Monday, April 28, 2014

Everyone loves time with their granddaughter :0)

Mum, PahPea, Family, and Friends!!

Hey hey hey!! Greetings from WARM Mississauga Ontario. That's right, my friends, it is getting warm here. and I might cry I'm so happy. so. happy. :) ok, so I have LOTS to tell today, so I'm going to jump right into.....

but before I do...I'd like to declare that I have the cutest nieces and nephews in the whole wide world!!! sorry. aunty bragging moment. I'm good now...;)

ahem....
QUESTION TIME!!!
1.  Did your Easter package ever arrive?  (If the answer is "no", consider it simply a "Spring Package" when it finally does, OK?)  :0)
sure did!! :) Thank you SOOO much. also. Sister Stoddard and I eat a lot together. and we basically ate all the chocolate fills eggs before we hid them. yikes a bee. haha! Thank you so much, we are both SOOO grateful!! also, loved the necklace, mom thanks!!! :)
2.  Tell me all about Sister Stoddard (where from, how long on a mission, what she's like, etc.)
dear Sister Stoddard is from Rexburg, Idaho, came out in May last year, same time as Sister Dyer, is the 4th of 6 kids, loves life, is super energetic and consecrated! Ah man, I just love this girl SOOO much! and she already knows a lot about me because sister zerkle was her trainer....haha ah the stories! :) She's SO optomistic and has such a strong testimony of this work, the most hard working missionary I've ever met, I love her dearly!! :)
3.  What have you and Sister Stoddard done to bond in your companionship?
We just laugh ALL of the times. seriously. we both find so much joy in His work and love being used as instruments in His Hands!! and we talk a lot. yeah. we get along really well! :) in fact, last year sister zerkle told me after one week of training sister stoddard that we are the same person. and we kinda are...haha thank heavens not exactly the same because I don't know if I could handle two of me! haha she's just so great. bonding with my granddaughter? NO problem! :)
4.  Did Sharlene, etc. attend church THIS week?
sure did! even when she felt HORRIBLE with her cold. poor girl. but she came for the full block! she's so great!! Sharaya wasn't feeling well either so she stayed home but Sharlene was able to come! Blessings will flow to her, that's for sure!
5.  How is Nestle doing?
He's busy with finals and work, he's asked us to contact him a month or so in the future
6.  What was the most interesting thing you have eaten this week?
more fish. I think the members can tell I don't like it and are trying to get me to adapt. ah man...
7.  What was your favorite study session centered on?
well I've been doing a Christlike attribute a day and today was diligence! I've decided that faith, diligence and obedience in life are key to developing the other attributes of Christ. "A diligent missionary (or member of the Church) works effectively and efficiently. Diligence in (the work) is an expression of your love for the Lord and His work." -PMG pg121 I love hard and effective work! :)
8.  What would you consider the highlight of this past week?

oh my goodness, ALYSSIA! ok. so get this incredibly awesome story of how forces on both sides of the veil are consistently working to prepare the hearts of the children of men to accept this gospel! 
 So... we have the most amazing bishop in this ward. He's super missionary minded! He called us and wanted us to drop by a less active. He knew the address didn't exist... but he felt very strongly that missionaries needed to go there. We go and tract a little bit... nothing too successful... but we get a referral in the area!! So... the next day we go back! We drop by the referral... not interested... we knock on a couple of other houses without any success, so we walk to the car to leave! we decided to knock one more house, so...we do! We go up and knock at the door and nobody comes. We sit there for awhile and this girl opens up.... ha. We woke her up! my bad... So upon beginning to speak with her, she tells us that her father passed away last year and her grandmother a month ago. Even with this hard times in her life she has such INCREDIBLY strong faith! Because of this knowledge, we feel we need to teach the Plan of Salvation. As we are teaching, the Spirit comes into the room more and more, and did especially when we taught about the Spirit world, how all are given the opportunity to accept the restored gospel, either here on Earth or in the next life. We continue to teach and again, the Spirit is just FLOODING the room. Then. here it comes. we invite her to be baptized. and she goes, "wait, actually I think my dad was baptized a member of your church, he mentioned he was thinking about getting baptized again by someone who had authority from God..." and we're like...como say what?!! anyways LONG story short, her mom is currently reading the Book of Mormon and has been for a while, daily might I add, her uncle might be a member, her dad was possibly baptized, and she wants to be when she knows this is true. so yeah. forces here on earth (promptings to us, Bishop and the neighbor who gave us a referral, oh! and her to get out of bed and open the door when we got there) and forces on the other side! how I LOVE this work!!!!! follow all promptings, friends, He prompted you for a reason!!! and the result might make you scream out of joy! ;)
9.  What words would you use to describe the weather you've been having?
warm. and chilly. ;)
10.  What happened that made you laugh the most?
we're just way too clumsy together. like 3 times. enough said. haha

FINISH MY SENTENCE:
11.  When I saw the pictures you sent, I...
went...AWWW!!
12.  My testimony grew, yet again, when...
we had that experience with Alyssia! so incredible!! Thank heavens we get to work with the great missionaries on the other side! :)
13.  Exchanges this week included...
none yet!
14.  Our goal for this P-day is....
prepare prepare prepare! :)
15.  My favorite thing about being a Sister Training Leader is....
getting to work with all these INCREDIBLE sisters!! ah. I love it. :)
16.  The thing I find most challenging about being a STL is....
feeling inadequate. but I've learned-God truly does prepare those whom He calls! and thank Heavens for that! :)
17.  An area I would like to improve on is....
trying new things. I do in little forms, but I want to be super creative this transfer. We'll work on it together! :)
18.  My favorite teaching moment was....
Alyssia. the Spirit was so strong. God loves her so much, it was incredible to feel!
19.  I felt the Spirit so strongly when....
teaching Alyssia. seriously. I know I should say something else but if only that tiny description could explain the joy and level of the Spirit that we felt!!!
20.  I am so grateful for...
Sister Stoddard, my granddaughter! :)
Alyssia
Preach My Gospel
This work
Progression

Well, I must head out! I love you all so much and thank you for your love and prayers, we feel them daily! I know this Gospel is true, now and forever!!! :) how GREAT is our calling!!!

Love for now and for ever,
Sister De Groot :)

Missionary Invitation: how are you diligent in the Lord's work? what does diligence mean to you? :) PMG pg 121

Monday, April 21, 2014

He's allowed me solace

Mum, PahPea, Family, and Friends!!!

Hello hello hello! I hope your Easter weekend was the best ever in the whole wide world! I loved ours so much!! We had a wonderful day of seeing Navi, who was being taught in the South, be baptized yesterday and she was SOOO happy! Then we had dinner with a member who followed the tradition of not eating meat and fed us a beautiful meal of vegetables, rice and fish. And for all those who know me, correct, I don't like fish. But I wasn't in the least going to say that to this sweet lady, but sister hansen did look at me with a grin, trying really hard not to laugh knowing that I am not the biggest fan of that swimming creature...So I ate it! all of it! and let me tell you, it actually wasn't that bad. look at me. rising up in the world and facing my fears. woot woot! :) But in all seriousness, it was wonderful to feel the Spirit and sincerity of her meal and the effort she put into it to worship her Father in gratitude for her Savior, Jesus Christ. She's actually the one, mom, who is responsible for helping me put together your Mother's Day gift. :) You'll understand when it gets there...so look for it in the mail within the next couple weeks. I'll do my best to get it sent off today but with transfers, it might be next week. Just letting you know! :)

Okey Dokey, let's jump into a question and answer session, shall we?! :)
1.  Were you able to read the letter I received from President Monson's secretary?
um yeah!!! I may or may not have gotten really close to the computer while reading it checking to see if it was a frauded letter...haha! just kidding...that's SOO cool! That surely doesn't happen everyday! :)


2.  TRANSFERS.....what's happening?!?
Well surprise!! I'm staying in mississauga again!!! 4th transfer in this area and 7th transfer in the Weston zone, crazy eh!?! :) I'm training Sister Stoddard, my granddaughter as a new sister training leader!! I'm super excited but really sad Sister Hansen is leaving me - she's off to Brantford with Sister Griffin who was in the MTC with me! :) They're going to do SOO much good together! I love Mississauga!! :)
3.  IF you are being transferred, do you know your new address?
no need!
4.  Were Sharlene, Sharaya and Sheldon able to attend church this week?
nope, next week! :)
5.  How is Deepanwita doing?
Sweet Deepa is doing so well and we actually discovered she's not in our area! awkward....our ward boundaries are cahraaaazy!! haha so we've been going out of our area a lot in the past 3 transfers. woops...it's ok, I didn't know but now I do, I've repented, and now we're good. :) discussing past transgressions...I really shouldn't do that....anyways so she's in Oakville's area. and actually if you would please keep her in your prayers because she has to fly back to India on emergency for her family for 3 months. she said she still really badly wants to be baptized when she gets back but she needs to take care of her mom, so please pray for her, thank you!
6.  Nestle?
Unable to meet due to Easter, next week!
7.  Did your Easter package ever arrive?
not yet, we think it's because Canada had both a holiday on Friday and today and doesn't send or receive any mail on Saturdays so...tomorrow! maybe... :)
8.  Other than church, how did you spend Easter?
See above :)
9.  Kai turns the big "ONE" on Thursday.  Any message for him?
wow what? kai. stop growing little man! I'm just kidding don't, because it just gets so much better up at 5'9" as opposed to 1'4" :) Happy birthday kiddo!!! I can't believe you're so old, especially because I've never met you, but I'm sure you're as cute in person as you look in your pictures! :) I hope your birthday is fantastic, cause it's your first!! well...kind of...HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUNSHINE!!!! also. keep calling me by that crazy dutch name that I love so much, your mommy told me abou it but I don't remember how to say/spell/hear it. so....hope you do! :) Love you! happy birthday!
10.  Any message for Erika about her baptism?
CONGRATULATIONS ERIKA!!!! I can't believe you're SOO big! I hope your baptism was just lovely, remember to write down how you feel so you can have it for forever! :) I love you so much hun, and know that I am praying for you! hope you can feel it, too! :) Happy baptism sweetheart and God is so very proud of you, as am I! :)

FINISH MY SENTENCE:

11.  When I found out about transfers, I....
was so insanely shocked! We were waiting for the elders to tell us they was kidding that Sister Hansen was leaving. nope. not kidding! haha but we're both super excited!!
12.  I have felt so blessed this week because....
My testimony of the Savior has grown immensely, and I feel like my love for Him is too much for my body to hold. But how grateful I am have this knowledge!!
13.  After I'm done emailing, I plan to....
help my little companion pack and clean the car and prepare for the new transfer!
14.  My favorite study session this week was about....
The Atonement of my Savior, Jesus Christ. His life, His teachings, His sacrifice, and most importantly, His resurrection. How grateful I am for OUR Savior!!
15.  My favorite teaching moment was....
Teaching Sharlene about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the joy of repentance and forgiveness, I love how repentance is a joyful rather than a dooming process. 
16.  My companion and I bonded over....
Chocolate Easter bunnies and sharing our testimonies of the Resurrected Savior :)
17.  When I saw all of the pictures you sent, I.....
showed them to all the surrounding missionaries and said "LOOK HOW CUTE THEY ARE!!!! I've never met mr. kai, but isn't he cute??? :)"
18.  A goal I have for this upcoming week is....
to help Sister Stoddard LOVE being a sister training leader and with her find 6 new individuals to being teaching! :)
19.  Let me try to sum up what the Atonement means to me....
it's like asking what does your mom mean to you? how do feel about your father? how do you know that God exists? The Atonement means more to me than anything in this world, any joy that I could ever feel, any fancy alliteration that I could gather. To know that One loves me enough to submit Himself to the torture of humankind and rise again simply to allow me to return to the presence of my Father in Heaven gives me peace, humility, solace. There is none other that is capable of such a sacrifice and I am so in debt to Him for what He has done for me. Consecration is literally the least I could possibly to. Sometimes I feel I need to do much more than I'm capable, but I'm reminded, that I musn't wish to do more than I am capable. I must continue forward, dedicated to the discipleship of my calling, and in the end, it will be enough; for I cannot reach past that which He's allotted me. then comes the solace. Ultimate, humble and profound solace.
20.  I will be forever grateful for...
the Atonement of my Savior Jesus Christ
x 5

I wish for you to feel the extent of my testimony, of what I feel inside, but I suppose my Father in Heaven allows only I and Christ to feel the depth of such for my personal growth and His recognition. I know that my Savior has suffered for our sins and sorrows, has died to experience a temporary end, and has risen to open the grave, to give solace. This Atonement is real, I know it! I feel it within every fiber of my being, every part of my anatomic makeup. I KNOW this is true, and because I do, I have solace. We have this knowledge, and everyone needs to know it, for they, too, are children of the Most High God. Let us share it, how great and how sacred is our calling!

Love for now and for ever,
Sister De Groot :)

Missionary Invitation: Chapter 1-Discover your purpose as a missionary, and then make a goal for this coming month of May to share the Gospel! :) remember...it's mother's day...maybe that could help? ;)





Monday, April 14, 2014

He is not here, for He is Risen!!



Mum, PahPea, Family and Friends!!

Hello hello hello! This week was so wonderful! We were able to come in contact with so many prepared people and set up times to meet with them this week! The Easter feel is definitely in the air here in Mississauga! At all times, testify of Christ and the Spirit will be present I love it!! :) 

Here's a quote taken from President Scott's email this week that I loved: Elder Dallin H. Oaks. Elder Oaks said, “It is not….enough for us to be convinced of the gospel; we must act and think so that we are converted by it. In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something. …… It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.” (The Challenge to Become, Liahona, Jan. 2001, 40; Ensign, Nov. 2000, 32).


let's go onto some QUESTION TIME, shall we?

1.  What was your reaction when you read that I had sent President Monson your "finding his neighbor from the 60's" story?
WOW WHAT?!?! haha that's awesome and crazy and um...I was super shocked!! :)
2.  Did you get to visit with Bradley this week?
Unfortunately no, Reza called and told us we were unable to come see him anymore. it's a very interesting situation, but at this point, Bradley is 100% in the Lord's Hands because we can't contact him anymore. It's a process, and missionaries will find him again, I'll pray for him forever until that happens! :)
3.  Are Sharlene, Sharaya and Sheldon still on target for baptism EASTER SUNDAY
No, they were unable to attend church due to a sickness in the family, so they're date will be pushed a couple weeks and they're still doing great!
4.  Anyone else you have met and/or are teaching?
Deepanwita-referred to the website from her coworker. they weren't allowed to talk church at work so she showed her the website and now she's preparing for baptism on the 4th! SOOO prepared! There's a way to share the gospel without talking about it at work, try it out! :)
Nestle-found when we dropped by a mormon.org referral but turns out the person who requested one didn't live there...we taught him the restoration on his doorstep and he was SOO excited to read the Book of Mormon! Said it all just makes sense that God would continue to talk to us today in the same way He has before; a prophet, 12 apostles, revelation and the priesthood, etc. I love prepared people! They're everywhere if we'll just listen to the Spirit! :)
5.  What exchanges did you go on this week?
Sister Colvin here in the North and Hermana Sandall here in the North :) they're such great missionaries! Love them both!!
6.  Did you receive your Easter package yet?  (I tried sending it extra early, as things seems to be taking longer and longer to get to you!)
not yet...but packages sometimes come on mondays after emails. we'll see. :)
7.  What was the funniest thing that happened to you this week?
ok not super funny as it was adorable and made us smile. ha so we contacted this nice Serbian man who spoke VERY little English, just got here 2 months ago. We were super nice to him and invited him to English class to which he was so grateful that he went to his trunk and pulled out 2 bottled waters from his groceries he had just purchased and gave us each a handful of Halls cough drops. haha SO cute!! haha I love how those from other countries show their gratitude; 'CANDY'! :)
8.  What are you most looking forward to this coming week?
The celebration of Easter in the air! I love the "love of Christ" that floods the world around Christmas and Easter. I do wish that everyone made it more of a pattern in their lives each and every day, but hey, that's why I'm here, helping others and myself make the Savior a pattern of righteous living in our everyday lives! and I love every second of it!
9.  What was your favorite study session centered on?
My Savior Jesus Christ. try it out - I personally read 1 Nephi 9 and then went on a rampage of the number 116. hymns-come follow me. Book of Mormon-2 Nephi 33, Nephi testifies of Christ. Bible-exodus 24, all the Lord has said, we will do. Doctrine and Covenants-section 63, none are saved but by purchase of blood. topical guide-renewal of Earth, East (Christ will come :)), Eat (sacrament). EVERYTHING testifies of Christ as the Savior and I love ALL of it!!!
10.  What are your plans for the rest of the day?
send off some stuff, shop, clean, eat, and go onto an exchange in Toronto!
11.  Any thoughts on what will happen with transfers next week?
Sister Hansen is staying here and I am leaving. my guess. we'll see...:) We'll go wherever God would like us to go! 

FINISH MY SENTENCE:
12.  If I could have one wish, it would be...
that it would stay this warm as it has been! 20' (68*F) this morning with LOTS of humidity! :)
13.  I could hardly wait to tell you....
HAPPY EASTER!!!
14.  Something "new" that I learned this week was...
Boldly testifying of Jesus Christ touches hearts, especially those who do not believe He is our Savior, for He is! I know it.
15.  My favorite companion bonding moment was....
giggling and eating our Halls together from our serbian friend :) such a nice man.
16.  It's been a while since I shared an embarrassing moment.  This weeks "E/M" brought to you by....
actually...I don't think I had one this week!! WOOHOO!! moving up in the world...:)
17.  In honor of Alexis and Amanda, my service this week is....
Focusing on sharing the Plan of Salvation with everyone that we met, with them in mind. This week we had lots of appointments and were looking for opportunities to serve but those we offered really didn't want our help...haha So to do the best service, we shared the Plan of Salvation with many people, especially testifying of Jesus Christ as the Savior and the ability we have to see those we love again. Everything is possible through our Father's plan through our Savior Jesus Christ. How grateful I am for the knowledge that I'll be able to be with those 2 sweet ones again! I love this truth!
18.  One of the things I love most about President Scott is...
the fact that he can throw down in the most loving way possible. I don't know how he does it. you know how you feel when Elder Bednar speaks and you just want to be better, go out and conquer the world? yeah, well...President Scott. :)
19.  One of the things I love most about Sister Scott is....
SHE"S JUST SO CUTE!!! she is a bit soft spoken and every time she talks with you, you just know she loves you so much. flood of love!
20.  One of my favorite things about Canada is....
perogies. canadian pride. The fact that all nations kindreds tongue and people are here in Toronto, where I serve. LOVE IT! here they have ontario family day. also the geese here are huge. seriously huge.
21.  This week's "Gratitude Attitude" list includes...
the resurrection 
my calling
study journals
prepared people
God's Plan

Well, I need to go again this week. I'll do my best to email next monday but because of the holiday, we might need to do it wednesday. We'll do our best!! (see president's email) :) I know this Gospel is True! Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, and He lives! How grateful I am for this knowledge! Let us share it with all! I love you all, how great is our calling!!

Love for now and for ever,
Sister De Groot :)

Missionary Invitation: Study the life of our Savior Jesus Christ as laid out in the Book of Mormon on the front page of chapter 3, lesson 2 in Preach My Gospel. Record your feelings and what you learn and then share them with a friend. sharing caring...doing missionary work...yes! :)

me and the "Halls" and the "water"
went to the mandarin for the first time with sister calletly!! 
Tanner-she LOVES you! :) 
It was so fun to talk about the cute Wheadon family with her! 

Monday, April 7, 2014

If you have a GRATITUDE ATTITUDE!! :0)



Mum, PahPea, Family and Friends!!

Hey hey hey! What a tremendous week filled with miracles, answered prayers, and inspiring words from our Father's Special Witnesses! How I LOVE General Conference so much!! I remember when the rest of the clan were on missions and they were talking about how General Conference was like Christmas morning for missionaries. um....TOTALLY IS! :) ah man, I love it so much! also, it made me giggle to hear all the snoring in the chapel during the last session, some got a bit tired....:)

There's just WAY too much to describe all that I learned from Conference, but one thing I loved hearing was President Uchtdorf talk about gratitude. ok, could we see a show of hands who had the "gratitude attitude" song stuck in there heads throughout the whole talk?  I know most of the De Groot's did, that's for sure! :) I also loved Elder Cook talk about Family History.  This work is something near and dear to my heart! :)

I could go on for eternity, but for now let's switch gears into QUESTION TIME, shall we? :)
1.  Miss Peyton turns 4 on Wednesday!  Any message for her?
Happy Birthday Miss P!!! my goodness, you are old! I hope you have a wonderful day filled with joy, family and food! The latter 2 are bound to bring the first! :) Love you dearly, sweetheart! Happy Birthday!
2.  Do I dare ask if you took a picture of you and Sister Hansen wearing glasses?
sure did! see...sometimes I'm reliable! ;) yikes.... (and P.S.  I look like Dorie!!  haha)


3.  How is our little friend, Bradley, doing?
Sadly, we are no longer able to meet with him. We were called by his father who told us he won't be attending church anymore. I'll be honest, it was a bit hard to hear that, but they said that we're still able to drop in every now and then to say hi, which is good. We're still on good terms, but Bradley is pretty sad. We went to see someone else in his building when Bradley and his father came out of the elevator, and poor Bradley looked so sad. When he saw us, his face lit up so happily, it was the sweetest thing in the world!  He told us he was on his way to his Grandmother's church which he doesn't enjoy all that much. It was hard to see the concern in his eyes. He may only be 11, but he has such a powerful spirit within him. I was praying about him that night and then had a dream where he was telling us that he knows the church is true and that although he wasn't allowed to be baptized at that time, he'll find the church again in the future and make that covenant then. I felt such a peaceful assurance when I awoke that everything was going to work out, for it always does. I love that little boy so much and I'm so grateful that our Father in Heaven is aware of each one of us personally!
4.  Sharlene, Sharaya and Sheldon?
Doing so well! Sharlene was able to attend General Conference yesterday, and said it was just like confession. We were a little confused because our perception of confession was nothing like conference...so we asked her to explain and she corrected herself and compared it to testimonies. wooh!  That made more sense!! haha Sharaya was unable to come - she stayed home with Sheldon because he didn't sleep the whole night before, poor guy. They're planning on being baptized on the 20th! Super exciting!! :)
5.  What is the coldest and warmest the weather got this past week?
coldest was about -7 (19* Fahrenheit) and warmest about 9 (48*F)  Ahh, it was so wonderful!!! :)
6.  Where did you watch General Conference?
in the wonderful Mississauga Chapel :)
7.  Were you able to watch both sessions on Saturday and Sunday?
absolutely!
8.  The Priesthood Session was also televised.  Did the Sister Missionaries watch it?  (If not, have you heard about it?)
no and not really
9.  What was the single-most enlightening message you got out of Conference?
Agency is the gift that your Father in Heaven has given you, and it is truly tremendous. It gives us the ability to choose for ourselves. Choose our attitude. Choose our level of diligence. Choose our level of obedience. Choose who we follow. Choose our diligence of discipleship. It's all our choice. and that choice is joyful! Let us wake up each morning with the understanding that we control the outcome of each and everyday, Maybe not everything that happens during the day, but the outcome is surely up to us. The outcome is our choice. Let us choose to be faithful regardless of our circumstances, regardless of the opposition against us. for when we're following truth, opposition will ALWAYS accompany it. Stay strong and carry on. :)
10.  Were their any "say, WHAT?!?" moments during Conference?
haha when the experience was shared about the trailer being lifted on top of the other trailer and then he said "life is not like this" haha loved it. :)

FINISH MY SENTENCE:
11.  Did you know that....
Preach My Gospel's are really cheap at the distribution center? you should go get one. today. just saying. ;)
12.  I've been so excited to tell you that....
I have a surprise for my family for Christmas and it was mentioned in General Conference. tee hee. I'll tell you sometime in the future. SO excited!!! :) OH! and I GOT THE CAR KEY BACK THAT I DROPPED DOWN THE ELEVATOR SHAFT ON CHRISTMAS!!! 3 months later! woohoo! :) so relieved. ah man. so. relieved.
13.  My greatest "aha" moment happened when....
the understanding of agency flooded into my soul throughout all last week and into General Conference.
14.  Sister Hansen and I....
Love this work so much, and love you all! thanks for all you do!!!
15.  "Exchanges" this week included....
Sister Fisher in my old area, Etobicoke South and Hermana Martin in Black Creek North
16.  I love it when.....
I go on exchange and I end up meeting a lady named Paula, who well...let me tell you our little meeting, shall I? ps. try not to freak out. :)
"Hi ma'am, how are you?" I asked.
"Doing well thanks, sorry I'm not really interested but I'll take a card." she responded.
"Awesome, here you are, also on...."
"NO WAY, YOU'RE MORMON??!!"
"um......yes. you know about Mormons?!"
"yeah! Back in the 60's we lived across from a very sweet family in Toronto that were missionaries."
"a family of missionaries? really? were they wearing nametags like us?"
"yeah, the parents did. The Monson family, little tommy and anne and another little one, they were so sweet!"
(**sidenote of my brain: wow hold up, WHAT???!!! the MONSON family?? you mean the prophet Monson family that served as a mission president here, yeah what???!?!!?!?!?!?! um, yeah hi, WhAT?!! ok, Sister De Groot chill, don't freak her out...ok. I'm calm. I'm cool.**)
"Oh really? That's so cool, did he ever give you a copy of the Book of Mormon or share our beliefs with you?"
"not with me, but he did give one to my sister, she actually told me he got pretty high in the church or something.."
"yeah, actually ma'am, he's been called as the Prophet of God on the Earth today"
"wow....that's....wow...."
"in fact, we get to see him this weekend......" and then I proceeded to invite her to conference and talked about what would happen and that she'd be able to see him and possibly "little" anne as well. SOO crazy!!! so yeah. I met President Monson's neighbor from back in the 60's. yeah wow. :) Fun times!! :) Not interested, but maybe one day! We'll just pass on the information to President Monson, let him know that his neighbor still remembers him and still lives in Etobicoke :) haha so cool! 
17.  When I read what the Johnson Family was planning to do to honor Alexis and Amanda, I felt.....
so much love for those two girls, and for the Johnson family on this wonderful opportunity! Just know that I'll be doing the same service up here in Mississauga, Ontario! I love you!!
18.  In the mail this week, I received.....
um well, nothing yet! :)
19.  A gift idea for my birthday next month is.....
wow I'm old next month...um...I dunno...maybe some updated pictures of the family? :)
20.  This week I am especially grateful for...
-the joy that comes from living the Gospel of Jesus Christ
-hearing the words of God's chosen servants upon the Earth today
-having the opportunity to take WHATEVER people say and tie it to the  Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. truly, whatever they say. for example. this  week, I talked with a man who was going off on basketball and what he has to eat to keep him fit. Then I say, "you know, spiritual things keep us fit too, let me tell  you about them"...and then the restoration is easily tied in. so fun. :)
-being able to serve alongside Sister Hansen. she's just so great.
-serving the Lord. I truly love being a missionary!

Well, I'm off! I know that this work is the work of the Lord! I know that our Father in Heaven did, indeed, call again a prophet, Joseph Smith, to restore the Church of Jesus Christ back to the Earth and that President Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet of God on the Earth today. I know that the Book of Mormon and the Bible are scripture from our Father in Heaven.  I love this work because it is true! I am a missionary each and every day because it is true! and I testify that each one of us, whether we're living now or those who have passed before us, have the opportunity to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a glorious truth! One in which I find joy in sharing each and every day! How do you find that joy? Let me know, for how GREAT is our calling!

Love for now and for ever,
Sister De Groot :)

Missionary Invitation: Remember how sometime last year I invited you all to buy a Preach My Gospel, well, I failed to follow up and stay true to using my invitations from that book, but I will do so from this point forward, so this week, go buy one! :) or look online and get excited, because I'll be using it lots and lots each week! :) Let's grow together shall we?! also...I sound like I'm from a Barney episode or something...yikes...:) Have a great week!

also. didn't mean to hide my nametag in this picture...I felt really bad, snap! 



Here's my NAME TAG!!!  :0)