Feb 14- Welcome to the Weekly Season 11 Ep. 1 the Holy Ghost and Puzzle Pieces

Hello! Hello!

Sister Linton is my new companion and I love her to bits. We are having a lot of fun together. It's her first time in the city so there's a lot of new things to figure out but she loves the people already! It's gonna be a good 6 weeks!🥰🥰

I know that the Holy Ghost is real & is the reason we become converted. Without the Holy Ghost we would know nothing of the ways of God because we would never feel God's power in our life. 

Recently, I have had the blessing of teaching many individuals who have grown a testimony of the Holy Ghost. I have watched their countenance change as they feel the spiritual power of the Holy Ghost be made manifest in their lives.

Our friend Vianna LOVES the Holy Ghost. She came to church for the first time a few weeks ago with her boyfriend (& our friend) burrito-boy Tyson. The thing that has stuck out to both of them, is the way we talk about the Holy Ghost at church. Vianna has never heard other churches talk so much about the importance of the holy ghost. I know she feels the Holy Ghost speaking to her because she asks the most inspired questions & gives the most inspired answers. The other day she asked about all the people who have grown old and don't know all these things. How will they ever know? So we got to tell her about the spirit world & baptisms for the dead. When she heard that she said it was like she has all the puzzle pieces & each time she learns something the Holy Ghost helps her know where they go. She is preparing to be baptized this Sunday & she is so ready. 

Our friend Mark has a harder time recognizing the holy ghost. But he wants to feel it so he keeps doing the things that he knows will help him feel it. He has such strong redemptive faith. Yesterday we had a lesson with him that didn't go at all the way we planned. The Holy Ghost took over, & we talked about the sacrament & renewing our covenants. Mark told us that for some reason Sundays are like a reset button for him. Then out of nowhere one of our members walked in & on an impromptu invite joined our lesson. He was able to share that the reason Mark feels like that is because of the Holy Ghost & its that spirit that helps him endure through the week until Sunday again. When Mark realized that, I could tell he was thinking of all the times he's felt the Holy Ghost before, and i knew he was feeling it right then.

 I'm so sorry for making this letter so long. But my testimony of the Holy ghost has just grown so much this week! 

A few weeks ago, I got a text from my best friend Tomoaki, who I was able to watch be baptized in Toronto. He told me he has to go back to Japan because his visa expired and can't be renewed. My heart broke. But yesterday he sent me another message. It was a voice recording of him giving a talk in sacrament meeting. In his talk he testified of his experience before knowing who God was and after knowing who God was. He testified of the power of the Holy Ghost, & that it is because of the holy ghost that he truly knows God is real, and he knows that God's power is in his life everyday. I am so proud of him. I had the realization that he will go back to Japan and he will be able to share the Holy Ghost and the Gospel of Jesus Christ with his family in Japan. Because of the Holy Ghost, Tomoaki has a testimony and because of that testimony, so many doors are open for God to gather his sheep from all the far corners of the earth. 

Thanks for reading! I pray you felt something as you did. I love you all many bunches! Go give em heaven!

Big loves, 

Sister Court 

Weekly Fridge Phrases:

♡Our mission here in life, cant progress unless we repent 

-Tom

♡We procrastinate because we prioritize our current pleasure over our longterm goals

-our friend Sarina 

♡thou didst hear me because of thy Son -Alma 33:11

Feb 8: Welcome to the Weekly Season 10 Ep. 6 tidbits and toodles

Hello! Hello!

Another 6 weeks have come and gone! I'm staying in Etobicoke for another transfer! But big sads because sister Beckwith is leaving! 

This past transfer has honestly been such a blur. I've hardly had time to think about anything. And now that everything is changing again I'm thinking about all the things I've learned. So I'll share a few thoughts and tidbits from the land of the coke🥤.

#1 Cherish the time God gives you to wrestle with Him

I need this time with God. Even the times that feel like God's not talking back. Sometimes I just need to sit and let Him pat me on the top of the head and say nothing. Because I know with my whole heart that He is always listening.

#2 Listen to learn and have empathy

I've been studying this a lot lately and something that has stuck out to me was the importance of listening with genuine caring. Often times when listening what people need is for us to just listen and show them we truly care. Not because we completely understand but because we know that Jesus Christ does. Not because we have all of the answers but because we know they can turn to a loving Heavenly Father who does. 

#3 Finding home and holy places 

I'm relearning this lesson. This is my goal for the upcoming transfer. To find home again here in Etobicoke in this ward with all these wonderful humans. So stay tuned to hear all about that one! It's been harder to find home here, but i know I can and will because Jesus is all around. If I found him on the dodgy ttc in downtown Toronto (I love that place and miss it more than I can say) then I can find it here in Etobicoke!

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

Love,

Sister Court

Weekly Fridge Phrases!!

♡condemning others damns personal progression -elder Smith

♡do you believe in your heart that the saviour stands next to you? -elder uchtdorf

♡sometimes the bitter cup comes from God -sister peterson

♡Insight into weakness is power to improve -elder jesse

Jan 31 2024 - Welcome to the Weekly Season 10 Ep. 5 Are You Feelin' What I'm Feelin'?

 Hello! Hello! 

The weeks don't seem to exist. The days just disappear. Crazy shtuffs. 

A lot of amazing things happened this week. But I want to start by testifying of the power of the Holy Ghost. 

The Holy Ghost is Gods personal messenger for you, through him, God can communicate with you. But you will only feel his influence when you are willing and trying to live in righteous ways. The Gift of the Holy Ghost as your constant companion is promised to you as you are baptized with the proper authority and covenant with God to keep His commandments, always remember Him, and take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ. This precious gift binds you to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and allows you to feel their influence in your life more clearly. 

I promise and testify that these things are true. I know it without a doubt because of the influence the promptings of the Holy Ghost have had on me throughout my life and on my mission. By following those promptings, I have been brought to where I am today. And I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. 

Lately, journaling has become a chore rather than an enjoyable and meaningful experience. I found that I was just writing the events of the day and they held no real significance to me when I re-read them. What I've recently started doing is using my time to journal as time to reflect on the times and places and ways I felt the presence and influence of the Holy Ghost in my day. It has eliminated any feelings of unworthiness, or inadequacy. Because the holy Ghost cannot dwell in unholy places. So if I'm feeling it throughout the day I must be living worthy of him, I must be striving to keep commandments, remember God and Jesus Christ, and take Christ's name upon myself. Otherwise the Holy Ghost wouldn't be with me. 

Our friend Vianna, loves the Holy Ghost. Something that struck her about the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is that she noticed we talk about the Holy Ghost or the Holy Spirit a lot. She has the strongest desire to have the Holy Ghost with her all the time and has chosen to prepare to make her first covenant with God through baptism so she can receive the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. As we taught her yesterday, she shared with us the most amazing, AND TRUE doctrine of the Holy Ghost. She said, "without the Holy Ghost we cannot make decisions that will align us with God's will." Oh my bardownski! Who says that!? People prepared by God, that's who. She is 110% correct! It made me think of something that the living Prophet of God, Russell M. Nelson said a couple years ago, "In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost." Vianna is so prepared for the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I want to invite you to reflect on the ways you feel the power of the Holy Ghost in your life. If you are living a life worthy of it, I promise you will feel it. And if you are feeling it, I invite you to follow it! It will take you places you never knew you needed to go. 

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

Live,

Sister Court 

Weekly Fridge Phrases!!

♡I have been to the mountaintop -elder Ochoa 

♡God loves malleable -president stacey

♡true repentance is feeling Godly sorrow and then feeling Godly JOY -Sister Cobia

Jan 24- Welcome to the Weekly Season 10 Ep. 4 I need, you need, we all need the light! 💡🕯

 Hello! Hello!

Our friend Hannah got baptized on Saturday and received the gift of the Holy Ghost on Sunday! What a happy 2 days! Saturday was so smooth! Everyone (including Hannah and everyone on the program) was late... but other than that it was so smooth! Members helped with everything, not a single missionary was on the program! One of our recent converts, Andreea, gave the talk on the Holy Ghost and it was the best talk I have EVER heard EVER in my life about the Holy Ghost. It was so special and exactly the perfect thing. 

I cannot believe how prepared Hannah is for the gospel. She would do some googling on the internet and come across anti or read something crazy about church history and then tell us that she just knew it wasn't right because it was full of contention and feelings like that aren't from God. She is so in tune with the spirit it is mesmerizing. Hannah just gets all of it, because she knows when she hears truth. 

Hannah's boyfriend, Lee, who is a member and introduced Hannah to the church but was pretty much inactive before he met Hannah (nothing like flirt to convert... to reactivate someone haha), baptized her. Lee's family goes to the family ward so I got to know them well when I served here a year ago. Lee's mom, sister Nakale, made lunch for everyone that came. We put up four tables all squished together and we all sat around them like a big happy family. It was just the sweetest thing to have everyone from so many different background s and stages if life sit around a table together to laugh and eat really good food. I love God's Children. 

We had a lesson with Hannah just yesterday at a little Cafe that none of us had ever been to before. It had been a rough day for her with things happening with her family, but she still came because she felt like she needed light from the sisters. 

And what a miracle that she came because at this Cafe we met Amanda! Who also doesn't usually come to this Cafe but came today. She saw our tags & asked about them so we introduced ourselves & then Hannah introduces herself as sister Hannah. Oh my heart! Amanda tells us about herself. That she wants to be involved with the church community & meet like minded women in the gospel. She recently started a small non profit organization, & has a podcast where she shares her thoughts & experiences about God. And then! Hannah bears her testimony! She shares that she is a new member of the church, & testifies that it's the best thing she's ever done, that the gospel has changed her life & she is so grateful she found the light of Christ. Hannah was glowing! It was miraculous! We are meeting Amanda again on Friday & Hannah is coming! Stay tuned! 

I just want to invite you all to share the light of Christ with others! I saw it so many times this week. It was shared with me and I shared it with others. The world is a brighter, happier place when the light of Christ is shone abroad for everyone to see!

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

Love,

Sister Court

Weekly Fridge Phrases!!!

♡The way we find joy is by growing with the Saviour

-the spirit through sis Becky

♡say your prayers, work hard, and leave the harvest to the lord. -Gordon B. Hinkley

♡we become acquainted with Him through our extremities -president Stacey

♡we are the Lord's hands and feet in the world right now.

Jan 16: Welcome to the Weekly Season 10 Ep. 3 Burrito Mondays🌯>>Taco Tuesdays🌮

Hello! Hello! 

I really do feel so much Joy. Even though I feel Satan's influence in my life, I am genuinely the happiest on my mission than I have ever been. And I know that's because I know Jesus Christ and learn and live and love his gospel!

Faith in Jesus Christ changes you! Let's get into the nuts and bolts of it...

When your faith in Jesus Christ grows, your desire to share His gospel does too! For example, yesterday I was on exchanges with Sister Nishimura (she's from Japan, and changed my life yesterday, but that's a story for my momma bear) we went to the mall with the BarBurrito where Tyson works to get dinner. Tyson was there and as he's making our burritos, he's talking to us about a man he had just served who was going through a hard time. Tyson told this man never to turn away from Jesus. And then Tyson told us exactly what he looked like so we could keep an eye out for him and invite him to church. Tyson has tasted of the fruit and his desire for others to taste it is so strong. So strong in fact that we got to taste BarBurrito for free yesterday! Bless up! 

When your faith in Jesus christ grows, your desire to do anything to follow him grows to! Our friend Hannah, who is preparing to be baptized this Saturday is so prepared. It's her time! Law of chastity? No Brainer. Word of Wisdom? She gave up tea and coffee faster than I could snap my fingers. Tithing? Easy money 💰 (Hehe pun intented). When she learns restored truths that's she's never heard before like what happens after we die, she just knows it's true. She let's her faith in Jesus Christ guide everything she does. And it has brought her so far! Amd so close to God. 

The wrestle with Satan is real. Just as real as the wrestle with God is. I was talking to my mom last week about this wrestle, and how hard it is. Nothing is going wrong per say, but the stress in my chest and in my head somedays is so consuming. And then I talk it out, study it out, pray it out and feel good for a time. Until it comes creeping back. And why does it do that? If I know that God knows me, and I know that as long as I'm doing my best, He will make it all work out, why does the stress seep in again?

 Because Satan also knows me, He knows we're doing our best, and he knows what happens when we do. He knows God's work moves forward, and he doesn't like that. So Satan slides on in and wrestles with us until we turn around and wrestle with God. I've learned this week that wrestling with God is the ONLY way to win the wrestle with Satan. And recently, I've had to consciously wrestle with God all the day long with a prayer in my heart. It's hard work. And some days I have a hard time following the spirit and teaching with the spirit. But I'm doing my best, and God knows that. 

So go get a burrito, do your best and talk to God out loud and in your heart. 

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

Love, 

Sister Court 

Weekly fridge phrases!!!

♡I will not deny the christ -moroni 1:3

♡awake my soul! No longer droop in sin! Rejoice o my heart! And give place no more for the enemy of my soul -2 Nephi 4:28

Just a couple verses that kept my fire going this week! 

Jan 10 2024: Welcome to the Weekly Season 10 Ep. 2 Find Your Holy Ghost 👻

Hello! Hello! 

The last couple weeks have been kinda crazy. We have so many friends to contact and teach, sister beckwith and i cover 2 zones right now so we went on 3 exchanges, and I want to work with the members. I have just been feeling like someone always falls through the cracks. There's not enough time in the day to take care of everyone. I know that the salvation of our friends isn't a make or break on my part, I know that the sisters have their own agency and the amount they struggle doesn't depend on whether or not we were able to send them a text or voice message that day. I also know that I've only been in Churchville for 2 weeks and it's ok not to know everyone yet. I also know and have to remind my self that it's not all on my shoulders. In fact, very little of it is on my shoulders because it's not my work it's God's. 

Sister Beckwith is amazing and we've been able to council through these things together and with God. She has the gift of knowing what God needs me to hear. And I am grateful for that. She also has the gift of making me laugh all the time! I'm grateful for that too. 

All that being said, I find joy in the work all the time! Even when I'm stressed. Because guess what! Joy does not depend on the things happening around me, it depends on my relationship with God and my desire to serve Him. And boy do I love to serve Him.

 Our friend Tyson (BarBurrito man) came to church and watched a baptism. We talked a lot about the Holy Ghost and he says to me, "I need to communicate with my Holy Ghost so I can know when I can be baptized." That was the sweetest thing I've ever heard. I need to communicate with my Holy ghost too. The way Tyson feels and has such an individual relationship with the Holy Ghost inspires me. I invite all of you to develop and seek an individual relationship with the holy ghost.

 There's joy in the car as sister Beckwith and I sing to ridiculous youth album music. There's joy walking around the mall talking to all the people who are so sweet and interested in what we say, but there's also joy when we talk to the people who are wearing cool clothes that don't have a lick of interest. I find joy when I see a sister realize what she needs to do to more closely follow God's plan. I find joy when I hug the sisters I serve with after an exchange. I find joy when I get to know members and we have fun small world moments. And There is joy by my desk at 9:30pm as I'm kneeling with God sometimes not knowing what to say, but feeling that He's sitting with me pleased that I had the faith to do so.

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

Love,

Sister Court

Weekly fridge phrases!!

♡all you have to do is follow the spirit and be worthy -sister Beckwtih

♡Satan can't thrive in clarity because what he does is confuse -sister Beckwith 

♡work through it until you get to the root of the problem, then uproot the problem with the gospel -also sister Beckwith

Jan 3 2024: Welcome to the Weekly Season 10 Ep. 1 Running it Back, BarBurrito Magic🌯🎩✨️

Hello! Hello! 

Welcome to 2024! What are ya gonna do with it?

I'm back in Etobicoke and so far Sister Beckwith and I are having so much fun. Churchville YSA is blessed. It is weird to be back in the same city I started my mission in. It kinda feels like I never left, but also I feel completely different than at the start of this grand adventure. I'm thankful for the opportunity to be in Etobicoke again as a not so baby missionary. 

On Saturday, I found Jesus at BarBurrito. We were at a mall in Brampton doing some finding & having dinner before a lesson. I was feeling like a rice bowl sounded good so I went to BarBurrito. My new friend Tyson fixed me up with THE BEST rice bowl I have ever had in my life! He was wearing a cross necklace, so I complimented it. He asked if I was Christian. I told him I was & that I was actually serving as a missionary for Jesus Christ. Turns out that Tyson is new to Christianity. One night 6 months ago he had an experience & knew that he needed to follow Jesus. So that's what he has been doing & everyday, he prays to God to learn more about God's plan for him. 

BAM! 

Sis. Court has a craving for burritos and as shes ordering her food explains that God has given her a unique message to share about His plan for His children. I got his number, invited him to church AND gave him a Book of Mormon. All of which were done across the counter at this magical BarBurrito! 

We texted him later and he said he couldn't come to church because of New Years. BUT THEN! On Sunday HE CAME! WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND (Vianna)!! They both loved it and are coming back next week! We have been messaging both of them. Vianna is the sweetest ever. We text her a spiritual thought and then she pours her heart out in testimony over text about her experiences with God, and prayer. And how her relationship with Tyson has grown so much closer since they both have started coming closer to God. I testify when you and your loved ones come closer to God, you come closer to eachother! Tyson and Vianna have shown me that. 

Yesterday, we were door knocking near a college campus and met 3 people who have been looking for a church to go to since moving to the area for school. It was the coolest thing to see. People are looking for God. People are looking for a stronger relationship with God. I testify that God is in your everyday life, He is all around you. BUT there is no better place than gathering with other people at church to share your love of God, and to have a spiritual renewal for the week ahead. Go to church! Share your testimony! Grow your testimony! Start the New Year feeling closer to your loving Heavenly Father. ❤️ 

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

Love, 

Sister Court 

Weekly Fridge phrases!!

♡God is so patient with us, you can be patient with yourself too -Sis. Wang

♡God 365 -elder Willards mom