CANADA Week 35-March 27, 2018

We found a sweet forest, and went exploring.

Salut! Hey peeps sorry I don't have very much time today, but I just wanted to share a quick thought with you . . .

General conference is coming up soon, and the living prophet and his apostles will be speaking to us. This will be a message that is focused on our current needs and problems, and those that will be coming in the near future. How awesome is that? An ancient prophet named Nephi explained the goal of a prophets words, 

"4 For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved.

5 Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world."

I know that God has called a prophet today as a living witness of his love for us. The goal of a prophet, like the goal of a missionary, is to bring others to Christ. I also know that his words and invitations will not always be easy or comfortable, they aren't supposed to be. But they are a protection for us, and a way to come closer to God. So the question is... How can we prepare ourselves for the incredible experience to hear from the prophets of God?  I couldn't tell you haha... But I invite all of you to take some time to think and ponder and prepare so that when the revelation and light comes your eyes and ears are open, and you are looking steadfastly towards heaven. Don't let it slip by.

We went to eat some real poutine in downtown Sherbrook.

Love ya tons and have an awesome week!

Oh and Richard (the uncle of Mami) and his family of 8 came to church and it was so much fun! It took us forever to find all of their classes haha. Oh and it was 12 degrees today, and it blew my mind... I'm not ready to sweat again :(

Elder Wilson

My life... It is not possible for Elder Tarati to walk past a piece of trash on the ground without going to EXTREME lengths to throw it out haha. I love that guy.

The first couple weeks are so tiring.

Les BOYS... we split off with some of the members to hand out invitations to General Conference.

CANADA Week 34-March 20, 2018

We stopped by the church Saturday, and couldn't figure out why both sides of the parking lot were COMPLETELY filled with cars . . . . literally it was like twice as many as a normal Sunday. So we got out (it was like -15) to talk to these crazy people, and it turns out that they were playing Pokémon Go . . . haha it literally made my entire week, and they were awesome.

Salut Friends and Fam! Another week rolled by here in Sherbrooke, and it is officially spring! At least I thought haha . . . I don't even remember what the world looks like without snow! We spent some time this week preparing Mami for the trip that all of the youth in our ward are taking down to the Montréal Temple. She is so excited, and it was so great to be able to see her start to understand some of the amazing blessings that come from being in the house of the Lord. As we have been helping her to come to understand the importance of temples, I have certainly learned a lot as well. I really realized this week that Temples have always been a part of God`s plan (Solomons temple for example), and that they are necessary and a blessing for us here on the earth. I really know that we have a just God that loves all of us, and temples are a part of the way that he allows every one of his children to have another chance and a choice. If you want to know more about temples, shoot me an email, talk to my fam (they're studs) or go to mormon.org and talk to the missionaries there, because temples are incredible.

What really happens in district meetings.

We had an awesome family home evening with the Laroche family this week, a few weeks ago we gave them a challenge to read the book of Mormon before September, and they agreed, so we joined them. And so they have been reading daily in the book of Mormon, and the change is insane. The mom of the family and her son have started inviting their friends to the evenings with us, and last night they invited Brandon. He was so happy to be there, and he said that he had never felt so positive in his life. 

This situation made me realize that: 1. The Book of Mormon really does change lives, and it does so quickly. and 2. so many people in the world just need a little bit of light and love. We can be that source of love, and as Jesus Christ himself explained in 3 Nephi 11, he is the light and life of the world. How incredible is it that you can share that light? Just start looking for ways to brighten the lives of others and opportunities will come, that I can promise you. Just don't be afraid to take them.

Today was the first time in I have no idea how long that we braved the wilds (super maxi) without a jacket so we had to take a picture. No I am not used to the sun yet.

Keep being awesome this week and remember to appreciate the little things! At least you guys have the sun haha. Love ya tons.

Elder Wilson

The Herring fam is literally the best, and they saw your post ma so they made me cinnamon rolls!!

Elder Tarati is livin and lovin life!

CANADA Week 33-March 13, 2018-Reste fort et fait les miracles!

It's March already and nothing has changed.

Salut friends and fam! Another week rolls on by here in Sherbrooke, and Elder Tarati and I are living it up haha. This is his first time really leaving Tahiti, so the cold is way foreign to him, but he has enjoyed playing in the snow haha.

Elder Tarati living life in the winter wonderland!

This week we took another trip over to Montreal for zone conference, and we went with the other elders as well (they are in a trio) so we can say that things were a little cozy... But they are awesome and wild and we only almost died 2 or 3 times this time, so it was a success. And yep mudda that means that I actually have my phone now, and thanks for sending it to me.

Things were nice and cozy on the way to Montreal...

And happy birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! am sure that the fam took good care of you, and I hope you had an awesome day! And I knew you couldn't keep yourself away from babies haha. Where did she even come from?

Elder Tarati literally put a banana in his ramen and I almost had to leave the room... You would like him Dad.

This week I have been thinking a lot about the importance of relationships. I've built a decent amount of them here in Canada (whether they be good or bad I don't know haha), but I learned something from a member here, that has made me change my perspective a little. This is somebody who literally left everything he had to do something he knew was right. I have asked him why often enough, and he always responds with, "because of my personal relationship with Christ." Simple and powerful. As I have thought about that, it became easy to see how simple things really can be. When you are able to choose to consistently put Christ first your perspective changes. It becomes less worried and more engaged. More broad and less changeable. More loving and less jaded. One scripture comes to my mind when I talk about this that I would like to share. I'll just give you a piece of it, but I invite you to take time to read it on your own and really decide what you can do to apply it.

3 And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn.

4 And it came to pass that again they heard the voice, and they understood it not.

5 And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came.

6 And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard;

3 Nephi 11: 3-6

At this moment the Nephites (ancient inhabitants of the American continent) saw and heard the voice of Jesus Christ. Remember that often times He is already speaking to us. We just need to start 'steadfastly regarding the heavens' and we will understand. 

Sorry that was kinda long, but I love you guys tons, and I appreciate everything you do for me! Elder Tarati and I and the good peeps of Sherbrooke have certainly felt the effects of your efforts. Make this week awesome!

Elder Wilson

No details, but we almost lit the apartment on fire. At least it is too cold to burn for long.

We have these really cool Nepali guys that we visit, and they have a shrine wall.

Sah and Finda's baby that just started walking.

Raph Laroche was showing us this cool BB-8 robot thing he had for family night.

CANADA Week 32-March 5, 2018

Pres Phillips and Elder Tarati. I am definitely not the tallest missionary in Sherbrooke anymore...

Salut! Sorry I totally forgot to say that my Pday this week is Monday instead of Tuesday but that shouldn't surprise you too much . . .

I don't have a ton of time, but this week was awesome! First up we made the 2 hour ish trek to Montreal to drop off Elder Rossi and pick up my new companion. When we got there we had to say goodbye pretty quick because I had to go down to the trainers meeting. It was sad to say goodbye to Elder Rossi, but we were proud of the things that we have done together, and we learned a ton, so it wasn't too bad to say goodbye to him for now. He lives in Utah so I'll be seeing him around anyways haha. And then all of the trainers had a suspenseful couple of hours, because President got caught up at the airport, and we couldn't start without him. But anyways he finally came in, and it was awesome to see how excited the new missionaries were to be assigned to their areas. (Oh and I forgot to say that the 2 zone leaders who were in Gatineau (Vanderwaard and Roundy) are both training as well, so it was fun to talk with them again) But anyways President started listing off companionships and I was actually the first one! I am with Elder Tarati, a 20 year old Tahitian that is pumped to be here. He speaks French, and he learned English in the MTC, so we have been speaking a mix of English and French here. He is pumped to be here, and he has already taught me a lot. Tahiti sounds like a fun place too, so Ma and Pop you guys need to start planning a trip there so we can go visit haha. Oh and speaking of that happy birthday Old Man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully you got my letter, but I hope you had an awesome day and didn't get harassed too much haha. You're a rock and I love ya tons. And ma I'll be writing on your birthday next week, so I'll just say happy birthday now, and I love you too!

Elder Tarati and I just before bedtime.

Also, Mami`s baptism was awesome! She was actually feeling pretty sick, but she said she wanted to do it, and she started to feel better soon after. It was so awesome to see her in her white baptismal clothes, and she was so happy. I can't even explain to you guys all of the crazy things that happened to get her to this point in her life, but I can say one thing for certain. If God didn't want this to happen it never would have. We have experienced miracles with Mami, and I am glad to say that I will never forget them. It was a super cool experience for Elder Tarati as well, because he got to bless her with the gift of the Holy Ghost. He isn't having any trouble adjusting, and he wants to make sure that every moment of his time here in Sherbrooke is in the service of God.

Mamie, us, and Frere Bergeron. 

Mami and the Famille Barrios (they are awesome).

Sorry I don't have a lot of time to explain more, but I love you all, and have fun this week! 

Elder Wilson

Shout-out to the Howell family I love you guys and this made my week! Thanks for always being there for me, and you made me eat too much candy haha​ .