look to heaven

my sweet family,

 

sounds like a pretty crazy week back home. i know that God has a plan that we are all so unaware of. we're all being prepared for something great and our calling here to this earth is more than we will ever be able to bear, but i have so much faith in my heavenly father. that he is taking care of each one of you. especially the shipp family. look to heaven, where all the blessings flow and you'll have the peace you need in every circumstance.

 

what another crazy week that i could never imagine my life without! so, instead of living with the sisters about 15 min away from our area, they decided to move us to Langford.. which is about 45 min from our area!! the house was rented out for the missionaries so it was open for us. so we have been commuting. but i can't tell you the many blessings this has brought to the work here in Sidney. we have seen miracles each day that aren't just ordinary.. they are extra-ordinary.

 

it was pretty rough.. finding out we were moving, AGAIN. i kept studying patience every morning and didn't think i was even gaining anything from it. (thank you for pride) i began reading in Mosiah 23:21 "Nevertheless the lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith." it was almost like the Lord was sitting right there with me, saying, Sister Ovard.. this is so hard, i know. but i am molding you into who you need to become. show me your faith, show me you trust me, and i will lift you up." so i did exactly that, and the blessings definetely flew right before my eyes.

 

it was pouring rain one day and we had been going from lesson to lesson, but decided to knock a few doors along the way. a sweet lady opened the door and said "what are you two doing! come inside!!!" we didn't have much time because our appointment was about 15 min later.. but we talked about who we were and asked if we could come by later that night, and she said yes!!! so we had Bishop Carter come with us, so he could really speak to her since they are both first nations. and it was powerful. she said the book of mormon just rang true to her. i couldn't believe it! we are seeing her again tomorrow:) first nation people + the book of mormon = most amazing testimonies

 

sunday we were walking around Beacon and saw this cute cute lady and her son! so we began talking and she was like "i knew you had to be missionaries, you're so sweet!" we talked for at least an hour. such good conversations about how the spirit. she said she can really feel it so strong at times. so i said, "well what are you feeling now?!" and she said.. "THAT I LOVE YOU!!!" hahah oh she is so sweet. and she works at 7/11 which makes it all the better:) we are seeing her tomorrow as well!!

 

the african man we are teaching has a baptismal date for December 12. he is SO hilarious. he calls us his sister friends for life. just cracks us up each time we see him. and he INSISTS on buying us tea every time. (tea is so popular here, i have it every day. chamomile YUM!)

 

we had a Zone Conferenece yesterday.. and president and sister Burt came. the assistants texted us saturday night and asked if we could get interviewed before it. I WAS JUMPING FOR JOY! (cute little sister Cendreda was so nervous for her first interview hahahaha) we got there and i was first. he sat me down, and said, look at you Sister Ovard, you're just SO CUTE! it was such an inspired interview. we just talked, and talked, and talked some more. i love him more than i could ever even tell you. he is AMAZING.

 

for zone conference, we watched MEET THE MORMONS! i couldn't believe it! it was like i was watching football and listening to david archuleta again!!! HECK YEAH!  i couldn't believe each spirit that each persons story brought to me. we're all so different. but we all know that this gospel has been restored. we are never alone, don't think for one second you're the only one having to live the way you do. embrace it, and let people know who you are!!

 

i love this work. i love becoming who my father intended me to be. i am not perfect, but i am perfect at trying. my mission has brought me so much joy that i never knew existed. the fastest 4 months of my life have already flew by! keep nourishing you faith, his love is endless, and he will always lift you up. READ THE BOOK OF MORMON, EVERY DAY. i love you i love you i love you. muah!

 

xoxo, sis ovard