It's the Final Countdown....

 I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS RIGHT NOW! 

Where the heck did time go!? Today is my last and final Pday. I return home to the hot desert this weekend! :) 

It's a bitter sweet moment for sure. Coming on a mission was the best decision I have ever made. Hands down. It was the best thing I could have ever done for my life! I love this gospel more and more each day! It is so true, and everlasting! Thank you so much to all of you who wrote, emailed, prayed for, and supported me! I really could not have done it without you. :) 

This last week was AMAZING. There were literally mini miracles each day. We picked up 3 new investigators this week! And it was amazing. I definitely learned to power of just inviting this week. Because that's how all the miracles happened, we just opened our mouths and simply invited.  

Miracle 1:

Lets call him Big C. We had an appointment at 11 o'clock at the Rec Centre here in Canmore and we got here around 10:20, so we decided to walk down the street to main street and do some street contacting. Before we left I said a prayer that Heavenly Father would place some one in our path that was ready to hear the Gospel. As we were walking we stopped quite a few people and made some pretty good contacts, nothing out of the ordinary though, but then, as we were walking back we came to a corner and this man came around it. Our paths literally crossed. We started to talk to him about the Book of Mormon and he was so intrigued! He even got so excited and recognized something was different. We helped him to see that it was the spirit. He took the book and asked us when our next class was because he wanted to learn more. When we told him what we did he said, "Okay, tomorrow same time, that bench, I'll see you then" !!!! We just looked at eachother like what the heck just happened?! Welp, went back the next day. And he had read, had questions, and even brought a notebook to take notes! He loved everything we taught! I'm so excited to see what happens with him. Our paths crossed for a reason, and I'm so glad we opened our mouths!

Miracle 2:

Lets call him Lil B. Saturday afternoon in between conference sessions me and Sister Matheson decided to go street contacting in Banff. The weather was gorgeous and people were out everywhere. As we were walking we tried to talk to everyone, but an unexpected lull came and we were alone walking down a random street. As we walked past an intersection I saw a guy riding towards us on his bike. I then had an internal battle with myself and the spirit on whether or not I should talk to him, I was afraid to stop him because he was on a bike! Finally I listened and walked over and flagged him down. He stopped. And he listened. We taught him about the Book of Mormon and how it brings us closer to Christ. Then we invited him back to conference with us. He had work. So we invited him to Sunday's sessions. He had work. So we invite him to the 6 o'clock priesthood session that night. He said he would come! 6 o'clock came around and no sign on Lil'B, but it was SNOWING, hard. But at 6:15 we looked in the chapel and there he was, snug in between 2 other brothers, watching the Priesthood session. :) We smiled so wide I'm sure they went from ear to ear. After the session we came back and talked with him. HE LOVED IT. Said he felt like we were his family but he had just known us a few hours. Turns out he rode his bike through the snow storm because he knew he needed to be there and could not miss this! He's in his 20's and is from Jamaica. We taught him more about the Book of Mormon that night with some other members and guess what? He's on date to be baptised this weekend! MIRACLES ARE REAL, JUST OPEN YOUR MOUTH. 

I'm out of time but I cannot wait to hug and see you all! Thank you for everything! 

Church is true!

Sister Jaynie Connor

 

Brother Becker and Elian's first time at the temple was this week for the Branch Temple Trip!

Canmore means big head, so it's only fitting that they have a GIANT head on main street. #hessleeping

The Yawney Family

Every Tuesday since we've been companions Sister Matheson and I have worn Red, White, and Blue. #AmericanTuesday #itsathing

Hello ALL!

Hello everyone! So the thought of even trying to fit this week into an email overwhelms me. sooooo.....here's some pictures! HA

Miracles are still happening every day, and I love being a missionary so much! I can't believe that I only have one more pday left. :( 

Enjoy! 

Sister Jaynie Connor! 

Don't forget to check out General Conference this week! Listen to the living prophet on the earth today, the 12 apostles and other leaders in the church! Broadcasted live across the Globe! Find out how by following this link. 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/how-to-view-live?lang=eng

 

 Our last Mission Leadership council before we all head home!!

 From the top of Tunnel Mountain

  Just so you know, this coat was worn by Elvis himself. :)

Miracle Junkies

Hello!!! 

Man oh man time is flying!!! What am I gonna do!? 

This week WAS SO GREAT! I don't even know where to begin because this week felt like it was A YEAR LONG. I have no Idea what I did at the beginning of this week ha. 

BUT, I can tell you the things I do remember though :) 

Miracle 1. So last week when McDade, Harris and Shumway were here all of us went out to eat lunch at Chiles here in Banff. And our waiter looked down at mine and Sister Matheson's tags and said, "I didn't know there was a mission here in Banff." Took us by total surprise! Ha turns out he's a member of 4 years and has been working here in Banff now for about 6 months, he had no idea there was even a church here. So, we told him where and Invited him. :) This week we met up with him just a like "get to know you" lesson, to hear his story. He's the only member in his family, and joined the church when he was 16 years old! While we were talking Sister Matheson asked him if he had ever considered going on a mission. He replied "No. And I'm not going to." We talked some more and ended up sharing a message with him about the Restoration then inviting him to pray about going on a mission. As soon as we asked him to, he said, " I don't know why but the date October 16th just popped into my head!" :D He came to church with us this Sunday. And, he's preparing for a mission.... SO AMAZING!  Total act of God that we went to Chiles that day, that we sat in his section, and that we crossed paths! It just blows me away what Heavenly Father will do to make sure his children are taken care of! 

Miracle 2. This Sunday we had a lesson with one of our investigators in kind of like a rec center type of place, we brought a member, showed up and she wasn't there. As we were frantically searching everywhere and at all the tables 2 ladies commented on Sister Matheson's skirt, and about how much they loved it! We started to have a conversation with them about who we are and where we are from and what not. They were from Germany and Quebec and were just out for lunch. We started to teach them about the Gospel and ended up giving them copies of the Book of Mormon. Looking around and seeing our investigator no where in sight, we asked them if they had some time right then to learn more. "Sure! Why not?!" was their reply. So that's what we did, sat down and taught them that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored, the heavens aren't sealed, and that there's a prophet on the earth. The spirit was so strong and my heart was so full of joy I didn't know what to do! We have a return appointment with one of them this week!! :) As we were hugging them good bye the one looked us in the eye and said, "This is exactly what I need right now." Sister Matheson, our member, and I walked out to the car in utter shock! SO INCREDIBLE. There are people everywhere, prepared and ready. 

Miracle 3. After Miracle 2 we had another appointment with an Investigator Sister Matheson had found with Shumway when we went on splits. We had taught him once before and the day of our 2nd appointment he tried to drop us and told us he didn't want to learn anymore and that "Mormonism" wasn't for him. As the hours passed by though that day he decided he wasn't done talking to us and still wanted to learn more. So we went back. :) This guy is SUPER SMART and loves science. Like literally, he's studying astrophysics. We were super nervous to teach him but prepared. We sat down with him and he goes, "So, I did what you asked and prayed." We were like WHOA there! He said he had prayed to know that God, if there really was one, was real. And he got an answer, day after day, same result. :) And as we were teaching him the plan of Salvation he had SO MANY HARD QUESTIONS!  But, all of them had an answer. :) Eventually he said, "I keep trying to stump you, and its not working!" We just smiled. His heart had softened so much since the last time we had seen him. We taught him that Science and Religion, separate contradict, but really we know that they are the same thing and they make sense, together. He sat back and sighed and said "Whoa. Well, I'm not convinced yet. But I liked today's discussion" Another miracle of the Lord. :) 

There are so many more miracles that happened this week, but I don't have the time, or space to write them all. :( I know this work is real. I know that Heavenly Father is helping us. The power of the spirit has been unreal, I can't even comprehend at times the joy my heart feels. I definitely gained a testimony this week that its all real. ALL of IT. And it makes sense. This week our Branch Mission Leader called me and Math "Miracle Junkies" ha so true. I love it!!! I love being a missionary!!! I don't want it to end! But, I know the Lord will take care of me, and those I'm working with. He has a plan for us all! 

Out of time! :( 

I love you all so much! Thanks for all the prayers and support.

Sister Jaynie Connor

http://www.mormon.org/easter/teaser

Faith without works is dead. Works without Faith is also dead my friends...

Hello Lovelies! :)

This week was just straight up amazing. I just feel so blessed. Blessed with such a beautiful fun area, blessed with an awesome companion, blessed to be a missionary, everything. Everything is just GREAT. :)

I don't know really what else to tell you ha. Miracles are real. We picked up 2 more new investigators this week and handed out 20 copies of the Book of Mormon in the Bow Valley. Those that we are teaching are doing great and asking just so many amazing questions! My personal favorite is definitely, "Well, how do I repent?" That question makes me so happy as a missionary. Because, you know they're starting to get it. They're starting to understand that not only do they need to change, but that they can. That all the sins, mistakes, loneliness, despair etc. that they've carried around on their shoulders for years, can be taken away through Jesus Christ and his Atonement. I just love teaching so much, especially when the message we're sharing is literally the MOST EXCITING NEWS. Who ever you are, where ever you are, listen to the missionaries. Even if its just for a second, you will feel the spirit and you will KNOW that they teach the word of God. There have been countless times out here when I've been teaching, and it hasn't been me yknow? The Spirit teaches through us, we just carry the message to you and act as vessels for the Spirit. Listen and you will see. :)

I got to see 3 of my mission heroes this week. Sisters McDade, Harris, and Shumway came up for a visit and we got to spend some time with them! :) Me and Matheson really love and look up to them so much, such amazing examples to us out here. But it was so fun because they went on splits with us for an hour and helped us find some more people to teach!! It was so good to see them and spend time with them, it's like seeing your own sister after a long while. :D

The weather was weird this week ha, one day I had on flats with no tights and was just enjoying the sunshine. This morning? 4 inches of fresh snow. Yeah, I dont get it either. #Alberta

I feel like I learned SO MUCH this week. Time is flying but also going by slowly. I love this gospel so much, I know its true. I don't have a doubt in my mind that its not. Sure I have questions about things, and dont understand all of it all the time. But I know its true. Cannot be explained. The only proof I have is my testimony and the answer I received from the Holy Ghost. And that's the only proof ANYONE is ever going to get. But, they will get it. We're promised it.

I know this letter is not exciting, ha, and I apologize. But this week was so spiritual and great I know that no amount of words can describe it!

Love and miss you all SO MUCH. Don't worry, I might be finishing my mission soon, but I want you all to know I'm finishing strong. I want to step on that plane knowing I did ALL that was in my power to invite others to come unto Christ.

Keep being amazing! Thanks for all the love and support! Love and miss you all!

Sister Jaynie Connor

Scripture of the Week:

Moroni 7: 11-12

11 For behold, a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water; neither can a good fountain bring forth bitter water;
wherefore, a man being a servant of the devil cannot follow Christ; and if he follow Christ he cannot be a servant of the devil.  12 Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an

enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.

Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings :) That's how He speaks to us.

PICS: We went hiking this morning with the Wrights over at Bow Summit by Bow Lake! SO FUN and SO PRETTY! Made my heart ache for my board though /:

C'mon y'all we still got time!

 THIS WEEK WAS AMAZING!  I dont have much time to type and talk about it. :( But it was SO GREAT. 

This week we found 5 new investigators. Handed out 22 copies of the Book of Mormon (one in Japanese). And talked to 235 people about the gospel. One of the most successful weeks I've had my whole mission! 

I absolutely love Sister Matheson! We work so well together and have so much fun! 

Great things are happening! 

We were teaching one of our investigators this week and he looked at me and asked, "Why do you think the Mormon church is growing so fast?" And I thought for a second and replied, "Well, because its true." There wasn't much else I could say. Why else would there be 15,082,028 members world wide. Other than it was actually real, and the things we teach are true. :) 

Im completely blown away at how well things are going. When you put your trust in the Lord, the possibilities really are endless. Im loving it! When you expect miracles, they truly do happen.

I love and miss you all so much! Sorry this email is lame and all the cool stories aren't here. How 'bout some cool pics instead? 

Love you bunches! 

Sister Jaynie Connor

xoxo

Scripture of the Week: Mosiah 28:3 (BOM) 

 "3 Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, 

 for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea,  

even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment  

did cause them to quake and tremble."

This work is real.

 

Really though. "Say it now, because you never know"

Welp, Funny Story eh...

I GET TO STAY IN BANFF! Hahaha, transfers came and we all thought I was going to leave. I collected peoples contact info, took pictures, even started to pack. And......no transfer for me ha, they took Sister Murphy out instead. TOTAL curveball for everyone. Ha when I saw people at church on Sunday they almost fell over. My new companions name is......SISTER MATHESON!  Ha she just came from Invermere, BC, I was JUST on exchanges with her this week! And now we're companions, hahaha. We were so excited!!! Good things will come from this! 

​

I had such an amazing, miracle filled week! I don't even know if I can put it all into words! Alright here we go! 

Tuesday! 

Tuesday we were in Calgary for District Meeting! BUT before District Meeting, Elder Hill signed us all up to help clean the Calgary Temple!!! It was SO FUN. Ha I mean cleanings so exciting I know but ha when you clean the temple you don't even care! Ha its just so comforting to be inside those walls. Such a peace. Afterwards we all went and grabbed a bite to eat at Costa Vida then went and had District Meeting. :) 

 

​

Tuesday night I also had what I thought was my LAST dinner with the Barkers here in Canmore and I was so sad! It was like saying good bye to my own grandparents, I even had them take a picture with me. :) Boy were they surprised to see me again! haha, Bro. Barker asked me if I had a different pair of socks for everyday, to which I replied, just about :) #america

​

Wednesday was the day that transfer notices went out and I was SO NERVOUS. We didn't know what was going to happen. Then they came and Elder Fraser got on and said, "Well, Sister Connor you're being transferred to Banff, Sister Murphy you're leaving pack your bags" Both of us just looked at eachother wide eyed and said "WHAT?!" I was so happy though, I didn't want to leave! I love it here too much. So we packed up Sister Murphy's bags, had dinner with the Dupres then drove into Calgary. We got to meet some of the new sisters that came out and that are being trained in our Stake. There's one from La$ Vega$, :) , and one named Sister CONNORS. I was like oh boy, this is going to be so confusing. Good thing there's only two of us for 6 weeks ha. 

Thursday was transfer day and probably one of the greatest days of my life. MIRACLES ARE REAL. Since Sister Murphy was just transferred to Calgary and my companion was coming from the south, they assigned me to be with Sister Hassan, a sister going home for the day until my companion came. Well, my area is too far away to go to and she didn't have an area. So what did we do? Decided to go Downtown Street Contacting in Calgary! :) This is what it looks like from the sky ha. 

 

We drove to the car park and decided that we were going to give out 40 copies of the Book of Mormon in a few hours. Small problem, we only had about 20 in our car. :( So we called Sister Egbert and her new companion and asked them to bring us a box :) Each of us shoved about 20 in our bags, zipped up our coats, started our hand warmers and were about to leave but as I was about to put the extra copies from the box in our trunk I thought to my self, why stop at 40? I picked up the box and tucked it under my arm and took it to the Station. Ha in total we had 52 copies of the Book of Mormon in our possession, and boy can I tell you our bags were heavy. But we decided we were going to get rid of ALL of them, no matter what. We wanted to get on the train with empty bags. We got off the train after already handing out 1 and said a prayer and told Heavenly Father what we were planning to do, then hit the ground running, almost literally ha. And we talked to EVERYONE that crossed us, no matter who they were. We worked our butts off, I looked like a street vendor with my box. We took a pen and wrote "FREE" on the side. :)  And one by one, the books started to disappear out of the box, then we'd load more out of our bags, and they would disappear again. This process kept repeating until we looked down at our box AND THERE WERE NONE LEFT. We gave out 52 COPIES of the Book of Mormon in 2.5 hours. That's IMPOSSIBLE. But, nothing is impossible with God's help. It felt AMAZING. We were in utter disbelief as we drove back to transfers. Strengthened my faith SO MUCH, this work is real and nothing is impossible. We can help with miracles, if we have the faith Heavenly Father will place those prepared in our path. And that day it was 52.  

I got Sister Matheson and then drove back to Banff! ha the whole drive pretty much went like this. "Dude! I can't believe it! I'm so excited!" "I know me toooooo! This is going to be so great!"......................AND REPEAT for an hour hahah. We're stoked. 

This weekend we sat down and set some goals for the area. After that experience with Sister Hassan, I know that we can accomplish ANYTHING. So we decided what we thought was possible then asked for Heavenly Fathers help in receiving revelation to make a plan. And boy did we plan, right down to the very hour of every day this transfer, we know what we need to do to make our goals happen. I love Matheson!! We get along and work together SO WELL. :) I'm so excited for this next transfer. 

The church is true! I know this with all my heart. I know the Book of Mormon is true! I know its the word of God. I inviteYOU to read it, and to pray about it. God will tell you yay or nay, don't take my word for it, find out for yourself :)

Love you Miss you! 

xoxo

Sister Jaynie Connor

Moroni 10:3-5 

 3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.