After all that has been said and done, the most important duty is to preach the gospel. -Joseph Smith Jr.

NOTE FROM SHERYL:

   You'll notice that this weeks letter from Sister De Groot does not include a "Question Time/Finish My Sentence" portion.  Why, you might wonder?  Well, here's the story...

   Last Sunday evening I sat down to write an email to Janelle, as I have done every Sunday for the past 18 months.  After writing and hitting the SEND button, I ALWAYS go into her myldsmail.net account to double-check that the letter was received.  "ALWAYS"....except for last Sunday, when I was extremely tired and decided that "of course!" it was in her inbox....after all, wasn't it ALWAYS?!?  In spite of the nagging "you'd better make sure!" feeling that I had - over and over - I decided that checking my SENT box was adequate.  BIG MISTAKE!!!

   You can imagine (if you're a missionary mom, that is!) how TERRIBLE I felt when I discovered mid-Monday (after teaching swimming lessons, which is why I didn't check her inbox earlier that morning) that she had NEVER RECEIVED MY LETTER (my SIL, Janice, did instead....OOPS!!!)  :0(  

   I quickly wrote a note to the mission secretary, explaining what had happened, and asking her to inform my sweet daughter of the mishap "if she happened to talk to her".  (Naturally, I really meant "PLEASE CALL HER ASAP AND TELL HER!!!!")  Well, she "happened" to talk to her on Tuesday and relayed my message (THANK YOU, THANK YOU, Sister Green!!).  The message I received back (from Janelle, via Sister Green) was "CHERRIES", which means...

"I love you to the moon and back, to infinity and beyond, always and forever, whatever you say PLUS A CHERRY ON TOP!!!"  

Well, Jay, CHERRIES back to you!!!  I hope you enjoy reading TWO weeks of letters next Monday!!  :0)

Mum, PahPea, Family, and Friends!

Hello there! I simply need to express how grateful I am for this wonderful work, yet there truly are not sufficient words to describe it. (how many times have I said that? probably a lot....:D) President and Sister Scott return home at the end of this week and it's weird to see them go. I appreciate President and Sister Scott so much. Actually, appreciate is not a good enough word. Love. Love fits better. eyup. I love them dearly. I love the examples that they are to all of us missionaries and everyone they meet, the admiration they have for our Savior and our Father in Heaven's plan, the sweetness of Sister Scott and how the soul is being pierced by the Spirit whenerver she talks with someone, the love they show for each other, the level of expectation they hold for us to live up to our eternal potential, and simply everything about them both. I thank them both so much for the miracles they have spearheaded in this mission by the power of the Holy Ghost. They are seriously INCREDIBLE instruments in the Hands of the Lord. Definitely molded to fit perfectly in the Hands of the Carpenter. They've shown me the importance of living up to your potential, no matter what, to always take the calling that our Father has commissioned you to do and run with it with a smile on your face! :) goodness, I love them. ok. my Scott ranting is over. thanks for bearing with me. :)

Sister De Groot with President and Sister Scott  :0)

So....This week! It was great. We found a few new investigators that came to church on Sunday! Laurie and Derek and their 3 kids all under 8. they're adorable. :) Tunde also came to church after sacrament meeting and apologized profusely for missing the first hour. ah man. She's just so cute :) She's expressed desires to be baptized a bit down the road because of the difficulties she's going through, so our plan is to help her see the blessings of baptism and the peace that comes now from living the Gospel. I love the blessings of the Gospel that flow to us as we sincerely live it, it's astounding how instantly that happens. What a miracle. :) I haven't heard an update on Robert or Kresho in Mississauga, all I know is that they weren't baptized this week! Hopefully I can hear soon about their progression so I can let you know, rest asured, I'll let you know when I know as well! :)

Our area has been progressing little by little each day, and I love it! I was thinking about how it connects to light and darkness-something we, as a mission are studying in preparation for tomorrow's zone conference-and how sometimes we feel we are moving at a snails pace, desiring to move much faster, when in reality, there is no other way but to move at that speed, for the snail cannot move any faster, that's the speed the Lord has blessed him with. When we're in that moment, we feel there is no possible way to get to where we need to go at the time we planned to get there, and pray helplessly for guidance and direction. We receive it and follow it, feeling that it hasn't really made a difference, but he hikes up to a rock anyways, where we feel like giving up. When in reality, our Savior guided him there so that someone bigger could lift the rock he sat on and take him to where he needed to go, much quicker than he could on his own. That's the whole point. we don't understand why sometimes, we just do it and trust that the Father will allow all things to work out, if we allow it to. How humbling this experience has been for me. For it I will be forever grateful, helping others learn of the same life lessons through the sharing of the Restored Gospel of our Savior.

Sister Fisher and I are getting along SOO well. We have so much joy in this work! :) We changed our alarm to this quote by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland as he addressed missionaries in the Missionary Training Center, "Elders and Sisters, don't you ever quit. don't you ever give up, don't ever talk to me about going home. I've said from this pulpit before I am manifestly the wrong man in this world to talk to about whether you want to go home, you better talk to somebody else. Because I am absolute, totally, and completely biased, I am insufferable on that subject. I would wrestle you to the ground, I would grapple with you all the way to the airplane terminal, I'd get into your backpack and go with, you will never get rid of me! You try to go home, you look up in the middle of the night of your bedroom window and I'll be there! and I might scratch. I might make sounds. Just don't you ever turn away from this greatest experience of your life." Amen. :) I love elder Holland so much! The mission truly has been something that I needed to experience for my growth and for the growth of my investigators I've had the privilege of teaching. For those of you who are questioning whether you want to serve a mission, I ask you, why question it? Why even contemplate it? Why second whether you would like to sacrifice 2 years or 18 months to be in the daily, full time service of your Father in Heaven? Being exactly obedient to the work of the Lord to allow the Spirit with you constantly so that you can truly be an actual instrument in the Hands of the Lord to aid in bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man? This is real, brothers and sisters. If you haven't served and you know you need to, please serve. for those who have served and have lost the vision of their calling, I invite you to allow yourself to be reawakened. I love this Gospel too much to not invite you to make changes in your life, as I am doing in mine to be in closer harmony with the Savior's teachings. I don't know why I went on this rant, I wasn't intending to, but the Spirit led, and I followed. How grateful I truly am to be in the Lord's service. This truly is the greatest work of the Almighty God. and I just love it! :)

Thank you for all you do. thank you for your love of the Savior, for your dedication to His work and your commission, thank you for praying for all missionaries throughout the world, thank you for praying for those who do not yet have the restored gospel in their lives, thank you for choosing in the preexistence to come to this Earth and go throughout these experiences. Thank you. I love all of you so much and hope you feel of my gratitude and love toward you all! This Gospel is true. I know it to be! and how grateful I am for the opportunities we all have been given! How great is our calling!

Love for now and for ever,

Sister De Groot :)

Missionary Invitation: write down what you believe is your commission. come up with your title of liberty. and then put it somewhere where you'll see it daily to remind you of the great calling you accepted before you even came here! do so prayerfully. I'm sure it'll be inspiring to you. :) PMG pg V

p.s.pictures! 

Pollyanna and her adorably pregnant self, received her endowments last week and is having a baby very soon!!! isn't she cute??? :)

 and another MLC picture!

p.s.s. mom! thank you so much for the package, you're the greatest! you'll get a picture when it's the 4th of july!!! :) I LOVE YOU!!!!!

We should accept truth no matter where it comes from.

Mum, PahPea, Family, and Friends!!

 

Hello Hello! Greetings from Oshawa, the blessed land of Ontario! :) I love it here so much. Like really. Miracles are unfolding everyday in the simplest ways in other's eyes, but tremendous in ours. Because of the Father's Day weekend (**HAPPY BEST FATHERS DAY TO THE BEST FATHER IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD**), everyone was out of town and were unable to meet. Sad day, but it's alright, happenings are looking up for this week! We keep meeting incredibly prepared people that just recently moved in within the past 3 weeks and they've never met missionaries before so....woohoo!!! :) I'm SUPER excited for this week. We are focusing on helping our investigators to attend sacrament meeting this week, so if you could pray for the Oshawa Zone, that would be greatly appreciated! :) Prayers are being offered on your behalf as well, from over here, I hope you know! If you need anything you need me to pray for, please let me know or else, well...I won't know! haha

 

I wanted to share a quote from C.S. Lewis that was included in President's email this week. From it we gain insights as to how Heavenly Father shapes and refines us into far more than we ever could have imagined we could be. He said, “Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of—throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace” (C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, New York: MacMillan Co., 1960, p. 160).

 

How about we answer some questions. eyup. let's do that. ready go.

1.  Alma 59:15-16 (your subject line last week) doesn't exist.  What was the scripture you meant?

woops. I meant chapter 39. ah man. that was probably super anticlimatic wasn't it? hmm. next time.
2.  Any FATHER's DAY message for your dad?

I LOVE YOU PAHPEA! happy father's day!!! I hope your day was incredible and you feel the love and the joy that I have knowing that you're my daddy! You've taught me SOO much, one thing in particular that I will love you forever for, is teaching me to love my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ. You leave your hometown and your eyes are opened to the reality that Satan truly has hold upon many families throughout the world, convincing them that families are not important. You, on the other hand, help me experience the joy of family and that it's an eternal unit through the power of the Priesthood. and for that, I will be forever grateful. I love you dad!!
3.  G'ma DeGroot's birthday is on Thursday.  Anything you'd like me to pass on to her?

Happy Birthday Grandma!!! I keep thinking how close (in distance) I am to you, and that allows me to reflect on the incredible selfless example you are to me!! I love you dearly and hope you have the greatest birthday ever! I love you and pray for you daily! LOVE you Grandma!
4.  How are things going with Dominique?

She is ignoring us...so...once we meet with her, we'll let you know! haha
5.  Ligia?

she wants to meet with us so badly but is consumed with finding a place to live by the end of the month that she can't. So if you could, please pray that circumstances will allow her to meet with us, thanks so much! she's doing great reading and praying though, that's for sure! :)
6.  Tunde?

doing well, was able to come to church yesterday and received a blessing for her back - she was in an accident last year and she's still feeling pain. The poor woman. Prayers are deeply appreciated and of course felt, thank you!
7.  Vincenzo?

one of those Father's day traveling investigators. We'll for sure meet this week though!!
8.  Have you received an update on Robert?

not yet 
9.  What about Kresho?

nope 

10. Anyone else I'm missing???

nope haha

FINISH MY SENTENCE...
11. This past week, Sister Fisher and I bonded over....

nightly lullabys. she literally will not let me go to sleep until I sing to her the song I sang at this past MLC with Sister Hansen, Sister Felix, and Elder Romrell. she really liked it. ha. she's so cute. :)
12. Did you know that....

I love you?
13. I could hardly wait to tell you....

that I love you.
14. Something I would like to improve on this coming week is...

100% not thinking of myself. Obviously I need to improve and do better, but I sometimes tend to focus on those things and lose track of the most important things that I am doing.

15. A companionship goal for this week is....

to role play 5x throughout the day in the car to receive revelation for our investigators :) oh role plays. gotta love them. :)
16. This week's exchanges included (   place   ) with (   sister   ) and sharing the gospel by (   method(s) used   )...

Sister Stats in Richmond Hill North, and Sister Hennessey here in Oshawa by focusing on Alma 7 and Almna 57, focusig on the Atonement of our Savior and thriving in the areas we feel the most uncomfortable in missioanary work. AKA: thrive in awkward situations! :)
17. My favorite study session this week centered on....

Justice and mercy
18. Something I am really looking forward to this week is....

FINDING THE ELECT!!
19. If I could talk face to face with the Savior, I would ask Him...

Why am I so blessed?
20. I am so grateful for...

my daddy

Preach My Gospel

Sister Fisher

the sacrament

Temples

 

Well, I am off! I love you all so so much and want you all to know that I know this Gospel is true. I know that our Father in Heaven is, indeed, there! Jesus Christ was not only necessary in God's plan, but He lives today as a witness that He was crucified and resurrected for our eternal progression! I know this to be true, and I know it through the power of the Holy Ghost! How GREAT is our calling!

 

Love for now and for ever,

Sister De Groot :)

 

Missionary Invitation: Study the simplicities of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and then share it. Start with Faith this week in Preach My Gospel. What does faith mean to you? now go share that with someone :)

Alma 59:15-16 our calling :)

Mum, PahPea, Family and Friends!

OSHAWA!!!!! man. I love it here! seriously, the people, the missionaries, the investigators, my companion, these sisters, this work. everything and everyone!!! I just love it! Let's just jump in, eh? yup. let's do that. :)

so....

QUESTION TIME!

1.  Were you able to say your good-byes in Mississauga?  (How did that go?)

um....not really. I just kind of left haha! I mean, I told a couple people, "mama" included (sister ennever, this adorable jamaican lady that feeds us all the time) and she cried on the phone. man, that broke my heart! We called Robert to let him know and he was SOO funny! He goes "wait, you're leaving?? why? it's ok, God needs you there, but is it ok if I continue to learn from you two before you go, just like shadow you when you talk with people? I want to learn everything there is to learn about this church! if you go to a park to talk with people, can I come? I can just fly a kite in the background, can we fly kites? is that ok? we can even go kayaking, let's do that, can we do that?" ah man Robert. he's one of my favorite people ever! haha I am waiting to hear the update with him from Sister Stoddard, so we can see how he's doing! :)   

2.  What were your first impressions of Oshawa?

IT'S LIKE A CLEAN LONDON!!!!! seriously. I love it so much! love. it. 

3.  What can you tell me about Sister Fisher (other than she's from Fiji)?

she's so much fun, has an INCREDIBLE testimony, so consecrated, oldest of 5, 22 years old, laughs all the time, and makes me sing her to sleep. ha!

4.  How are you two getting along?

super duper well! I've gone on 2 exchanges with her in the past so it's awesome to have her as a companion now!!! :) We LOVE working together!!!

5.  Describe your living conditions...

basement. homey. hard wood floors. not much lighting though...we say we live in the cave. :) (working on that...) clean. have to be quiet because there's a baby in the room above ours. yeah that's hard....but it's just so great!

6.  When you open up the front door to your new home, what is the first thing you see?

the backyard. :) and a nice tree that I've hit myself in the face with like 4 times already. :)

7.  Any updates on Kresho from before you left?

we were able to meet with him the night before I left and felt like we've been going in circles with him, to be honest. But Sister Stoddard said they've made some progress this past week, we didn't have a lot of time to discuss it before our MLC, so when I find out, I'll let you know!

8.  What about Robert?

HE WENT TO CHURCH (apparantly...)!!!!!! ah. He's doing great, said he's now listening intently on the discussions!! I love it!!! :)

9.  How big is your new ward/branch?

huge. like seriously Ginormous. about 240 active. That may seem small for Utah, but here, it's huge, well at least in comparison to the wards I've seen in. :)

10. Did you and Sister Fisher replace Sisters or Elders?  (And how many are serving in your new ward/branch?)

we replaced sisters, Sister Zerkle and Sister Felix actually. the whitby sisters just whitewashed elders in our ward as well as 2 other companionships in the zone, including the zone leaders. 3 companionships are in our ward, us, sister harwyluck, sister clark, elder crutchfield, and elder mangakahia. our ward. :)

11. Did your "ORANGE" package arrive before you left Mississauga? (if not, how does it work for you to get it?)

sure did!!! thank you SOOO much, you are the sweetest!!! I LOVED everything in it!!! hey mom, how are you so clever? haha my companions know you're the most creative missionary mom in the world! :) LOVE YOU!!!

 FINISH MY SENTENCE:

12. Preparing for a transfer entails....

planning in 3 different ways-for you staying, for you going, or for you being whitewashed out. good times. :)

13. The first thing I did when I arrived in Oshawa was....

call the auxiliaries, investigators and begin dropping by the members! I LOVE WHITEWASHING!:)

14. I'm excited about this new ward because...

They are so missionary minded! On sunday, we had an investigator there, it being her first time, and we didn't even have to ask for anyone to go talk with her or sit by her, EVERYONE wanted to meet her and a few sisters volunteered to sit by her. wow. this is incredible!!!! :) also, mom you'll be happy-we're getting fed EVERY night this week. yup. how we're going to do exchanges with these dinner appointments is beyond me! haha

15. Sister Fisher and I have set the goal to....

Focus on the Savior in all things. take it back to the basics-pure in heart. exact obedience. preach my gospel, find, teach, baptize! I love June!! HARVEST MONTH!!! :) Also, we are going to work with the members like crazy this transfer! There is a better way to do missionary work, and that way is through the members. (President Hinckley) We're so excited to work with them!

16. Those in our "teaching pool" include....

Dominique, Ligia, Tunde and Vincenzo-the last of which we found this week. ah man, you know those prayers you say to find someone who needs the gospel most of all and then you open your eyes and there they are, right in front of you? well. Vincenzo. He's incredible! so ready for the gospel, he's wanting to change his life around after his failed marriage with his wife. The poor guy is hurting, and he's ready to feel the healing of the Atoning sacrifice! Prayers to help him stop smoking and prepare to be baptized on June 29 would be greatly appreciated!! :)

17. Exchanges this week were......

none, we were ensuring that we know our way around the area a little bit, so we smooshed them in to the next 5 weeks! :)

18. Because Friday was Grandma and Papa's 61st anniversary, I would like to tell them....

happy happy anniversary!!!!!! like really. I hope it was great and that you had the greatest anniversary ever! :) LOVE YOU!!!

19. My favorite study session of the week centered on....

The light of Christ and the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. SO great! I would tell you more but I have to go!! man...best for last. I'll start this earlier! :)

20. I am so grateful for....

sister fisher

Oshawa ward!

Charity

sacrifice

unity-it's necessary to progress!

Well, I'm off! I know this church is true, no matter what anyone says! It's true, for the Lord has witnessed it to me! how great is our calling!!

Love for now and for ever,

Sister De Groot :)

Missionary Invitation: Study "companionship unity". whether it's your marriage, your coworker, or whoever, build the unity! Love you!

transfers are here....and I was not expecting this at all...(!) :)

Mum, PahPea, Family and Friends!!

JUNE IS HERE!!!! that's CRAZY!!! haha it's absolutely beautiful!! and hot. but BEAUITFUL!!! :) this week was incredible so I vote I just jump in and share it with you. sound good? awesome. ready go. :)

so.......

1.  Any message for this weeks little graduate?

happy graduation little Lia!!! that's so exciting sweetheart!! as you're getting older each and every day, remember these things: your Aunt J loves you! The Gospel is true! Your Heavenly Father LOVES you! and your mommy and daddy love you! so take that love you feel and share it with your friends! :) I love you little one, happy graduation!!

*this is kindergarten graduation we're talking about, eh? .....:)

2.  TRANSFERS.....what's the scoop?!?  (details, Details, DETAILS!!!)

Mark this day in history, my friends, because I'm leaving the Weston Zone! WHAT?! I've been transferred to Oshawa, white washing in with a new Sister Training Leader, Sister Fisher who I love and adore SOO much! She's from Fiji and just so great! :) Sister Stoddard is staying here with...guess who's coming back?!...SISTER EDWARDS!!! ah. greatest powerhouse of a companionship those two are going to be!!! 

3.  How do you feel about the way transfers have panned out?

I'll be honest, initially, I was super sad, I LOVE weston, I've been here for 7 transfers (10 months)!!! but I know it's where the Lord wants me and I'm super excited to jump right into the new area and get to work!! :) woot woot!

4.  How is Krusho progressing?

surprise. his name is kresho. woops....he JUST corrected us this week!! haha the goob. he's doing really well, he's praying every day now but says he's still not sure how to recognize answers and how the spirit works, so that's what we'll be focusing on more tonight. Any other ideas how to help him recognize the Spirit? RM's insights needed! :)

5.  Are you teaching anyone else now?

ROBERT! ah man. He is SUCH a miracle!!! So on Friday, Sister Stoddard and I were taking inventory of the transfer and feeling a bit down on ourselves that we're struggling to help our progressing investigators take the step of baptism and then, in the moment we needed it most... I looked at the phone where we had a media referral in our inbox!!!! WAHOOO!!! These are the best :) Here is what it said :) 

"Robert... Temple square visitors center...Please visit him. He wants to be baptized as soon as possible! He is Golden! Please! Please!" I was so excited I might have started crying :) So we call him up and he. is. the. funniest. person. we. have. ever. met! He talks to us for like... 20 minutes! He went to Temple Square 2 years ago! Why we just got his info? I don't know :) He is SO excited to meet with us! He tells us how he knows and has searched through EVERY religion... even satanic cults... scary I know... He has about 12 versions of the Bible and has read them all! He even has a bible that has historical evidence going along with everything it says... he is intense. So we rush to get a member and go to the church :) The Chinese Elders are there prepping for a lesson too! So we step outside. Both of us lock ourselves out of the church! OH NO! Robert was there! So... we walk around... and a door was miraculously open! An angel opened it up I'm sure :) He. Is. AWESOME! He's from England. He is solid. So, we have to end our lesson short because we need to drive to Toronto! We call him the next day. After our lesson he parked in a random parking lot under a street lamp and stayed up until 4:30 reading! He read the whole gospel principles book and a ton of the Book of Mormon. HOLY COW. He is SOLID. He was going to come to Stake Conference, but on his way he saw an elderly lady that needed help. How can we get mad at him for that? He is GREAT! He has stayed up that late just about every night reading! He is great. He has a TON of doctrinal concerns though... PRAY FOR HIM! Pray oh pray for Robert! He has so much real intent it's insane!! He calls us multiple times a day super excited about something... or with a question about something else! If only I could continue to teach him, but Sister Edwards is needed with him! ah man, he's just so great! :)

6.  What was the HIGHLIGHT of your week?

Robert. definitely a prayer answered. :)

7.  Did you eat anything unusual this week?

I don't think so...kind of a let down, eh? :)

8.  In your everyday routine, what is something that you really look forward to?

teaching appointments with members!!! ah, the power of a members testimony is miraculous!! The Spirit is so strong when they testify to our investigators and their friends!! LOVE it!!! :)

9.  Did any mail and/or packages arrive this week?

SURE DID!! ah man, mom, thank you SOOO much for the picture book!!! I loved seeing the updated pictures of my family! I may or may not leave it by my bed so sisters on exchanges can see how cute you all are! ;) and the hi-chews?!?! thank you! they might be all gone...:)

10. What is something that you are really looking forward to, this coming week?

Whitewashing a new area with a new sister training leader, Sister Fisher!!! man. this is so crazy, I've forgotten what to do in a new area! haha

FINISH MY QUESTION:

11. I've been really looking forward to telling you....

about white washing. and robert. and sister fisher. and that I love you. 

12. My favorite study session centered on...

The reality of the testaments molding into one-the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and modern scripture from the words of living prophets and apostles. ah man. SOOO cool.

13. Did you know that....

Oshawa has to drive 3 hours to get to exchanges sometimes? ah man...I'm a little nervous for my sanity...ha! bring on weekly planning in the car! :)

14. An area I would like to improve on is...

using members MUCH MUCH more! They are so vital in these individuals progress into the restored church, and we leave! but they don't! :)

15. My favorite teaching moment was...

Robert. man. He is literally desperate for this knowledge, it's incredible to see and feel!

16. I was so surprised when...

I got transferred. like so so so so so surprised. it still doesn't feel real. ha!

17. Although I feel my Saviors love daily, I felt it especially strong when...

we role played teaching Kresho this morning. I can't even describe. I recommend role playing when you don't know what to do. warning: the Spirit will probably slap you in the face in a very gentle manner. :)

18. As I look back on this past transfer, I can see that Sister Stoddard and I improved by...

Trusting the Lord with everything in us and going to work, and there is indeed a huge difference between missionary work and merely doing missionary things. the latter is not nearly as fulfilling. It is so incredible. and Sister Stoddard? Yeah. She's incredible. I have learned so much about consecrated work, using all time effectively, positive thinking, energetic working, and looking forward with an eye of faith. Do I love her? absolutely. (!) :)

19. I enjoyed going on exchanges with __________ in ____________

Sister Ormond, Mississauga South

Hermana Aparicio, Black Creek Central

Sister Anderson, Weston South

20. One of my favorite things about being a STL is...

learning more and more about how the Lord's house is truly a house of order and being able to help in that order. These sisters are so incredible and my love for them is unmeasurable!!! :)

21. I will be forever grateful for...

the mission

Sister Stoddard

trials

the scriptures

our Father's Plan of Happiness

Well, I know this work is true!!! I love it with all my heart and I am so excited to learn in the service of my Father in Oshawa! woot woot!! :) I know our Savior Lives, I know that this is His work, I know that the church of our Savior was restored to the Earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith! I know it all, and I know so through the power of the Holy Ghost. How great is our calling!

Love for now and for ever,

Sister De Groot :)

Missionary Invitation: Study the Role of the Book of Mormon in teaching, chapter 5 in Preach My Gospel and then go on a study of how the Book of Mormon and the Bible connect to testify of our Savior and what we must do here to receive salvation. in.cred.i.ble. :)

"It's Called Eternal Progression"

Mum, PahPea, Family and Friends!

Hello all!! what a wonderful and beautifully sunny week here in Mississauga! We are doing so well and loving every second of the work!! I may or may not have gotten a little burnt in the past couple days but it's not bad, so don't you worry! it's just really hot out here! haha Love it dearly! :) I'm glad to hear preschool and work and all those things are going well back there, know that I pray for you all daily!! :)

so...how about we do some QUESTION TIME. mmm k? :)

1.  Have you received any mail - letters or packages - from home?

I got a letter from Amber and a package from you!!! :) Thanks so much, oreos is creating all these fantastic flavors of excitement! I mean, fruit punch?? It was awesome!! :) Thank you so much for all your support and love, it really does mean a lot!!! love you all!!!

2. and 3. sorry....I keep forgetting....

4.  What was the last song you sang?

adam-ondi-ahman :)

5.  Describe today's "feeling in the air"...?

rejuvenated excitement to help our investigators progress and starting anew in our teaching pool! :) plus, "relatively cool temperatures so..can't complain, really." Thank you Elder Christensen from the district 2 :)

6.  How is Krusho doing?

He's doing well, was able to come to church yesterday and the Family History Fireside that our stake had last night which me and 3 sisters from here in Mississauga sang at. The Spirit was so strong as we heard President and Sister Scott bear testimony of the reality of the Plan of Salvation and family history. I just love those two. :) krusho is having a hard time understanding why we pray and we've realized that we need to take it back to our Savior Jesus Christ, and help him understand that God is truly our loving Heavenly Father. So please pray that he'll come to that understanding and that we can teach with the Spirit. thank you!

7.  Who else are you teaching?

honestly? not really anyone else. we're in a major cleansing period to find the elect and we're excited about it! Please pray that we may do everything in our power to find those the Lord has prepared for us to teach! I love Mississauga so much!!! :)

8.  What have you found (this past week) to be your most effective teaching technique?

Getting out of the way, to allow the Spirit to be there and work in complete unity with my companion. you can simply teach 'well' with your companion, but there is absolute power when you work hard to teach in unity with the Spirit. Miracles happen when you testify! LOVE IT!

9.  How often do you meet with President Scott?  (interviews)

every other transfer. Just had interviews with him this past Friday!! Sadly, it was my last one with him. they go home in June. :( ah man, I can't imagine this mission without those two!! I know everything happens for a reason and the new President and his wife will be great, but when you serve around someone this long, it's hard to imagine another. We talked a lot about things we have both learned and serving our Father with everything we have. He mentioned he had learned a lot about submitting himself to the will of the Lord and changing his prayers to those of faith. (he loves Elder Bednar, so you can read 'pray with faith' I fell like he lives by that talk!! :)) They're just incredible, the Scotts!! :)

FINISH MY SENTENCE:

10. When Sister Howle and I met.....

we were so happy to have a connection back home!!! she's just so cute! :)

11. Other exchanges included....

SISTER WALDRON!!!!!! oh my goodness. I love her. I came out with her and she was a sister training leader for a SUPER long time and God needs her in the YSA in the new Toronto ward and oh my goodness, she's INCREDIBLE!!! seriously. so. great. She's just so diligence, loving, happy, reverent, and Christlike. I love and have so much respect for consecrated missionaries so much!!! :)

12. When I think of USA's "Memorial Day" (today), my heart and mind turn to....

the sacrifice of all those who believed in freedom and peace! I am so grateful for those in my life and those I have not met who have served and gave their lives for our country! Thank you so much for all you do, I can promise you, your service is not unnoticed! I am so proud to be an American!! 

13. I felt so guided when...

we had skills and interviews this past Friday. The zone leaders, Elder Tan and Elder Binford, prepared an incredible skills training for us on teaching 'through Christ, we can be cleansed from sin'. I had an epiphany of how sometimes we focus on so many things that we need to improve and change and altar to become better teachers, instruments in His hands, etc, and we overlook the most important simplicities - that all things are done through Christ. If it were not for His sacrifice and resurrection, we could not progress. that simple. We did a role play with Sister Dyer and Sister Fisher and the Spirit was SOO strong when both of us role played, ah it was incredible. The Spirit is powerful, the most important tool in converting ourselves to the Savior. How grateful I am for His guidance!

14. If it hadn't been for serving a mission, I don't know when I would have learned....

how real our Father's plan is. seriously. Life is not gone or even limited at death, because of our Savior Jesus Christ, life CONTINUES! there's merely a veil separating the two spheres of life. It's all real life. it's all a period of living. it's all a step for our growth. President Scott said something yesterday that I loved, he said "because we are here on this Earth, we already agreed to follow our Father's plan; and our part in that  plan is eternal progression." He's so wise. we did sign up to progress constantly and consistently. Doesn't mean to overwhelm ourselves with things we need to do, just to be a little better tomorrow than we were today. :)

15. In preparation to entering the MTC on Wednesday, I would like to tell Meagan...

YOU ARE GOING TO DO GREAT MISSY!!!!! You have always had such a beautiful and powerful testimony of the Savior, continue to share that with all and know that progression is necessary and perfection is impossible. seriously. it is. :) I love you my sister, Godspeed, how great is our calling!

16. Did you know that....

Canadians exercise a lot? it's true. they do. :)

17. Something new I discovered about Sister Stoddard this week is....

she smiles even when she has a migraine so strong she feels like she's going to throw up. seriously. who is this adorably happy person?? :)

I love my companion!!!  :0)

18. My favorite study session centered on....

the effects of the Atonement :) His sacrifice is absolutely beautiful and humbling. I love it.

19. I am SO grateful for....

My Savior

revelation from leaders

exchanges

Sister Stoddard

humility

Family History

Well, I am off! I love you all so much and hope you feel of my testimony as I know that our Savior Lives! This work is not just fun or a good experience or to prepare me for the future; this IS the work of Almighty God and it is to CHANGE the world! I know it. and you know, so please, continue to share it and know that your Father in Heaven sees your efforts, even if no one else does! How great is our calling!

Love for now and for ever,

Sister De Groot :)

Missionary Invitation: when was the last time you studied how to get started to update your family history efforts? Preach My Gospel has a tremendous section of Family History, you should read it! :) and then apply! Invite your friends, everyone wants to know their family!!!

I believe in Christ, so come what may!!

Mum, Pahpea, family and friends!!!

What a wonderful week!  I started it off as a 21 year old and well, now....I`m 22!!! weird, eh? yeah I think so. :) I love MIssissauga so so so much and LOVE being here with Sister Stoddard, she`s such an incredible missionary and I`m learning so much from her!!! We`re laughing every possible second and working harder than we ever have! I love it!!!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIN HOOLEY!!!! goodness I love you. I Hope you have the greatest birthday ever!! I am thinking and praying for you! LOVE YOU!!! happy birthday!!

so.....QUESTION TIME!

1.  Did you have an enjoyable birthday?  (details!!)

I sure did, thanks to you all!!!! :) we had gone to panda express and they gave me a free stuffed panda!! we named him thanh. long story. :) oh! and funny thing....I put my wallet and the phone into our panda express bag while we prayed so no one would take it. then when we were done-because I have the memory of a goldfish-I threw away our bag. with my wallet in it. and the phone. ......... my bad. 5 minutes later we went back to fish in the trash can as missionaries. "in all ways be wise and mature in your conduct" -WHB pg 53 Then later we had to go to the office to take care of something with our car and were asked by elder gillen (an office missionary) to step into his office because they got a complaint about our living situation. yeah, we were super nervous, sister stoddard especially. As he's giving us the talk about our routiness, primary music starts playing in the office and he then asks us to go out and see what's happening. We leave to find elder wihongi and elder gibb, the assistants, bouncing up and down with pictures of me when I came into the mission that say "happy birthday Zuster De Groot" to a primary birthday song. oh our assistants...haha we were laughing hysterically! and also, there really is no complaint to our routiness, we were quite relieved! haha throughout the day, we received calls from the sisters singing me happy birthday, the zone leaders giving me a creepy chocolate bunny, Sister Stoddard singing everytime we got in the car "iiiiiiiit's your birthday, HEY HEY HEY!" and then topping the day off with being surprise with an ice cream cake at our Bishops home! THANK YOU!!!! Mom, you are just too sweet! surprised both birthdays, I just love you!  well....I was semi surpised...let's just say the night before we were planning and sister stoddard tells me  that we have another dinner appt with Bishop, to which I say "ah that's nice, is it for my birthday because he just fed us?" and Sister stoddard goes "ah man, I can't keep a secret!!!!!! he's having us over for dinner because your mom is surprising you with an ice cream cake, ok??!!" hahahahaha oh my companion. I love her so much. :) the thought of surprising was great though, thank you!!! haha

2.  Did Bishop Fuller happen to mention that he wouldn't let me pay for your cake?

no he didn't! that's the sweetest thing in the world! ah Bishop. :)

3.  Speaking of the Fuller's, do you happen to have their mailing address?

sorry...I'll find out this week

4.  ALSO speaking of the Fuller's, did you know that they are best friends with a couple who live here in Alpine?  (Once again....such a small world!!)

sure did!! haha

5.  Can't find JJ Degazon on FaceBook.....any other contact info for her?

.....I'm really good at this.....no...this week!

6.  Erin's birthday is on Thursday.  Any message for her?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIN!!!!!! I love you dearly forever and ever!! I hope you have the greatest day in the whole wide world!!! You're the greatest person ever and the greatest example in the whole wide world!!!! I love you hoodles and bunches! :) happy birthday!!

7.  Thursday is also Michael and Trisha's 5th anniversary.  Anything you want me to tell them for you?

happy anniversary happy anniversary happy anniversary, Haaaaaappy anniversary! WOOH! :) 

8.  How are things going with Natalie?

has been working hard all week to stop smoking and has been doing GREAT! We had great contact with her up until Thursday but then we lost contact. she didn't come to church and we can't contact her. :( We feel that she relapsed and is embarrassed by it, so we're doing our best to help her know we're here for her and will help her out in every situation, regardless. Prayers would be appreciated!

9.  Krusho?

He`s doing well, we`re trying to help him understand the importance of prayer, though, so that he may receive direct answers of the truthfulness of what we share. He`s nervous to pray with us because he wants to do it alone, but then doesn`t when he`s alone. So prayers for him to understand and act on the doctrine we`ll teach him this week would be great!

10.  What are you looking forward to the most this coming week?

SKILLS AND INTERVIEWS!!!!!

so. excited.

FINISH MY SENTENCE:

11.  I've been so excited to tell you....

that I love this work!! and also that it`s just so warm here. ah. I love it! :)

12.  I laughed so hard when....

seriously, I can`t even pinpoint one time, we seriously laugh constantly. like, constantly. :)

13.  Sister Stoddard and I have bonded even more while....

laughing. every. day. :)

14.  My favorite study session this week was on....

Consecration, shocker, eh? :) The whole idea of giving everything you are in its entirety to the Lord so that you may become His is absolutely beautiful to me. 

15.  At church this past Sunday.....

Nicole, our past investigator, showed up to church! as well as this man named Francis who said he wants to investigate the church, he had previously in Florida and wants to be taught again! so he`s being taught by the zone leaders! SOO cool! 

16.  Exchanges this week included.....  (have you met Sister Howle yet?!?)

I have not, I`ll meet her on Saturday, she was so excited to hear about that!! :) Hermana Okelberry in Black Creek North and get this....SISTER DYER IN ETOBICOKE SOUTH!!!!!!! that`s right, I got to go on an exchange with my trainee and it was SOOOOO much fun!!! ah, she`s grown so much, I admire her more than words could ever attempt to describe!!! I LOVE her so much!!! :)

17.  I feel peace and contentment when...

I know that I am doing everything in my power to be a powerful, dedicated, servant of the Lord. :)

18.  An experience this week that I felt real growth happened when....

Our beliefs were challenged very strongly and the Spirit was strong within us as we very softly and lovingly bore testimony of our Savior and the invitation to come unto Him and find out for ourselves. I love the progression I`ve seen within myself to trust the Lord in all aspects and that such situations don`t bring stress to me and nervousness like they did when I first came out. Reliance on the Lord-it`s a beautiful thing. :)

19.  Here are my impressions of "Victoria Day"....

Families are EVERYWHERE!!! I LOVE it!!! i love holidays as a missionary :)

20.  I am so grateful for...

holidays as a missionary

`surprises` on my birthday 

Humility

our Savior

The restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

I am off! I hope you all have a WONDERFUL week full of the Gospel! For it is true! I love my Savior, I know this work is true! and how GREAT is my calling!

Love for now and for ever,

Sister De Groot :)

Missionary Invitation: PMG says to study the words of living prophets SO! read over the General Conference Ensign this month, pick your favorite or a lesson you learned, and share it on your social media! see how many get passed around the internet this week! :)

Alma 31:5

Mum, PahPea, Family and Friends!!

I hope all of you wonderful mothers, sisters, aunts, nieces, daughters and grandmothers feel the gratitude of your service as a worthy daughter of your Heavenly Father and the impact you have upon the many generations here upon the Earth and those entering in. Please look at this incredible video and take it as my tribute to all you wonderful women! :) http://motherhood.mormon.org/ happy Mother's Day!!!

and a little shout out to Ryan!! HAPPY BIRTDHAY RY-PIE!!! I hope you have the greatest day in the whole wide world! I'll eat some Canadian treats for you and sing you happy birthday with sister stoddard. She'll be thrilled. we often do spontaneous happenings, so this will just fit right in! :) Have a WONDERFUL birthday, Ryan! Love you!!

hmm...I think it's about time for some questions. sound good?

1.  What were your impressions of Nina, Elin, Joshua and Megan?

one-they're all SOOO big!

two-they're all SOOO old!!!

and tres-THEY'RE SOOO CUTE!!!!

2.  What did you do the remainder of Mothers Day?

taught taught taught! :)

3.  Did you enjoy your skype session nearly as much as I did?  :0)

I sure did!!!! oh my goodness, I loved hearing/seeing you all yesterday. honestly, it was fantastic!! I love you all SOOO much!

4.  What are your plans for the rest of P-day?

shopping, cleaning and preparing! nothing too specific yet...we tend to be spontaneous on preparation days :)

5.  Where will you spend your birthday?  (Mississauga, on exchange, etc.)

Mississauga, on a day in between exchanges, and ending the day going on exchange with my baby, sister dyer!!! :)

6.  Any message for Ryan, who turns 23 on Friday?

*look above :) ps I think you're pretty great (!)

7. Do you have the smallest inkling of how much I love and appreciate you?

uh....I think so...? :)

FINISH MY SENTENCE:

8.  Our teaching pool consists of...

wow...I can't fully explain all in our teaching pool, I'll be honest. But those who are truly progressing at this time include Natalie who is striving hard to live the Word of Wisdom so she can be baptized on June 8, Krusho who randomly showed up to church after I gave him a card beginning of last transfer. SOO cool! Sharlene and Sharaya have had a lot going on in their lives lately, so we're working with the Lord to know what to do to help her the most this week, we'll keep you posted

9.  The highlight of my week was...

Well of course seeing my family!! :) and hearing Krusho pray the most sincere prayer of wanting to know truth. 

10.  The most challenging part of my week included...

getting kicked out of an apartment building...yeah...it's true. The reason being because we talked with everyone we came in contact with about the Restored Gospel of our Savior and they didn't like that....so....yeah we can't go back. woops...

11.  I overcame that challenge by...

Trusting that everything works for a reason, maybe God doesn't need us back there for a while. Looking for the positives! :) also. I feel bad they have a bad image of the Church now because of us. But it all works out. hopefully nicer missionaries contact them on the street a year down the road or so :)

12.  I felt the Spirit so strongly this week when...

I was able to speak in the Chinese group at our building in their sacrament meeting and although I truly could not understand a word they were saying, the Spirit was so strong. I love the Spirit, a universal language. :)

13.  Sister Stoddard and I bonded over...

prayer. it's incredible how much a relationship is strengthened through sincere and diligent companionship prayer. you should try it out :)

14.  Exchanges this week were...

Hermana Guerra here in Mississauga North! Brand new missionary, been out for 3 weeks and seriously that girl has no fear. She talks with everyone, is confident, can teach incredibly well, man who are these missionaries and where did they get their training!?! haha She's incredible!

15.  The Study Session from this week that stands out the most is...

The atonement. right now I'm reading the Book of Mormon with the question of "Why Jesus Christ?" so that I may understand better His divine mission and role in our Father's plan so that I may help those without a Christian understanding feel the importance of our Savior.

16.  I am so excited for...

birthday cake. how sad is that? :)

17.  I am so grateful for...

skype :)

prayer

my companion

mormon.org

The Gospel. the Good News! :)

Well, I'm off! I love you all! This Gospel is true, don't you doubt it. It's true! :) How great is our calling!

Love for now and for ever,

Sister De Groot :)

Missionary Invitation: share the above mormon.org/motherhood on facebook, twitter and wherever else, share the wonderful message of the Church through simple ways! I LOVE YOU!!