week 32

family & friends,

this week was absolutely amazing. it had its ups and downs just like every other week in the mission, but the best part was when on Saturday, we got to meet an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. Elder Oaks! something i will never forget :) after a plane delay we were happy he made it there! we also got to hear from Elder Allard (area 70) and Elder Kacher (Quorum of the 70), and had a wonderful morning with President & Sister Clayton. I took so many notes I don't even know where to start! 

the thing I loved most was when he talked about being a FULL time missionary. he talked about us being pens... theinstruments in the hands of the Lord. how we have to be prepared, worthy, ready, and focused so he can use us to convert and change the lives of many. we can't be part time. we were set apart to be FULL time servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. this isn't OUR mission, we're sacrificing for HIM, because we love Him and we know this work is true. It was amazing, because it was bold, but in such a loving way. he testified of how proud our Heavenly Father is of His missionaries who have sacrificed to serve the Savior; how much God loves us, and how we are here to do His work, in His way and in HIS time! the spirit was so strong! I learned so much, he really was an answer to prayers; for both the mission, the members/investigators (who ALSO got to have a meeting with Elder Oaks after... we also got to attend which was such a surprise to the missionaries!) and for me. I want to do ALL I can to serve the Savior with a full purpose heart. missionary work is incredible.

we saw lots of miracles this week as well! to prepare for Elder Oaks we were told to find at LEAST 2 new investigators, which we should do every week, but to put a big focus on finding. we found 3. yay! our progressing investigator, Jose made it to church yesterday. he is amazing! he has a hard time with English but luckily he is coming to our ESL classes. he has lots of friends in he ward and he has an open heart and mind. we have tried setting him with a baptismal date... we are hoping he will accept this week. speaking of our ward, its definitely different than the Spanish ward in Toronto! (miss that.) I am in an English ward, but there is a Spanish 'group' as well as a Chinese 'group'. we also cover another nearby ward with a Spanish 'group' (Oakville ward) so we do go to 2 correlations and 6 hours of church. 

we also got fed a TON by the members this week. something i am definitely not used to. i actually feel bad cause we got fed like 9 or 10 times... but the other missionaries never do... haha the Spanish people love making us food. and they love making us a LOT!!! i decided in order to stay in shape we have to exercise hard core (since we are now in a car area too and not walking everywhere) so now i drag my companion out in the snow at 630 and we go running. i love running and i love the snow so its awesome! but yes i did fall on the ice. haha its not as cold here as it could be... im surviving the Canadian winter!

the mission is great, i love it so much! i am so happy here. i KNOW this Gospel is true, i know Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the light. i KNOW the Book of Mormon is true! i love that book with all my heart. thank you for all your love and support, there is no place i would rather be!

XOXO, HERMANA HORTON