Saturday, October 31, 2020

week 2: there will be miracles...happy halloween 2020!

hello hello!!

My favorite Sister Jex told me that “the MTC days go slow and weeks would go fast” and man that is the TRUTH! Everyday seems so full and slow, yet I only have one week left holy smokies! I love my comp, my district, and my teachers more and more everyday! It makes my heart sad to know I may not meet most of these amazing people, but what a blessing to spend 10 hours a day with them over zoom!

This week, my companion and I were able to begin teaching lessons to "nonmembers" in what are called TRCs. We were able to teach Marshall, a kid from Georgia who plays on the UVU soccer team, twice this week. We read 3 Nephi 11 together and discussed how we would feel if we were able to be one of the people who was there when Jesus came to the Americas. It was so precious to place ourselves in that situation and think of what we would do if we were to meet the Savior and then to bear our own testimonies of Christ and his love for us. Even if it was a fake lesson(super awk when we invited him to a church activity with us and he followed up with, "Aren't you guys in Oregon and Montana?" Pray Marshall doesn't show up to a fake soccer game we planned on Monday night hahaha!), it made me so so excited to begin teaching real lessons to people all over the world!

Oregon blessed us with a week of sunshine and high 50s, so you best believe I took advantage! I sat outside for class on Wednesday and part of Thursday to soak in the sun while all my Canada, Logan, and Montana friends sat bundled indoors. Friday, aunt Kathryn came to visit in my class break to go on a walk in Graham Oaks and catch up! (fav aunt points😉). Today, mom and dad and I went exploring and found a new hike w a great view of Mt. Hood!!

I feel like Halloween 2020 just sounds like a good name for a horror movie(you're welcome Hollywood). But nothing scary here! Pumpkin carving is always my fav, so this year I obviously had to do something cool to represent the mish! Utah to England and mom’s masked jack-o-lantern hehe.

ok let’s get spiritual!

When I went to HEFY in Mexico a few years ago, our theme was "There Will Be Miracles." Every night, we would look back and find the miracles and time we had seen God's hand in our lives throughout the day and we were amazed to see how MANY times He had blessed us. My goal on my mission is to keep that same theme in my heart and look for miracles throughout the week and share them with you all!!

I love Alma 26:11-12 that says,
11 But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.
12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.


So on that note, this week's miracle came from Thursday's field trip to the dentist. One of my teeth was starting to turn gray, so they were worried it would need a filling or root canal or even to be pulled, none being very not good options(especially w my mission sched)! But, they took some x-rays and scans and it was all okay!! We were able to leave after an hour and not have to worry about any crazy or expensive procedures before I leave in a week! A true MIRACLE! I know Heavenly Father is watching over each of His children. He loves us and if we have faith and expect those miracles, He will bless us!!!

love you all, sister dougall❤

taken mid run w mi madre who is going to miss joining me on my workouts every day;)

beautiful fall colors!!!

dentist selfie hehe

 found some British crisps at grocery outlet!

S/O to our sister missionaries who brought me a spanish book!! def didn’t stay up until almost midnight studying that

best aunt!!

hike a gr8 view of the mt!

pumpkins!

Saturday, October 24, 2020

week 1: Welcome to the Wilsonville MTC

hello hello my cute friends and fam!!

1 week(well 4 days actually) of the Wilsonville online MTC done!! We've been easing into the missionary life, but my schedule is slowly filling up every day. The daily sched looks about like this:
6:30ish: wake up and get ready
7-8: workshop
8-9: breakfast and daily planning w comp
9-10: personal study time
10:15-11:30: run/workout
11:30-12:30: shower and lunch
12:30-3:30: class 1
3:30-4:15: quick break
4:15-7:15: class 2
7:45-8:45: companion study
10:30ish: bedtime

My companion, Sis Taylor, is from Montana. She was also called to Birmingham, England and Provo, Utah so I'm looking forward to meeting her in person!! She is so sweet and such a good example! I love her so much!

My district is so fun and we're slowly getting to know each other better! There are 5 companionships, with 4 sisters and 6 elders. Our teachers, Brother Thomas and Brother Stubblefield are the coolest! They make long classes uplifting and entertaining and have great experiences to share. We do lots of studying from the Book of Mormon, preach my gospel, role playing, learning to teach and tie the gospel into convos(there is ALWAYS a way...even when you're SO far gone haha) and memorizing stuff. I was super hesitant about having to connect w people via zoom, but it has been so good! I have died laughing at the most random things my district does (bc Bessie is NOT a dog name! And every time my comp ends a role play with, "Looks like the elevator is open," I lose it!😂). 

In one of our lessons this week, we talked about the marketing rule of 7: It takes, on average, 7 positive experiences with a brand before a consumer will buy a product. In missionary language, that means people need to have multiple positive interactions with members or missionaries before they are converted to the church. Our job is to be examples of Christ and come to love those we meet to plant those seeds of the gospel even before we share any sort of gospel message. Matthew 5:14-LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE and others will be drawn to you through your Christlike example! I am so happy to be a missionary for Christ's church and to share His gospel message of peace and love!

love you all!! <3 sister dougall

my collection of desks...I am constantly switching backgrounds and rooms in my 6 hours of classes

my awesome district! (my comps got the curly hair hehe)

got some service in hanging out at the worth's repainting hyrum's room pink hehe

mom and I enjoying the fall colors in my class break

meme about the glorified EFY we call online MTC