May 8: Welcome to the Weekly Season 4 Ep. 3 Bold like Nephi....cuz we can't say no to President

This past week I learned a couple things about myself. Love the learning moments! Bless. 

I learned that I can be bold, and it's not offensive when you're not being overbearing. Which we read in Alma 38:12 "use boldness, but not overbearance." I'm just the kind of person who doesn't want to offend anyone so sometimes I keep the question I have in my head... in my head and don't ask it out of fear that I'll catch our friend off guard and offend them. I'm not very good at being bold without being timid and beaying around the bushes... the poor shrubbery looks a little rough when i try to be bold. 

But this week we had a lesson with our friend Joseph who has been investigating the church for fiveever! His goal is to be as close to God as he can and be baptized but there is something holding him back that he can't identify. He has such a strong testimony! He seriously should be dunked.

 We got into this lesson and sis Sattler tells him we want to get to know him and his relationship with the church and Joseph says, "drill me, yous ladies can pick me apart." And so I asked all the questions on my mind and when he answered I responded with a restored truth that he's probably heard over and over. But the point is when you ask bold questions and bear bold testimony out of love because you so badly want to see them in the celestial kingdom, it won't be overbearing because the spirit will testify of that christlike love you have for them. The bushes were looking nice and full after this lesson! 🙌

Side note: Sis Sattler and I were so in sync for this lesson she would literally ask the question I was thinking about or share a piece of doctrine I was going to expound on based on what Jospeh was saying. It was WILD. 

This week I also learned that I can say what I know on the spot, I don't have to have all my thoughts strung out in perfect order like my brain wants them to be. When it's needed I can just say what the Lord needs to be said. Like the opposite of Nephi in 2 Nephi 33 where Nephi says he is great at speaking boldly to the people, but really SUCKS at writing. 

This past weekend was stake conference in Kitchener and my mission president was speaking at the leadership session on Saturday so sis. Sattler and I went to sit in.

 We walked into the chapel and immediately President Stacey makes eye contact.... and I knew we were in for an adventure.  His time came to speak and in the middle of his address on member-missionary involvement (we call it the 216 principle) he says "Sister Court".... oh no.... "I need you to come here and tell all these people what you told me about ward correlation" (We had interviews earlier and i told president about my love of ward correlation). 

So up I went (because you cant just say "nope i dont think so" to your mission president who has just called you out in front of every one) and I just shared with all the leaders of the Kitchener stake my love and appreciation for my ward and the value of involving members in the Lord's work. No paper, no sticky notes, no word vomit, just what was in my heart about the desire to reach more people, fellowship more people, and get members and missionaries working together as a single unit. 

I am grateful for President Stacey for giving me opportunities to learn in scary uncomfy environments. I learn the most when I'm doing things that make my heart beat really fast in my chest. Gotta love that adrenaline:)

Testimony sidenote: I need to talk to my Heavenly Father. He sees me and he knows me. When I talk to him I am reminded of that. It's a comforting feeling to feel seen and known in a place far from all things familiar. I know that Heavenly Father sees and knows each of you. Send him a prayer, a hello, a good old how ya doing God. I promise, He will answer♡♡♡

Love ya all many bunches! Go give em Heaven!

Love,

Sister Court 

Weekly Fridge Phrases:

♡"it would be good to let my face know that I am happy as well:)" -president Brodski

♡"if I don't like how my eulogy is sounding, then I better change it." -president Olsen

♡"come! For all things are now ready." -luke 14

♡"don't let it become everlastingly too late." -me on helaman 13:38

P.s. 

Flowers and sunsets

Illegal DQ run

This is my land now

Car selfie 

May 1: Welcome to the Weekly Season 4 Ep. 2 colouring in those gray dots, God is Calling

Hello! Hello! 

The Lord really just knows what he's doing. And thank goodness for that because on Thursday I certainly didn't. 

After our zone council and lunch that morning, Sister Sattler and I set out to go visit a couple gray dots (people whonhave oreviously been taught but dropped because they weren't interestedor weren't progressing), one of which the previous sisters had found and scheduled a visit for in area book. We had his address and phone number and a note with the scheduled visit saying "drop by! We have a good feeling about them!" However, we could not get ahold of him, and when we got to the town house complex he lived in, the unit # was nowhere to be found. We ran out of time to look for his place, and had to go to our next lesson; also a gray dot that we had found and scheduled a lesson with. Upon getting to the apartment complex, we had the same problem as before, EXCEPT we were able to get ahold of this one and she informed us that she no longer lived at that address and felt so bad that she didn't think to tell us the new one. And we felt bad because she was actually looking forward to our visit. We scheduled another visit though! 

Anywho, it's fair to say that we were feeling quite frustrated, and feeling like we couldn't find anyone we were supposed to. We had just spent so much time in a car driving around with no success to be found. So Sister Sattler wisely suggested we take advantage of the sunny day and go to a park to do some finding and take a breather.

So that's what we did. For the next hour Waterloo park was our place of refuge AND flocked with sheep to feed! We met Amanda, a young mom slowly trying to make her way back to church after her sister's passing and feeling angry with God. And we met Sep, a man from Turkey, new to Christianity and the only Christian from a family of practicing Muslims. We set up a follow-up appointment and look forward to hearing more about his journey in the upcoming week! 

The lord knows what He is doing. He led us to find the people we were supposed to. Sometimes His plan is not the plan made by us that morning, and when it's not, it's always better. 

On Friday we had a lesson with our new friend Puja, who I found on Facebook through a community group. She has been in Canada only 5 months and loves meeting new people and trying new things. She comes from a Hindu background and considers herself very spiritual but hasn't practiced any religion for a long time because she felt like the things she was practicing were restricting her from feeling the spirit the way she wanted to feel it. 

BUT she was intrigued by the Bible. We did a little study with her from Romans 8 and had a great conversation about who God is, that He is our Father, and He is loving, and after having that spirit filled discussion she says,  AND I QUOTE, "I feel like your God is calling to me, I don't think we met by accident." 

AMEN HE IS CALLING TO YOU! HE IS YOUR GOD TOO! AMEN WE DIDN’T MEET BY ACCIDENT! GOD WANTED US TO MEET!

She then asked us if we had a church service she could attend. We are meeting with her again this coming week at the church to give her a tour and hope to see her at church on Sunday!!

OH MY LANTA GOD IS GOOD! LIKE ZIP UP THE TENT GOOD! JAW DROPPING, SPEECHLESS BECAUSE THE SPIRIT DOES ALL THE TALKING GOOD! 

Ok well I think that's enough yelling for one email. Love ya all many bunches! Go give em Heaven!

Love,

Sister Court 

Weekly fridge phrases:

♡be a humble follower of the lamb

-Helaman 6:5

♡God knows, so BLESS -Me

♡Christ is the Good Shepherd BECAUSE He is the door! -Come Follow Me

P.s. apparently I'm a food blogger now.... Sister Sattler and I make meals together so we actually eat real food. 

Made sushi with the young women. Also that sushi has chicken in it (this humble follower of christ CANNOT eat fish😌) 

Had dinner with the Chartrands (the old man from who was introduced to the church in Milk River! So tender

Daphodiles and BOMs at Waterloo park🌼

April 24: Welcome to the Weekly Season 4 Ep. 1 Gone to the Loo, Crazy Small World, God Knows

Hello! Hello! 

It's been a wild one! 😵‍💫🤪

Got transfer calls Monday night, my area in Etobicoke closed and I have been transferred to Kitchener Waterloo. The week leading up to transfers was crazy, with a lot to do because we had a baptism to plan for the sisters in the other Etobicoke area for our dear friend Abby, along with all the packing and regular missionary routine. I don't think I slept very much... but we're surviving 🥲. 

Bye bye Gooch Ave! I LOVED Etobicoke and the people there, the Lord's work is rolling and He's gonna keep it rolling! Waterloo is gonna be fabulous and I already love the people here! 

President Ballard and Elder Anderson from the quorum of the 12 apostles came to our mission and what a privilege it was to hear from both of them, learn from them, sit with them, BE THERE WITH THEM! Here are some president Ballard tid bits:

♡Love people, people are a wonderful thing!

♡You know the gospel, just go teach them what's in your heart

♡The secret best approach is whatever Heaven tells you to do

♡Never lose sight of Gethsemane 

And then the conference ended and they walked out of the chapel and were gone... just like that! What a memory! BLESSINGS

I then found my new Companion, Sister Sattler who is an angel and is a transfer younger than me, and we drove 2 hours to Waterloo to find our apartment (which we only found because there was a pass along card taped to the door🤪). 

In the three days I have been here I have met many a person who have proven to me just how small the world is. Including a member who was first introduced to the church IN MILK RIVER!!! His name is Douglas Chartrand, so if any of yalls know who that is... tell me!!! I introduced myself in sacrament meeting and when he heard that I was from that tiny town he lived in so long ago he knew he had to talk to me. So after church he gave us a call and we had the most tender conversation. He was just so floored that after all these years his conversion story has come full circle with me serving in his ward all the way in Waterloo Ontario. 

I had the opportunity to watch Abby's baptism over zoom! And I am so proud of her and feel so humbled and blessed to have been a part of her journey! She is my little sister forever and always! So happy for her and her mom for coming and finding Home in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The Lord's hand is really just holding everything together! On the first day of the transfer we spent a lot of time calling members of the ward council. Our Bishops wife called us after we reached out tp her, to invite us over to the church for dinner with them and their family. We shared a fun stripling warriors lesson with their kids and then asked who we should reach out to. They gave us the name of the Bender family so we texted them right away which was followed promptly with a dinner invitation for Sunday evening. So yesterday we drove out to this member dinner. 

And friends, our Bishops wife was inspired to give us that name! This family NEEDED A VISIT! They live in Wellsley which is a very small town and they are the only members there. Brother Bender feels a lot of pressure as a convert. He feels like all eyes are on him because everyone knows he is a member and he doesn't feel like he represents the church well enough and that people are judging the church based on his actions. 

I know the lord sends us where we are meant to be because that feeling bro Bender experiences is one I am well acquainted with having grown up in a small town as one of very few members. We had a very spirit led lesson and have arranged to visit them every other Sunday for dinner and a message with their kids. 

When we were driving through the country side to visit this family, for the first time since coming out on a mission I felt like I was a lot less overwhelmingly small. The light of Christ is beaming from the Bender families household and I am so grateful to them. 

The Lord knows his children he knows what his children need and he knows what his children feel. I am grateful to be serving in the kitchener waterloo ward with all of these members who I have already made so many "crazy small world" connections with. 

Love ya all many bunches! Go give em Heaven!

Love 

Sister Court

Weekly fridge phrases: 

♡if you pick up the end of a stick you pick up the other. When you pick a path, you choose the place it leads to. -Elaine Cannon

♡do to do for others, love to love others, serve to serve others -my Papa bear

April 27 2023: Welcome to the Weekly Season 3 Ep. 6 missionary Monday on.... missionary Monday 🚫🌮

Hello! Hello!

Okey dokey, Here are this week's happenings, it's the little things that count:) 

I love listening to sister Hannant teach, it's so beautiful and when it's needed she is firm in establishing our expectations and our purpose as missionaries. 

The sunshine and warm weather makes everything happier. Even doorknocking for hours! Everyone is in a good mood or has been working in the garden, simply the best.

 Met a very nice Muslim lady in the middle of Ramadan who said if we were ever in the area again to come over if we needed water or food or a place to sit for a little while. The sweetest lady! 

Also met a lady whose first name is Kathryn and spells it just like me! She was also cool! Super catholic, but has a bunch of family in Cardston AB of all places, who are members, and only has good things to say about the church. Did not get the family name and honestly..... regrets. But we're probably related so it was nice to meet ya cuz!

All week I smelled like I had been laying on the beach at Wasa Lake all day (in the best way possible) because of the sunscreen I put on. BLESS

Park finding is fun! Especially when there are beautiful souls using their beautiful God given talent to play music while sitting on park benches. Makes me feel like I live in a movie and have my own sound track. 

Had two returning members come to church this week for the first time in a very long time and they were beaming. You could just tell their souls were filled to the brim with the love of God they were feeling.

Transfers are this week but not until the end of the week, making this transfer technically 7 weeks because...... ELDER BALLARD AND ELDER ANDERSON ARE COMING TO THE CTM!!! Hence why missionary Monday is not on Taco Tuesday.

All in all its been a week and this hippie sister missionary is thriving on the sunshine 🌞 

Love ya all many bunches! Go give em Heaven! 

Love,

Sister Court

Weekly fridge phrases:

♡our Father is a Father of good gifts -my grandma Betty-Lou

♡this big beautiful world is Heavenly Father's and He is looking out for us while we live in it -my grandma Betty-Lou (again)

♡Jesus is my Tylenol-3's in a negative crazy world -my Papa bear describing who Jesus is to him

📷📸

1. Lake Ontario

2. Bom sunshade

3. Berta farmers burn

4. Sista sista Soifua

5. Coke dinner party

6. Kathryn and Kathryn

7. Gals on Gooch Ave 

8. Sister Kev Court spreadin the word 

9. Sista sista Hannant

April 10: Welcome to the Weekly Season 3 Ep 5 Sister Court's Pride Cycle

Hello! Hello!

Happy Easter🌷🌸

I have to call myself out... I have been a little prideful this week, and not willing to let go of how sister court thinks missionary work needs to be happening and to submit to what the Lord needs to be happening right now. This has made for a very long and tiresome week.

 At the beginning of this week I wrote in my journal that I wanted to find a way to pick up the work and find a pace with my companion to help us get into a groove. I also wrote that I wanted to talk to and she the JOY of the gospel with more people. In my head, all those things meant finding, finding, finding. I wanted to dive deep into the finding grind because that's what we did my first transfer to pick up the pace. But I realized this week after God knocked me over the head with a very solid 2x4 that the Etobicoke area is a completely different area than it was 3 transfers ago; which means there is another way to pick up the pace, talk to more people & share JOY. 

I'm talking about member work. Which, now looking back @ this last week has been where we have seen the most success and felt the spirit strongest. We have 2 recent converts who need love & support, our friend Abby a beautiful 13 year old on date and her mom who has recently come back to church, and some other really amazing returning members who need visits. So why have we not been giving them more attention?! 

Because I have been prideful... BUT I am repenting! I am putting my stubborn brain aside and listening to the spirit, and my blessed companion who said that she wanted to do more member work in our weekly planning (like literally a day after i wrote those things in my journal), but after that planning session I completely forgot about it, and proceeded to force us to go out on long finding expeditions that despite my determined (or rather stubborn) efforts were not fruitful, not joyful, not fun for anyone involved. 

I called myself out and apologized to sis Hannant. She was right. I am thankful for her, for her being in tune with the spirit, and for the lessons I am learning from her. This coming week we are going to find those who need to be reached out to, and swarm around those who feel stuck. Funny because I literally gave that speal to Maren (shoutout to her!!!🗣📣) as some advice for her presentation on her wards mission plan.... guess I should take my own advice. I must be a Forsyth or something... #alwaysrightalwayshumble😐😶

I know there will be so many blessings and miracles that God will work through us for these people. I have faith that the elect and prepared are out there and they will be found in the Lord's due time and in His mysterious ways. 

Love ya all many bunches, go give them Heaven ! 

Love, 

Sister Court 

Weekly Fridge Phrases:

♡Jesucristo Vive" -Ryan K. Olsen

♡"Send a knee mail" -some picture on a members fridge (SO AN ACTUAL FRIDGE PHRASE!!)

♡"Be prepared to catch the answers." -Sis. Meneguzzi

♡"Well nobody died did they?" -my grandma Kaye recounting something Ralph told her when she was in a tizzy over surgery

April 3 2023: Welcome to the Weekly Season 3 Ep. 4 Smokarine, Hurts so Good, Raymond still Sucks

Hello! Hello! 

For those of you reading who were at the Honeypot in Wainwright, AB for the provincial team lunch of 2019... I regret to inform you that I have slipped back into old habits. 

We had a very interesting member meal Saturday night, as soon as we walked in I smelled fish and I knew I was in for an adventure because well, I don’tlike fish... turns out I was in for a much wilder adventure than anticipated. This member is so poor and prepared an entire meal for us, which we were not expecting at all. Seriously so kind and charitable of her. Of course I have a little bit of everything on the table, including the fish which is called smokarine and is cooked with the bones and scales and everything.  The member is telling us about the whole preparation process, which is not helping my case at all. I'm holding back my gag reflex and innocently reach for my glass to wash down the sea creature I'm chewing on.....

My friends, that was some very spiked pear juice. 110% fermented. This member has given us wine. Accross the table, Sister Uwazny is having an allergic reaction to something, Sister Hannant looks like she's gonna vomit, and sister Soifua has no idea what is wrong with everyone and hasn't had her satans slurpee yet. The member is munching away, drinking her devils elixir, oblivious to the fact that it's alcohol. Bless her soul. By the end of the visit, this member is confused why our glasses are still full of the adversaries acid, "DRINK UP, DRINK YOUR JUICE!" And oh my lanta Sister Uwazny downs it swollen throat and all. And we leave, not knowing what on earth has just happened. In hindsight we probably should have informed her that she was giving us alcohol... but I guess you win some, you learn some. No $5 at the end of that story, just 4 tipsy sisters. 🫠 jk we weren't tipsy... just in shock. 

P.s. never again will I eat smokarine...

On the plus general conference was fantastic! AND!!! A temple in Lethbridge?!?! ZIP UP THE TENT! It's not in Raymond so we're counting our blessings. Just joshin' I'm so jazzed for SOAB!

This week was slower. I don't think we taught a single lesson. They all fell through because of weather, or people getting sick, or just not showing up. So in theory that would mean that we would have had lots of time to talk to and find more of God's beautiful children to bring closer to christ. Unfortunately that's not the case. It was slower, it has been harder to get out and stay out of the apartment. I think this is because of recent events that have occurred. Sister Hannant is a little apprehensive to talk to people in person. Which is totally fair. The culture shock has been another big adjustment for sister Hannant that I think causes some apprehension. Again, totally fair, and we're working through these things, praying for discernment and charity. It's hard for me not to feel guilty because I want to talk to all the people. There are good, and beautiful souls in the world, and I want to find them because I love them even though I've never met them, not despite of, but because of all the diversity. God is the author of diversity and I thrive being a part of it. 

 I loved Elder Stanfill's talk yesterday about perfectionism, and how christ perfects our humble offerings. It made me reflect on the last week differently. Christ is the master of the perfect harvest. And through me and other missionaries he is gathering the harvest in His perfect order, perfect timing, and perfect pace. I know this to be true, and I know that as long as I put forth my best labour, christ will perfect it for his eternal purposes. If only I could remember that in the moment, not just in hindsight. Haha

I love being here in Etobicoke. I've been here a while. And I will go anywhere the lord needs me to. But if that meant staying in etobicoke for another transfer I would be ok with that:) 

I also love training. It's hard but I love it. I feel like I'm being stretched and it's so good, so hard and so fun. You know when you stretch after a long hike and you're muscles feel so tight and it hurts in the best possible way?? Yeah thats what training feels like and I love it. 

Anywho... love ya all many bunches! Go give em Heaven!

Love, 

Sister Court 

Weekly Fridge Phrases:

♡Home with a capital H

-Gary E Stevensen

♡Undo the plans and follow the spirit

-Carl B Cook

♡my dear brothers and sisters, RELAX

-Deiter F Uchtdorf

♡Christlike Poise

-Mark A Bragg

♡the savior perfects humble offerings

-Vern P Stanfill

March 27: Welcome to the Weekly Season 3 Ep. 3 NOT THIS WEEK SATAN: Micromanaging God, Letting God Prevail, And Then There Was One

Hello! Hello!

Satan this week has just been working so hard! 

I'm sick...hate being sick. I feel so unproductive because I'm tired. My brain and body isn't programmed to just sit and do nothing. AND WE DONT GOT TIME TO BE ICKY SICKY. But, Sis. Hannant keeps reminding me that God knew I was going to get sick and His work isn't going to stop just because I'm out for a bit. She's right. So maybe I should take a nap and stop writing on pass along cards in an effort to feel effective. 

This transfer, I've been studying trust and rest by reading a myriad of conference talks. I'm learning how I can trust in God's timing more in our daily schedule and with our friends, and how we find rest in doing so. The zone conference we had this week played well into this. Something president Stacey said in his instruction hit me over the head with a 2x4. 

He said "the terrestrial world is a world of lists." If you know me, you know I'm a list maker, a planner, I don't do well not being in control. I love lists and checking items off, and getting everything done. Which is great! Lists are good! BUT I can't get everything on the todo list done myself or with my companion. The list is never ending and there is no way I can finish it myself. If I could then I wouldn't need my Heavenly Father or Savior. BUT I DO NEED THEM. 

Which means there are tasks on the eternal todo list only they can finish. And in their timing. I can't micromanage God, that's not how the celestial kingdom works. And my goal is to make it to the celestial kingdom. So, when I come with a list of things to do and do my best to accomplish them, God will accomplish the work he needs done at that time as he seeth fit, and I have to trust that God will prevail for the benefit of His children. That's the difference between terrestrial living and celestial living. 

I have seen that as I have followed Emilia along on her journey. From gathering her into the fold on this side of the viel to being at the temple with her this weekend as she  gathered her husband and parents on the other. God has prevailed. In His perfect timing, his children have found the gospel. He gives us agency, and lucky for us, multiple opportunities to choose Him. He guides his children to where they need to go. He places us in eachothers paths for very special and specific reasons. And I know that Emilias family is jumping for joy that finally Emilia has found the gospel so that she can help them accept it too. How anxious they must have been, waiting and waiting. Do spirits in the spirit world get impatient? I don't know but they certainly let God prevail, I'm confident they'll make it to the celestial kingdom. And I can't wait to see Emilia there with them. 

I have also seen God prevail as we were preparing two of our friends, Carmine and Salman, for their baptism yesterday. Both so excited to be baptized, both had great member present lessons where the spirit was so strong, both seemingly sp ready to be gathered. So when Carmine suddenly wasn't talking to us we were kinda concerned. He finally responded to our texts asking if he was doing ok, with a long essay of a message explaining that he didn't want to participate in the discussions anymore and that he was not interested at all in being baptized. 

I felt a little discouraged, a tad confused, but mostly just sad. I have seen the Gospel change Carmines life. Carmine has seen the gospel change his life. Everytime we met with him he expressed how grateful he was to have found this, that his life was back on track, and for the first time in a while things were falling into place. He is my brother, and I have a big place in my heart for him. I was sad that after all the light he had seen he was still turning away. It would be fair to say that in this moment, letting God prevail was hard, because why would God let someone turn away? Well, that would be because he gifted us our agency, he wanted us to choose him. 

At zone conference president Stacey said "God loves us and will be patient with us forever!" His love and patience for his children will never run out, and neither will mine! I have no doubt that in his own time, and in God's time, Carmine will come back.

 In the meantime we had other things to focus on! Salman!! His baptism was wonderful, he is so excited to be a member of this church. The behind the scenes of getting everything ready was a tad rocky (water in the font draining after being filled, programs not printing right, speakers canceling last minute) but everything worked out the way it was supposed to. Salman kept thanking me for finding him again and bringing him into the fold. He knows that we knew eachother before, and I know it too. I told him in the premortal life I would find him again and God made it happen here on a subway in Toronto. 

And so God prevails. He gathers his children. And I am just a vessel for God, filled with His love that is waiting to be shared with all the beautiful people!

I love ya all many bunches! Koodos to you if you read all that and didn't just skip to the pics:) Go give em Heaven!

Love,

Sister Court 

♡Weekly fridge phrases:

"Get up, take my grace, and walk"

-sister Stacey

♡God knows that I know He knows

♡"You gotta have a sense of humor when you're anything in the church because you see so many things that are off the charts stupid."

-pres nelson to rulon and Linda Stacey when extending the call to be mission president and wife 

♡LET GOD PREVAIL