My new companion & trainer

 

Heavenly Father has to have a sense of humor to put me in the middle of NOWHERE! There are ranches and farmers mostly. And a retirement home for people that just want peace and quiet.

I love the people here. They are really nice and friendly. We have only had one person slam a door in our face. But it's good to feel rejection because it brings us closer to Christ. He was rejected and made fun of so much.

 

We have had two new investigators so far. One of them is named Angelina, and she brought her daughter to church this Sunday. We are going to meet with her at a member's house for dinner on Tuesday, and then invite her to be baptized. She is so ready for it.  She even bore her testimony in our Gospel Doctrine class on Sunday. Maybe we could also teach her husband and daughter. 

We met this crazy German with a super thick Canadian accent. Up here in the north, there are some thick accents. He hates life right now because his common law wife left him and so he just hates humanity. I'm scared of going back there because he said he hates humanity so much sometimes, that he could kill. He has cute dogs though! We might try him later after he goes to therapy for a while.

I live in Vanderhoof, which is seriously so tiny. We have an all-sister district and our mission president, President Tilleman, got permission from church headquarters. So its just four sisters, but one of them is Sister Shelly who I roomed with in the MTC. 

 

Our truck!

I love this gospel and I know that the church is the same everywhere. I'm glad to be out here teaching others what has blessed my life so much!! Please write me, I love letters (address is updated under the "write me" tab).

Sister Struempler

1st week at the MTC!!

Dear Blog,

When I walked up to the MTC, I had no idea what I was in for. Seriously. I was greeted by two lovely sisters and they took me all around the MTC. We went and got some packets, my name badge, dropped my luggage off at my dorm thingy, and they showed me around the buildings that I needed to know. They also showed me this magical tree that smells like Cream Soda. My question is, how did they find out that it smells like cream soda? Did someone just get so board one day that they decided to go sniff trees? Well here is a picture of my companion and I, and Sister Lavery and Sister Shelly smelling it today.Sister Lavery and Sister Shelly are the other two Sisters in my District.

 

 

 

So continuing on with the first day, We got to teach investigators that very first night. It was a huge group of us missionaries, so it wasn't so scary. I've learned that teaching investigators can be so scary. I am having a hard time with it at the MTC so I don't know how it will be actually out in the field. I saw Sister Kiely Boll the first day I got here! She lived in the room right next to me. That was such a relief because sometimes I feel like a fish in a tank here. I don't feel like I'm ever going to get out into the real world. Soon enough.

Here is a picture of my district! We are all going to Vancouver, Canada! Hahaha Sister Dixon has her eyes closed. Oops.

 

 

I love my companion so much. She is so wonderful!

 

 

I don't know who those random Elders are in the background but here she is! She is from Coalville, UTAH which is a super tiny town. She's been a member for almost two years, and I don't know what I would do without her. She knows the scriptures better than I do. I need to work on that.

 

 

Aren't we cute? These are my fellow Sisters.

 

Richard G. Scott came and talked to us on Tuesday for devotional! I can't believe that I got to be in the same room as an apostle! His talk was SO magical! I felt HORRIBLE because I've been so tired I was trying so hard to stay awake. I mean geez, can't I stay awake while an apostle is talking? Thank goodness for companions and other sisters who can poke you and make you stay awake. His talk was on prayer and how God only gives us tasks that can fit our ability. I try to keep that in mind, but missionary work is hard work. Will y'all pray for me? Sister Kiely Boll was on the stand with Elder Scott because her companion was saying the closing prayer. I wish I had gotten a picture with her while she was here! 

 

 

This is how we feel at the end of the day. Dead. Tired. Seriously. Read 1 Nephi 1:7. We all feel like Lehi and want to pass out by the end of the day. I didn't know that you could feel spiritually drained! 

I know that Heavenly Father has called me to his work and that I was meant to come here to Vancouver Canada. I love it here, but keep writing me letters! I NEED YOUR HELP! :D

I have been teaching some investigators at the MTC. It has been the coolest experience to see them grow and progress as we teach them. We also have made some huge mistakes and been shot down. I'm trying to learn from those experiences. I asked our investigator Mike if he would be baptized and he said no. But, he did invite us back, so that is always a good thing. 

Here is a picture of us during class time:

 

 

 

There is a saying at the MTC that we get squirted with a fire-hose of information. That is so true. I can only drink so much water, while the rest of me gets soaked. I am trying my best to learn and be diligent. Please write me letters and send me packages. They mean the world to me. 

Sincerely,

Sister Struempler

 

Last Night...

Tonight is my last night! I leave for the MTC tomorrow bright and early. That's one thing that I'm going to have to get used to. Waking up early. I'm soooo not a morning person. Ahhhh! Well...anyways. I got set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was a wonderful experience. I now have to live like a missionary. No more shark week *sigh* Well, there are more important things to do.

Packing was interesting. I was able to fit all of my clothes and shoes that I wanted, and both my suitcases are under 50 pounds! YAY! Space-bags are seriously magical. My sister is happy seeing all the stuff I'm leaving. Gotta love little sisters!

Now the important stuff. I'm so nervous. I am so happy that I made the decision to serve, but my nerves are really kicking in. I hope that I will be able to sleep tonight! I doubt it. I wonder who my companions are going to be? The people that I'm going to meet? The food I'm going to taste? I am just going to have to learn to take on one day at a time. There is no point in fretting about the future.

I know that this gospel is true. I know with all my heart that it is. I love this gospel. I love my friends and family, and I'm going to miss them sooooo much!! I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that there are prophets on the Earth today. I know that I was called by a prophet of God to serve the people of Vancouver. There is a reason for everything. I can't wait to start this new chapter in my life!

Love,
Sister Struempler

P.S. Send me letters please!

Don't worry, my sister took these!

He does secretly love me, I think