BIG BUNNY!

I got to hold the big bunny this week! :D Y'all will probably get a picture of me holding some kind of animal each week. That’s one of the greatest things here in Kingston. Everyone lets you hold there pets :) 

But we were finally able to meet our Recent Converts daughter! We have been trying for weeks to meet her!! And finally she came to a lesson! :) She and her mom are exactly alike! They are so funny!! They remind me a lot of my mom and me! They tease each other like sisters but love each other soooo much :) It made me miss my mommy lots.. But so grateful for her as well. Our Recent Convert is such a good example to her daughter. She teaches her the gospel and how to help people by living the gospel.  I am so grateful that my mommy taught me those things too. 

This week we also went and got some yummy poutine! :) Sooooo good. I am going to start my own poutine restaurant when I get home. I don’t understand why we don’t have this more down in the states.. weird. 

On Tuesday we had exchanges! Sooo fun! Sister Warburton came here to Kingston and it was so great. We had a ball contacting people on the street! We had some awkward contacts where I almost ran into someone while saying hi and what not.. We just laughed and laughed! We were also able to meet some amazing prepared people! :) We met someone who asked for a Book of Mormon online. I love being able to talk to people who actually want us there!  :) 

Our investigator who is preparing for baptism in the next couple weeks was able to attend a baptism and he loved it! After I asked what he thought and he’s like "I need a few minutes to think" and then a few minutes he came and told me that he knows this is the right church for him! :)  That he loves how we are all different but we can all come to church every week and just worship God together. He loves the feeling of coming to church. Such a testimony builder for me! I know that everything he said is true! I love the Gospel just as much as he does!! :)  

I love you all. Thank you for all your prayers! 

-Sister Gillins 

BIG FLUFFY BUNNY

POUTINE

Elder Oaks

OH MY GOODNESS! I shook hands with Elder Oaks! He is about the nicest man I have ever met! He was late getting to our conference, so he didn’t have very long to talk, but the spirit was so strong while he did!! The one thing that stood out to me was that he kept saying that this isn’t your mission,… it’s Gods. And that is so true. When I focus on MY mission things don’t really work out. But when I put God first and make it His mission, things just seem to fall into place :) 

I also got to see Sister Lindquist at the meeting!! WooHoo!! BFF'S back together! Who would have thought I would see her again in Canada? Not me!! :) So it was fun to reconnect and share stories! :) The Mission President allowed us to go out to eat with whoever we wanted and wherever we wanted….So, of course Sister Lindquist and I grabbed our companions and ran together…for some yummy PIZZA! She is loving her mission…and I am so happy about that.

Remember our investigator from China?! Well he wants to be baptized!! We have been really focusing on using the pamphlets to teach and he loves it! He goes home and reads them and comes back with great questions! Last time he brought up the Holy Ghost and how great it feels! Sister Leeson then testified that he can always have that feeling after he is baptized. He then asked when he could be baptized! WooHoo! Talk about prepared! :) He came to church yesterday and loved it! I am so excited to continue to keep teaching him! :) He picks up on so much! 

We also had another cool event! We were calling media referrals from the past year and we called one who had asked for a book of Mormon. He said that a missionary had already given him one but thanks! Well I continued and asked if he had any questions we could answer. He paused and said, you know what, can we sit down and talk! In my mind I’m like HECK YES!! Long story short we are meeting him tomorrow! I’m super excited!! 

Things are starting to look up here in Kingston West! Miracles are happening all over the place and Sister Leeson is killing it in lessons. She is so bold and asks the hard questions! I love it :) 

PS: I held a rat. I am taking it home with me on my way back to Utah! And a cute member made me birthday cookies!! Sister Lindquist and I totally pigged out on Pizza!

Loves,

Sister Gillins 

Sister Lindquist and I totally pigged out on Pizza!

I held a rat.
 I am taking it home with me
 on my way back to Utah!

Generation Picture

A cute member
 made me birthday cookies!! 

SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW.....BURR!!

It is so COLD! And we have been out of A car! Okay, so we didn’t have a car on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and half of Friday... but that is a long time. And it was soooo cold on Wednesday. Like it got down to -30 Celsius and we were out all day! Apparently they were telling people to stay inside all day since it was so cold.. but we didn’t get the memo! But it was still super fun! And we met an awesome guy! His name is Yifan! He is from main land China! :) He was interested in learning more because there are no churches where he is from. So coming into the lesson he was just interested in the history about our church but after asking a few inspired questions… we found that he had some deep questions of the soul. He came into the meeting not believing in God, and after just a short 45 minutes came to believe for himself. We didn’t have to convince him of anything! And he was the one who wanted to pray at the end of the lesson! It was amazing! There is so much potential there for Him!! He is awesome! And YSA... I love YSA :)

On Thursday I had a wonderful birthday!! It was pretty chilly that day too. But we spent a while weekly planning and then went and talked to people on the street.. There weren’t many people, because of the blizzard.. but we did have some good conversations with the brave souls who were out!! :) Then the Prices brought us dinner! And boy was it good!! :) They made me Mexican which I have been craving for forever! It was soooo good! and home made everything.. ugh the best birthday meal! and I got more candy... I’m going to be fat everyone!! and I got this wonderful hat that sings...and dances..haha :) It’s so great and fun!! I’m going to have a ball with it with the YSA! :) Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes and gifts…I feel loved..

Yesterday church was not cancelled! YAY! We were really scared that is was going to be again with all of the snow we have gotten! But we stayed safe! The branch loves Sister Leeson already! :) And Sister Leeson and I taught gospel principles. It was the first time Sister Leeson has taught a Sunday lesson and I think she did well!! :) She is growing a lot already! She always says she is scared to teach but when we get in the lesson she does wonderful and  she is so confident!! :) It has been fun watching her grow! 

I love you all…..stay warm! Eh!

-Sister Gillins 

MEXICAN BDAY DINNER

SINGING DANCING BDAY HAT
THANKS GRANDMA G.

I LOOK HILARIOUS TRYING TO WALK
ON THIS ICY SIDEWALK IN A SKIRT

A New Year and Companion!

So, I would like you all to meet my new companion, Sister Leeson!

She is fresh off the plane on Monday..( district jokes!)  But she is super wonderful in everyway!! :) 

She is from the Village (yes a village) of Sterling, Alberta! So I have another Canadian companion! I will be Canadian in no time! She is also blonde :) Blondes are the best. But I still can’t blame the long hair that get’s everywhere because hers is short.. But that is still okay! 

So.. driving.. I had to drive a TON! Does anyone know how far Brampton is from Kingston!? About 3 hours!! Sooooo long! We are so far away! And driving makes you tired... but no one worry! I did not fall asleep at the wheel! We just listened to some beautiful music that my mother sent me!! :) And it gave me lots of time to get to know Sister Leeson. She has a twin sister! How cool is that?! 

So our first full day together we went tracting..(everyone knows how much I love tracting..not!)  but everyone we met was very nice!! :) Then we talked to someone on the street! He was awesome! He wanted to learn more about Jesus! But when we tried to call him later, the number didn’t work.. Dang it! But it’s okay because it showed Sister Leeson how fun it is to talk to people. She is a lot like me when I first came out. It is hard to talk to people! But I love that she gives everything a try! When I invite her to talk at the next door, she will!! When I invite her to give a card to someone, she will!! She is taking some great steps and I am so excited to work with her! I feel like miracles are  starting to come!! :) And everyone we have met so far loves her! So this will be an amazing transfer! :) 

Church was cancelled yesterday due to freezing rain! Man was it cold! The roads were pure ice yesterday! So you drive really SLOW! And you walk really SLOW! Cause not are just the roads icy but so are the side walks! Since church was cancelled we thought it would be a good idea to go contact people on the campus! But nope. Everyone is trying not to slip, so they don’t really want to talk. It was pretty fun watching everyone try to walk though. I bet it was quite fun for people to watch Sister Leeson and I as well. Watching two girls in skirts walking on the ice, trying not to slip…Funny!  I just kept laughing to myself and wishing I could have caught us on video! :) 

We also got to hold baby bunnies! So stinking cute!! :) And once they are big enough, the lady is going to kill them and eat them!.... Ahhhh! But, she said we can do it with her! YIKES!

I love you all so much. And shout out to my brother Spencer for being a trooper! He was just diagnosed with diabetes type1 and he has the best attitude ever about it!! You are in my prayers little brother! 

Love, 

Sister Gillins 

Sister Leeson and Me

Me and Baby Bunny

Kingston Ward Building

Christmas!!

First of all, Christmas was amazing! Second of all, we didn't even have a white Christmas and I'm in stinkin' Canada! But I'm not bitter.. Just kidding, yes I am. 

But it is all okay because we had an amazing Christmas anyways! :) 

So the branch here has done a live nativity for 36 years! Crazy eh?! It is so sweet! They have a live donkey and sheep! :) So we got to help out with that! Most nights we just handed out hot chocolate and talked to the people who come, but on Christmas Eve we were a part of the show! We were cute shepherds! Actually, my hood was stuck under the robe... so I look like a hunch back! But it was still fun to help the members out :) 

Later that Christmas Eve we went to the Prices home. They are from Utah!! (Yay Utah!) So we had Cafe Rio style burritos! Boy have I missed those! They have 2 sons on a mission and 2 at home the same age as my Kyle and Isaac. So it felt like I was right back at home. It was great to be with a family on Christmas Eve. 

Christmas morning!! :D Sister Bottcher and I woke up early to open our presents!! :) My oh my am I spoiled by all of you!! I am almost rotten I tell ya! 

So here is my thank you list!! (Sorry if I miss anyone) 

Thank you Kim for the yummy fudge and cute shirt!! 

My favorite Auntie M and Steve for all the yummy food and the best chap stick in the world! I am obsessed! (It has a mini 2015 calendar on it!) 

Grandma and Grandpa Ruesch for the warm clothing that is very much needed and the sweets! 

Grandma and Grandpa Glover for the fun ball, hi-chews, and special Missionary experience journal. And Testimony letter.... Treasures to keep. 
And Canadian friends who sent “Canadian” warm gear done right! Go Canada! And go Beef Jerky!

And my family who fit everything in the world in a box!! My favorite was probably the Captain America doll and my squirrely slippers! :) 

I got some awesome pictures of Christ and candy from a Veteran Toronto Sister Missionary!  

And of course Money from many of you….Missionaries love extra money for the end of transfer when all that is left in the cupboards is ramen noodles and cereal.. It was so appreciated. I love all of you!!!  I will use that Money wisely and YUMMILY and to serve some others also!

Thank you for all those who sent me letters! I LOVE snail mail! So those meant the world to me!! 

On Christmas night we went over to the Haynes for a turkey dinner! :) They have the cutest family! So many kids! It was like our Christmas's back at home! And I was able to talk to my family! :) I love them. They remind me that I am not the only crazy one in the worldJ  I was born into a crazy family ;) They are getting so big and growing up to be wonderful people! I was so happy to hear about all of them preparing for missions and about Kyle getting ready to do his papers soon! :) Missionary work is amazing and I am so excited to start to see my family see the blessings that come from it as well!! 

So with transfer news! I am staying in the wonderful place of Kingston and I will be training a new missionary!! :) I am so excited to train again! I can’t wait to meet her! :) Sister Bottcher is going to Kitchener-Waterloo where I once served! She is going to love it! 

I am excited to stay here though! There are so many people to talk to! They need to hear the gospel! I am so excited for the new missionary too, this is a great place to be trained! :) Everyone here is fun to talk to! Most of them are pretty nice…even when they deny learning about the most important thing in the world! So we will have so much fun together! :) 

I love you all and will have more to report next week!!      
  -Sister Gillins

O' CANADA

CHRISTMAS PJ'S

PRESENT OPENING

SKYPE SELFIE WITH THE FAM

MESSY WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS SETUP

THE DISTRICT

The Work of Salvation

What an amazing week!! :) We had the most wonderful Christmas Zone Conference! There was lots of singing and it was so spiritual! We were able to learn so much! and I hate to say it.. but it got me excited for tracting!! So that tells you how good it was!! But it was so far away!! On Monday I drove more than 4 hours!! Then Tuesday I had to drive 2 1/2... I am a pro driver by now!! I want you all to know! :) 

So we have been focusing on the entire Work of Salvation in our mission. And it has been really cool to see here! :) We are working with members and teaching them the Restoration and asking them who they think would need this. A lot of the time they give us less-actives to work with, which is great! Then those less-actives let us in and then we get even more referrals from them! The most important part to all of this though.. is RETURN AND REPORT! That is one way we can gain the trust of the members and those we visit with. Go visit the referrals right away and then as soon as you can,.. report back! We are seeing the trust grow here. :) 

I have felt the Spirit a ton this week. I have been focusing on acting upon each prompting I get and I have seen miracles come from that. I keep receiving additional promptings and they lead me to cool things. 

After contacting for about 45 min - to an hour and nothing happening we walked past these two teenage boys,…well,.. that looked like druggies.. but, I felt prompted to give them a card. Well, that night one texted us and wants to learn more!! SO COOL :) 

We visited one less active this week. She let us in. At first she was pretty negative about everything.. but then we got her talking about happy things, and one thing led to another and I invited her back to church and she said yes!! :) She hasn’t been in 20 years, but she is willing to come back now!! We are so excited! :) 

In Kingston they put on a live nativity! :) With real animals and stuff!! It is so cute and fun!! :) We got to help and give out hot chocolate. A ton of people come to it! They put it on every night until Christmas! We may even have the opportunity to be in it!! If we do, we will take lots of pictures and send them!! :) 

So, now for a funny moment…we were talking to someone on the street and he said that he believed in Joseph Smith, so I’m like, “oh, are you Mormon?!” and his wife was like, “no.. not Mormon..” and then he got really close to my face and said, “I’m Jimmy Jay, have you heard me on the radio?” and then he winked and they walked away.. I was so confused!! Sister Bottcher just kept laughing. It was pretty interesting. Do ya’ll know who Jimmy Jay is? If you do, let me know (:

One of the members we have been visiting with has rabbits! and one had babies!!! They are so ity bity! I love them!!! :) Once they get a little bigger I will take a picture! :) 

I will get each of your packages for those who sent them!! I am going back to Belleville on Wednesday to pick all of them up!! Thank you for all you do for me!! I love you!! Your support means everything. I GET TO SKYPE MY FAMILY IN A FEW DAYS...YEAH!

Merry Christmas,

Sister Gillins 

I also got my first Kinder Surprise

 from a member!!

 It is chocolate with a prize in it!!

I love it!!

    

  And man oh man,
 I am getting lot’s of jerky from ya’ll!!
Thank you! :)

                                  

E.T. phone home!

This week has been... CRAZY! 

WE got E.T.ed (emergency transferred) we got a call on Friday afternoon and left early Saturday morning! Good thing as missionaries we don’t have too many things to pack. It was just head home, pack, say good bye to a few people, and you’re gone!! But we didn’t go too far! We just went an hour east to Kingston! This place is so cool and so richly packed with church history! I would invite all of you to Google it and see how wonderful this place is! :)  Sister Bottcher and I got to stay together for the new transfer. I am so happy about that. We truly love each other and enjoy each others company. We work hard and laugh hard.

            (Haha, so we were driving and there was a little fly making me crazy in the car. We stopped at a red light and it landed on the window. So, I hit the window and smashed the stinker.(sorry fly) Then, I rolled down the window to get it out. Sister Bottcher was laughing really hard and I was like …what? She was like…..” the guy next to us at the red light thought you were trying to talk to him, and rolled down his window, but you drove off”… (:  oh, my life!)

            The first thing we did was go and drop by a few members since we know no one!! NO ONE! We got to meet one of the wonderful YSA in the ward, Winnie. :) She is so funny and great! We connected really well the second we met! I have missed my YSA! :) But now she is going home for the Christmas break :( Then we dropped by our wonderful R.S. president and talked to her about the branch and all the single ladies they would like us to visit. (The branch hasn’t had sisters since the summer so they are SUPER excited to have sisters again) Then we dropped by this wonderful young family, the Nobles. Oh my goodness they are wonderful! They invited us in and had us sit down. We talked for a little bit. By the end we had a dinner appointment scheduled for the 23rd, a Christmas tree in hand, and Sister noble was running to get us groceries since our apartment was looking dry of any food... :) They made us feel so welcomed. Something we both needed. It is hard being transferred right before Christmas.

            We were able to meet some great branch members at church yesterday!

            This week Sister Bottcher and I tried to make the Ritz crackers with mint on them for members.. but that was a complete fail!! So we just made cookies instead which worked out nicely. People love food!! :) They will let you in if they see you have food. So to all you missionaries! Bring food with you at drop bys! :) 

            Not too much happened other than that.. It was just pretty crazy and now we are starting over!! So hopefully I can tell you more about investigators next week!! 

-loves from the great white north! 

 Sister Gillins 

From:MAMA GILLINS – (Sister Gillins wrote a great “Hand Written Letter” home to her Brothers. I feel like some of it should be recorded on her blog…)

            You all are my very best friends. I like it when you all send me short emails and tell me what’s going on in your life. I am in a family Branch and get to talk to the young men and they make me miss you three so much.

            This morning Sister Bottcher and I were laying in our beds talking about our missions and I started to cry because I never want to leave. Missions are really miracles and they change you so much for the better. You get the chance to help people have a better life. You completely feel God’s love. Boys….DO ALL THAT YOU CAN TO BE ON A MISSION! I can’t even describe to you how much I love it here. It’s hard and people slam doors in your face, push you out of the way and yell at you, but yet you are so happy. It’s crazy…and this must all be true! Because there is no way I would go through all of that. I would be home in a heart beat. But, the Gospel is True! So, it is worth it and God makes it easier for us.

            REMEMBER…God loves us and will help us. Don’t forget about the power of the Priesthood! It is literally the Power of God. And, you hold it. How amazing.

            Thank you for the Prayers. They help me. I pray for you all too.

I love you,

Your Sister Gillins

It's a bag of bagels!!
 (now say it with a Canadian accent:)
It's fun! 

Our attempt at making yummy things...
 it always turns into icky..