Life! {week 50}

Hello Everyone,

This week was one of those weeks where I don't really remember what happened much. It went by so fast. We have transfer calls this Saturday and I can hardly believe it. This transfer has been like the blink of an eye. 

Nanaimo is one of the awesomest places ever! I love it here! This week we were able to have a lesson with that amazing couple we found last week! We taught them the plan of salvation and when we were finished they said "wait so you girls aren't really part of a religion?" We were kind of confused so we asked them what they meant and they said "this isn't a religion, it's life." That statement really struck me. It's so true. I'm not walking all around Canada campaigning for some church. I'm helping people to know more about life as it really is. God has a plan for us and that impacts the course of our life. It is life.

The COOLEST miracle happened the other day! At the beginning of last transfer Sister Yraguen and I ran into a random lady at the dollar store. It turns out she is a member's sister. That member is a convert so none of his family are members of the church. She gave us her address and for the past 2 transfers we've dropped by her every now and then but haven't really gotten anywhere. Then the other day we had a feeling we should go see her. When she answered the door she was on the phone but hung up to talk to us. She was really upset because she lost her phone in Comox, which is a bit away from Nanaimo. We had a prompting to pray with her that she would find her phone so we said a prayer with her. She then gave us some ginger ale and said she had a lot of stuff she needed to do (side note- people here in Canada are like obsessed with ginger ale). We left and didn't really think much of it. Then that night we got a text from her brother. Apparently he was the one who was on the phone with her when we knocked on her door. After they hung up her brother decided to call her cell phone just to see what would happen. And some body answered! The person who answered was someone who found her phone and was willing to drive all the way back to Nanaimo to return it! Right after we left the member called his sister back and told her the news! She could hardly believe it and told him about how we had come over and prayed with her. He took the opportunity to bear his testimony and invite her to meet with us! It was AMAZING!! We should be seeing her again soon! That makes me so happy because we've been stopping by her for months now!! God really does answer prayers.

This Sunday church was fantastic! Before church on Sunday Sister Yraguen and I were in our apartment getting ready when we got a random call from someone who was wondering when church was. He just looked up the church on line because he wanted to come. We drove to the church and met him there. He got there really early so no one was there yet except for one lady who got there to set up for something. We opened the doors and the elders were standing at the end of the hall! Which was another miracle. We were able to introduce them and he was able to stay for church! It was pretty cool. Happy Fathers day by the way. May was able to come again. She's such an amazing person! I'm so happy for her! The elders also introduced us to a girl from China. She is just 20 years old and met the elders at the soup kitchen we sometimes volunteer at. She volunteers there too. She stayed for all three hours of church! She said she didn't understand it but she liked it! She is so awesome!

Being a missionary is such an opportunity and a blessing! I am so grateful to Heavenly Father. He's a lot more aware of us than we think He is. That's for sure. I've been thinking a lot about the power of the atonement. It can help us to not just forgive ourself and others, but to forgive past experiences. Meaning, the power of the atonement can help us to just move forward and be happy. Life is uncertain, but one thing is for sure. It will always be ok because of Jesus Christ.

Sister Bloomfield 

P-day Fun!

Making tie-dye shirts

Car Selfie

2 week old puppy

Car selfie!

A Holy Place {week 49}

Hello Everyone!

It has been such an amazing week!!! So many great things have happened and I have learned so much.

This week the elders introduced us to this AMAZING girl! I will call her May. She has met with the elders a couple of times now and she has loved learning about the gospel! We started meeting with her and I am blown away by her! She has been searching for the gospel and it touches me so much to see how the gospel touches and changes people's lives. We taught her the plan of salvation and the spirit was so strong. We were all almost near tears multiple times. One thing I've been realizing is how a knowledge of the gospel increases our understanding of who we are. Our understanding of our self worth multiplies by 10 with a knowledge of the plan of salvation. It is a beautiful things to see. May says that she first time she saw the elders from on top of her balcony (she lives in a complex on the 2nd floor) they looked like angles in their bright white shirts so she waved them over and started talking to them. Honestly, everything about this has just been a miracle. She will be getting baptized in July :) it makes me SOOO HAPPY!!!! 

May also came to church this Sunday! Church was amazing yesterday. Someone said something in sacrament meeting that really struck me. He said "if you don't like me, that's not my fault." I had never thought about that before. It hit me so hard. As children of God, we are incredible to Him even though we make mistakes. On my mission I've realized that I tend to beat myself up a lot. But mentally abusing myself is not something God ever intended. We will make mistakes, we are imperfect, but God will never give up on us. In gospel principles we had a lesson on Charity. As part of the lesson we talked about the ways to obtain charity. One of the first ways to obtain it, is to love ourselves. Because Christ said to "love thy neighbor as ye love thyself" How are you supposed to love your neighbor if you hate yourself? One thing I've tried to do is think about how I talk to myself and then ask the question "would you ever say that to someone else?" If it's too awful to tell another human being, then it's probably not the best thing to say to myself. 

On Sunday after church we were in a neighborhood knocking doors. The 2nd door we knocked was a man who doesn't believe in God and spent 30 minutes trying to convince us He doesn't exist. After we left my blood was boiling. And as the scriptures say the spirit of contention is of the devil, so feeling angry is never from God. Sister Yraguen and I walked for a couple of minutes passing multiple houses without knocking on their door. Finally I decided that I'm not going to let a negative emotion control me. As human beings we experience negative emotions. But we are also given moral agency, the ability to act and not be acted upon. I wasn't about to let that angry man control my actions. So without thinking we just turned and started walking up a random drive way. Honestly, I was expecting them to not be interested. Especially by the initial response we got when they opened the door. But then they invited us in and asked a ton of questions and we taught some of the restoration. They are some of the coolest people ever! We're going to see them again next Sunday and they're coming to church! It also turns out they have a lot of family who are a part of the church! It was such a tender mercy. If we had just continued in the spirit of contention that man left with us, we wouldn't have found them. 

Wow so many cool things have happened this week. About a week ago we met this girl. Our only interaction with her was about a 2 minute conversation on the doorstep. She was on the phone and all she said was "come back later." We walked away and didn't even write down her address. But every day I just couldn't stop thinking about her. A couple of days ago we decided to go back and miraculously we found her house. Her and her fiance opened the door and were really happy to see us. They said they like to have long debates about Christianity and have a lot of questions. So we'll be seeing them again later tonight! It was such a miracle! The spirit was so strong. 

One thing I know is that God really is there and He wants to make Himself known to us! Because He is there I know that I will hold on to the gospel with everything I have. Life isn't always going to be easy, but we knew that before we decided to come here. One of the lyrics to one of my favorite EFY songs says "when He is with you that's a holy place." I know that when we stand firm in the gospel, even in hard times, wherever we are will become a holy place. Our hardest times are sanctified by Him. 

I hope you all have a great week!

Sister Bloomfield

Giant Hamburgers {week 48}

Hello Everyone!

This has been such an awesome/crazy week! It feels like forever since I last wrote! 

This week we had the craziness of MLC and Zone conference! On Thursday we had to drive down to Victoria (2 hour drive) then ferry over to Richmond with the Victoria STLs. We had an amazing MLC! The big topic of conversation was technology. President asked us if we wanted to get Facebook now or latter. We had a huge debate about it. Not everyone was on the same page but the spirit was guiding the conversation. It was so strong. At the end of the discussion we made the decision to implement Facebook now. It was an incredible experience that I learned a lot from. I learned that God truly is at the head of this church. There is no doubt about that. When the apostles meet and discuss decisions within the church they must come to an unanimous decision. Not a single one of them can feel wrong about something and have the decision still made. That's not an easy task, pulling together 15 completely different men from completely different backgrounds. But because all 15 of them are striving to put the Lord's will above their own the spirit guides guides any decision. Nothing is done in the church without the support of all the apostles. It felt a little like that in MLC. A lot of people were really nervous about introducing social media. But as the spirit guided the conversation it was clear what we needed to do. What God needed us to do.

So now I'm on Facebook as some of you may have noticed! Just to let everyone know the only reason I'm using it is for mission related things. So if anyone outside my mission messages me or anything I won't respond until I'm home! 

After MLC on Friday we took the ferry back to Victoria with President Wong, the assistants, the Nanaimo zone leaders, the Victoria zone leaders, the Victoria STLs, and a senior couple. As you can imagine, we were quite a sight to behold haha. It was awesome because we were able to discuss with President ways we can help the Victoria and Nanaimo stakes reach their goals. I absolutely love this work with all my heart. It is so incredible to me to be able to be spending all my time and effort on helping other people to learn about Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for this gospel and the privilege I have of being able to share it with others. I know this is Christ's true gospel on the earth. None of this would be possible without Him. 

On Saturday we had an amazing zone conference! A wonderful lady from the Victoria 2nd ward made all us missionaries giant hamburgers! It was really funny watching all of the missionaries try to eat them! It was also an incredible experience to hear more direction from President Wong on how we can be better missionaries. I want to be better everyday, taking it one notch up everyday. 

On Sunday we had a bit of a miracle! Like 8 different people told us they were coming to church and none of them showed up. We were a little sad, but then this lady walked through the door! She used to be meeting with the sisters but then stopped. She is dating one of the elder's investigators and asked us to meet with her! She also asked a bunch of ward members the qualifications for baptism! It was such a miracle! I know this gospel is true! We should never lower our expectations because God has so many miracles in store for us! 

I love being a missionary so much!

Sister Bloomfield

 

Anxiously Engaged {week 47}

Hello World!

I hope life in the outside world is going well! As for myself, things are pretty amazing here in Nanaimo! 

It's felt like a pretty short week since P-day last week was on a Tuesday. Time honestly just goes by way too fast! It kind of scares me sometimes. 

Right now we're working with a ton of different people! The work is most definitely hastening. Every Wednesday in the Nanaimo ward the ward mission team puts on a scripture study class. Usually a couple of people investigating the church show up to it and the ward mission leader leads it with the elders. This past week however none of the people who usually attend were going to be there so the ward mission leader decided to cancel it. At the time the class usually is going on we were in a lesson. Somebody called our phone a couple of times so Sister Yraguen decided to answer it in case it was an emergency. We hadn't even started the lesson yet so it was perfect timing. It turns out this random person was at the church looking for the scripture study class. We told her we would be there when we could then went on with our lesson. After a quick lesson we rushed to the church to find Emily. She was there, patiently waiting for us. It turns out the elders had met her and invited her to the scripture study class and she came! We were able to talk with her about the Book of Mormon! It was such a miracle! 

This week we were also able to better get to know some members of the ward! I love this ward so much! Last night we had dinner with this amazing family and they invited Sophia, one of the people we're working with. It made me so happy. The most touching thing to me is when people reach out to others in love. When people recognize a need and act to meet it. Sometimes we're given huge promptings to do things. Other times we may notice a person that is struggling and make the decision to act to help them. Whatever it may be, when we are serving others we are with Christ. To serve, is to walk with Him. 

Doctrine and Covenants 58:27-28

Verily I say, men should be ANXIOUSLY ENGAGED in a good cause, and do many things of their OWN FREE WILL and bring to pass much righteousness. For the power is IN THEM wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

I can promise you that God doesn't cause the bad things in the world. He's the one that helps us get through them. When you look around and notice the good things, that's evidence of a loving God. When someone serves you, that's God reaching out to you. And if you can't think of anyone who has served you, I promise that as you serve someone else you will feel God. 

Sister Bloomfield 

"When you are in the Service of your Fellow Beings..." {week 46}

Hello Everyone,

It's been another crazy week in Nanaimo! Yesterday we had a pretty cool experience. On Sunday we found a lady named Pam. We taught her a little and then offered some service, which she accepted. The service she needed was her lawn to be mowed. Unfortunately neither Sister Yraguen or I have a lawn mower. We told her we would try and find a lawn mower by the next day, but no promises. I was a bit nervous about finding the help we needed on such short notice and on a holiday (Victoria day). We decided to text a member in the ward who is usually pretty willing to help. I wasn't expecting him to be available though. However, he responded right away and said he would gladly mow this lady's lawn. He came with his daughter, who had just flown in from Alberta. Come to find out his daughter was only there for 3 days, so they had limited time together. We weeded with his daughter while he mowed Pam's lawn. It wasn't an easy task since the grass was about a foot tall. Every time I looked over at him mowing the lawn he had the biggest grin on his face. After finishing the project they politely said they had to get going, because the daughter needed to be dropped off at the airport. They didn't have much time together, yet they still came and served. Not to mention, afterwards we texted him a thank you and he responded thanking us for giving him the opportunity. The biggest miracle to me that day, was witnessing someone so wiling to serve. It really touched me. I want to be the kind of person that the Lord can call on me for anything, even if it comes at personal sacrifice. It reminds me of something Joseph Smith once said. "A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race." 

I've been thinking a lot about why service is so important. I've come to the conclusion that it's because Christ Himself is not physically here on the earth. So it is up to us to be His hands and feet. The other day someone helped me out a ton. I remember 2 thoughts the flew through my mind. The first: "how am I ever going to repay them for this" the second "Christ doesn't expect you to repay Him." I'm not going to claim the 2nd thought as my own. We don't serve out of an effort to fill some quota. We serve because that's how others can come to understand the love of God. When we see Christlike service in the acts of others, that's when we begin to understand the unconditional nature of Christ's love. We serve without expectation of reward because Christ loves us without demanding anything from us. 

Lately I've met a lot of people who are angry at God for some reason or the other. One thing I've noticed is that a lot of the time when people are angry at God, they try to convince themselves that He doesn't exist. Because one of the things that hurts the most is to be ignored. I don't know if this is true, but sometimes it seems that people are trying to hurt God in their anger by denying his existence. Yet God still exists no matter what any one person may think or decide. As Jeffry R Holland said "I am grateful to know that in spite of my imperfections (or the imperfections of those who may hurt or offend us) at least God is perfect- that at least He is, for example, able to love His enemies, because too often, due to the natural man and woman in us, you and I are sometimes that enemy. How grateful I am that at least God can bless those who despitefully use Him because, without wanting or intending to do so, we all despitefully use Him sometimes. I am grateful that God is merciful and a peacemaker because I need mercy and the world needs peace." 

I know that God exists. I also know that He refuses to give up on anyone. 

I hope all of you have an amazing week! 

Sister Bloomfield 

Happy Mother's Day {week 45}

Hello Everyone!

We had transfer calls and we found out that both Sister Yraguen and I are staying! I'm so happy! In fact, our entire district is staying! So that's awesome!

This week we had a baptism! It was amazing! Sister Yraguen and I sang for the baptism, and it was really fun! Shawn is so amazing for her and I'm so happy for her! She is just glowing. 

The work is moving along here in Nanaimo! I love it! There isn't a place I'd rather be!

Mosiah 4:9 "Believe in God, believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend"

Sister Bloomfield 

Thy Will Be Done {week 44}

Hello everyone!

Wow, this week went by so fast! It was such a good week though!  A lot of great things happened!

Our investigator passed her baptismal interview!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited!!!!!!! She really is quite an amazing person and I can't wait for her to get baptized!!! It's happening this Saturday! 

I've been learning a lot about receiving revelation through prayer. With the technology that's come in, we've also received access to a completely new chapter 8 in Preach my Gospel. They completely rewrote the chapter and changed how we do weekly planning. Now we plan for each person individually. This week while doing our weekly planning we had a cool experience. Here we cover both the Nanaimo ward and the Qualicum branch. There are 2 sets of missionaries in the Nanaimo ward (us and then the elders) but only us sisters cover Qualicum. We were only teaching one person in Qualicum, a man whom I will call Chris. He is amazing and really searching for the truth. We are also working with his x-wife in Nanaimo whom I will call Sophia. They have a 2 year old daughter who is really adorable. Sophia is a less active member and is so kind and inviting. As we've met with both Chris and Sophia I have just felt Heavenly Father's love for them so strongly. To begin our weekly planning process we said a prayer for Chris, so we could seek Heavenly Father's guidance on what is best for this person. After praying for him there is a series of questions we ask to guide us in the planning process. One of the questions is "what do you feel Heavenly Father wants to have happen next with this person?" All of a sudden we both just realized that Chris needs the elders. He hasn't been progressing lately and the spirit just whispered to us that if the elders taught him, he would receive the help he needed and that as we continued to work with Sophia all things would work out in the end. So we called the APs and they told us that we could pass Chris to the elders if we also gave all of Qualicum to the elders. We felt the confirmation from the spirit that it was what we needed to do. It was kind of sad to turn over this little branch to the elders, but as we've been setting up everything for the switch, I know it's what God needs. This little branch has so much potential. I'm just grateful that the elders will be able to keep us updated on the progress of this area. Haha I've really come to understand the phrase "if you love something, let it go." I'm excited to see what God has in store for Qualicum. And for Chris. 

Our decision to give up Qualicum happened right after MLC, and the theme of MLC was submitting our will to God. Sometimes submitting our will to God can be so hard. I used to think that it would be easy, because I have a strong desire to please God. However, it's not as easy as it seems. Submitting our will to God is a process of becoming. Overcoming the natural man and becoming more like Christ. Christ was the perfect example for us, who in the garden of Gethsemane said "Father if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but thine be done" 

It was so good to go to MLC this week. As always, I learned so much. There was a musical number of a song called "thy will be done" and President Wong made them sing it 3 times through out the meeting. It was really good though, so I'm not complaining. Happy Mothers day to all the mothers out there!

Have a good week!

Sister Bloomfield