January 29,2018 Email :D

Is it summer?

This week up in PG the coldest it got was like -12...and right now we are sittin pretty at +2 degrees Celsius!! I must be dreaming! Everyone we talk to is like "yeah, this isn't normal. Enjoy it while it lasts!" Oh, believe me, we are! :D

I absolutely loved the Stake Conference broadcast yesterday! Did anyone out there get to see it as well? I honestly don't know what area it covered...but it was awesome! I loved Elder Natress's talk about his son jumping from their 10 foot balcony. Though it was funny hearing the younger brother say "you missed the pillow!" How many times do we think we have set ourselves up for success, and miss the mark? How many times do we make plans that wouldn't work anyway? I know that if we consult with Heavenly Father with all our plans, they won't miss the mark for sure! And we can make sure that we are spiritually safe by doing this things Elder Natress suggested:

1- Pray every day

2- Read the scriptures (Specifically the Book of Mormon)

3- Find someone to serve each day

4- Once a week, take the sacrament and renew your covenants

I have seen in my personal life how much these simple building blocks can shape who we become and how safe we are when we diligently seek to do them each day/week! :D

I was pondering this week a book that I grew up reading in my home and in choir called The Spyglass. It's about a king, whose life and kingdom are in shambles. He eats a meager meal each day and the castle is run down, the people are poor and sad. Then, one day a wise old man comes and shows him a spyglass. The king looks through the spyglass in the direction of his kingdom and sees a beautiful, lush, park with fountains and people happily walking along! The old man turns to him and says "You have seen what might be, now go and make it so." He leaves the king with the spyglass for a season and leaves, promising to return later and see how things turn out. The king goes to the park, which is currently overrun with weeds and just depressing..and proceeds to rip down some of the vines. Underneath he finds the beautiful fountain from this vision he had seen through the spyglass. Slowly but surely, his kingdom is transformed as he looks through the spyglass and make the kingdom what it always had the potential to become! When the old man returns, it has if it is a different kingdom! He takes the spyglass, and travels on to another kingdom.

As I have thought about the above story, I have compared it to our relationship with Heavenly Father. Through His eyes, the spyglass, we can see the potential of our kingdom. We can see what our hands and hearts can do to change the world around us! But it is only when we act on what Heavenly Father has shown us that we accomplish miracles. I know that as I have prayed to see others through His eyes I have found greater love and accomplishment in the world around me. I have also prayed to see myself through Heavenly Father's eyes. I cannot believe how much He could love a little thing like me! I know that He loves all of his children and we each have infinite possibilities! :) I can't wait to see what our kingdoms hold! 

I know that my Savior lives. How grateful I am that we know this, that we can share this with the world around us each and every day! I am so grateful for my family and friends that teach me how to be a little better every day! I love you all! Have an amazing week!

love,

Sister Van Valkenburg

"One notch up!" - President Wong

PS. P-day will most-likely be on Wednesday next week...so don't be freaked out if I email later! <3

PPS. camera isn't working this week...SO SORRY!! PICTURES NEXT WEEK! PROMISE!

January 22,2018 Email :D

This week is going to be super short and I am so so sorry it is! We had a crazy week this week and saw miracles! One of which is that the weather is SO WARM!! It was like -1 or -2 for most of the week! We weren't even wearing coats knocking doors! ...some of the time anyway. ;) 

One of the days this week I was knocking a street with Sister Gallagher, and nobody was home...and if they were, they were not interested. We decided to say a prayer to know where Heavenly Father would have us go to make His time productive. As we prayed, I felt peace. But nothing came to mind of where we should go. We decided to pray again. During the second prayer, two young boys walked down the street and were talking to each other. We overheard "Hey, that's Paul's house! I love Paul" "Yeah, that's Paul's house!"  We finished the prayer, and went to Paul's house. Paul turns out to be a man in his 30's that was taking the discussions about 10 years ago and is interested in learning again! We were able to set a return appointment and sent the Elders over! WOW!! The power of prayer! It really built my testimony that Heavenly Father answers every prayer!

We had another fun experience this week! Late Saturday night we were sitting in our car, just about to drive home, and our phone started buzzing like crazy! 15 text messages at once! It was a very detailed media referral! We were freaking out!! A sweet mom who is less active that has a nonmember husband and 2 kids that have been asking questions. She wants us to teach them! We were so pumped and looked up in the GPS where they live so we could plan it in for Sunday to go meet them. They live in Mackenzie!! 2 hours away!! (yes, that is still our area) So we ended up just calling and will be skyping the lessons with them! How exciting!!

Also, I hit my one year mark this week! We celebrated by eating popcorn and M&Ms and watching Labor of Love. Partay! It's amazing to think that I have been here for a year...thinking back on all that I have experienced this past time....I am so grateful for all that Heavenly Father has blessed me with and the lives of those I have been able to touch, and those that have touched mine! I know that this church is true. I know it because I strive every day to live and apply it to my life! And that is when the Spirit testifies to me of its truth. I love Jesus Christ! I know that through Him I can have eternal happiness with my family forever! How great is our calling to share that joy with the world! 

I love you all!

Sister Van Valkenburg

You can't tell really well in the picture, but our hair will freeze out here and turn white! Haha we have had people comment on doorsteps that we are getting old out here or say "How long have

you been outside?!" Hahaha so funny!

Sushi strikes again! Avocado rolls and spicy California rolls! Let's go!

It's not Mario Cart...it's Mario Hart! Hahah...hehe...I thought I was so funny taking this picture!
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New Mailing Address :D

Sister Alissa Jean Van Valkenburg

BSMT 4269 W Austin Rd

Prince George, BC V2K 2H8

January 15,2018 Email :D

Hello hello!

WOW!! What an adventure getting here! The plane ride up was a party! We had Sister Muir (my comp) Elder Mathews, and Elder Deppe who I served with in Victoria! Partay! We will all be in the same zone up in Prince George!

Sister Muir is the BEST!! She's so sweet! She is from Kitchener, Ontario and has been out for 9 months!! She is HILARIOUS and tells the best stories!! I love her to death and can't wait to see what we are able to accomplish together in this area!!

On the plane, I was so blessed to be sitting next to a lady named Christine, who was flying home from a business trip. I was able to share my testimony with her of the Book of Mormon and on the plane ride she read the introduction, testimonies of Joseph Smith and the witnesses, and started in on 1 Nephi!! We will be meeting with her soon. :) I am so grateful for Heavenly Father always placing people and experiences in our paths!

We stepped on the plane..coming from positive number weather...and stepped off the plane into Prince George at a whopping -22 degrees! The prediction was correct! :O Did I mention that because of the pulp mill that Prince George also smells like rotten eggs? Hehe oh man...it's quite the adventure! As we went through this week, tracting, teaching, and going to meetings we were definitely not the warmest on the outside...heck our hair was white from freezing!! But my heart has never been so warm! I love this place and the people here are the best!! <3

This ward is/about to be on fire!! With me and Sister Muir coming in, we also added another set of Elders! So our small ward up here has 3 sets of missionaries! Bishop is pumped!! We met with him this week and made some plans to "open up our planners" to the ward. He said he would bring us lunch..so when the 6 of us missionaries walked into the room and saw 2 pizza boxes on the desk...my first thought was: "Welp! Looks like I've got 1/2 a piece for me in there and will be grabbing a snack later!" And then, lo and behold, Bishop opens the boxes and there are 2 PIZZAS IN EACH BOX!!! They were just stacked on top of each other with a little divider!! :O And that was when I knew my life would be changed in Prince George. ;) We will be meeting 2 times a week to discuss our plans and who we are working with...on top of coordination! :) On Sunday, Bishop had us all come to the stand and bare our testimonies for the ward to get to know us and encouraged them to have us in their homes and at 8 o'clock at night so we don't have to be on the streets! Woot woot!! This ward is SO PREPARED and I can't wait to see the miracles that Heavenly Father has in store for all of us!! <3

I had a cool experience this week in Young Womens! We were asked to pop in on Sunday and share an experience that had strengthened our faith in Jesus Christ. I told of when I was at girls camp as a 12 year old and we went on a faith walk. It was dark outside and we were led through the trees and campground meeting various people dressed as prophets and angels testifying of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon. The Spirit was so strong! At the end of the journey, we were taken individually and blindfolded. I was led to a strand of rope, crisscrossed through trees to make a course. I was told to hold on tight and follow the rope. There was shaking, poking, whispers, laughing, snapping...you name it! Distraction of people trying to get me off the course. I couldn't see and was just feeling my way through. It was frustrating! I did my best, and when I had reached the end, someone said "congratulations! You made it!" My blindfold was removed and the first thing I saw was a picture of the Savior. The warmth that filled my heart at that time is something I will never forget! I know that He will always help us through the winding, dark paths of life! He has gone through the course and will lead us through! And He is waiting for us at the end to welcome us and help us to feel His love and abundance! I am just working every day to be worthy of that moment and know my Savior from my time here on earth! (Alma 34:32)

The teacher of the Young Women, after we had shared our testimony with them gave us this handout:

"A man passed away and was resurrected and waiting in a room to be interviewed. Another man was ahead of him. The door opened, the man entered, the door closed. The man on the outside could hear the conversation on the other side of the door. The interview began: I want you to tell me what you know about Jesus Christ.

Well, He was born of a virgin in Bethlehem. He lived thirty-three years, spending the last three in His ministry organizing His church, choosing His apostles to direct it, giving the gospel to direct our lives.

The interviewer stopped him and said, yes, yes that's all true, but I want you to tell me what you know about Jesus Christ.

Well, He was tortured and crucified that we might have eternal life. Three days later He was resurrected that we might return to live with Heavenly Father.

Yes, yes, that is true, but I want you to tell me what you know about Jesus Christ. The man, a little perplexed, again began: Well, He restored the Gospel in its fullness to the earth through Joseph Smith, reorganized His church, gave us temples wherein we might do work to save our dead. He gave us family prayer and family home evening where we might unite with our families. He gave us the Priesthood to heal the sick and personal ordinances for our salvation and exaltation. 

The interviewer again stopped the man and said: All of what you have said to me is true. The man was then invited to leave the room. After he left, the door opened and the second man entered. As he approached the interviewer, he fell upon his knees and cried, 'My Lord, MY God.' " 

~ unknown

This story spoke volumes to me! Do I really know my Savior? Do I know that man that came to earth and lived and died for me? My brother? My redeemer?! May I live every moment of my life grateful for Him and knowing that it's only because of Him, and through Him, that I can obtain the greatest happiness known to man! :) I love Him. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

love,
Sister Van Valkenburg

ps. Sorry there aren't pictures!! My camera doesn't connect to these computers...next week! Promise!! 

January 8,2018 Email :D

Many are called but few are frozen!

I can't take credit for the title of this email! I stole it from Sister Jacquez whom I love dearly!! :) BUT the title fits perfectly for the grand adventure I am up for next!! Transfer calls came in this Saturday, and I have been called to go to Nechako, Prince George!! Wow!! What a change!! If you look on the map, it's about smack dab in the middle of the province, but it's the highest north that they send sisters because of the weather...hehe. When my flight lands it is supposed to be around -22 degrees C and snowing. Not too bad for a St. George girl, hey? ;) I am so pumped!! I will be whitewashing in with Sister Muir! She served with me for a transfer in my first area, so we know each other!! Woohoo!! 

I am going to miss Sister Bloomfield dearly! She has helped me so much and we have learned and grown so much together!! <3 But she is going to kill it with her new comp, Sister Nerberg!! She has been out 1 transfer, and they are going to have so much fun together!! 

This week has just flown by as we went around searching for God's children to strengthen and come closer to our Savior! So good! 

You know those moments when you're talking with someone and Heavenly Father just fills your mouth with something you needed to hear? I love those! Here is something He blessed me to say this week that I've really been pondering about.

"Everything happens for a reason, but not everything that happens needs to be reasoned with." 

wowza! So simple, but so true! I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for us, and part of that plan is planning and experiencing life..while we look forward and learn from what we have been blessed to experience! I am so grateful for his perfect plan!!

Sorry this week is short! My head is up in the clouds about this transfer news!! And it literally will be this time tomorrow! WOW!!! Hahaha

love you all! Have an amazing week!

Sister Van Valkenburg

We took ourselves out to WhiteSpot this week to celebrate this sweet Sister's 6 MONTH MARK!! AH!!!

This little cutie is one of my favorites, and LOVES Sister Bloomfield's shoes! Without fail, when we are at their house, she come clomping around the corner wearing her shoes!! So cute!! <3

Family picture! Here is Brother Loughery (Assistant ward mission leader) with his family and our little team! We had so much fun together the past 3 months and now all of us are moving around. We had to meet up for a quick picture!! 

January 2,2018 Email :D

Happy, happy New Year everybody!!! I celebrated by going in at 6, as per instructed, and deep cleaned the apartment!! Then I went to bed at 10:30. That's after midnight somewhere, hey? XD 

Just a heads up...not much to talk about this week! 

We enjoyed celebrating a lot this year, going to parties for the new year with some single women in the ward, eating dinner with other members, and making plans for the new year! It's going to be such a good year!! We have plans in each stake I'm serving in to prepare the members to find! It's going to be so good!!

I was at one of these New Years parties and they were passing around pizza, which I gladly accepted! I chose the one that had "everything on it" and turns out...it had SHRIMP on it!! Who does that??!?! *sigh* It wasn't that bad. :) 

I had a cool experience in Gospel Principles this week! The whole lesson was on Heavenly Father. Who He is, and what that means to us. We all were going around reading the strips of paper with conversation questions and scriptures, and the teacher walked up to me across the room and kind of discretely handed me a glass ball about the size of a tennis ball. I didn't know what to do with it, so I just kind of hid it in my lap. Later in the lesson, she asked me to hold it up and on the spot give an analogy of how it could represent God. I was blessed to think about how I knew the ball was there, and everyone there had the possibility of seeing it...but nobody did. But once they saw it, they couldn't deny that it was there! Just like that, if we aren't searching for Heavenly Father in our life, we may not see Him. But once we know He is there, which He always is, we cannot deny it!! <3 I'm so grateful for this knowledge...that I have a loving Heavenly Father who has provided everything for me! And, as one of the Elders in the meeting said, the only way he knows Heavenly Father is through His son, Jesus Christ!! 

I love you all! Happy New Year!!!

Sister Van Valkenburg