Easter in Canada

March 30, 2015 

Dear Family,
 

So, after shoveling an investigator's walkway for four hours, we kept trying to set up times to meet with her, but she kept making lame excuses for why she couldn't meet, and we had to drop her. In the words of Elder McGuire, "We got used like a napkin." It happens. On a good note it stopped snowing Sunday morning just in time to have our Easter church meeting. It was comprised of scripture readings and many musical numbers. I did an acappella number with Elder McGuire and some members in the ward. We sang "O Savior Who Wearest the Crown" to the tune of "If you Could Hie to Kolob." It was pretty good for only an hour of practicing. We did Easter yesterday because of Conference next week. Conference starts at one o'clock and the priesthood session will be at nine for us. I am coming to enjoy family history and we have been teaching more ward members about it. A lot of people love to do their family history and have all these charts and papers of ancestors. I am doing a lot of training and am learning a lot. I haven't gotten the package yet, but hopefully soon. It is still hard talking and teaching people because I tend to over think things. It is starting to get a little warmer and it does not feel like spring with all this snow. Love and miss you all! 

Love, Elder Ray

Eastern Passage

Elder Ray filling out his planner

Missionary Service

March 23, 2015
 
Dear Family,
 

I am doing better than I was last week for sure. The blog sounds great, and thanks for sending me some things, I'll let you know when they get here. I want to say I am eating healthier but I definitely am not. I have eaten a lot of bagels. The food here is mostly the same as at home. Role playing, even though I don't really like it it is helping me a lot, I actually can talk to people now. I have come to find that I am making it harder than it should be to talk to people. So, my week consisted of shoveling so much snow for people, it was ridiculous (Mosiah 2:17). We did have a few lessons and I loved meeting with the Thompson's. Brother Thompson is a collector of old things, mostly war artifacts like guns, swords, outfits, radios, and all these awesome things. I feel like I already told you this. Oh well, it is awesome so hear it again. I think I am finally used to the weather and am worried about going back to the gross AZ heat. Sunday is my favorite day of the week so far and I finally got to go to church yesterday. It just flew by. Why? Church used to go slowly at home. One of the speakers did not show up to church and five minutes before sacrament meeting they asked me to speak in her place. Aah! It went pretty well though, even though it was short. Sam Smith, who I met in the last week, had his farewell last night and we went so I could get to know more of the ward and we could set up more appointments in the week. We are working hard to have good relationships with the ward members because apparently in the past they had trouble with some missionaries. Sam is going to Calgary, Canada on his mission. Love and miss you guys, you are all definitely in my prayers.

Love, Elder Ray

This is the Halifax Temple, which is actually right next to the church building and is a really small temple.

Elder Ray shared, "This is our car, well what's left of it."

This is the view out Elder Ray's apartment window

Elder Ray

Logan's companion, Elder McGuire shared this story on his blog:
 

And now, the most spiritual experience of my mission. Our investigator Sandy has a huge driveway. We got about 5 feet of snow. Sandy couldn't get out of her house to buy food for her children because the snow was too deep. She didn't have enough money for a plow or family in the area to help her. Thus, it was up to Elder Ray and I to dig a path for her to get out and get some food. After hours upon hours of shoveling, going back several days we finally got her shoveled out. She just called me last P-day in the middle of email time just crying like she was suffocating in her house because she didn't have any food for her children. She was in panic mode. Makes me cry right now even just typing this. But we shoveled the whole thing. 5 feet at a time up the whole driveway. Sandy got out of her house and now has food. Such a huge highlight for my life. In the past I never really felt like I had helped anyone in a major way. This experience changed that. I still can't believe what we did. It was certainly the Spirit who carried us. We got her dug out and now she can come to church and meet with us again. Thank you for your prayers. My physical strength is increasing with all of the people we have had to shovel out. I now have a new love for snow shoveling.
 

This is the path Elder McGuire and Elder Ray started digging

Elder Ray taking a break. (Sandy's house is not the blue one, it is the one farthest away)

This is the path as they got closer to her house

Arriving in Halifax

March 16, 2015
    
Dear Family,

Where do I begin? Canada is awesome, and I am really excited now. Yes I did survive my first blizzard, and it was an amazing opportunity for service. who knew I liked shoveling driveways? The temperature is usually between negative ten and ten degrees Celsius right now. I am still trying to learn Celsius and kilometers. I was nervous when some of the road signs just said ninety. I was like, are Canadian's crazy? But it is different. So the area I am in is Cole Harbour, and to get a feel for it I think it is a mix between Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Santa Monica/ the Pier. It has a lot of buildings, yet is woodsy, yet is on the coast. It's really cool. I live on the ninth floor in an apartment building and it is actually pretty nice. My companion and trainer is Elder McGuire. He is from Flagstaff AZ and knew a couple of people from Gilbert High school because of marching band. So we can relate and have things to talk about, we get along really well. He is a zone leader so I get to go to all his meetings. He has also been sick all week but is pressing forward. I am a little overwhelmed with all that I get to take in and get used to, but it helps me learn to manage stress. It is gorgeous here and I still can't believe we live in Arizona. By the time I get back when I step outside I will shrivel up and die from the heat. All emails are fine from other people, I don't know if I will have the time to answer them all though. A blog sounds great and I do have some pictures to send. I have slipped many times, but haven't fallen yet. I have already talked to hundreds of people just in the past week. It is definitely pulling me out of my comfort zone. "There is no growth in a comfort zone, there is no comfort in a growth zone." There are a lot of nice people here and that is not me being stereotypical. I haven't taught a lesson to anyone but I will this week. I am getting used to missionary life and am coming to love it. Two years is going to go by faster than I think. I have only met a little bit of the ward because church was cancelled on Sunday because of the blizzard. I did not realize church could be cancelled, but we live in Arizona so it makes sense. I only had to push the car out of the snow twice this week. We role play a lot and it helps me to be able to talk to people and to teach. So they have a place called Burrito Jax and is like a Chipotle, but not as good. I miss real Mexican food. I love and miss you all and will have more for you later.

Love, Elder Ray

 

New Elders and Sister arriving at the Halifax airport. No luggage lost!  

A quick break from orientation. A picture out on the frozen lake across from the mission home. The cool air wakes them up after a short nights sleep and a long day of travel.

Back Row:  Assistant Elder Erickson, Elder Hogg, Elder Taufler, Assistant Elder Mcmullen, Elder Larminez.  Front Row:  Elder Ray, Elder Alger, Sister Vadernuk, Elder Hatch (Elder Ray's Comp in the MTC) and Elder Gooch     
 

First Area - Cole Harbour

Elder Ray's trainer and companion, Elder McGuire

More at the MTC

March 4, 2015

Destination, Halifax Canada!

Dear Family,

My flight was good and was really short. I forgot to pick up my carry on and had to wait an hour to get it so I missed my shuttle and had to wait for the next one. And I was nervous about the take off but it was just like a roller coaster. I am insanely busy especially since I am the district leader and have more responsibilities. We have lots of study time, gym time, and like eight hours of classes. The experience is the most amazing thing though. My companion Elder Hatch and I have had some good and bad days when teaching our investigators, but yesterday was awesome when both lessons went really well...we high fived. Anyways, love and miss you guys.

Love, Elder Ray

The Missionary Training Center

February 28, 2015
 
Dear Family,

I am here, I made it. Just in the past two days I have learned so much and am on my way to hopefully be a "legendary" missionary. I am in a small district of eight people and we each got a calling. I am the District Leader, a big responsibility and I have never been busier. My district is awesome, we get along really well and know so much about each other in just a week. I guess you should if you are with them 24/7. I am so excited and ready to work. I have never felt the spirit as strong as I do now. Wednesdays are my P-days at the MTC and I will be emailing then. I have come to love my companion and the others as well. The Sisters are amazing examples to everyone and I love talking and working with them. Also, my plane for Canadia leaves on March 10 and I will be calling you guys from one of the airports. I love and miss you guys so much. The gospel blesses families.

Love, Elder Ray

Top Row: Elder Hatch, Elder Ray, Elder Algar, Elder Jorgensen

 Bottom Row: Sister Kruitbosch, Sister Rich, Sister Torsak, Sister Yadernuk

Missionary outing to the Provo Temple

We love visiting the temple

Leaving for the Missionary Training Center

February 25, 2015

One last family picture
before putting Elder Ray on the plane

Waving goodbye at the airport

The Mission Call

December 28, 2014

Dear Elder Ray,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Canada Halifax Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months.