Sunday, May 22, 2016

He approached the lost sheep with an attitude of devoted physician - Week 56 (Transfer 9, Week 6) - 21 May, 2016

Brampton District (May 2016)
Man, I don't even know what to say about this week. It began with a call from President Clayton.
Can I just say how honored I am to know President Clayton and that I get to get advice from him on a regular basis? I feel so honored that someone as busy as my mission president, who is not only a mission president, but a father, a husband, and a general authority seventy, has the time to call to make sure we are all doing well.

I really learned this week a lot about what it means to stand for the Lord, even when you stand alone.

These past two transfers have been incredible. I feel like I've learned more in these last 13 weeks than I have in all my years at school and all of my months on my mission. It has been a complete...joy, struggle, roller coaster whirlwind. I love my companions so much. Sister Brown has become this compassionate, selfless, happy-go-lucky servant of the Lord. And Sister Kehrer has become this "lioness" tiger woman with no fear of loving people and sharing what she knows. They are both a light to the world. Not even kidding. They shine.

But anyway, among all the miracles and busy schedule and new challenges, there has been a lot of question marks and "man what am I going to do nows" and "dang I feel like I'd rather just not do this right nows" and "wow I've never been more stressed outs". It's hard to explain this week, or even this transfer, because I feel like a lot of the things I have experienced are very personal and I count them as sacred. They are things I feel I should keep to myself. But I want you all to know that I have decided to stand for what I know is true, no matter what, no matter where, no mater when. Even if I stand alone. I know that Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father are the ultimate source of light and truth and it is upon that foundation that we must build, for when all of the storms and might hail beats on us, it shall have no power over us. I've experienced this and I know it's ture.

Transfer news? I'm going to Barrie East to be a sister training leader! My new companion will be Sister Turley. I'm so excited because she served in Ajax with my trainer the transfer before I got there. And on top of that Barrie East is in the same zone as Wasaga Beach, which was my last area. So I've already been there on exchanges with my STL's in that area!

Okay, have a good week everyone.

Sister Mikkia

Also, everyone, quick update on P*.

He has just started to glow. He has a very difficult situation, waiting for his family back home to be able to come over here but as he has learned about the gospel, his situation has completely changed from one of desperation to hope. This week we were able to connect with his daughter S. I so feel for her and her whole family. They are all in hiding in Pakistan and will not give up their faith in Jesus Christ. Peter has been searching for the truth his whole life and finally, he has found it and shares it with his family over email and phone. S will be getting her visa soon to come over here. We pray hard for their safety and success. But anyway, I felt impressed to share this short email she sent us this week:

Dear Sister Osman, Brown, and Kehrer,

Thank you for your love and care. I was anxiously waiting for your email dad told me about your kind  and wise guidance.
I am highly pleased to know that we are being guided on a very right path indeed, I think it's Gods plan and and his immense  generosity for our family to be blessed in this way.
 I feel very satisfied that such kind people like you are around my dad to help him out in his and ( ours ) hard time.
And thanks again for giving me a chance to see my dad after such a long time I loved your picture.
Love you all stay blessed.

Kind regards,
S.

These people are real. I will never take the gospel for granted again. There are people who give up their lives searching for it. People who I love and care for. I can't wait until one day, everyone is free from pain, sorrow, sin, death, and captivity. 



What is a Sister Training Leader?


Each mission in the Church has a mission leadership council that includes both elders (male) and sisters (female) as missionary leaders. The mission leadership council consists of the mission president and his wife, assistants to the president, zone leaders and sister training leaders. 


The Mission Leadership Council functions like other church councils on the ward, stake and general church level. “In councils, assigned members meet to discuss individual, family and organizational needs and work together to determine how to respond to those needs effectively. Full expression from all participants is invited in council settings, unifying the efforts of both male and female council members.”

The sister training leaders are assigned to a certain number of sister missionaries and are responsible for their training and welfare in addition to participating in the Mission Leadership Council. They continue to proselyte in their respective areas, but they also spend time each week training and evaluating the needs of the female missionaries assigned to them. They serve as a vital part of mission leadership.

The sister training missionaries report directly to the mission president on sister missionary needs. They work closely with the mission president’s wife in training and caring for sister missionaries.

Sister training leaders: 
  • Are members of and participate in the mission leadership council. 
  • Are experienced and exemplary missionaries who serve in a companionship with another sister training leader. 
  • Are responsible for the training and welfare of sister missionaries assigned to them. 
  • Maintain a vibrant proselyting area in addition to working regularly with other sisters. 
  • Conduct 24-hour companion exchanges every six weeks with each companionship of sisters assigned to them. Report directly to the mission president on sisters’ issues (an average of two exchanges per week). 
  • Are assigned to a specific zone. However, depending on mission geography and the number of sisters in the mission, the mission president may assign sister training leaders to train sisters in a single zone or in multiple zones. It is not necessary to have a companionship of sister training leaders in every zone. 
  • Function as members of districts and of zones and assist the mission president, zone leaders, and district leaders in training meetings and zone conferences.                                                                                                                          


Friday, May 20, 2016

Service, Listening, and Loving People - Week 55 (Transfer 9, Week 5) - 16 May, 2016

Hey Everyone!

Miracles this week. This week we went on exchanges which means that we switch companions for the day. Generally one companion will go work in the Sister Training Leaders area, and one companion stays in the area, but this week the STL's both came to our area to help out, because we told them we need it. It's been super busy; this area really needs 3 companion ships here to be honest.

Anyway, they came to our area and I honestly started getting all teary just because I was so grateful. Sister Bell was my companion when I was serving in St. Catherine's for one week, so we are already pretty good friends, and then now she is our STL (sister training leader). So anyway, her and her companion were just THERE for us. They came to our area, helped us out, we were able to contact some of our referrals, and I felt so much support from them! It's hard to explain what a big service that was to us. And then, Sister Bell lent us her GPS. It was honestly so inspired because the day before, the 3 of us were all rushing to our next appointment. Me in the drivers seat, driving while trying to instruct everyone what to do next while at the same time Sister Brown is in the passenger seat making calls, while Sister Kehrer is in the back seat trying to update teaching records while reading the map and directing me where to drive. We were just all talking over each other and on the phone and it was just so much commotion. And then it dawned on me: I need to give up my pride and just get a GPS. This map business is nonsense. Everything would be so much easier. Anyway, so I told the Sisters that and they were all like "ermagersh, revelation." And we all laughed at our stupidity. Then we drive up to meet with the STL's, and as soon as we drive up, Sister Bell says, "Hey Sister Osman, Sister Robison (her companion) has a GPS, so I wanted to lend you mine. Just thought you might need it more than me. It may sound ridiculous or small, but no joke, it meant the world to me. So I really gained a testimony this week of the influence of service, listening, and loving people. I know that our leaders are called by God. Even our Sister Training Leaders.

Other than that, exchanges were amazing. We had the spirit the whole time. All of our lessons were extremely powerful, and everyone we talked to wanted to listen to our message. I don't know what it is about this area, but it feels like everyone we talk to wants to listen. I never want to leave. I'm so excited for the miracles that are happening here.

We saw lots of other miracles this week, but it's too much to explain. There are some things that you just can't explain.

I just want you all to know that I know that Christ lives. Without a doubt. That has been given to me, and there is no way I can deny it. And I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that there really are 12 apostles and a quorum of 70. I know where I came from, why I'm here, where I'm going, and I know that God loves me and every one of these amazing people I meet on the street every day.

I love you.

Love,

Sister Osman

P.S. Oh yeah, before I forget, we met with P* again this week and show up to our lesson and he's all, "Sisters, I meditated for two hours last night and read the Book of Mormon, and the Spirit has taught me that I lived with God before and that I am His Child and that I have worth! Before I met you, I was homesick and alone and felt like a selfish old man, but now I have come to understand that God has a purpose for me." We were floored. So cool, he literally learned it from the Spirit.


We went to the temple this week!
Sister C* and Brother M* have returned to the gospel
and we got to go with them for their first time!
Brother M*


Here's a cool car we saw. 

Cute Sister Brown!
The most adorable little man named Brother T* has finally started coming to church again.
HURRAH! He's so happy.


Sister C* made us this huge meal. I was so touched. Almost started crying AGAIN. She is from Guyana and has a very hard life here making ends meet, but spent her money and time to make us food. She literally goes out and finds us people to teach. I LOVE HER!
Us.

Me!

Sister Kehrer & Sister Osman

Morning Study! What's with the chair?!

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Happy Mother's Day! - Week 54 (Transfer 9, Week 4) - 9 May, 2016


Hey everyone!!!!

This week's letter is dedicated as a special tribute to my amazing mother.

Mom, you are the boss. You are the champion. In my mind, you are the head of all the other moms.

I hope you had a lovely mother's day.

This week was an amazing week. But also really hard. I miss my family. I miss my home. I really reflected this week on how much my family has changed my life, or rather made my life what it is. My mom was always an example to me of what it meant to think of others before herself. And she still is. Every day. She showed me what it meant to be a virtuous, kind, beautiful, and intelligent woman. If I had to pick one scripture that describes her, it would be this:

Proverbs 31:26-28

I love you mom!

Everyone, please pray for Canada. There is a very large fire in Alberta. The firefighters need our prayers! Pray for rain.


With my thoughts and prayers,


Sister Osman
During morning studies!

Sister Kehrer, Sister Brown, Sister Osman
v*'s Baptism!

Our investigator G* from Serbia/Italy!

Thank you so much for my birthday book, you guys rock!
 

 
 

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

We are seeing miracle after miracle! - Week 53 (Transfer 9, Week 3) - 2 May, 2016

Hey Everyone!!!

I'm so sorry that I haven't sent out an email in a while. We are just so incredibly busy that even P-days are the most stressful days ever. We are loaded with so much to do, it just can't be done. We hardly have time to eat. It's intense. I love it, but I am exhausted to the bone. No joke. I'm trying to simplify everything possible.

BUT we are seeing miracle after miracle. So much happens in a week that I don't even know what to say or where to start. It's impossible to describe everything and everyone.

But here are some pictures. I'll do a better email next week.

1. So tired.
2. Our apartment.
3. P*. :)

So tired!

Our apartment in Etobicoke

Sister Kehrer, P*, Sister Osman, Sister Brown