First P-day 8/19/22

First P-Day in Canada Monday 8/29/22

Zoom with Maggie Mom and Dad

 

She is serving in Barnwell and Colesdale but will live just outside her mission in Taber. 

Second letter home:

Well howdy Brothers and Sisters! 

Been a long week eh? Well for me it's kind of flown by. Once a wise and learned MTC missionary, now a bumbling baby missionary serving in her first transfer ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ! 

On Wednesday we flew out and spent the day traveling to Canada, all 30 something of us. There were 16 in my group flying to Seattle first and we made it through customs by 5:30ish, but the other group got stuck in San Fransico for a couple hours. We had dinner that night with President Davis and Sister Davis and a couple other mission leaders at the stake building before spending the night in a hotel. 

Thursday morning we went back to the church for breakfast and to meet our companions!! I'm in a trio with Sister John and my trainer, Sister Sellers, serving in Southern Alberta. We're over two towns, Coaldale and Barnwell and the members there are fantastic! It's mostly just farmland and prairies and hills and grass so it's very windy. Also, people keep saying it's super hot right now... and I'm standing there with a sweater on, wishing I had another lol. 

The days usually get to a nice 75ish, (it's been interesting learning how to convert Celsius and Fahrenheit back and forth. Same with kilometers and miles), but it gets chilly in the morning and evenings. What winter is gonna be like I cannot imagine, but I'm going to be so brave about it ᕦ(ò_ó)ᕤ

I should probably get a good coat soon tho lol. 

Anyways, apparently transfers happened right in the middle of Corn fest so we went street contacting there twice and met some really cool people, mostly Mennonite families. We also volunteered to help man a water station during the Corn fest Fun Run on Friday so people could see us missionaries out and about :D

On Sunday we had a lesson with our friend named Jenell who is two weeks out from her baptism date! She's getting married at the end of this week to Westley, a returned missionary so that's also really exciting! She just has one lesson left and a meeting with the bishop and then she's good to go! I haven't known her long but she's already so amazing and I can't wait for our next lesson with her! 

We've had a couple other lessons with members and I'm slowly learning how to talk to people without sounding like a robot or a doofus (＾▽＾)

I am so glad to finally be living free and in the wild of Southern Alberta! Meeting and serving and teaching the people of Barnwell and Coaldale! There's a lot of work to be done and I'm so happy to be a part of it! 

Love Sister Evans <3

its already cold.

handing out water at the corn fest run.

dinner at the corn fest

gift from comp

 

First time out of the country

8/23/22 Crossing paths with Elder Tanner Gibson. (Neil and Liam's friend) He was calling his family and introducing Ruth as his favorite fishing buddy's older sister. Upon seeing the picture Liam said: "No way that's pretty epic!" and Neil said: "That's my boyfriend"

Other familiar people at the MTC this week were Mari Wood from Jr. High who is also going to Canada Tagolog speaking. She and Elder Duncan went to Highland together so they knew each other too. 

Also, two elders from our stake. Connor Washburn and Crew Smith. 

8/24/22 4am Canada travel buddies. The lobby is PACKED with Canada Missionaries. So much Luggage.

About to board in SLC on the way to Seattle. Accidentally left scripture bag out of carry on this time and since that counted as a third bag was forced to check it. Concerning since missionaries are staying in a hotel the first night and getting their companion the next day so won't have access to all luggage. Just carry on. Prayers all goes well. 

These are literally the only tall socks I brought with me. 

and I look like a dork. 

We just boarded. 

It's tiny. 

Like, almost tinier than the one we took between islands in Hawaii. 

Its 2 seats by 2 seats and most of my group had to check their carry-ons anyways because the overhead storage is so small. 

CANADA TRAVEL

 

**IMPORTANT** You do not need a visa to enter Canada, but you may receive a Visitor Record from a border agent, BUT the border agent is under no obligation to issue one to you. You can apply for one once you enter Canada, but it is SO much easier to have the border agent issue one to you. If you don’t get one, please ask for one. If they still don’t give you one, DO NOT push it, just get through customs. You can go through the longer process of applying for one once you get to your mission. 

 

You MUST comply with any instruction given by a border officer.  No questions, no exceptions!

 

Again, if you told by a border agent that you need to isolate/quarantine, DO NOT try to negotiate or convince them. Call missionary travel and we will book a hotel if needed. 

COVID TESTING FOR TRAVEL

 

Canada has changed their COVID testing requirements. They no longer require travelers to take a COVID test as long as they are fully vaccinated. Individuals who have had two shots of Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, or any combination of the two, are generally considered fully vaccinated.  Individuals who have had the single Janssen (J&J) are also considered fully vaccinated.

 

 

Summary of what you should be doing in preparation for travel:

1. Missionaries should enter their Covid vaccines in the ArriveCAN app or webpage before travel. If you experience trouble with the app missionary travel can’t really help. You’ll need to call their help desk.
2. Upon arrival, a random Covid test may be administered.
1. Negative – NO hotel stay is needed > continue to mission.
2. Positive – call missionary travel at 801-240-5111. They will arrange a hotel for quarantine if needed.
3. Keep Covid CDC card with passport.

 

COVID Travel Guidelines:

 

When departing or returning home – regardless of location – we ask missionaries and their families to strictly follow established guidelines to prevent the spread of illness while at the airport or on an airplane. Families should limit the number of people picking up, dropping off, or accompanying a missionary based on local airport regulations. Whenever missionaries are inside the airport or an airplane, they should wear a mask, avoid congregating in groups, not shake hands or hug, and obey all social distancing measures. Above all, missionaries and their families should promptly follow all instructions from airport officials or volunteers. We appreciate the cooperation of missionaries and their families as we all work to follow these important safety guidelines

 

Airlines are requiring all passengers to wear face masks in flight.  You will need to obtain your own face mask before airport arrival.

LUGGAGE GUIDELINES

Each Missionary is allowed to bring two 50lb checked bags, one carry-on bag, and one personal item that is small enough to be stowed under your seat. Overweight fees above the 50lb limit for each bag will not be covered or reimbursed.

The itinerary shows how many bags are included in the cost of the ticket free of charge – NOT how many are allowed on the flights. If the cost for 2 bags is NOT included in your itinerary (ie—shows only 0, 1 ) you will need pay those luggage fees at the time of check in.  For reimbursement, please save your receipts and turn them into your mission office upon arrival.

Made it!

And SISTER EARL AND I FINALLY MET ELDER CHAPMAN!

He is the elder in our district that was from Canada and instead of getting a passport just to come to the USA to go to the MTC, he just did everything online through zoom. 

The other group of Calgary Canada missionaries leaving the MTC today got delayed in San Fran bc the tire on their plane popped lol so they haven't even left yet. 

From Sister Evans: Aug 24, 6:23PM

Just letting you know we survived and are just learning a bit more about Alberta and the mission lol. Dinner was boss froggin' shredded BBQ chicken sandwiches and the best potato salad I've ever had and a pizzookie for dessert. 

 

Sunday August 21, 2022

Elder Duncan and Ruth enjoying the rain. 

obv. the only two desert rats from Arizona in their district. 

Ruths plaque is on the wall at the church finally. Along with (top to bottom left to right): Kaleb Jones, Jesse Thatcher (who are both coming home in the next month.) Amy Jones, Carlee Johansson, Katee Grandil, Martha McKendrick, Hailey Edgar and Ruth. 

One of the awesome teachers  Sister Miles.

Sister Liljenquist loved teasing Elder Ballingham for eating bananas and milk with every meal  so he put a banana in her bag as a joke. 

Elder Larsen taking selfies with Sister Liljenquist and Elder Witt

Most of our district out playing volleyball. 

Elder Halpren in his Shaggy from Scooby Doo outfit. 

Our district taking night selfies. 

Letters to Ruth from Orson and Elinor. I love that someone put a granola bar in there for her. 

Orson gave her some stickers and his book it pizza coupon. 

That right there is true love. 

This is a small pencil lead vial full of cactus spines and dirt with a magnet glued to the back of it.