Christ has made me more than I could make myself. The last email! - Week 80 (Transfer 11, Week 6) - November 7, 2016

Sister Osman is coming home!!!

Arrival date in SLC: Nov 9th, 2016

Homecoming talk: Nov 13th, 2016, 11:00 am
285 North Matterhorn Drive
ALPINE, UTAH 84004
Please, join us at our home afterward
for food and a chance to get re-acquainted!

Email us for our address!

Last day--this morning. Got some laundry and oatmeal!

Hey Everyone,

Man, it's the last Monday. The last email. I remember the first day I went into the MTC. I loved it. I felt at home...it was the right place to be. I was so excited. The MTC was so full of the Spirit and so much motivation. It was as if you could feel the building moving forward. So many minds put together, out to do the same thing, for the same reason. But there was that underlying energy of anticipation--we were all so nervous.

I remember my first day in the field. The car ride home from the mission home, I kept falling asleep mid-sentence. My companion was trying to get to know me, and I kept falling asleep while she was talking to me, then I would jolt awake and apologize.

I remember the first guy I ever talked to on the street. He was tall, with a red beard and long red hair walking across the cross walk in Ajax. His name was Patrick. We met him probably 4 more times while I was there in Ajax, just pumped into him on the street. Our first investigator was a young boy named Kareem from Jamaica that we met at the very end of the first day. He was the last boy we talked to.

I remember my third day in the field. The alarm went off at 6:30 am. My trainer hopped out of bed like it was nothing and I woke up like, holy molly I still have 18 months...I'm going to die of exhaustion. This is never going to end.

But then every day I would wake up, I would get up, I would go out. And miracles would happen. And then eventually, it wasn't hard anymore. I learned that I can do so much more than I ever thought I could because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Christ has made me more than I could make myself. It's been such a blessing, such a gift. I have had the opportunity to see God's hand in the lives of His children. I have had the opportunity to see people change and progress. I know that God loves us so much. 

I don't know what to say that will adequately describe what I've experienced and how amazing it was, but my mission has been the best thing ever. I am so grateful for what I have learned, for the people I have come to love and know; I'm grateful for my companions, my family, the people in my areas, the things I've experienced, the prayers I've heard, the opportunity that I've had to help people and most of all to experience the Atonement of Jesus Christ for myself.

The Atonement is an experience. It doesn't happen all at once. Real repentance is earned, and it happens every day. I testify that Jesus Christ payed the price because forgiveness is not a cheap experience, but He did it for US! His church, The True Church is not created by walls or buildings or things; it is made up by His people. I have had the opportunity to understand how much God loves His Church. We are the church, all of human kind and He loves us so much. I have learned so much from being here and I am so grateful for it....words can't explain how much I will miss the people here and how much I will miss being a missionary. But I know that I can ALWAYS be a missionary. Being a missionary means that you serve people. You love people. And you stand as a witness at all times and in all places of Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ.

Thank you all so much for your support. Love you all. See you in a couple days.

Love,

Mikkia Osman

Saying good byes. 😭

At MLC they had me leave my departing testimony. There were like 10 other departing missionaries in the room, and we all gave our testimonies. We were all bawling at the end.
Then the elders in our ward, Elder Bliss and Elder Lemon made me a cake. Everyone in the ward wrote me good bye notes and the ward mission leader made me a big scrap book card thingy. Then at church at the end of class Bre stood up and said, "Wait I have to say something! I'm so grateful for sister Osman and all she's done for me." And then she started crying. And then Lynn stood up and thanked me. And then Robert. And Anne-Marie. And then we were all crying. And then we took pictures with everyone. And then in sacrament meeting Sister Wilson and I bore our testimonies right after Bre did and we were all crying. And then Brian started crying. And Heather cried (at home a while ago). And then everyone sent us texts saying goodbye. And then Sister Kovecses called us this morning and said, "I just wanted to hear your voice one last time." Hahaha, she made me the cutest hat. And the kids drew me pictures. And all this stuff....I could go on and on. It's been really sad, I love everyone here. But then at the same time I think of seeing my family again and I feel this big sob coming up my throat....haha wow....

My heart feels like a big potato that has been soaked in Vaseline - Week 79 (Transfer 11, Week 5) - October 31, 2016

Sister Osman is coming home!!!

Arrival date in SLC: Nov 9th, 2016

Homecoming talk: Nov 13th, 2016, 11:00 am
285 North Matterhorn Drive
ALPINE, UTAH 84004
Please, join us at our home afterward
for food and a chance to get re-acquainted!

Email us for our address!

The book is true! - Oct 26, 2016

Hey everyone. :)

This is my last week in the mission. My heart feels like a big potato that has been soaked in Vaseline. That's honestly like the best way that I can explain it.

I just love everyone here so much. So many of them are going through hard things; my heart just aches for them. I'm sad to leave them. But at the same time I'm super happy about everything in general. I love being a missionary.

This week we were walking out of one of our appointments and going to the next one. We oftentimes meet people at the library, there are always tons of people to talk to as the library is downtown. Sitting on the wall a little ways down the path was a guy, smoking. We finished talking to some ladies and went right over to him. He looked really sad. It was so cool to talk to him. He told us how a year prior he had attempted suicide. As we testified of the Savior and His Atonement he said, "maybe this is what I need in my life." Inside I was like UH YEAH IT IS!!!!! I just felt such an overwhelming love for this man. We just told him how much God loves him and that we were honored to have the opportunity to meet him--we were glad he was still on this Earth for us to meet. His name was B*. We set an appointment for the next day. As soon as we got into the car we invited the bishop to our meeting the next day.

Fast forward. We couldn't find the Tim Horton's we were supposed to meet at and we were running late because our previous appointment took a littler longer than we thought it would. We were 15 minutes late and we knew that B* didn't have a cell phone so we were super worried we wouldn't get to meet with him. We prayed our eyeballs out hoping we could find the right Tim Horton's and meet with him. We pulled up to one down the street from the church and we saw him inside, with his back up against the window. The lesson was incredible. We were so glad to have bishop with us. B* told us about how he normally would have just shrugged us off and ignored us, but that for some reason he decided to meet with us. We talked to him a while about faith and gaining a relationship with God and Jesus Christ. He told us about his dad who passed away a year ago and we were able to testify of eternal families. I was so grateful that I could testify of eternal families. I was so grateful that I could tell him how having the perspective of being together forever blessed my life and my family. I'm very grateful to my parents for their example.

I just want to testify that the Savior does live. He rose on the 3rd day. He understands us because He has gone through everything we have gone through. I don't fully understand how, or know how, but if there's anyone out there struggling with divorce, or depression, or loneliness, or addiction, or pain...anything, He understands. If my mission has taught me anything it has taught me that God loves us so much. I feel baffled and awed by the expressions of love that I have felt from God on my mission and for the amount of love that I have felt for the people here. I have learned that true religion means to love and serve each other. I have learned that we each have a place in God's kingdom. We are the body of Christ. And Christ found us worthy of His blood. He finds us worthy of His love. And He finds us worthy of all that He has. All that we have to do is accept the gift. 

I'm so grateful to have been here, I love this gospel.

Have a fantastic week, see you all in a few!

Love,

Sister Osman

Sister Osman and Sister Wilson - October 26, 2016

The sister missionaries taking selfies of themselves - Oct 26, 2016

The sister missionaries's painting outfits - Oct 25, 2016

Do what the Savior would do: offer help when it is needed.... - Week 78 (Transfer 11, Week 4) - October 24, 2016

Sister Osman is coming home!!!

Arrival date in SLC: Nov 9th, 2016

Homecoming talk: Nov 13th, 2016, 11:00 am
285 North Matterhorn Drive
ALPINE, UTAH 84004
Please, join us at our home afterward for food and a chance to get re-acquainted!
Email for our address!

Fall 2016 in Barrie, ON, Canada

Hey Everyone!

Story of the week:

Last week one of the members here, Lisa Pearce, invited us to dinner. :) Since she lives outside of our area, she came into town and we all went out to dinner at this fancy restaurant. It was delicious. She brought her friend M*, who is also a member of our ward, baptized when she was 19, but hasn't come to church in many years because of...well a lot of reason. But ANYWAY, dinner was fantastic, we shared a message, M* wasn't sure if she wan'ts to meet with us, that was okay, we understood, dinner was over and we left.

Monday of this week: M* gave us a call out of the blue. She told us that her friend T* is going through a really hard time and needs help. She asked if the church offers help to non-members and told us she was embarrassed to ask because she hasn't come to church in such a long time, but that she turned every where else she could think of and just couldn't get help for her friend. Of course, as missionaries, there is only so much we can do and we weren't sure exactly what the church can do to help, so we gave M* the Bishops number and his counselors numbers and told her to give him a call.

She did!

So a couple days later the bishop texted us and told us he had set up an appointment with M* and her friend T* so that we could all go meet them and see what we could do to help. I was on exchange with another sister and was kinda nervous about not having Sister Wilson with me (I know Sister Wilson well, after all she is my companion, so we teach better together and when I don't know what to do, she does.) but of course, we went anyway. We pulled up to the house and bishop had just parked. We asked him what the goal of the meeting was. Did he want us to teach a lesson? Were there to support him? And he said, "I don't know. We'll find out." So, we just went in.

T* was the biggest sweetheart. She told us about how she is a correctional officer at the local penitentiary and how she was diagnosed with severe PTSD which makes it difficult for her to go to work. She told us a lot of other things, that are too personal to share, but I was so touched and just felt so much love for T*. She had her 5 year old daughter S* with her and told us how she just wants a good life for her, and wants spiritual healing, and needs help.

The bishop knew exactly what to do. He testified that while we could help financially with some stuff, the best help we can offer is through what we as missionaries teach, and pointed to us. That's where we came in. I don't even know how to describe the lesson, but the Spirit was so strong. T* is so kind, such a good mom, and is so prepared for the gospel. We all came to an understanding, the bishop was able to offer whatever financial help she needed, and then we were there to help with the other stuff.

Her and her daughter came to church this week. Such a cool experience. And it was all because of the members. Because the members give us dinner. Because they invite their less active friends. Because they call us and reach out to us. Because the Bishop and Relief society president are awesome. And because M* was Christlike enough to do what the Savior would do: offer help when it is needed.

I love you all!

Sister Osman

Brother Stewart, our ward mission leader. He was laughing so hard at coordination, then we started laughing, then we all started crying. The elders were just sititing there like, "What's so funny?"

Exchanges with Sister Kehrers trainee, or in other words, my granddaughter Sister McGill

 Painting Heather's Kitchen. I'm wearing her 8 year old's PJ pants. LOL

So many life changing experiences... - Week 77 (Transfer 11, Week 3) - October 17, 2016

Sister Osman is coming home soon! :)

Arrival date in SLC: Nov 9th, 2016

Homecoming talk: Nov 13th, 2016, 11:00 am; a chance to mingle and food at our house afterward!

285 North Matterhorn Drive

ALPINE, UTAH 84004

You are all cordially invited!

Hey everyone!

I don't even know where to begin this week....
The members here are amazing. Our investigators are amazing. L* is amazing. B* is doing okay. She had a some seizures and CAS took her baby away. A* has to be in foster care now because B* has to be seizure free for a while before she can have him back...it's been hard. Not sure what to do for her or how to approach it. :( But we are trying. The gospel helps everything.

L*'s family have been crazy. I can't remember if I said anything about it last week, but she's been so strong and made eggs for the munch and mingle after church yesterday. hahaha

We had lots of miracles this week:

1. We met with R*, an investigator H* helped us find. He's a lot more prepared than we though he would be. He's cool.
2. We met with N* for the first time. It was a great lesson.
3. We got this referral from this girl of the street who said her mom might be interested. Turns out her mom was taught by missionaries a year ago and told us how these two elders had served her. She was sick and they went and bought her gingerale, even though she was just the next door neighbor of a member of our church. Then they mowed her lawn. She shared with us how she realized that we are real people who really just care about people and want to help. She told us how she started to learn about the gospel and the elders would sit with her every day and help her understand the Book of Mormon. She said, "If there is any church I would join, it would be yours." hahaha she's amazing. We are teaching her now.
4. Sister Gousse, one of my old companions, is serving in Hamilton and they went to some place like Jamba Juice and the cashier said, "oh hey, you're missionaries! I've been looking for missionaries! I used to live in Barrie and I was taught by them but then I moved. I've been wanting to come to church!" Apparently she said she was taught by me...but I don't remember. But its so cool though!
5. D* is donw to 10 cigarettes from 24!
6. D* (another D*) came to church. We are now teaching R*, D*, C*, and J*. A whole family from Jamaica!
7. J* came to church! She didn't smoke at all last week and is planning on being baptized on November 12....3 days after I leave...hahahaha

Anyway, there were lots of other miracles, and even these ones I can't even explain....There is so much more to each of them. So many life changing experiences. It's awesome.

I know God loves us.

Love,

Sister Osman

  We went to this lady's house named Sister Pearce who lives in Orillia. For 15 years, she has been putting things together for kids in like 7 different women's and children's shelters all over Orillia, Midland, and Barrie. Now she is getting really sick though and needs help to do it.
So we went over and helped her package tonnnns of stuff for Halloween. It was so cool!!!! I love it. We go over there once a week or every other week depending on our schedule. I love doing it. She lives by this beautiful pond. Her whole house is purple becuase it's her favorite color. 

So proud of D* he prayed and asked God if he should go tomorrow
And he got his answerHe answered was yes!!
15 Oct, 16

This Thanksgiving, I want Jesus Christ to know I'm grateful for Him - Week 76 (Transfer 11, Week 2) - October 11, 2016

Hey everyone!!! Happy (Canadian) Thanks Giving! I think this was one of the best ones ever.

Here's how the day went:
Woke up. Exercised. We went running by the water front, but I forgot that it's getting cold outside and wore short sleeves. My arms were numb by the end of the run, but we felt great. Studied for 2 hours. Finished weekly planning that we didn't finish last week because we were too busy. Then we went and cleaned our whole car, and pumped up the tires, the tire pressure was low thanks to Canada becoming an ice box over night. Then the fun began. We went and taught our investigator P* and his wife M*. Then we picked up H*, a member in our ward who is the best and does so much for us, and took her to lunch--I thought I would die from all the food. It was so good though. And that's saying something because I don't like hamburgers that much. Then we took her contacting downtown and found a new investigator named R*. #memberpresentwootwoot Then we went and taught D*. D* is doing great. Then we went and heart attacked Brother Stewart, our war mission leader. We rang the door bell and he came out and didn't even see us and ended up talking to the neighbors about missionary work because of it. SO FUNNY. We all almost threw up our food because we were laughing so hard. Then, we heart attacked a bunch of other people to say thank you. This ward has been so amazing. They do so much for us. We had turkey dinner at a Returning Members house named Sister K*. I love that woman. She is from Hungary and has the most difficult accent, but it's awesome. She lives in government housing and works so hard, but has very little money...It was so kind of her to make us that meal. I walked into her house and almost started crying. She's amazing. God bless her. Then we went and taught our investigator R* and his son D*. R* was frustrated with D* because of the choices he's been making (he's 18) and so we set up an appointment with D*. Then D* said the closing prayer. He asked if we could all hold hands in a circle. We did, then he prayed and the spirit was so strong. I can't even describe it. At the end of the prayer we all opened our eyes to see that the rest of the family had joined the prayer. It was so cute. His little sister was holding his hand. And that's how our Thanksgiving ended.

I love this gospel. I'm so grateful for the Savior. My mission has taught me about His love. It is consuming. It is real. It fills me up. I feel forever in the Saviors debt. My mission has taught me a little more about what He really did for us. I have learned Gratitude for the Savior.

This Thanksgiving, I want Jesus Christ to know I'm grateful for Him, and I want my Father in Heaven to know I'm grateful for the matchless gift of His Divine Son.

Love,

Sister Osman

P.S. Also, guess what?!?! We went to the temple with a returning member we've been working with named S* this week and guess who was there?!?!?! P*!!!!!!!!!! I saw him in the temple waiting room and said, "P*?" He looked up and we were both so excited that we almost shouted, but it's the temple. So you gotta be reverent. Then I almost hugged him. But then I remembered. Can't hug boys. Hahahaha I love that man! I'm so happy I got to be there for his first time in the temple.

When he talks about God, it sounds like a roaring sea - Week 75 (Transfer 11, Week 1) - October 3, 2016

This is what sister osman does during conference." P
icture and caption sent to us by Heather Karau, a member in the Barrie ward.

Hey Everyone. :) 

My email last week was kinda lame...cuz you know, no time. BUT this week I promised myself it would be a good one, because so many cool things have happened all you must all know about it.

We met with L* again after her baptism and confirmation. We showed her the D&C for the first time, Pearl of Great Price, and Joseph Smith History. She was kinda like, "Woah...!!!! That's a lot of God's word...what do I do with all of this information!!!!" But then Sister Stewart (the member who was teaching with us) says, "No worries I've been in the church for 40 years and still don't know everything. You don't have to read it all right now. But L* loved it. We sang some hymns with her to help her get familiar with our church's hymns. Then we read the Joseph Smith story in Joseph Smith History, recorded by Joseph Smith himself. It was awesome. L* just loved it. She told her husband that she got baptized finally. While he was driving the car. He almost crashed. HAHA but he's supporting her. :) She told us about some really cool spiritual experiences she had after her baptism, but I don't think it would be appropriate to share them on here. But some really cool stuff, the gospel is so true. :)

B* had her baby!!!! They got home from the hospital on Friday. The ward has been AWESOME about serving her, reaching out, providing meals, any other support, etc. Shes felt so loved with the amount of love and support as all of her family is dead except one aunt and a sister that she doesn't talk to. But we went over to her house last night after conference to watch some with her and she was all in tears and goes, "Sisters! I have to show you something super cool!" A stranger had contacted her on facebook who lived next door to her when she was young and knew her parents. This stranger had found hours and hours of home videos recorded by her parents. We just watched them and B* introduced us to her family. Such a cool moment. And then we got to meet AJ, her little son. HE IS TINY. He is so CUTEEEEEEEEEE! I will send a picture when I'm done writing this.

We taught our investigator R* this week. R* is Pentecostal and grew up in Jamaica. When he talks about God, it sounds like a roaring sea. I always feel the spirit so strongly around him when he tells us about what he's learned through his life. Most of our lessons are just listening to him expound these awesome truths of the gospel. And then in our small voices we chime in and show him something new and he grows quiet and is always struck by how much we know, even though we are younger than him. He's loving discovering the gospel. I can't wait to teach him about temples. SO COOL. He loves the Book of Mormon. He told us he wants to turn in the keys to his church, apparently he has some sort of leadership role there....everyone pray hard for R*. The Lord needs him here!

Conference was great. I loved all of the messages. But one in particular stuck out to me. He said, "Conversion means to be filled with the Love of God." That really struck me. I understand it. :)

Other than that, our other investigators and people are doing well. We taught S* the word of wisdom this week. She quit smoking just a month ago! How perfect! And agreed to stop drinking coffee and tea...she's only 15! So many youth over here smoke. D* is cutting down significantly on drinking and smoking and one of our investigators J* will be baptized in a couple weeks. So excited! Hopefully Ronnie will be baptized on the 21st. That's the goal. :)

Love you all! Thanks for your support. It's so cool to be a missionary. I feel so blessed all the time.

Love,

Mikkia



Sister Wilson & Sister Osman at the library. 27Sep16



Mission Leadership Council, Brampton, ON, Canada. 28Sep16

Start of LAST TRANSFER! - Week 74 (Transfer 11, Week 6) - September 26, 2016

Sister Osman is starting her last transfer TODAY. Sister Osman did not get transferred but will stay in Barrie with Sister Wilson. They are both very excited as they get along so well and are a power companionship but mostly because they love the people there SO MUCH!

Mikkia will be home in 44 days! :) But we are not concentrating on that rather we want to cheer her on during her last 6 weeks! She is so exited to be in Canada, not one bit trunky and we hope that she will have the best transfer of her mission. This girl is on fire, and we are so happy to support her till the end!


Hello Everyone!!!!

I spent a lot of time writing my brother (schmo) #caelanosman, so sorry but this one is going to be short but yeah my brother is super awesome so I had to email him.

THIS WEEK WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!

We had such a great week. B* came teaching with us a bunch and really helped our lessons. Her sweet testimony is so powerful.

L* was baptized and confirmed. I LOVE THAT WOMAN with all my heart. She is amazing.

Heather Karou made us a pan of peanut butter bars. Best thing ever.

Our investigator D* is an alcoholic but is quitting drinking and smoking because of the gospel! And even vacuumed his apartment because he felt inspired and motivated by the gospel. hahahaha I love that old little guy. Sweetest man ever.

Ummm I'm staying here in Barrie with Sister Wilson for my last transfer! Couldn't be happier. I LOVE YOU ALL! Can't wait to see you all!

Sister Osman