Your Missionary Has Arrived Safely in Edmonton

Hand written note from Sister Hepworth upon her arrival in Canada on October 6, 2015

Sister Hepworth with her new companion Sister Hill
& President & Sister Manion of the Edmonton Canada Mission

SURPRISE

Since we're leaving for the field TOMORROW we're writing to all you lovely folks today. Let's say it one more time though; I'M LEAVING FOR CANADA TOMORROW. It's crazy! This has been the longest yet shortest 12 days of my life. The MTC president said missionaries called to speak in their native language are called the "12-day miracles." It really is a miracle that I've been able to learn and grow as much as I have in the past week and a half. And I know that it only worked because the Lord "qualifies whom he calls." The only possible way I could have gone through these 12 days is through strength from the Lord.

The MTC's been a big 'ol slice of humble pie for me. I came into the MTC a little too sure of myself and my missionary readiness. I came into the MTC with an attitude of having my nose up in the air, and I definitely spent a few days with my tail in between my legs because of it. BUT the Lord only breaks us down so he can build us higher. I'm walking out of the MTC tomorrow with my head held high; not because now I think I'm a rockstar and I got this, but because I know now that I do "got this" only with help from on high. When I got here I couldn't wait to leave, and now I wish I could stay and keep learning forever.

BUT ALAS tomorrow is the day! I get to meet my mission president, meet my new companion, and go to WORK.

General Conference was so incredible. I'm so thankful for prophets who are called of God to teach us how to be happy. Thomas S. Monson is God's prophet today and I'm so thankful for his life of service and teachings. From conference, there were several talks that touched on the idea that God takes us as we are. He rejoices every time we take a step forward; the direction is so much more important than the speed. I definitely needed to hear that as I enter the field. I feel so inadequate as a teacher and as a representative of the Savior, but I'm trying to be better. That's all that Heavenly Father wants. He wants to take a step in the right direction and is so happy when we do.

This is real guys. This is the Lord's gospel and this is the way to find complete happiness in this life and in the life to come. He's given us the steps. He's laid it out in the scriptures and in the teaching of the prophets. We just gotta do it. And he REJOICES when we do.

I love you all so much. And Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you even more
.
Sister Hepworth

P.S. Funny story for the week: one of the Elders in front of us during general conference fell asleep and was straight SNORING. We were all dying of laughter.

HOLY COW THIS IS THE MTC

This has officially been one of the most amazing, eye-opening, learning(ing?) humbling weeks of MY LIFE. The MTC knows how to kick your boo-tay. I would never be able to type everything that I've learned this week into one letter; every day is jam PACKED from 6:30 in the morning to 9:30 at night, but it's all good things ;D

My companion and I are already teaching three (fourish) people and it's incredible.
OH! Before I can even say anything else I gotta tell you that my companion Sister Smith is my Australian twin. Now I gotta make sure that you caught that she's AUSTRALIAN. So flipping cool. She lived three hours South East of Melbourne. Seriously though, we both are the youngest in or families by a significant number of years. She has 5 siblings, I have 6. We laugh at the same dumb things (ie. we're almost constantly laughing). We both grew up on farms (mine was trees, hers was cattle). We even have the same toothbrush holder thingies. Heavenly Father really blessed me when he put me with Sister Smith :D We teach so well together and just love each other's guts. She's gotten pretty sick in the last couple days, but she's such an amazing example of hard work because she's coughing out her guts and wants to keep going.

I basically have three companions though because the other two sisters in my district (which means we all have the same teacher) are with us literally all the time. We go to class together, we go o all out meals together, we live in the same dorm room. I love it! We all get along so well and I'm seriously so thankful that I get to be with such incredible people who love the Lord so much.
On Sunday, we got to watch a powerful talk by Elder Bednar called "Character of Christ." There's no way I could possibly summarize the power it has, but if you can find it, WATCH IT. If you can't watch it, at least read it. I'M SO PUMPED FOR GENERAL CONFERENCE. Just wanted to let you know.

Teaching is the best. It definitely helps that Sister Smith and I are so in-sync, but it seriously makes me so happy to share Heavenly Father's gospel with people. The people we teach aren't even guaranteed to be real investigators (the program is volunteer based and some people are members, some are real investigators), but even if they're fake, it's the BEST to see people coming closer to Christ.

Which is why I'm here. It's why all the missionaries in the world are there. Our purpose is to bring people closer to Christ. Even if they don't get baptized (which ya know is obviously the end goal haha), if we teach them and build their fatih in Jesus Christ, we fulfilled our purpose. Some where, some day, someone else will find them again and bring them even closer.

This is Heavenly Father's gospel. This is what Heavenly Father gave us, to ultimately find happiness.

I love you all so much! You're in my prayers!

Sister Hepworth

P.S. the MTC computers block sending pictures so I'll get some good ones to you next week

P.P.S. I leave for Canada on Tuesday!! That's CRAZY

I'M ALIVE AWAKE ALERT ENTHUSIASTIC

​I only have about 5 minutes to write a quick note to tell you all that I'm all settled and alive!

It's only Friday. I got here WEDNESDAY.

Holy cow guys.

This is Heavenly Father's gospel and ​I am learning SO. MUCH.

Love you!

Pray ALWAYS.

Sister Hepworth

P.S. My P-day is Tuesday so I"ll have a full letter in a few days ;D

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