When the lights go down in the city, and the sun shines on the bay…….good old Journey.

(I promise I’m not listening to this music on the mission but the lack of music has my brain shorting and recalling random songs:)) haha

Soooooooooooooooo………. good things up here in the frozen north this week!!!!!

First of all, I’m pretty sure that I’ll be transferred next wednesday from this area. I have grown to love this area and the people I’ve met within it so much and it’ll be sad to leave but exciting at the same time. I would like to go to British Columbia and Calgary at some point in the mission. I don’t want to say that I’m wishing for it because then it won’t come true but I’d like to see those places at some point. I think it’s pretty generally accepted that missionaries want to go out to BC at some point just to experience the scenery and mountains though.

We got a big dump of snow yesterday and it’s still coming down a little bit right now. It should be melted by the middle to end of the week though. It’s supposed to get up to around 20 degrees celcius this week I think. Good old southern Alberta! The famous saying around here is “If you don’t like the weather then wait 5 minutes!” haha

It was a really good week like I mentioned earlier. We were able to meet with Deanna and Erv several times and continue to help them progress towards baptism. Both of their baptisms are scheduled for this Saturday and they’re going to be sweet! The bishop’s in both of our wards will be performing the baptisms and I have been asked to confirm and give the holy ghost to both of them! I’m excited to have that experience again! Nothing better than having the spirit direct you in blessings and other aspects of life!

I’m excited to hear how things go with Aust this year and the football season. Sounds like it could be interesting! I hope that his knee and shoulder will be feeling better soon!

It sounds like Jess is so dang close to getting a scholarship! She just needs to get one out there to tip over the dominoes that leads to the avalanche of offers! As soon as schools see that she’s been offered then they instantly gain more interest. anyways, it sounds like dad had a good meeting and that things will work out for her.

Connor sounds like a little stud! Tell him to keep up the good work! I’ve been hitting the volleyball around with some missionaries on p-days and I think you’d be impressed with my progress in that sport! haha

I am continually happy for your birthday present. I have to say that the ribeye is probably my favorite cut of meat that I’ve had from the package! It was sooooo tender and has a REALLY good flavor. thankyou thankyou thankyou!!!!

I love you all and look forward to the mothers day conversation when I’ll be in a new area assumably!

Do you believe in life after love! I can feel something inside me say, I really don’t think you’re strong enough no! Oh Cher….:)

Conference…..best event to happen twice a year….hands down! We were able to watch all of the sessions of conference but sadly not the sessions in between.

Great week overall though! Erv met with us once and we were able to resolve a lot of his concerns and continue to prepare him for baptism on the 20th.

I also learned something important this week…..Charcoal is tough to cook on!!!! …but I was able to master it:) I also learned to just get the self lighting charcoal because the other stuff takes A LOT of lighter fluid….Anyways, just grillin and teachin the gospel here in Canada. Life’s great!

The weather was colder this week and we got snow last night. It’s still nice outside though and isn’t bitterly cold. I’m excited for spring though!

18 year old missionaries….we got a few in the last transfer! We only have one in our district. He’s adjusting but the maturity level is definitely something that’s different to work with. We’ll see how he and the other 18 year olds continue to assimilate to the new life!

I’m glad to hear that everyone’s alive and well at home!…minus Austen’s injury….but for the most part it sounds good!

I did cook the last filet this week and…..melt in your mouth good. BEST birthday present ever.

Love you all!

“Could I have some more turkish delight please?”

“NOOO!!!!!!!!!!….no….no….Next time…NEXT TIME!!!!”…..Chronicles of Narnia…1960 version

Hello! Life is so amazing out here in Canada right now! I don’t know if it’s just this nice weather that’s tricking me into this feeling of euphoria or if it really is this great! Either way, I love it! I love you all so much back at home!

So as for the meat you sent……DELICIOUS! We ate the filets on Sunday with Tara and her boyfriend and everyone LOVED them! They seriously were so impressed. They were talking about some really famous restaurant that costs like 100 bucks per plate of steak and that these steaks were the closest ones to those. They were super tender and tasty! It helped that Tara’s boyfriend cooked them perfectly! We had some twice baked potatoes and asparagus wrapped in prishuto (however you spell that type of meat). Anyways, it was a delicious meal all around and they were so impressed by the steaks and were so grateful that I shared them with them. We had a really good time that evening and I just love them so much!

We weren’t able to meet with Erv this week but we meet with him today. Everything should be fine, he’s just been sick and stuff…so we’ll talk to him today and see how things are going!

Deanna went home to Idaho for the week and was going to fast and pray about April 20th for baptism and tell her family about her progress in taking the lessons. We were able to have a REALLY good lesson with her about the purpose and blessings of having the Spirit in our lives last week before she left. We meet with her tomorrow and I’m excited to see how she’s feeling!

The area continues to go great and I honestly couldn’t be happier right now. I love the beautiful spring weather, mission life has become normal and I’m finding purpose and fulfillment in the work I’m doing out here. I love the Canadian people and I will be very sad to leave this area at the end of April (assumably)…but once again, I have a strong feeling of hope and happiness for what the future and new areas, companions, members and investigators will bring!

I’m also SUPER excited for conference this weekend! It honestly is the best thing since sliced bread out here on the mission! I can’t wait to be instructed, uplifted and renewed spiritually by the words of the apostles and our prophet!!!!!

I wasn’t able to talk to Aust this week but I’m glad that he’s back on the mend with his shoulder!

I’m glad to hear that everyone else is doing so well and I really hope that everyone can stay healthy with the absence of CHIP now! I hope that you and dad are holding up well and that you really get to soak in general conference this week and enjoy it fully!

Love, Elder J