Happy Birthday Junior Doodle!

Wazzup Famry?

   First I just want to give a shout out to my super awesome little bro, Merthew Berticus. Can't believe he is nine!! That is so crazy! I hope all of his birthday wishes come true. And that he gets all of the barbies and cute little girly things that he asked for :) I'm sending him a little letter in the mail, it'll be late, but just let him know that I didn't forget him on his birthday. I love that little dude and miss him so much everyday. I can't believe he is so old! Ãlso, next week pday will be on tuesday the 25th. We are going to Quebec again tomorrow morning for our exchanges and zone conference meeting.

   This week was super good. Much better than the last. But only because I just changed my attitude. Everything goes a whole lot better when we are just willing to be happily obedient. If we aren't happy in our obedience, then it will profit us nothing. -Said pretty much every apostle, prophet, and wise person ever. So that's what I have been working, or am trying to really work on now. But more about all that cute stuff l8er. First I will tell you all some funny things that happened this week.

   So we had a memory stick with a bunch of music, like 1000 plus songs, that we have been listening to and trying to figure out what is on it this week. There is a bunch of stuff that we shouldn't listen to, but they are all in French. And I think since they are in French the missionaries who passed the memory stick down to us thought that is was ok to listen to it. Who knows, I don't really care either way if they listened to it our not. We just skip the songs to see what's next. But anyway, there was one super sweet one that we came across that we can't really listen to, I assume it is because when it came on my companion said, "This one was a huge hit in Switzerland! They played it at all of the clubs I went to!" I thought that was funny. Apparently she went to a bunch of clubs. You go Sister Ryser! Oh yeah, but I am telling you this because if you want some ideas on how to have a good time, look up the song Alors on Danse. Also Femme Liberee (that last word has accents, but I am too lazy to put them thur). But yeah, they were some groovy ones that we skipped over but listened to enough to know that they are groovy. But I'll be honest, we actually listened to the Alors on Danse one all of the way through. But I have been doing my best to not do it again!

   This we had a lesson with Elizabeth, she is still awesome as ever! But she has a super crazy cat that is just pure crazy. So we were starting up the lesson and we asked if we could say a prayer. So she asked the member who was with us to say. And this member is kind of old and super quiet so there's that. But anyway, the member was about to start her prayer and I noticed that the cat was looking like it was about to do something not good, I wasn't sure what, but my cat senses were tingling or whatever. Haha I really don't like cats that much. But to continue, the member starts to pray, and I hear the cat jump up onto the couch where my companion and I were sitting with the member. So I decided just to hurry and sneak a peak and see what the cat was doing, and it had climbed onto the member's back and was messing with her head. Turns out my companion looked right at the same time as I did and we both started laughing and had to do all that we could to not be loud. So I just prayed in my heart that the cat would leave her alone. My prayers were answered, and like most prayers, not in the way that I expected or necessarily wanted, because then the cat came over to me and put it's legs on my shoulders and was sniffing my hair. All of this is still mid-member's prayer. But it was all good, just a nice little experience to keep us happy and not too serious. Also, speaking of cats (I really think they are of the devil, I am sorry if you like them). But yesterday we had a DA with a member and I was saying the prayer to bless the food when mid my prayer there was a bunch of weird like retching sounds going on. Once I finished, we all looked and saw this puddle of nasty green whatnot that had come out of the cat. Geez. Cats are so sick! I think we should probably start eating them or something. They are just too gross, if we are being honest here, which I am. Ok, that was rude though, maybe we shouldn't eat them. They'd probably taste super disgusting anyway.

   It finally snowed here! I was so pumped when I woke up yesterday and saw it. So we got ready for church and I put on my new coat that I was so excited to wear, and I stepped out the back door and slipped and fell down the stairs. Haha it was so funny, because I was just so excited, and my spirits were just crushed within two steps of being outside. Luckily it didn't hurt at all even though I slipped right onto my bum and fell down about eight stairs. I was just laughing and so was my companion. And the Victoria Sisters came out to see what happened, and so did the lady who owns our building. So I just said, "Desole, J'ai beaucoup des choses dans mes mains, donc j'ai tombee!" (I have a lot of things in my hands so I fell). And she just kept saying, it's slippery! Pay attention and be careful! And I thought, yeah! No kidding. Sorry these stairs are covered in snow on top of being painted by just the slipperiest paint in the world. But I was a little kinder and just said sorry a bunch.

   So, I said I would get to what I have been working on later. Now it is later. So I have been reading this talk (it's 18 pages long, that's why 'reading' is in that form and not the past), and it's about the type of missionary that we need to be if we want our mission to change us. So like I said, if we want our obedience to actually profit us something. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 it talks about how we will reap what and how we sow. And the last like of verse 7 says something like, "God loveth a cheerful giver." So we can go throughout our whole life being a giving person and doing good and what we are supposed to, but if we don't actually want to be doing those things, it is going to do nothing for us in the end. And this life, and especially the time spent being a missionary (I think) is about changing ourselves to be better aka more like our Savior. And the only way for us to change and become more like our Savior is to give our will to Him. And be happy to do it too! Something that I love that Aunt Leesa taught us kids was 1. Life isn't fair 2. No one is going to love you like your parents love you and 3. You have to bend you will to Heavenly Father's, because he isn't going to bend his will to yours. So I was just thinking about that as a missionary, and I kind decided/learned/figured out is that if I truly want to give my "heart, might, mind, and strength" here on my mission and in my life after, I have to really give all of that, all four things. And giving your heart, to me, means giving your will not begrudgingly. Sometimes I pray that things will be given me that I want after my mission or something. And the desires aren't necessarily bad, but if I was truly converted to the Lord, I would accept whatever his will is, not exactly the things that I think that I want. Overall, our Heavenly Father knows way more than we do, and once we truly accept his will, we will see that what he wants for us (his will) is actually what we want to. It will all come together, sometimes it just takes time for us to get there. I'm not there, but I hope to be one day. Ultimately, we say, or at least I say, that I am a person who follows Jesus Christ. And as we can see multiple times in the scriptures, he always said, "not my will, but the Father's be done." And to me, if I really want to be like the Savior, I too have to be willing to say, "not my will, but the Father's be done." I know that in the end that will bring us the most joy and happiness. I have been seeing people's live change because they have that attitude. They are changing their bad habits, and accepting the Lord's will for them. And I can promise you that it is making them happier. It is making me happier. It's the truth.

   Anyway, I love you all a lot. And I hope that when I come home I will be a different person. Just better. I hope you have an awesome week. Choose the right, enjoy the snow and Thanksgiving, whenever it is... 27th? They already had theirs here in Cranada. Be nice to Dude today, he deserves it. I love him so much. Whelp, until next week!

 Love,

Snoop

  

   

Hello Family!

Hello Family!

   What is up errbody? Sorry I am writing later. We went to the library like normal but there were too many people there. So we went to the mall instead, and there were too many people there. So then we tried a Lebanese restaurant. And there were too many people there too! Just kidding, we just ate lunch there. And man was it good! It was my second time going there, but I was on an exchange, so this time I had to take my companion. So instead of emailing we just ate some really good food. But then we just went to the church to email, so here I am now! A team of elders was here using the computers so we had to wait a little bit, so I went and played basketball in the gym. Turns out I am still super good. Haha just kidding, I'm not now and never was that great. But I still love it, so  that's what counts! 

   This week was a little bit slower it seemed like, but it was still good. I have way too much to be thankful for to start complaining about a slower week. Sometimes we just need those little reminders to be thankful. Too bad Thanksgiving in Cranada already passed! But I can still celebrate American Thanksgiving here too if I want. Maybe I should buy a turkey. We'll see. 

   We had some normal lessons like we usually do. We really get to work with some sweet people here. We did some service for two ladies this week. raking leaves and getting the lawns cleaned and whatnot. Everyone is preparing for the snow and the "winter" here. I say "winter" because I really just don't know if there is a crazy winter here. Everyone says there is, but I can't trust anyone these days. I tried my best not to come into the mission, Cranada, or my area with any expectations, but a lot of people told me how it was going to be. And so far... everyone lied. Haha not really everyone, but a few people. So I am just waiting to see if everyone lied about it being cold here. I just hope people like JW Henrie are reading this and laughing, knowing that I am in for a nice surprise. Because if it really does get super cold it will be the first thing that was actually how people said it was going to be! I really hope it just drops a wall of snow one of these days. That way I can test out my new coat and boots! But it might be harder to work in the winter because people might be inside more. But that's ok! You just do what you have to do I suppose. Anyway, I will keep you all updated about the winters, because nothing is more thrilling than the weather!

   People keep asking about how French is coming.. That is a good question. I have no idea, because for me it's like, "compared to what?" But I guess if it was on a scale of 2 to 9, 2 being the most fluent of fluent of French speakers and 9 being "no hablo espanol" (haha get it, not even French or English), I'm about a 4? Just kidding, that was pure confusing and only like one person would really get the joke I just made. On a scale of 1-10 one being no good, ten being perfect I am probably like a 5? Haha I really don't know. I make phone calls on my own and lead areas when a greenie can't speak or understand, but I still know there is a lot that I don't understand, and I still lean on my comp too much because she just likes to talk anyway. But there has definitely been some huge progression. It is just hard for me to see it because it's me and not someone else, you know? This will be my comp and I's last transfer together because she is going home. So change will be good, I feel pretty ready for that. I just don't want the area to fall at all. And it's hard because she has been here for almost a year and everyone loves her because she is awesome, so I just don't want people to stop seeing us once she is gone. But the change will be good I think. And who knows, I might not even stay here. I hope I do though, I love Longueuil. But yeah, a new companion will bring some new ideas, so that will help because we are trying to find some new investigators right now. We are kind of struggling in that department. But it's all good because we are so blessed and things just keep going on. The Lord still blesses us, even if we don't have as many investigators as we used to. 

   I feel bad but this week just wasn't too eventful... We are starting our three week exhange palooza this week though! So hopfeully next pday I will have cooler things to write. I love you all and am glad that you are still safe and happy! Until next Monday!

Love,

Snoop

Mein Schatz

Wazzzzup!

   Hey fam. This week just flew by. Holy cow. But it's good to be back to say, "whaddup" and all that good stuff. This week was pretty busy, but we got a lot of good stuff done. A lot of bad stuff done too. Haha just kidding. Wow, that was a super lame joke. Anywave... So Tuesday was super crazy. We had to cover English class for the Victoria sisters, because one of them was going home and they wanted to see some members instead, so we took it for them. But we had already planned a lesson for that same time, so we had to do a last minute split, and since I'm apparently the better English speaker in my companionship I had the privilege to go and teach the class (but let's be honest, you've all read my emails, I aint dat gr8, just mega dope). But where was I? So we literally called like minutes before the class started, just trying to find a member to come with me, because the member we had asked to come forgot and wasn't at home and doesn't have a cell phone. But the Lord always provides, so we found a member to come with me and we went together and I taught the class. The sister I brought is this older Haitian lady and it was so funny because she didn't understand a thing of what was going on during the class. Haha it was really sad but also kind of funny. I just kept laughing at how awkward and stressful the whole situation was. But it was all good. I feel like I learn English while I teach it. I just hope I am not making up rules as a go. Like what's the rule with using "these vs. those?" I have no idea?! I just say what I want to, you know? But it's ok, it's always fun to learn on the spot while you're the teacher. It was super funny too because I was teaching direct object pronouns at the same time as I was trying to remember what exactly direct object pronouns were, and I was mid example when I just said out loud, "oooohhhh direct object pronouns! Ok, I know what these are!" Haha it probably wasn't too smart of me to say that right to the class mid-teaching, but it's all good, they probably didn't understand me anyway. They are so cute though, just asking me to slow down when I talk. I don't think I talk that fast, but maybe I do. Ok, enough of english class, it isn't that exciting.

   We had a lesson with this lady who has been investigating the church for five years! She is so funny because she always tells her friends about the church and how awesome it is, but she still doesn't want to be baptized yet. But it's ok, the Lord works in his own time. Anyway, she kept telling us about a lady she knows that she wants us to teach, so on Thursday she invited her friend over and we had a super sweet lesson with them. It felt like a lesson with an investigator and a member though haha, it was so weird! But yeah, it's awesome how the church really changes lives. The five year investigator (Marie-Marthe) has a son who was baptized and his life just totally turned around for the better. So she is a first hand witness of how Heavenly Father is a god of miracles. I can testify to that too. He loves us and is always helping us out, it's amazing.

   On Friday we went and took some pictures for a member. Some news thing asked for pictures of French speaking sister missionaries knocking on doors and teaching, so we went and did that for a few minutes. It was pretty funny. His wife was in the pictures with us, and after she asked us to sing in the stake choir for stake conference. But I have been sick this last week so my voice is just terrible as ever. So come Saturday night I just sang my little heart out really terribly for the whole stake. And what was worse was our mission president was sitting on the stand with his wife right by me, so they probably heard me and that's no good. But oh well, I tried. you will never believe what we sang. It's one missionaries rarely sing.. Called to Serve! Actually Apeller a Servir, but you know, same thing or whatever. Haha luckily I'm not sick of that song yet.
   Yesterday we had stake conference at four pm (.....) and so it was the first Sunday since I've been here that we've done all of our studies on a Sunday. Which isn't good I know, we should do make up studies or something, but anyway... So since we live with another team of sisters, we were all home doing studies yesterday morning, each team in their own room. All of the sudden our fire alarm starts going off, so I slowly got up to walk out and see what's up. The alarm is super sensitive so I didn't really think much of it since it goes off kind of frequently. Haha my companion didn't even get up from her chair, that's how unseriously we were taking the situation. So I get up and head for the door. I opened it and the whole apartment was just filled with smoke. Haha the other sisters walked out of their room at the same time and we all just like panicked and ran around trying to open doors and windows but it was super hard to see and breath. Then we got a white board and started fanning the fire alarm to get it to stop and to get the smoke out of the apartment. But we had to take turns being inside because our eyes were burning and our throats too. It was so funny. Moral of the story is never leave something alone cooking in the kitchen. Luckily it was the other sister's fault haha and not mine. It was all good though, just made things a little more exciting and all that.

   Oh yeah, mein schatz means "my precious" or something like that in German. So when we were at Gerd's the other day, we were finishing up the gardening we were doing, so he gave us some grape juice like he always does before we go, and he has these little cups, so I was saying "shots, shotz, shots, shots, shots" like a shot glass (probably shouldn't say that, I know, I'm sorry) and Gerd, being all old and whatnot (in a good way), misunderstood me and thought I was saying "mein schatz." It was a good old funny time. And then, the next day in companionship study, I said "mein schatz" again, for whatever reason, and my comp said, "like Golum (creepy little guy from Lord of the Rings), mein schatz (in a creepy little guy voice)." And then I said, "he doesn't say that, he says 'my precious'..." And then I thought, duh, she speaks German so she watched in German and that's what he says, in German. It was pretty funny. Sometimes I am just super oblivious and just not there... Oh dear. Just spacy as ever. Like the planner I made! Check out the attached pic! The cover says "Aimez vos freres," or love your brothers, so I thought it would be fitting to put some of my brothers on underneath.

   Welp, this week was just cute as ever. We are trying to find some more people to teach and that's always tough, but Heavenly Father really just puts those people in our paths that need to talk to us. Whether they are ready for the gospel or not, we can walk away from each contact knowing we helped someone. That's something that is super sweet about being a missionary. People just open up to you and tell you their life story, and then we just tell them how all of the saddness and trials can be made better. What a blessing. Keep spreading the good news. I know our Savior lives and loves each and everyone of us. You want to know how I know that? Read Alma chapter 34. The laws of the universe demand justice. So, sins have to be paid for. But then our Savior comes in, paying those demands for justice. That's called mercy. And wow is he merciful. Don't forget it.

I love you guys and am super stoked to read all of your emails. Keep being wonderful, I am super proud to call you my family.

Luz you all,

Snoopswag