Behold, Be Not Pushy‏ - Week 38 (Transfer 7, Week 2 - 1/25/2016)

Hey Everyone!!!!!                                                                                                    (1/25/2016)

We had a roller coaster of a week! Got so much done, but so little at the same time. But it's okay, we are laying the foundation for a great work!!! This next week will be very successful because of this past week. We are excited to see miracles.

One cool miracle that happened this week:

Church had just barely finished. We were super disappointed because our investigator who was all set to come with a ride and everything didn't show. Cleaning up and getting organized after Sundays meetings, we saw a girl at the door. She was tall, blondish, and had a brightly colored hat on. We were over in the opposite corner talking to the Elders Quorum President when the Relief Society President called our names. She is honestly the most hilarious person. Very different, quirky, has a heart of gold and sometimes knocks you off your seat with the things she says. We love Sister M*. But anyway, we saw the girl, and all excited we rushed over. She introduced herself as S* and told us she had come because she wanted to learn more!!! Honestly, that never happens. We were so excited and in our excitement probably overloaded her with new information but it's okay because if God wants her to have the gospel then by golly, she will have it. Anyway, she's coming to church next week and we are VERY excited. :)

Also, on Thursday, driving home from a meeting an hour away, Sister Gousse and I were kinda discouraged. We had learned so many new things in our meeting and felt so frustrated that we couldn't do everything at once!!! Sister Gousse said, "What should we do now?" I said, "Let's call potentials." So she picked a random number in the phone from previous missionaries that was labeled C* and called it. C* answered the phone with a resounding, "Oh my goodness!!!" We couldn't tell if it was a good "oh-my-goodness" or a bad "please-stop-calling-me-oh-my-goodness." You never know how often these numbers are called by other missionaries. But then C* began to explain how he had been reading in Mark 6 that morning about how the Lord sends his servants out two by two. He said that we came to his mind as he was reading it and that he had wanted to give us a call. And then there we were! Calling! Tears began to trickle down Sister Gousse's face. We were both so touched, and over email it doesn't sound that amazing, but the Spirit was so strong and we really needed that encouragement. Such a miracle and a tender mercy and a witness that we really are the Lords servants. :) Anyway, we were able to set up an appointment to meet with C* and will be seeing him this week. Will keep you updated!

Love you all!

Sister Osman

P.S. Sorry mom I don't have time to email anyone else. 

Just a quick update - (Transfer 7, Week 1)

Hey Everyone!

We had incredible week this week.

Highlights of my week:

- Brother and Sister C* came to church! They have not come to church in over 6 years.

- J* came to church! She has set a date to work towards going to the temple.

-C* has not smoked in over a week! She too has a date to go to the temple.

- President and Sister Clayton (my mission president) came to visit our branch this Sunday. They came teaching with us to see our investigator named R*. It was an amazing lesson.

- I got a new companion named Sister Gousse. She is full of light and we are having so much fun together.

- It snowed like 2 feet this morning.

- We have been able to work super well with the members to coordinate lessons and get referrals! Thanks to President Claytons inspired council.

- Sister Gousse likes going running in the morning so we get to go running! It's the best.

I love you all!!!!

Love,

Sister Osman

Transfer Calls - Good-bye Sister Tang, Hello Sister Gousse! - Week 37 (Transfer 6, Week 6)

Mikkia was not able to write a group email this week, but lots of exciting things are happening:

1. She is staying in Collingwood (Stayner Branch), which she is very excited about.

Excerpt from another email about staying in Collingwood: "And I get to stay here! I'm actually super happy about that. ... I just love these people. This branch is going to explode. I just know it!!!"

2. Sister Tang was sadly transferred to Ajax, Mikkia's first area. To make this transfer call happen, they were BUSY, thus no email. They had to drive the 3.5 hrs to the Brampton Stake Center (close to where the mission home and temple are located, just outside of Toronto) during severe weather, so not sure how long it actually took them. Stayed for the night in the Sister Training Leaders' apartment (Mikkia's first companion, Sister Jolie, so she was super excited about that) and then drop off Sister Tang the next day, pick up her new companion and make the trek home, back from Brampton to Collingwood.

Excerpt from another email about road conditions: Yikes!

Yes, it is super icy and snowy. But no worries, I have slowed down to half the speed limit and been pumping the brake like dad taught me to. We had freezing rain yesterday and not even kidding, there was half an inch of ice on every road. We slid right through 3 intersections when the light was red even though I started slowing down WAY sooner. But it's okay because Canadians are used to this and no one was out yesterday so we didn't get hit. I'm serious, God is protecting us. Nevertheless, I will slow down even sooner and go even slower!!!! I'm not stupid: I don't want to die!!!!! Hahaha my previous crashes have scared me enough. I'm a very safe driver, just need to adjust to the weather a little. But Elder Erickson has been teaching us how to drive in the snow (I mean it's nothing too new but it's a good reminder.)

And here is what the weather people are saying:

The intense snow bands could produce local snowfall amounts of 10 to 20 cm per 12 hours along with near zero visibilities in heavy snow and blowing snow.

Just the weather I want Sister Osman driving in, let's just say I spent the day praying that she would be ok!!! :)

3. Her new companion is Sister Gousse, she cannot wait to meet her! I bet we will hear all about it next week!

Communication is Key! - Week 36 (Transfer 6, Week 5)

Heyyyyllooooo everyone!!!!!!

So I wasn't going to write an email this week. But just two seconds ago I changed my mind.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my goodness. It's amazing to be alive, and I mean that with all the sincerity of my heart! Today, in the lovely land of Ontario it is -15 C. Pretty sure that's not actually that cold in terms of F BUT it sure feels cold when you are out talking to people until long after dark. Good news: we have lots of snow to show for it, and I have warm gear so I can enjoy it.

This week was....discumbobulating to say the least, and discouraging at most. But I learned an incredibly important principle of communication. Let me explain:

My companion Sister Tang is INCREDIBLE. She is from Hong Kong and as her first language speaks Cantonese and as a second she speaks Mandarin. So coming here to Canada to adapt to the completely foreign lifestyle of "missionarydome" as well as learning the language and all the other things that missionaries have to learn, plus the culture shock, and plus on top of that she is naturally more shy and reserved....holy cow. I can't imagine how overwhelming that must have been! So this transfer I have learned so much from her about how to communicate. But this week I feel like I took everything I have learned from her these past 2 transfers and solidified it into a concrete thought:

It's important to communicate how you are feeling in a way that is effective and productive.

BOOM. I feel like I've stumbled upon this fountain of chocolate or found the secret hidden in...some super awesome somewhere.

For example: Sister Tang, being the valiant, noble one that she is, has a hard time saying when something is bothering her because she is afraid to offend. So first, we worked on simply just communicating it. But we have both come to realize, that it's not only important to express yourself, but also to express yourself kindly and effectively, with an awareness of the understanding and culture of everyone around you! It makes a huge difference! When you are able to tell others your thoughts in a way that they understand them, and then find a solution to the problem in a productive way, things happen and not only happen, but they WORK.

It's been so cool working with so many different people; I've come to understand what a huge effect everyone's cultures, family, and background has on the way the communicate and view the world.

Anyway, I just thought that was super cool this week so I thought I'd share. I love you all!!!! I testify that the Savior lives and that He makes it possible to be better every day. :) One miracle that happened this week: Cathy, our RC, is preparing to go to the temple and has quit smoking! We are so proud of her. Love her to death.

Well, love you all!

S. Osman

Christmas with the Savior's Name on My Heart - Week 35 (Transfer 6, Week 4)

Hello All!!!!

Christmas was awesome. All of the missionaries always talk about how cool it is to be a missionary during Christmas and I'm like....reaaaaaallllyyyy. But then they were right, and it was!

Christmas morning we went over to the S* family. They are soooo awesome. We love them! Most of the people in that house are either non-religious, don't believe in God, or do believe in God but are mad at Him for some reason except for Brother S* who is our Branch Mission Leader. He is one of the kindest people I have ever met. He loves his wife soooo muchhh! It's so cute! They have an amazing family. Him and his wife are taking care of their adorable grandson. (Will attach a picture.) Anyway, so we had lunch with them and shared a short little message about the Savior. They were all very respectful and the Spirit was strong and we were so grateful for their love. I love people like that. Afterwards we went Caroling. This old lady answered the door and Sister Tang said, "We just want to sing you a song!" She said, "Come in!!!" So we went in. Hahahah! There we about 10 people there, having Christmas dinner around the table. We sang them all Silent Night and bore our witness of the Savior and His divine mission. The room went silent as they listened to us and their eyes all filled with tears. It was soooo sweet! Such an amazing moment that I was so grateful to spend with this family that I didn't know, but felt I had known for a long time. So that was a good experience. Also, the "man of the house" happened to own a recording studio and said we can come record a song for free. So yeah...we are going to...Get ready for me to send one home for you all to hear!!!!

It was so amazing to talk to my family. Felt like I had never even left. I love you guys.

Anyway, just want to let you all know that I know the Savior lives. I know families are forever. I know that I am supposed to be here, and I'm grateful that I got to spend Christmas with the Savior's name on my heart.

Love you all!!!!! Happy new year! I can't believe I'm old enough to be alive in 2016. Like holy cow this earth has been alive for a long time and I'm on it right now....such a crazy thought...epic.

Thank you for all of your cards and notes and gifts and emails and pictures, etc. You made my Christmas.

Love,

Sister Osman

Remember Who it is that we are celebrating. :) Merry Christmas - Week 34 (Transfer 6, Week 3)

Hello Everyone!!!!

Merry Christmas!!! I hope pictures are enough this week, cuz that's all I have time for. I love you all. And Merry Christmas! Remember Who it is that we are celebrating. :)

One of the BEST emails EVER!