Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Missionary Letter #21 - Boxing Day
I almost feel bad that this will be my last Christmas themed email for one whole year...
I do have a confession for you all though. There were many wonderful presents and I'm so grateful to you all and the kindness that you've shown me and my companion. I know that everything you gave me will go to good use... That being said, the bacon hot-chocolate was a wonderful Christmas present that I could not get down my throat using conventional methods. My companion however...
Takes a sip... "Not bad"
He's by far the manlier man of the two of us.
Nothing kicks out my Christmas hangover better than what Canada's got. For a whole week after Christmas they've got boxing day. ( basically a week for great deals in stores on flat screen tv's )
So while we go to buy my companion something at best buy the entire store is giving us evil glares like "get in the way of my 116'' inch and I'll break your knees" It was super fun, especially because we got there when it hit a high point in the shopping frenzy.
For a moment I would like to direct the average United States resident to something that I've come to have fallen in love with. To inform the masses of what they have been woefully unaware of I'm going back in time to when I first got my call letter to Toronto. My dad and I decided to direct our thirst for knowledge of our northern neighbours towards Wikipedia to satisfy our curiosity.
We found that Canadian specialty was something called poutine, which (to you southern folk) is basically fries and gravy with cheese curds.
It's so much more than that though.
It will kill you faster than a bullet but by Ne'fries' it's delicious.
Question time! could someone explain when eventide is?
And also, what is the average flight speed of an unladen swallow?
Elder Wolford
P.S email me - steven.wolford@myldsmail.net
I do have a confession for you all though. There were many wonderful presents and I'm so grateful to you all and the kindness that you've shown me and my companion. I know that everything you gave me will go to good use... That being said, the bacon hot-chocolate was a wonderful Christmas present that I could not get down my throat using conventional methods. My companion however...
Takes a sip... "Not bad"
He's by far the manlier man of the two of us.
Nothing kicks out my Christmas hangover better than what Canada's got. For a whole week after Christmas they've got boxing day. ( basically a week for great deals in stores on flat screen tv's )
So while we go to buy my companion something at best buy the entire store is giving us evil glares like "get in the way of my 116'' inch and I'll break your knees" It was super fun, especially because we got there when it hit a high point in the shopping frenzy.
For a moment I would like to direct the average United States resident to something that I've come to have fallen in love with. To inform the masses of what they have been woefully unaware of I'm going back in time to when I first got my call letter to Toronto. My dad and I decided to direct our thirst for knowledge of our northern neighbours towards Wikipedia to satisfy our curiosity.
We found that Canadian specialty was something called poutine, which (to you southern folk) is basically fries and gravy with cheese curds.
It's so much more than that though.
It will kill you faster than a bullet but by Ne'fries' it's delicious.
Question time! could someone explain when eventide is?
And also, what is the average flight speed of an unladen swallow?
Elder Wolford
P.S email me - steven.wolford@myldsmail.net
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Missionary Letter #20 - Merry Christmas!
Since this is the email before Christmas I thought I would make it especially festive...
🎅🎅🎅
I conclude the festivities
But in all (or at least partial) seriousness this week was an incredible week. One would be amazed to note how many wonderful opportunities we've had to share the gospel in different ways. It was a very merry week. We sang, handed out book of mormon's (books of mormon?) and hunted down a couple of former's for Elder Cruz's stepfather in Smith Falls. It went something like this
Smith Falls: Hey could you find these people for us?
Us: Sure thing how long ago were you teaching them?
Smith Falls: We have no idea.
Us: Could you give us a phone number?
Smith Falls: Don't have one.
Us: What about an address?
Smith Falls: We don't have that either.
Us: Are they still alive?
Smith Falls: ........... How many cemeteries do you have in Belleville?
The answer: a lot.
Long story short we learned from the members that they people in question moved from Smith Falls to Belleville, then to Ottawa, then back to Smith Falls. We didn't have to look to hard, Elder Cruz is still only a little bit sore.
Another fun moment this week, we've been teaching an investigator that wants to be baptized even though she has absolutely no gospel knowledge. Usually we teach people that are curious enough to learn more about the church and as time passes and commitments are kept they become ready to enter into the covenant of baptism. Tara (pronounced Terra) is totally the opposite, it's awesome to teach her because at the end of every lesson she asks how much closer to being a member is. She loves the church and really wants to be apart of it.
Which is a nice segway to the spiritual message: Commitments are something highly emphasized when teaching, and when progressing. Not only do we give direct and specific commitments we also follow up as frequently as we can. This is the doctrinal truth. That when you make a commitment to God, he blesses you as you endeavor to achieve it to the best of your ability. For example if you go to the gym without a plan in mind you will never get stronger. If you go with a plan and then never pick up a weight you'll never get stronger. The only way to get stronger in the gospel is to set a goal, make a plan and then make it a commitment.
Go Make Goals!!! 😁👍
Question for the week: If you were a dog what dog would you be? Or (for those of you who are allergic to animals) Who would win in a basketball slam-dunk competition, A Churro or a Taco?
Anyways until next time!
Elder Wolford
🎅🎅🎅
I conclude the festivities
But in all (or at least partial) seriousness this week was an incredible week. One would be amazed to note how many wonderful opportunities we've had to share the gospel in different ways. It was a very merry week. We sang, handed out book of mormon's (books of mormon?) and hunted down a couple of former's for Elder Cruz's stepfather in Smith Falls. It went something like this
Smith Falls: Hey could you find these people for us?
Us: Sure thing how long ago were you teaching them?
Smith Falls: We have no idea.
Us: Could you give us a phone number?
Smith Falls: Don't have one.
Us: What about an address?
Smith Falls: We don't have that either.
Us: Are they still alive?
Smith Falls: ........... How many cemeteries do you have in Belleville?
The answer: a lot.
Long story short we learned from the members that they people in question moved from Smith Falls to Belleville, then to Ottawa, then back to Smith Falls. We didn't have to look to hard, Elder Cruz is still only a little bit sore.
Another fun moment this week, we've been teaching an investigator that wants to be baptized even though she has absolutely no gospel knowledge. Usually we teach people that are curious enough to learn more about the church and as time passes and commitments are kept they become ready to enter into the covenant of baptism. Tara (pronounced Terra) is totally the opposite, it's awesome to teach her because at the end of every lesson she asks how much closer to being a member is. She loves the church and really wants to be apart of it.
Which is a nice segway to the spiritual message: Commitments are something highly emphasized when teaching, and when progressing. Not only do we give direct and specific commitments we also follow up as frequently as we can. This is the doctrinal truth. That when you make a commitment to God, he blesses you as you endeavor to achieve it to the best of your ability. For example if you go to the gym without a plan in mind you will never get stronger. If you go with a plan and then never pick up a weight you'll never get stronger. The only way to get stronger in the gospel is to set a goal, make a plan and then make it a commitment.
Go Make Goals!!! 😁👍
Question for the week: If you were a dog what dog would you be? Or (for those of you who are allergic to animals) Who would win in a basketball slam-dunk competition, A Churro or a Taco?
Anyways until next time!
Elder Wolford
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Missionary Letter #19
Unfortunately there are no castles in Canada, only apartment complexes and Canadian mobs shoveling driveways. Pitchforks and torches included. I tease them but they only get that mad when Tim Hortons closes on Christmas. From what I understand people go crazy up when they don't get their coffee and doughnuts and get themselves up into a coffeefrenzy, supposedly there are a number of maimings every year by these normally peaceful people. #killedbycrazedCanadians
But what do I know, I'm just an American.
This week was awesome, if not a tad strange , they changed standards on us so we're going to be focusing almost entirely on investigators. Apparently we've been working so hard on retention that we haven't been working on finding or baptizing. Which needs to change. Me and Elder Cruz are getting ourselves all psyched up about it. It begins today so I'll let all y'all know how it goes next week.
Since Christmas is in full bloom I'll share my thoughts on the Canadian winter...
"No."
Just kidding, it's actually very pretty. It's like a 'polar bear six feet away from you' kind of pretty. In the way that if you don't tread carefully you could just disappear.
We saw one guy this week walking on a snow bank, we thought he was doing good until he sank into it like quicksand. He pulled himself out quick but it was crazy to see how deep the snow could get in some places.
If you need a visual imagine the scene from Princess Bride where Buttercup falls into the quicksand. Now cover that with snow and instead of ROUS put fisher's there instead.
(FIsher's are vicious, I didn't know what they were until I got to Canada but they'll tear your face off.)
So switching to a more spiritual gear, I want you (yes you) to take out your scriptures and open up to Alma 38. But before you do answer me this... Do you know who the man Shiblon is?? If you do you've passed the first test. If not then allow me to explain.
So the prophet Alma has 3 sons. One is named Helaman, who is a super good guy that becomes the next prophet. The other is Corianton... Who's not quite as good but we get a lot of good scriptures because of him so we can't complain. And Shiblon, the middle child. He is the great 'average do-good' guy. He served his mission and was persecuted severely, but you can tell that Alma has a lot of love because he stuck it out to the end.
There's a great lesson here. Shiblon was a great man and even though we don't know much about him we can see a few things.
He loved the Lord.
He loved his fellow man
and, He got the work done.
This week I'm going to try and study Alma 38 and surrounding chapters because I love them so much. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and the more I read it the more I've come to love it.
Elder Wolford
But what do I know, I'm just an American.
This week was awesome, if not a tad strange , they changed standards on us so we're going to be focusing almost entirely on investigators. Apparently we've been working so hard on retention that we haven't been working on finding or baptizing. Which needs to change. Me and Elder Cruz are getting ourselves all psyched up about it. It begins today so I'll let all y'all know how it goes next week.
Since Christmas is in full bloom I'll share my thoughts on the Canadian winter...
"No."
Just kidding, it's actually very pretty. It's like a 'polar bear six feet away from you' kind of pretty. In the way that if you don't tread carefully you could just disappear.
We saw one guy this week walking on a snow bank, we thought he was doing good until he sank into it like quicksand. He pulled himself out quick but it was crazy to see how deep the snow could get in some places.
If you need a visual imagine the scene from Princess Bride where Buttercup falls into the quicksand. Now cover that with snow and instead of ROUS put fisher's there instead.
(FIsher's are vicious, I didn't know what they were until I got to Canada but they'll tear your face off.)
So switching to a more spiritual gear, I want you (yes you) to take out your scriptures and open up to Alma 38. But before you do answer me this... Do you know who the man Shiblon is?? If you do you've passed the first test. If not then allow me to explain.
So the prophet Alma has 3 sons. One is named Helaman, who is a super good guy that becomes the next prophet. The other is Corianton... Who's not quite as good but we get a lot of good scriptures because of him so we can't complain. And Shiblon, the middle child. He is the great 'average do-good' guy. He served his mission and was persecuted severely, but you can tell that Alma has a lot of love because he stuck it out to the end.
There's a great lesson here. Shiblon was a great man and even though we don't know much about him we can see a few things.
He loved the Lord.
He loved his fellow man
and, He got the work done.
This week I'm going to try and study Alma 38 and surrounding chapters because I love them so much. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and the more I read it the more I've come to love it.
Elder Wolford
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Monday, December 5, 2016
Steven Missionary Letter #18 - Big Foot Only a Size 10
'Tis the season to be doing mission work. To kick of the season the First Presidency did their annual Christmas Devotional. I'll share a bit of my notes that I took.
Christ is the greatest gift because He is the infinite sacrifice.
We wouldn't remember His birth without his death and resurrection.
Like the wise men let us bring gifts to the Savior, who gave everything for us.
Without the Savior the greatest fear, the fear of there being nothing after death, would be all to real.
Mrs. Hayward counter: seen 9 times on camera
So I'll say it was amazing experience, especially because I saw my old French Horn teacher Will Francis playing in the tabernacle Orchestra... Don't ask me how I remember his name because it was literally two lifetimes ago.
Everyone up here is always talking about how it's so dry this year and all I can think is "I'm from Utah, this is all to normal." I guess Canada has adjusted her climate to allow Elder Wolford to thrive in this desert wasteland. It's still cold though, so that's fun.
Storytime: So once upon a time we were driving through the dark forest of Belleville Canada (our GPS had us take a scenic route for some reason) and it was downright the creepiest road I've ever been on. The fact that it's pitch black by 6 o'clock doesn't make it any less eerie. Another thing that doesn't help is the fact that we were each sharing a Bigfoot story (Funny thing, Bigfoot, only size 10...) But we were in the thick of this eerie road when the phone goes off and we PANIC! I answer the phone and a super less-active answers
Her: What are you elders doing later this week?
Me: This week we haven't got much planned yet, what can we help you with?
Her: Me and (a investigator we've been trying to meet with forever) would like to meet you guys and talk.
Me: Sweet, Wednesday sound good?
Her: Yep. Bye..... (click)
I love when members set up appointments. Makes me all warm and fuzzy on the inside.
Besides that we set up for a nativity in a super small branch called Trent Hills. It was amazing and there were a lot of wonderful nativities, my favorite being one where Joseph is holding Jesus instead of Mary. I hadn't realised it but I've never seen that before.
SCRIPTURE TIME!!!!
Turn you're scriptures to 2nd Nephi and read chapter 9. Jacob is speaking of the Atonement and as the great scriptorian of the Book of Mormon he has a lot of insight about the need for a Savior and how without him it would not be good. My favorite is verse 18. It's a wonderful parallel to Christ when he says "Take up thy cross and follow me" As disciples of Him we must be willing to follow, to some degree, the path he walked. To bear some of his burden and to obey his statues so that we may some day meet him and say "I gave my all for you, just as you did for me."
Hope that'll get those spiritual cogs moving a little bit.
Anyways here's a question for this week...
If you were a butterfly what color of wings would you have? (sorry if I've asked this before it's just my favorite question)
Elder Wolford
P.S: Sendest me thine emails, and there will be much rejoicing.
steven.wolford@myldsmail.net
Christ is the greatest gift because He is the infinite sacrifice.
We wouldn't remember His birth without his death and resurrection.
Like the wise men let us bring gifts to the Savior, who gave everything for us.
Without the Savior the greatest fear, the fear of there being nothing after death, would be all to real.
Mrs. Hayward counter: seen 9 times on camera
So I'll say it was amazing experience, especially because I saw my old French Horn teacher Will Francis playing in the tabernacle Orchestra... Don't ask me how I remember his name because it was literally two lifetimes ago.
Everyone up here is always talking about how it's so dry this year and all I can think is "I'm from Utah, this is all to normal." I guess Canada has adjusted her climate to allow Elder Wolford to thrive in this desert wasteland. It's still cold though, so that's fun.
Storytime: So once upon a time we were driving through the dark forest of Belleville Canada (our GPS had us take a scenic route for some reason) and it was downright the creepiest road I've ever been on. The fact that it's pitch black by 6 o'clock doesn't make it any less eerie. Another thing that doesn't help is the fact that we were each sharing a Bigfoot story (Funny thing, Bigfoot, only size 10...) But we were in the thick of this eerie road when the phone goes off and we PANIC! I answer the phone and a super less-active answers
Her: What are you elders doing later this week?
Me: This week we haven't got much planned yet, what can we help you with?
Her: Me and (a investigator we've been trying to meet with forever) would like to meet you guys and talk.
Me: Sweet, Wednesday sound good?
Her: Yep. Bye..... (click)
I love when members set up appointments. Makes me all warm and fuzzy on the inside.
Besides that we set up for a nativity in a super small branch called Trent Hills. It was amazing and there were a lot of wonderful nativities, my favorite being one where Joseph is holding Jesus instead of Mary. I hadn't realised it but I've never seen that before.
SCRIPTURE TIME!!!!
Turn you're scriptures to 2nd Nephi and read chapter 9. Jacob is speaking of the Atonement and as the great scriptorian of the Book of Mormon he has a lot of insight about the need for a Savior and how without him it would not be good. My favorite is verse 18. It's a wonderful parallel to Christ when he says "Take up thy cross and follow me" As disciples of Him we must be willing to follow, to some degree, the path he walked. To bear some of his burden and to obey his statues so that we may some day meet him and say "I gave my all for you, just as you did for me."
Hope that'll get those spiritual cogs moving a little bit.
Anyways here's a question for this week...
If you were a butterfly what color of wings would you have? (sorry if I've asked this before it's just my favorite question)
Elder Wolford
P.S: Sendest me thine emails, and there will be much rejoicing.
steven.wolford@myldsmail.net
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