But we shared our brother Jesus with her, and in Him is found all the hope of all the world and more. She'll visit her aunt while at home and her aunt is a member of the church! Maris can't wait to talk to her aunt about these things and ask questions about her experiences. I am so excited for her! 

The atonement of Jesus Christ is something I have grown a strong testimony on in the last year.... as I should, I'm in a bubble of Jesus.... in the Book of Mormon we can read about Alma the younger who uses the healing power of Jesus Christ in his life and has a mighty change of heart when he goes through something really hard and has strayed far from the covenant path, taking many people with him. He describes the relief he feels as sweet and exquisite JOY (Alma 36:21). At this time of year when I read that account in the Book of Mormon my mind wanders to the Grinch that Dr. Seuss introduces us to. How terrible and mean and vile he was. But at the end, the Grinch's heart grows 3 sizes! And he feels so overcome with the true JOY of Christmas. He experiences the healing and relieving power of grace through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

 I've been thinking how cool it would be to have that kind of experience where my heart grows so much, where I feel my heart change so immensely. I haven't done terrible and vile things in my life, I'm not perfect, but I have never strayed far from the path or knowingly rebelled against the commandments of God. Jesus Christ's Atonement isn't just for the Grinches of people. That miraculous event is for everyone. And no matter who you are, you can experience your heart grow 3 sizes and more, even if you have never stolen every child's gifts or pulled multitudes of people away from the truth.

I have been reflecting on the times in my life where I have felt that mighty change of heart. The times that I have altered my carefully planned course, or turned away from something or somewhere I loved so I could better follow my brother Jesus. 

I have been pondering those things, and the things I learned about Jesus christ in my heart like Mary did when the angel told her that she would give birth to the Son of God. I have been reflecting on the ways that I can continue to seek Jesus like the Wise men as they followed the star. And as i do so I am building a stronger testimony to share with others and noise abroad the good news of Christ our lord like the shepherds after the angels appeared to them. I invite you all to do the same. Make the Nativity story a real part of your Christmas by living the way the people of that story did. Do those things that they did to focus on their brother and saviour Jesus Christ. 

I love you all many bunches! Go give em' heaven!

Love,

Sister Court

Here are the Fridge Phrases!!!

♡God doesn't love Jesus Christ more than me -hermana Burbank

♡God, yeah he definitely has a better plan than I do -sister Rowley 

♡infinite miracle hack: be diligent! -Elder baldrey

♡how valuable every single one of the words in the Book of Mormon is -sister Park

Welcome to the Weekly Season 9 Ep. 4 More Jesus Magic✨️🌟

Hello! Hello!

This week was just filled with so much joy and laughter. Sister Wang and I have been giggling so much! There is so much joy in the work, even when it's grey and rainy outside. I found my brother Jesus in the grey of toronto this week. And my heart is so full and is smiling so big. 

Our friend Tomoaki is the sweetest human. He comes to every activity and to church and he invites our other friends and members to come to the activities. He invited Hibiki to church and he came! Now we're meeting with Hibiki again! And Hibiki has made more significant progress in his testimony in the last week than he has in a long time! 

On Friday, we had a lesson with Tomoaki and really dug deep into who the holy ghost is and how he feels it. He told us that he feels the holy ghost everytime he gets to see us and his friends at church. And that he was feeling it at that very moment. He is praying about being baptized on the 23rd. At the end of the night after institute, he told us he was going to pray for us to feel the holy ghost. I love the holy ghost! It is so real!! 

OH MY LANTA!! AND INSTITUTE ON FRIDAY WAS JESUS MAGIC! Let me break it down for ya! The time is indeed at hand!

Our new friend Darlington, who we met outside of a random (not so random for God) library, came and loved the class! We invited to church but he said he was going to visit a friend. Upon further discussion we learned that his friend in Brampton told Darlington about this church because he is getting baptized and wanted Darlington to come and watch. Amen! God is so good! We had a lesson with him this week. And he LOVED the church service and baptism. Darlington is now preparing for baptism himself!!

Our other new friend Maris, who I met last week on the street, came and also loved the class! When I met her it was her birthday and I gave her a Book of Mormon. Which she was so touched by because she loves reading AND works at a library. The perfect gift. One of our members didn't even recognize Maris as a friend because she thought Maris was a new sister missionary..... that's gotta be a sign! At the end of the class Maris turned to me and told me how much she is cherishing her Book of Mormon, she just didn't know where to begin. I invited her to read 3 Nephi 11 and shared my testimony of the Book. She has read it and is so excited to read more! I just love her! 

To end institute we watched the prophet Russel M. Nelson’s talk from the Christmas devotional. In his address the prophet pleaded for us to gain our own witness of the saviour Jesus Christ. That invitation sunk deep Friday evening and I heeded that invitation immediately. And just like so many times before, I recieved a witness that Jesus Christ is my brother and saviour. A couple people were asked to share what stuck out to them and I shared the experience I had just had. And extended the same invitation that everyone recieve their own witness. 

I now extend that same invitation to all of you. My friends, I pray that you learn about your saviour and pray to know of his love and awareness of you. I promise He is your brother, saviour, and Redeemer, even Jesus the Christ. 

I love you all many bunches! Go give em Heaven!

Love,

Sister Court 

Fridge phrases!!!

♡God's pace is peace -my mtc comp 

♡living things are just healing -sis Peterson

♡Prayer is for all the am's and all the pm's

♡Youre suppoed to live worthy of sacred grove experiences

-bro sandor

Dec 6: Welcome to the Weekly Season 9 Ep. 3 The Time is at Hand to Come Unto Christ

Hello! Hello! 

Some weeks I just don't know what to write. But so much happened this week, so I should have something to say. 

Elder Nash and Daines of the quorum of the 70 came to tour the Canada Toronto Mission this last week and spent time talking to every area of the mission. The spiritual confirmations and revelations recieved during the mission tour and in the days following it were answers to my fasting and prayers.

It's winter time and the work is a slowing down with the people we are teaching and our ability to find those that are ready to recieve the restored gospel. We don't have as many lessons throughout the week and I am missing teaching lessons with my companion and the holy ghost. Lately the lessons we do have go a tad of course and end with me wondering what even happened. BUT NOT TO WORRY! (I have been a little worried, but not anymore God is good) My testimony and my personal conversion to the Doctrine of Jesus Christ is ever increasing!! I feel that every day as I study more. 

Which is why I've been confused and a bit frustrated with the work lately. I'm coming closer to my Brother Jesus, so why isn't the work following? Something I've been studying and pondering A LOT lately is how to balance achieving missionary work and at the same time strengthen personal conversion. Am I focussed too much on my own personal conversion, that I'm not focusing enough on supporting the conversion of the people we find to teach? 

The answer?

No. 

Because it's all one work! (I'll come back to this)

God is very aware of me. I know this because as I fasted this past Sunday for patience to hold on a little longer I heard the answer to my prayers. I think I'm learning that at the points that I'm just about to lose patience I just need to wait a little longer because something is coming! 

Sunday morning in my studies after reflecting on what I shared above I opened up my book of mormon to where I left off reading and read in 3 Nephi 1 verse 13. The words "lift up thy head and be of good cheer. The time is at hand" brought peace to my mind. God seemed to say, "chill dear sister, just chill." So chill we shall. 

The time is indeed at hand! Our new friend Lucas walked into church on Sunday, visiting for the first time, and it won't be his last. He felt so much peace. And the testimonies the members and missionaries shared in the service pierced his heart. I sat with him and our branch presidents wife for an hour after church teaching him. Lucas has so many questions and THE STRONGEST desire to believe in the things we shared that I have ever seen. We taught him yesterday and he's coming to all of our activities this week. 

More peace and encouragement was brought to my mind during sacrament meeting as a member shared his testimony and an experience he had on his mission when he felt similar to the way I have been feeling. This member shared with the congregation what his mission president at the time shared with him. In missionary work, it's a win win win for God. Whether the work is fast or slow, His children are coming to him. Even if it may seem like it's just you. You are His child and He is so happy that you are coming to Him. God's pace is different for each of His children. But it's a winning pace every time. God doesn't lose. He can't lose, otherwise, He would cease to be God. 

The momentum i felt from sunday is rolling at the start of this week. We went on exchanges with the Sister Assistants to the president and I just don't even know where to begin! This exchange was Jesus magic. Sister Cobia is filled with Jesus Magic. We had a lot of finding time together. But it was so amazing! It was a full day of teaching. We just taught the people on the streets of Toronto, REALLY taught them. Jesus christ was on the streets, in the stores, in the library, on the subway and bus. We were traveling in a trio all day, Sister Cobiam myself, and our brother Jesus. And we saw miracles! In addition to that we shared our testimonies with eachother of so many things throughout the day. The whole day was just spiritually edifying and energizing.

So friends, come unto Christ, seek ye this Jesus, submit cheerfully to the will of the lord, lift up your heads and be of good cheer!

I love you all many bunches! Go give em Heaven!

Love,

Sister Court 

Weekly fridge phrases!!

♡the holy ghost compensates for my clumsiness -sis. Stacey

♡the lord likes trajectory -elder Nash

♡what would make the better story? -sister Nash

♡He is not a "catch me if you can" God, he's a "come unto me 

God" -elder Nash

♡if you feel like you're chasing Jesus, you're probably chasing the wrong thing. He will NEVER run away from you

Nov 28- Welcome to the Weekly Season 9 Ep. 2: The Lord's hand: apparently a hard sell.

Hello! Hello!

Hope everyone is well! I pray that you ate everyday😊

My testimony of Heavenly Father's Plan of Salvation continues to become increasingly strengthened. We had a lesson on Saturday with a friend (I'll call her jill) who is very new to Christianity. She brought another friend (I'll call her Sue). Exciting right!? Another friend to teach!

 No. 

This friend is from Texas, and loves the Bible, and boy does this lovely daughter of God like to talk. We were trying to give a church tour and every time Jill asked a question(she has many) Sue answered them or corrected us everytime we attempted to. Many of the things were wonderful and align with what we share, but there is always that piece that is missing, that she doesn't quite have right. So you can imagine when we were showing the family history center and talking about what we do in temples how flustered and defensive Sue got. 

Sue knows quite a bit about the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and is a tad overprotective of Jill to the point that Jill couldn't even ask any questions. Sue just kept saying that she knew enough about the "Mormons" to know that it was very different and blasphemous to the Bible. And if we believed the same as Joseph Smith than so were we. 

Well Sue, I appreciate the love you have for Jill and for Jesus. I really do, but I know that every aspect of the plan of salvation and the truths that have been restored pertaining to it are true, and anything less than it is a plan that sells short the magnificence of the life and glory of God and Jesus Christ.

The hand of the Lord is in my work everyday, now with a big mitten on because it is chilly outside! In so many aspects of my work I have seen the hand of the Lord. In my personal work, in God's work, and everything in between.

 In the last couple weeks I have had a question on my mind that I knew the answer to but I didn't ask God the question because I didn't want that answer to be the right answer (not very humble of me I know). I was definitely trying very hard to move the Lord's hand out of my way... but when I finally asked the question and got my confirmation of the spirit that the answer is the right one, although sad, and disappointed, I felt peace and comfort in the reminder that the Hand of the Lord IS the way. 

A new friend of ours had a similar realization. She was telling us her back story and how she came to a belief of God after being agnostic for a long time. She thought that religion was a terrible thing, it had never been a positive influence in her life. But when she moved to Canada and saw people choosing to go to church, she started to explore Christianity. She told us that not long after she did so, did she start to see how God had been guiding her and giving her tastes of his truth all her life. 

She now feels the spirit everyday of her life and wants that feeling to be strengthened and never go away. She is preparing to be baptized in the coming weeks and we are so excited for her! She is realizing that the hand of the Lord provided her the way all her life and is the way for the coming years of her life.

 I know with all my heart that the hand of the Lord is in reality the only way. His is the hand of life, the hand of light, the hand of pure love. The prints in His palms are proof that.

Look for the His hand! I've said it before and I'll say it again, it's always there.

I love yall many bunches! Go give em Heaven!

Love,

Sister Court 

Weekly fridge phrases!!!

♡I think sucking up is underrated -president stacey

♡come on man! We're at war here! -also president stacey

♡gathering Israel is the Lord's GREATEST project! -hermana vanorman

P.s. God prepares a plan for us to return and live with Him again. Ft. This weeks ASL study

Nov 22: Welcome to the Weekly Season 9 Ep. 1 A Funny Work for Jesus

Hello! Hello!

Its a new transfer!

I've been reflecting on the last two transfers that I've been in the Toronto ysa ward. I love this work, the members have become some of my bestest friends. I have been blessed to work with so many people who are preparing to go on missions. On multiple occasions we have been the first people that the members tell when they have a secret or news about going on a mission. It's the coolest full circle moment. It doesn't feel like that long ago that I was the ysa with a secret about going on a mission and was running to the sister missionaries in my ward to tell them first! I love being a missionary. I love the missionaries that were so influential to me becoming one. God's work is one eternal round. ♡♡♡

The last transfer, ysa work was a little tough. It was hard to find people, and it was even harder to get our friends to church. Every week I found myself asking what more could we have done? I've been wrestling with discontent, and I'm trying to make it divine discontent. A feeling that motivates me to give more and do more because I love God and know that with Him I CAN do more. A couple days ago in my personal study I pondered the question, "what more can I do?" And then read in Alma 43 when the Nephites are fighting so hard against the Lamanites for the cause of their freedom (a very righteous desire) and they keep fighting and fighting and praying and "in that selfsame hour" they started to see success and then they kept working. And I felt that was my answer to my question. "Keep working, keep praying" and in God's "selfsame hour" He will answer and Sis. Wang and I will start seeing success.

So thats what I'm doing.  Having patient persistence. Doing all we can do and as we do so, God does his part. Working hard because I love God and His children. Trusting that He will make more of that effort than I can make of it myself. 

Sis Wang and I have righteous desires, we love our friends, that love for them causes us to want them to have spiritual experiences from doing things like reading the Book of Mormon and coming to church.

As a missionary, my job isn't to make people have a desire, it is to give people opportunities to help them act on their desire. Those who have a desire will act in faith, and it's those people who are prepared to make covenants with God. 

Side note: "if... why? Testify!" still stands true. I think we've asked a question like this in every lesson we've had, and every time our friend is able to answer and bear their testimony of the things that we have just briefly taught! It's powerful!

Other side note: Missionary work is the best work. It's a funny work, there are so many interesting people to meet. Some of them are weird, some just want to go on a date, some want to put a ring on my finger, some don't want to listen to what we have to share, some deny that my testimony is real. But then there are some who let their light shine. There are some who have a sincere desire, some who want to love Jesus more fully, some who beam when they hear the truth. I've met them all in the last year. And you know what?? Jesus knows all of them, hes met them too, and He died for all of them. I can't wait to meet more of these people, and introduce them to their brother Jesus. 

I invite you to introduce your brother Jesus to someone you know. Just share your simple testimony with them. Tell them Jesus knows and loves them. 

I love yall many bunches! Go give the world Heaven!

Love,

Sister Court

Weekly Fridge Phrases!!

♡there is no spiritual power in living by convenience -M. Russel Ballard

♡When we repent we empty ourselves of sin, and we need the holy ghost to fill us up

-Seyi

♡have the confidence to claim personal revelation for yourself -elder Renlund

P.s. I'm learning sign language!! It's a blast🤟

Nov 16: Welcome to the (bi)Weekly?? Season 8 Ep. 7- "If... why? Testify!"

Hello! Hello! (Again)

We got transfer news! Sister Wang and I will be staying together for another transfer in Toronto! We are so excited! It's the last transfer of the year! And we are so ready to go! 

I just want to keep going!I'm determined to not let the gray cold weather stop me or slow me down from meeting and talking to all the people. I want 772 souls so so bad (that is the goal for the number of people in Ontario who are ready to enter the waters of baptism) When we sustained 1034 souls (the goal for the number of people God has prepared for next year) at MLC, I felt the strongest witness for not only that number of souls but for the 772 souls for this year. And I knew that I had met them before and that I promised them I would find them again and help them come again to a knowledge of their Savior and their Heavenly Father. And I want to meet them! We have to find them! So that we can gather with them all together spotless at the judgment seat just like Nephi in 2 Nephi 33:7. We just have to find them! We promised them we would! 

One of the elders in my district changed my finding and teaching game when he shared with Sister Wang and I a principle he calls "If... Why? Testify!" 

We had a short lesson on zoom with a friend yesterday who has zero Christian background. He has never even heard of the Bible. We taught him about prophets yesterday and we put into practice the "If... why? Testify!" Principle. We explained that prophets are called of God and given power and authority to recieve revelation from God on behalf of the whole world. Sis. Wang then asked "if we need a direct connection with God, why would having a living prophet be so important?" 

The testify part didn't even come from us. It came from our friend! Who knows next to nothing about prophets except for what we had taught just then. But he bore his testimony on the need for a prophet to help guide us and that if there was a prophet on the earth today, he would know that that person was a true prophet because he would be able to feel it for himself. 

That's right! We then added our testimonies to his! And testified that we do have a prophet on the earth today! And showed him a picture of Russel M Nelson. His face lit up immediately. 

Friends, I know that we have a living prophet on the earth today. His name is Russel M. Nelson. He has been called of God. President Nelson comes from a long line of prophets before him going all the way back to Joseph Smith, who in reality saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as he knelt to pray. I promise that if you pray with a sincere heart you will recieve a witness that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and that Russel M Nelson is our prophet today. I testify that the council and direction from the prophet are directly from God, and if you follow it you will find greater protection and clearer guidance in your life. I know because I have found it in mine. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

I love you all many bunches! Go give em Heaven!

Love,

Sister Court

(Bi) weekly fridge phrases!!

♡I'm not out here to play in the dirt -isaiah 28

♡what are the chances you are in the wrong place? Absolutely ZERO! -President Stacey

♡Jesus christ is our coach, BUT 1st, he played the game... AND WON! -elder Evans 

Nov 13: Welcome to the Weekly Season 8 Ep. 6 Missionary Monday is Back! (for today)

Hello! Hello! 

Sooooo to break up the extra long week, my mission president made today a half pday. We will find out transfer news on Wednesday and then we will have another full pday on Thursday right before transfers on Friday. In theory I could just write one weekly and nobody would know the difference. But I am a bit of a perfectionist, and maybe have a little OCD and I cant just miss a pday....so here we are, you're gonna get 2 emails this week! Lucky you! 

Friend update!

Rhenzie is preparing for baptism! We had our first lesson with her and it was just Jesus magic! She is so amazing! We gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon and she held it with tears in her eyes and said, "I can't believe I have this book, I thought I'd never have one again." Everything at the church enthralled her because it all reminded her of when she was going to this church as a kid/ youth in the Philippines. She saw a picture of Joseph Smiths first vision and told us that was the first picture the missionaries ever showed her and she would never forget the day the missionaries taught her how to pray like Joseph Smith. Oh how I love her. 

Our miracle friend Ray has seemed to have blocked our phone number but we called him with another number and set up an appointment for this week to teach him so we'll see how that goes.... stay tuned :)

On another note...

I think it's so important that we share our testimonies with others. Especially with our close friends and family. 

My mission president made up a statistic that "a missionary who bears their testimony to someone they are teaching will experience their testimony increase by 10%. A missionary who bears their testimony to other missionaries will experience their testimony increase by 40%." And I'm inclined to believe him. 

This past week we had zone conference. The focus was overcoming the adversary and becoming more unified. Many missionaries, including myself were able to share their testimonies with one another. The spirit filled the room, and filled our hearts. The meeting was living, breathing and speaking the spirit. And I felt my testimony grow as I shared what I knew to be true about my Brother Jesus. My heart grew so many sizes as I listened to and felt the testimonies of these missionaries serve with. They are amazing! 

I invite you to share your testimony--what you know to be true, what you believe to be true, what you hope to be true--about your Brother Jesus with your family and close friends. When you learn and share truth by the power of the holy ghost, He carries it into our hearts. ♡♡♡

 I love yall many bunches! Go give your friends and family heaven!

Love, 

Sister Court 

Weekly fridge phrases!!!

♡everything I do (I do it for jesus)

♡Jesus christ puts himself in the hole for you, everytime! -sister Rasmussen 

♡we can be extraordinary people, OR we cab be extraordinary disciples -elder Laurie

♡choose to let Him stay -elder fredricks

Nov 7: Welcome to the Weekly Season 8 Ep. 5 Taco Tuesday is back! 🌮🤠 p.s. Jesus Came for Everyone

Hola! Hola! 

Pday was changed to tuesday this week because we were going to have a mission toir with Elder Nash of the 70. BUT he got sick and is no longer so now we have an extra long week ahead of us. Bless✨️

First of all! I just want to testify, that I know that we are ALL children of Heavenly Father, we ALL have a purpose, & Jesus Christ came to earth for ALL people! Every nation kindred & tongue! And because He came for ALL people, ALL people will be saved from physical death, & ALL will have the chance to recieve exaltation! 

We had a lesson this week with a friend that I was so excited to teach. He had a book of Mormon from the last time we met & taught about the restoration of the Gospel, he has a strong knowledge of the Bible & was a little skeptical of this new book, but said he would read it so he could know for himself. Amen. 

In preparation for this lesson I felt prompted that we should share the plan of salvation with him focusing on our divine identity & the role Jesus Christ plays in our lives. The lesson took a quick turn when our friend said he hadn't read the book of mormon b/c he had already made up his mind. Welp! Thats a hard heart and a closed mind. 

In an attempt to help the spirit soften his heart we began to teach about Jesus christ & our purpose, using the Book of Mormon & bible together to help him see how they work hand in hand. Nothing we had to say was recieved well. To him, we are not all children of God, Jesus only came for a select few, His sacrifice doesn't cover everyone, there are people who were born in vain, & if the Book of Mormon teaches anything contrary, then it contradicts the Bible & is false. 

I then tried to bear my testimony of Jesus Christ & when I was cut off I told him that this wasn't a good use of our time. So he stood up, told us he hoped we found the truth someday, and left. I just sat there in shock with tears in my eyes. That's my Brother this friend was saying so many false things about, & it hurt my heart. BUT I do know the truth! We are all gods children, Jesus did come for all peopl his sacrifice covers everyone from their head to their toes, everyone has a purpose in God's plan and the Book of Morkon and Bible BOTH testify of that. Life is pain, but Jesus makes its JOYFUL for all and anyone who says differently is selling something.

Since then I have met people that prove to me that Jesus came for everyone that we all have a purpose! 

Our new friend Rhenzie met sister missionaries on a bus on Sunday. She used to go to church with her aunt as a kid in the Philippines and had missionaries in her home all the time, but moved before she could get baptized. She saw the sisters on the bus and interupted them to get the church information. Those sisters lassed her contact to us and when we called Rhenzie she was so excited. She wants to come back! She told us she was on her way to am LCBO but after she met the sisters, she was decided she didn't know what she was doing, she didn't need alcohol. So she turned around. Jesus came for Rhenzie. Jesus died for Rhenzie. Rhenzie is a daughter of God with divine purpose. 

Our new friend Ray decided a month ago that he wanted to be Christian after being agnostic his whole life. He started going to a philipino christian church (he is mot philipino) where he got a bible and began his journey. We met him at a mall yesterday, just hours after he was praying to know how to feel closer to God. He has a Book of Mormon and is reading it as we speak. Jesus came for Ray. Jesus died for Ray. Ray is a son of God with divine purpose. 

Jesus came for you. Jesus died for you. You are a son or daughter of God with divine purpose. Anyone who tells you different is selling something. 

I love yall many bunches! Go give the world Heaven! 

Love,

Sister Court

Weekly Fridge Phrases!!

♡have tunnel vision on the glory of God -elder Callahan

♡I've realized that God is almost always a "half glass full" kinda guy. And when he's not, he's a "bro look again, glass overflowing" kinda guy -elder jensen's weekly email

♡repentance hastens God's work inside of myself! -elder Mac

Nov 1: Welcome to the Weekly Season 8 Ep. 4 I Can Find Jesus in the Elevator

Hello! Hello! 

So like somehow this last week doesn't exist in my brain. We went on 2 exchanges with some other sisters back to back and have another exchange tomorrow. 

I love exchanges. I always learn so much from the way other missionaries do missionary work. It's so cool to watch the different ways the lord accomplishes His work through his young servants. 

Here's a cute little story that warmed my heart this week. We have an elevator buddy. We often see a dad and his young daughter in the morning on the elevator. The first time we met them it was a very special day because it was the first day that the daughter (whose name I cannot remember, and I fel terrible for that) was allowed to walk home from school by her self. So we we were hyping her up. And then the dad looked at her and said, "one day you're going to grow up and be just like these lively young ladies." Stop. My heart smiled so big. 

Since then we have seen them in the elevator a few times. But nowhere else. Well yesterday, we're in the elevator and we see the dad without his daughter because she has already gone to school for the day. He told us about her Halloween costume and how she'd hoped that she would see us in the elevator so she could show us. I was so sad that we'd missed her. He then thanked us for being such a positive influence on his daughter and that he really appreciated our friendship🥹. How special that is! 

I have spent maybe a cumulative 10 minutes talking to them in the last 1.5 transfers. I didn't think anything of our elevator rides together. But the light if Christ is real and it's bright. People see it, and recognize it and are drawn to it. I quickly got his unit number so we could drop by later with a fun Halloween treat! They weren't home when we went by but I can't wait to see our elevator buddy again! My heart is so smiley and filled with so much love for them.

You have a light, let it shine, share it with others. I promise it goes a long way. 

Love yall many bunches! Go give them Heaven!

Love,

Sister Court

Weekly fridge phrases!

♡God can't lie and God can't force -brother Sander 

♡have patient confidence -pmg

♡my savior's kindness is everlasting -sister Nelson

♡we give God so much practice to forgive -Hermana Hansen

Oct 25: Welcome to the Weekly Season 8 Ep. 3 Good Vibes, Exciting Times

Hello! Hello!

I love all people, but I especially love the people that are excited about the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

My favorite thing is to listen to other people talk about the things they love and get excited about, it makes me get so excited and happy with them. It could be their favorite movie trilogy, sports team they enjoy (unless its the Calgary Flames... i dont got time for that), hobbies, anything! And I also love sharing with others the things I get excited about. The sunset, books, hiking, hockey (the Oilers obviously), anything! 

This is one of the reasons I love to be a missionary so much! Every day, I get to share the doctrine of Jesus Christ (something that excites me a great deal) with my brothers and sisters, people that I have the blessing of meeting and loving. When the gospel becomes one of those things that the people I meet get excited about and they share that excitement with me, oh how great is my JOY in my Savior Jesus Christ. 

This week I have seen such excitement and felt such joy as my good friend Jeffrey made his 1st covenant with God and recieved the gift of the Holy Ghost. He was grinning from ear to ear. He told us that he is excited for all the things God has in store for him! He is looking forward to receiving the priesthood and having a calling in the church, he looks forward to the day that he can go to do proxy work and make further covenants with God. Jeffrey knows that baptism isn't the end! It's just the beginning and he is so jazzed about that! 

Our new friend Musa is the shiniest person I have met on the street. He has the light of Christ amd he lets it shine! He is EXCITED ABOUT THE GOSPEL! When we met him at a very random busstop and told him about Jesus, he was our hype man! Told us he vibed with our energy. He came to a very special and spirit filled musical fireside put on by the Morphis family who's son served his mission here just a couple months ago. Musa LOVED EVERY SECOND! The gospel of Jesus Christ makes him feel things he's never felt before. He calls them vibrations & energy, I excitedly tell him it's the spirit and God talking to him. 

This is what it means to be anxiously engaged! It means to be excited about the doctrine of Jesus Christ. To love Jesus Christ so much that you can't help but share his light everywhere you go because it just exudes from you. When I meet people like that, like Jeffrey and Musa, my love & excitement for the gospel grows so so much! All of it is true!! I promise!

I was doing a roll play this past week practicing teaching according to needs with the spirit. I was rollplaying as a missionary teaching one of the elders' friends who has been going through A LOT as of late that has caused her to not be able to be baptized at this time. 

The roll play became very real as we read Mosiah 24:14-15 together. And I testified that the things around her were not going to go away over night. They would probably effect her for a very long time (not very comforting I know) but I testified that although these hard things wouldn't go away, God is able to visit us in our afflictions and give us strength and comfort. God is able to do this because He sent His son Jesus Christ to earth to take on every burden, affliction and trial all at once so that no one would have to do it alone. Jesus took it all into his own hands so he could hold our life together when it seemed to be falling apart. I invited this "friend" to not pray for things to get better, to pray for the strength of Jesus Christ to hold it all together. 

In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of life of all mankind? (Job 12:10)

Jesus' hand. 

He is holding it all together. Whether it is divorce, family turmoil, injury, sickness, a bad grade, game lost, a bash on the street, homesickness, fear of failure. Whatever it is, it is in the hand of Jesus Christ because he has felt it all before, and because He has felt all that sorrow and pain, happiness and Joy and peace are found through him. That is the breath of life. It is all in the Hand of He who knows it all and has felt it all, our brother Jesus Christ. I'm grateful for the chance to have such a meaningful and spirit filled rollplay. And I'm praying for the elders as they teach their friend who is going through so much right now that she will feel Christ's strength in her life. 

I just want to invite you all to learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ and discover for yourself how exciting it is! Discover the peace and comfort and joy that comes from living the way the Savior lived. I promise it is exciting! And I promise it has strengthening power! 

I love you all many bunches! Go give the world Heaven!

Love, 

Sister Court 

Weekly fridge phrases!! 

♡He went through it first -elder rausch

♡sometimes God just tests us to see if we're listening -elder Mackey

♡for faith to lead to salvation, you must center it on Jesus christ -pmg

♡Never believe a prediction that doesnt empower you -morris from facebook

Oct 18 2023: Welcome to the Weekly Season 8 Ep. 2 one thousand thirty four souls

 

Hello! Hello!

I just want to bear my testimony on the spirit of revelation that is promised each of us when we are humble and faithfully seek answers from God by diligently counseling with Him. 

This past week all the leaders in the mission gathered for Mission Leadership Council (MLC) to discuss and come up with a goal for the number of beautiful souls God had prepared to be baptized in the year 2024. But before that goal could be made, we needed to be prepared to receive guidance and revelation from God himself on that goal. These are His children after all. 

There is a pattern for receiving revelation that I invite you to follow should you be seeking answers to any question!

1. Be humble 

Mosiah 2:25

And now I ask, can ye say aught of yourselves? I answer you, Nay. Ye cannot say that ye are even as much as the dust of the earth; yet ye were created of the dust of the earth; but behold, it belongeth to him who created you.

Know whose throne you are coming to when you are seeking answers/revelation.

2. Have faith

Trust in God and His plan! Be willing to take reasonable risks! Our faith needs to outweigh our logic. 

Moroni 7:41

And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise.

Have hope in the promise! With faith in the promised blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, even the unlogical doesn't seem out of reach! Jesus Christ is greater than logic. 

3. Pray and Counsel

Alma 5:46

Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.

We have to talk to God! Not just once! Alma prayed for many days! Pray, listen, then pray again! Council with God like you would if you were looking for advice from your dad or your best friend. 

4. Ponder 

Listen to the whispering of the spirit, pay attention to the feelings that you feel...

3 Nephi 17:3

Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow.

Moroni 10:3-4

Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Then pray again, counsel and ponder. Be patient and trust that you will receive revelation for what ever it is you are in need of. God will never leave you with nothing. I know that! I cam promise you that!

I received revelation this week. And so did every other missionary at MLC. We followed this pattern and counseled together for a very long time. We finally came to the goal of 1034 children of God baptized in the year 2024, and when we sustained it, I received a witness of that same spirit testify to me that God knew each and every one of those people, and at a time much before this one, when we lived with Heavenly Father, I knew them too. And I promised them that my friends and I would find them here when we came to Ontario. I'm so excited to keep meeting them in this life this year, and the time that I will have in the next year. And I know that I will see them and meet them again in the next life. 

How grateful I am for this knowledge and this faith. I invite you to seek revelation from your loving Heavenly Father through the spirit that he has promised to you. I know He will lead you in all things. 

I love you all many bunches! Go give the world Heaven!

Love,

Sister Court 

Weekly fridge phrases!

♡Christ is always there to give us a hug. -elder jensen

♡humility is confidence in God -elder Randall

♡skills without discipleship is just salesmanship -brother mills

♡on the Lord's errand -D&C 64:29

Oct 11: Welcome to the Weekly Season 8 Ep. 1 Forty Days and Blessed

 

Hello! Hello!

I hope you all had a blessed and grateful thanksgiving! 

At transfers I saw my daughter Sister Waldron! And that was THE happiest reunion ever!! Her and her trainee, sister Lawrence(my granddaughter), are KILLING IT in Mississauga. See pic 

It is now fall in the 6ix and it is chilly! But I love fall weather, so I'm thriving! Sister Wang who is from Taiwan is freezing though!

I am so blessed to be companions with Sister Wang. She is the most Christlike person I have ever met. When we go out to talk to people or are traveling to & from places, she sees everyone. In the 10 minute walk to the library we talk to so many people! There have been a couple times that I catch myself with my head down staring at my feet & when I look up, Sister Wang is talking to another new person. She helps me keep my head up, she helps me see even more of God's children. 

Our friend Hibiki, is one of my favorite people ever! He is so excited to learn about the gospel which makes me excited to learn about the gospel. He said a prayer the other day for the first time with us & he thanked Heavenly Father for the true church, & for his best friends for teaching him. He is reading the Book of Mormon in English & Japanese (his 1st language) side by side so he can understand better. We have taught him almost everything & have had Japanese speaking Elders in our mission join a lesson to teach in Japanese. Hibiki is so prepared to accept Jesus Christ into his life, but he is fearful of being baptized because he comes from a background where religion is a forced thing & that's all he has known. 

As I've been studying for Hibiki, and how we can help him keep learning, it occurred to me that we ask our friends to do a lot to show their faith. We ask them to come tk church, read the scriptures, give up old habits, and be baptized-that's a big thing! It only seems fitting that I as a missionary would need to do just as much to show my faith. So I've been thinking about something I can do to show my faith more. 

In Matthew chapter 4 in the New Testament, Jesus fasts for 40 days AND THEN begins His ministry. The idea of a 40 day fast has been on my mind. So I will be doing a 40 day fast for Hibiki and for the spirit to help us know how to help him keep progressing. Not a fast of food or drink, a fast from another something that I enjoy. 

In Preach My Gospel chapter 8, it talks about how we can set goals to support our friends' progress and part of that is by having "Faith in Jesus Christ on their behalf" and I believe that is what a 40 day fast will help me do! It will help me grow my faith in Christ and show my faith in Christ. In return the spirit of revelation that is promised to every single child of God, will direct and inspire ways for us to help Hibiki, who is new to Christianity and very new on his journey to increase his faith. 

We cannot give a portion of our faith to our friends, but we can share the light and the spirit that our faith in and testimony of Jesus Christ brings into the world. 

If you have something that is weighing on your mind, a prayer you feel is unanswered, I invite you to fast and pray. Maybe it's for 40 days from something you enjoy, maybe it's from food for a day. But whatever it is and however you do it, do it with Heavenly Father by expressing your desires and thoughts in mighty prayer. I promise that as you show your faith, God will answer, He will provide, He will lift, He will strengthen, and He will guide. 

I love you all many bunches! Go give the world so much Heaven!

Love,

Sister Court 

Weekly fridge phrases!!

♡continually consider the operation of His hands. -2 Nephi 15:12

♡stay on your knees until your casual prayer becomes mighty -Sister Tamara W. Runia

♡"don't you be shy!" -pres. Nelson to pres. Stacey

♡Jesus has enough grace to go around -sister steel

♡the most important number is the one -sister taupo 

♡what would Jesus see (wwjs) -sister taupo

♡"and when I forget to remember Him, He is still there" -Elder Joaquin Costa