what a week

Hello Everyone!

This week has been crazy! I still can't grasp this whole "missionary time" thing. It's the strangest thing. It feels like I just left, but also like I haven't seen my family in forever. It's so weird! But so so so great. I love being a missionary more and more every single week.

Good news! I'm officially done with training! That's right! I'm a "normal" missionary now! Well, I don't know about "normal" haha but I'm definitely not a newbie anymore! Hallelujah! Fun fact? This work is the greatest work in the entire world. I'm so grateful to be a part of it. It's been a life changing few months that's for sure! Woah.. did I say months?? Yep :) It's been 3. 3 months of pure bliss! And.. frozen eyelashes from hours of tracting. But I love it! Can you say Elsa?? hahah.

I think more than anything, this week taught me how much I've grown as a missionary and as a person. I am definitely a much better teacher now than when I first started. It's a humbling experience when you realize how far you've come, but still how much more you have to do! I've come to the understanding that you're never through learning on your mission! There's always something I can work and improve on! And I'm SO grateful for that:) I love learning new things from other missionaries.

The work is a little slow lately. I feel like all of the members are falling apart. Lots of them are struggling with depression, and if you've ever been a missionary, you know just how much people love to pour their problems on you. We're so happy to help, but it's so heartbreaking to watch them go through hard things! It's so sad to see our members having a hard time. We've made a bigger effort this week to see each one of the sisters in relief society and to help them out the best we can. Hopefully things pick back up this next week. Sister Brimhall and I have one more week together before transfers! ONE WEEK! I don't know if I'm quite ready for that.. yikes! But, I'm excited to see what Heavenly Father has in store for us next!

Fun things about Winnipeg:

1. When there's fresh snow, the kids take the wheels off their skateboards and "snowboard" down the sidewalk :) It's a happy sight!

2. There is absolutely no Mexican food in sight. Luckily, Fernanda is straight from Mexico and she made us enchiladas :)

3. I had my very first slip on the sidewalk. I was carrying 5 dodgeballs for pday activity... and welp.. I went down. tumbled, actually. I couldn't catch myself because of the dodgeballs so I just fell flat on the icy ground. I'm sure it was much more graceful to the people watching :)

4. I ate a yummy Brazilian dessert that is translated into being called "frozen husband" haha. yep. I'm definitely a frozen husband fan :)

That is all :) I love this gospel. I love being a missionary. I love Winnipeg! Have a great week!

Love always, Sister Stevenett!

photos

Isn't she the cutest?? We love Kamille!

COURTNEY. We love her.

Baki is absolutely adorable and THEE kindest person you will ever meet!

Heavenly treats us missionaries to the best food! George's Burgers!

Ligia is the sweetest! & she makes the yummiest food! #brigaderos

Exchanges with Sister Heinzlmeir!

3 months!!!!

Erika is the cutest thing! So sad she's moving back to Korea in a few days!

b is for baptism!

Well folks, this week has definitely been one for the books!

For starters... Fernanda was BAPTIZED! (welcome to the fold, my dear!) It was absolutely incredible. The Spirit was so strong! Her mom was able to attend and that made it extra special. I have never felt more proud of someone in my entire life. She knows so well that this church is true and that God loves her. It was so evident on her face that day! When she received the Holy Ghost yesterday, the blessing said that there are people on the other side of the veil both dead and those who haven't been born yet, who are so grateful for Fernanda and this decision she's made. (if that doesn't make you cry, I don't know what will!) This is really what it's all about, helping people recognize how much they truly need Jesus Christ and helping them take that step to make and keep covenants! I don't worry for one second about her.. she'll probably be a general authority or something one day!

Next off... Courtney bore her testimony yesterday! Whattt!? Yep. She stood up and bore such a simple and sweet testimony! It was amazing and I'm pretty sure everyone was shocked and jaws were droppin! She is doing really well! We dropped her baptism date for the 7th, because she feels that she hasn't yet received her "for sure" answer that it's true. But I think now more than anything, it's a timing thing. Luckily, Heavenly Father knows exactly what He's doing and how to help her get there, and I don't doubt Him for even a second!

I am almost done with my 12 weeks of training.. which means Sister Brimhall and I only have a few more weeks left! We get transfer calls on March 14th.. so stay tuned! I have absolutely loved training and learning the in's and out's of missionary work. I definitely have seen improvement in my teaching and that's always encouraging to know that I'm getting better! I have just loved serving with Sister Brimhall and I'm a little scared for us to be split up... but I know it will all work out how it's supposed to!

I love this gospel. I love how we can become better through the teachings of Jesus Christ.

I know that He loves each one of us and wants more than anything for us to be happy and to follow Him. Taking that leap of faith and choosing to follow Him can often be scary. But I have found out that it's always worth it and always rewarding. I am so grateful that God put us into families and for the incredible eternal family that I have! I feel so blessed!!! I love the power of the Holy Ghost. I am so grateful for the opportunity I get to listen to that Spirit every day and to have Him lead me in all of our work. It's amazing!

If you haven't noticed, I love being a missionary. I love serving in Winnipeg! I can't say that enough. The people here are so genuine and so loving. I feel so incredibly blessed to be here. I can't think of anywhere better! I've only been here for a few months, but I'm already used to the cold! -20 really isn't even that bad! We won't even button up our jackets! It feels so nice and tropical to us :) I'm definitely becoming a Winnipegger. And couldn't be more proud!

I hope you all have an amazing week! Thank you for the love and support! I'm so grateful!

Love you all!!

Fun Facts:

I had my first ever marriage proposal this week! While doing service at the food bank, an elderly woman approached my end of the line and said "I'm going to marry you when I grow up!" She then winked, and asked for my picture.. haha! I love these people. Never a dull moment.

My favorite thing about Winnipeg this week: When people walk down the street with their children, they can't push a stroller because of all of the snow.. so instead, they pull their children on sleds! So you'll see two year olds all bundled up in snow clothes and laying on a sled while being pulled behind their parents.. haha it's so funny!

Ps.. If you'd ever like to write me... please do!!!

Love, Sister Stevenett