Gretchen Gets Her First Baptism!

Gretchen and her companion have been teaching a gentleman for a number of weeks and he was baptized last Saturday! After all, that is the very goal of missionary work. She had commented in an earlier e-mail:

"Another huge push is to place an emphasis on the doctrine of Christ. I didn't know until now that the actual doctrine of Christ happens to be baptism. It's very cool--in the scriptures, the very few times we hear from the Father Himself is in relation to baptism. (See 2 Nephi 31 for example.) Anyway, I feel very fortunate to be here at a time where things are really starting to get going. Mission leaders have also said that the temple is going to bring thousands flocking and we have to be ready for it. So it's a very exciting time to be here and I'm beginning to feel like things are actually starting to click."

Back to the baptism, Gretchen noted that the gentleman being baptized was "was very excited, but also a little nervous (understandably). His mom came, which was a big deal, and we had a great turnout from the ward. Everyone brought treats and had a great time. (The only downside was that the church got really hot, because I SWEAR Canadians don't believe in air conditioning.)"

Gretchen seems to be having a number of Chinese cross-cultural experiences that she has discussed in her letters home. She and her companion are teaching several Chinese families and she went on a missionary split (a temporary assignment with a different companion; typically for a few hours or a day) last week with a Sister Missionary from China serving in Vancouver. Last week she also noted: "Today we went to Chinatown again because we had to get our oil changed. It was lots of fun and I took some great pictures."

Unfortunately we don't have any pictures to post this week but should have some for our next entry!

Gretchen's Quote for the Week:

"Love books and reject idleness." -Camilla Kimball

Gretchen Addresses Her "Internet Friends"

Dear Internet Friends,

Wow, time flies like an arrow...and fruit flies like a banana! Oh yeah, I should mention that going on a mission has completely killed my witty sense of humor. (But I must admit that I'm getting pretty darn good at making scripture jokes--remind me to tell you a few sometime). So this little note is just to let all six of you that still read my blog know that a) I'm alive, b) I miss you guys but I'm still not leaving Canada, and c) that it's my birthday this week and I need you all to tell me that you love me. Kidding, it's really c) I love being able to talk to people about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and that His Church truly does exist in the world today.

Long story short, missions are insanely difficult but they also happen to be very rewarding. I'm still figuring things out and there is much I have to learn, but every day is a little bit less overwhelming than the one before it. Victoria is absolutely *gorgeous*. I absolutely cannot believe that I get to live here. Once a week we get a "Preparation Day" (or P-Day as we call them) and I love being able to explore and experience the most stunning place on earth.

Canada is also lots of fun. Newsflash: It's actually very different from the United States. I know, right? Plus, Canada has better chocolate and they're the ones that brought Celine Dion and For Better or For Worse into our homes. We really have a lot to thank them for. Anyhow, that's pretty much all I have time for at this moment, but periodically I'll try and send out special updates just for you lovely people.

Much <3,
Gretchen

P.S. Is twitter still cool? I heard Bristol Palin had her baby and I'm kind of bummed I wasn't around for that. (Yeah, that's a weird thing to be trunky about, but whatevs.)