Montréal Sud-Est Week 6

Guillermo's Baptism

I didn't mention it last week, as I did not expect it, but transfer calls were this week, and I'm being transferred! Sort of... I'm in the same branch, the same apartment, and the same district, only now I am going to be with Elder Sorenson in a different area of our branch. Super surprising, although it's not a big change so it's not a very big deal. Pretty crazy!

Anyway, this week was pretty great, even though our 3rd winter just started. On Wednesday, winds were insanely strong, and it snowed pretty hard for a few hours! It was warmer last week, but now it got back to around -8 this past week. You never know what can happen here in Montréal!

Montreal-Est District

We were able to see a lot of progress from our investigators. Here are some updates!

We have a new investigator (S.), who I don't believe I've mentioned yet, is a Quebec-cois man who we met street contacting a few weeks ago. We've been working with him fairly frequently. He came to General Conference at our chapel for the second session and priesthood session and loved it. He has kept every single commitment we have left with him! He is extremely receptive, although he does not come across as such. He is also very addicted to cigarettes (smokes about 50 a day), and we committed him to start to stop smoking. He will be smoking two less cigarettes each day until he completely stops. We made a little calendar and everything to help him keep track of his daily limits, and he's actually very committed to stop. Although it will be hard, and since I have no idea how hard it will be to completely stop we will probably have to change his plan, he is very committed. He is super awesome. It's been amazing to be able to be an influence in helping other people change for the better. I have never felt so fulfilled in my life!

Elder Amichia

We have also committed Elfira to baptism! She has been super solid. Just by hearing the gospel message with an open heart has allowed her to feel strong assurances from the Spirit that it is true. Teaching her has been so humbling realizing that we really aren't the teachers, it's all the Spirit!

Lesley and Mary are also doing great. Mary just told us yesterday of an experience she had while reading the Book of Mormon. She explained how one moment when she was fervently praying and specifically asking if the Book of Mormon was true, she felt an overwhelming wave of peace and joy that just caused her to start crying for no reason. She kept telling us how much the Book of Mormon has already changed her life, even though she has just started studying it. I can testify that it really does change lives, no matter our circumstances!

Elder Wensel in the snow storm

I also had the amazing opportunity this past Sunday to attend the baptism of Guillermo, one of the people I taught in Zarahemla. It was so very special! During the service he bore a very strong testimony and talked about how much his life has changed since he met the missionaries. He is such an amazing and kind man, and I'm so happy to be able to see him make this important step in his life. He also asked me to do the confirmation, which was another great experience. I was able to go to the Zarahemla sacrament meeting, say hi to a lot of the members, and of course speak Spanish again! It was one of the most memorable experiences of my mission so far.

It's been a great week. Although I am a little sad that I'm already leaving my area (sort of) after finally getting used to it, I'm super excited for the experiences that lay ahead! I know that this is the Lord's work, and that he guides it. I know there is a reason that I will be with Elder Sorenson this transfer, and I'm excited to work closely with him.

I love you all so much, and I hope you have a great week!

Elder James

Montréal Sud-Est Week 4

Unexpected PIZZA night!

This week was awesome! We worked really hard and were able to find a TON of new investigators! We've been trying out a lot of different ways to do contacting, and it's really been paying off. We are getting into the groove of things, which has been awesome. It's been amazing to see how the Lord really prepares those who we come in contact with. Sometimes, they're just ready, and all we have to do is find them! It's humbling when you realize how little we actually do in our work!

This week has shown me how complicated Montréal is language-wise. We had a lesson the other day with a family from Angola who speak Portuguese. The dad only speaks Portuguese and a bit of English, the mom only speaks Portuguese and a bit of French, and the kids speak in a mix of the three. So, when I was talking to the dad, I was using a bit of English and relying a lot on my Spanish knowledge to understand him. We were speaking to the mom in French. They are such a cool family but teaching them was SUPER complicated! I wished I was with Elder Durgante again, it would have made it a lot easier!

Our investigators are doing great! We had Elfira come to church last week, and Lesley and Mary came this week. They all loved it SO much and are so open to the gospel. I hope we'll be able to baptize them next transfer! It's totally possible!

The new Elder in Zarahemla got sick this week, and they had an appointment with Hermano Mendoza that they didn't want to miss. So, they called us, and asked if we could go. We were free, so we were able to see him! It was so awesome to see him again, he's such an inspiring guy. Another piece of good news—Elder Landetta told me that Guillermo is probably going to be baptized next week! He called me and really wants me to go. Luckily, since I'm still on the island, it shouldn't be a problem! I'm super excited for it!

My French is coming along well; Elder Amichia is helping me a lot. I've also been able to keep up my Spanish pretty well, as we are able to contact Hispanics sometimes and talk with the Hispanic members in the branch. I also secured us another dinner appointment with a Hispanic family! We're so excited!

Anyway, all is well, we're doing amazing here in Montréal-Est. We're super excited for General Conference—we'll be watching a session with one of our investigators, which will be super interesting. I hope you are all prepared! I love you all so much. Have an amazing Easter and General Conference weekend!

Elder James

Montréal Sud-Est Week 3

A park full of snow!

Looks like winter is back again! We got about a foot of snow a couple of days ago, and it's back to being -15 most days. Right when it started getting warmer too! Anyway, this week was pretty good. We're doing a lot better getting to know and developing relationships with the members, which has been awesome.

On exchanges with Elder Wensel

Last Wednesday I had exchanges with Elder Wensel, who lives with us. It was so much fun! We went contacting and were able to teach a few lessons right on the spot. It was super cool! We were also able to teach Lesley and Malorie again, who are really progressing well. We also got the chance to visit Charles again, who is doing awesome! He told us he'd start trying to get work off on Sundays so he can come to church. Hopefully he'll be able to soon!

We got to drive the Zone Leader's car
this week--it's been a long time!

Thursday was spent mostly doing contacting. It was super windy and cold! I didn't think it was cold enough to put on my coat, so I put on a lighter jacket, and I almost froze! I learned from my mistakes though. We also have been spending a lot of time only speaking in French, which has been helping me a lot in picking up the accent and figuring out the grammatical things I want to study. It's been weird though—it’s like I'm in training all over again! It's been an awesome experience so far though.

On Friday we were able to meet up and teach with the branch president and another brother from the branch, which was great. We also met with an investigator named Elfira, who is super cool and really solid. She came to church this week, which was awesome! And, she loved it! We also were able to eat at the familia Alfaro's house (since I talk to them a TON). It was really nice to speak Spanish again! Elder Amichia felt a little left out, but he just ate the entire time, so he didn't have a problem with it.

The First Vision ren

Saturday, Sunday, and Monday were also spent mostly doing contacting, which has been pretty interesting. Elder Amichia is a super amazing contactor, and I've been learning a ton from it. He truly does talk to EVERYONE and has been a great example to me. Last night we went to a family home evening with the Famille Pierre, a Haitian family in the branch. It was so amazing! They fed us Haitian food, which was, as always, incredible. I really love our Branch so much!

The mission is just amazing as always. I'm super excited for General Conference, and you all should be too! What a giant blessing it is to be able to listen to servants called of God. It's not something to be taken for granted!

I love you all so very much, and I hope you have an amazing week!

Elder James