Sister McEwan & Sister Olsen's halloween costumes for branch party.

It's definitely been a week of pondering and humbling experiences. Kind of as usual. There are many ups and downs in the mission constantly it seems like. Missions have a concentrated way of taking your weaknesses and everything you don't like about yourself and throwing it in your face. It's like the scripture in Ether 12:27 that says as we COME unto Christ, He will SHOW us our weaknesses, that through Him we can overcome them. It's like He says, "Ok, you want to be more like me? Change this." haha But it's been good. Hard. But good. I had to submit my will to God to be able to come out here (which took some time), and just because I'm here doesn't mean it's easy now. I find I have to continually submit myself to God, every day. It reminds me of a quote Elaine Dalton told us in the MTC. She said, "You must be willing to give up the life you have planned, to have the life that's waiting for you." God can make so much more out of us than we can ourselves. And becoming that person isn't easy or without pain, but worth it I'm sure.

So we performed again at Gables yesterday with our music hour and everything and I don't know if I told you about it all. It's funny, we do a selection of like gospel songs that you'd probably sing in other churches that are kind of funny, and mix it with our hymns of course.I usually play one piano solo too. It's just kind of funny to sit and jam out on the piano for these old people. You got to keep it lively you know? haha. But we do bring the spirit in with our hymns and singing. And then at the end we mingle with them for a few minutes. They are so cute.

So we have two investigators that are progressing rapidly. Wendy has a date for Dec 26th! And Logan is setting a date. They are so amazing. Truly prepared and teaching them is effortless. They are ready to change and to live the gospel. I hope and pray everything continues as it should! This area needs new life blood! haha

Transfers are looming ahead in like a week and a half or two weeks. I think Sister McEwan will probably be leaving me. Mixed feelings about that! I think I'd be okay with the area left to my knowledge for awhile till my companion would learn it as well, but than other times that freaks me out. haha.

Knocking is getting more and more fun, which is great. We were out in the COLD knocking yesterday! This one old man came to the door in his walker and stared daggers at us. We tried to talk with him and he wasn't answering at all. I'm like......can he hear us? And then he's like, "You woke me up for this?" hahaha How were we supposed to know? Woops. You just kind of chuckle after that. Maybe the most unfriendly Canadian I've met. Most people if they're not interested will tell you in a nice way or just close the door or walk away or something.

Anyway, yesterday we were talking with this man who was out doing yard work and he asked this question that I didn't know how to answer, so I just kind of kept my mouth shut, and my companion kind of fumbled through and didn't really answer it. And as we walked away, we talked about it, and right then and there I said the most perfect and logical answer. It was like....yeah....! But I didn't know that I knew that till I had just said that. That's the spirit right there. Should've just opened my mouth there and then and it would have come out! haha I love that when the Holy Ghost works through us like that and teaches us AS we teach.

Anyway hope you all are doing great! Go share something with someone about the gospel this week! Love you all and miss you. Sister Jen Olsen