OK so yes it rained the entire week and I even wore my puffy winter coat and snow boots YES ON JUNE 26 - I did wear my full on winter gear
and it was pretty cold. We were sooooooooo wet. Then I got my package and raincoat on and since then I have LITERALLY been
on fire! It has been so hot!
Hahahaha oh nova scotia, can't figure this whole weather thing out.
It's Canada day and my 6th month mark! I'm excited! Thank you thank you thank you for the rain coat and package. I'm the luckiest sister missionary in the world. And I got two letters from papa and nana - they are so inspiring. Papa is so bold, so strong and faithful. So full of light and love. I will be writing them today. And a letter from dad - which always makes my day 10X better. Miss you dad. And luce thanks for the goofy sours - almost made me cry :)
This week we walked A LOT because we didn't have enough k's (kilometers) for the month. Through the pouring rain and burning fire humidity we were walking and knocking and I LOVED IT!! People looked at us like we were a little crazy but we didn't mind.
One night after knocking for about an hour it was almost time for us to go home but there was one more door and I knew we needed to knock it even though the house looked a little run down and sad. So we knocked..twice and finally a man came to the door. He had pain and sadness in his eyes. After introducing ourselves he explained that he was having such a hard time, that he was sick and sad. I told him that we have a message that will free him from his pain and sorrow. I told him that God loves him. He invited us in immediately - sadly we needed another female so we asked if we could return the following night. He pleaded with us to do so and thanked us. The next day we returned with Tyria - she is a convert to the church and so sweet. Anthony was waiting for us. We taught him the Restoration. We taught him about the Atonement and the power that it has to save him and to comfort and strengthen him. Anthony explained that he was so depressed. That nothing had ever gone right in his life. That he didn't think God was there anymore. He didn't love anything anymore. He didn't know the purpose of life and he didn't want to be here. We spoke softly but powerfully about prayer and about God's unfailing love. About the joy that can come from turning our lives back to God. We told him that life is never easy and that he will have to have faith in the Lord's timing. That he will have to work hard and trust but he is willing to do anything - and I know God is willing to do everything to help him. Near the end of the lesson he shared an amazing thing with us - he said that less than an hour before we knocked on his door he sat on his porch and asked God - why is this happening to me? are you there? if you are, please send me some help? - then we showed up at his door. Heavenly Father is aware of His children and He always sends help. We testified that God lived and loves Him. That we were there for a reason and that he needed the message we have. He has such a desire to learn, reading is hard for him but we explained that there is power in the pages of the Book of Mormon if he will simply look at them, pray and try to understand. He wants to be baptized, he wants to do everything that he can to change. He is sweet and my testimony was strengthened by the fact that Heavenly Father led us there. I am so thankful to be a representative of the Savior and to tell people that Christ can SAVE their lives. It was powerful and unforgettable and I will be forever grateful that I met Anthony.
We spoke in church yesterday - I got to speak on the first principles and ordinance of the Gospel. One of my favorite topics.
Faith - believing in something you can't see. Working hard when you don't see immediate results. Trusting in the Lord and His timing. Faith must be centered in Jesus Christ in order to produce Salvation.
Repentance - changing. Turning our lives back to God. We must repent daily so we can be clean and worthy enough to live with God again.
Baptism - the gate that leads to eternal life. The way we turn a new page and covenant to bear one another's burdens and stand as witnesses of CHRIST at all times and in all places.
And the Holy Ghost - one of the greatest gifts from God. The power to know that things are true. Peace that comes on the hard days. Strength to know that you are on the path. Those are the four simple steps that will lead us HOME and I am so thankful.
After church we had another incredible experience. We went to visit a less active who is in a nursing home because of her MS. She took us straight to Vivians room. Vivian is a sweet old lady who is about to leave this earth to live with our Heavenly Father. She is suffering from bone cancer. She can hardly talk but we told her that we were going to sing a few hymns (we sang for the nursing home before when she was healthier and she loved it - she called us angels) So Sister Drew and I sat by her bed, holding her hand and sang to her. As we were singing How Great Thou Art neither of us could hold back the tears. There was a strong Spirit in that room - we knew she would soon be in the presence of our Savior and our loving Heavenly Father and it was a beautiful experience. She was so grateful. We then prayed with her and told her that she doesn't need to be afraid. That Heavenly Father is waiting to welcome her home with open arms. I won't forget those feelings or that Spirit.
This week has been incredible. I can't thank you enough for giving me this unforgettable adventure. I am SO thankful that I have knowledge of the plan of salvation. I know who I am and I know that Heavenly Father loves me. I now that this Gospel is true. I know that our Savior lives. I know that this life is not easy but it is so important - without it we could not change or progress. We could not become like God and we could not be worthy or strong enough to live in His presentment. I am so thankful for every beautiful day that I get to live.
I love all of you. And miss you. I can't believe six months have already passed..totally freaks me out.
HAPPY CANADA DAY - it is a HUGE deal.
Enjoy the summer sun.
I'll see you soon
Love, Sister Gochnour
Oh and I'm staying in New Glasgow to finish Sister Drew's training!
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