Put your shoulder to the wheel

Hello Family!!!!Well, it's been a bit of a slow week, but i'm still enjoying myself. We knocked a lot of doors but everyone is either Catholic, hindu, spiritual or not interested. We did find someone from the area book, which we visited and then referred to the Tagalog speaking elders, seeing that they were from the Phillipeans. They reported today that they now have 7 new investigators because of it, so that's good. Turns out my companion is a musical genius. He doesn't read music but holy cow, that kid can play some piano and guitar! we'd pick a christmas song, and he'd play a few notes, and then he'd start playing a jazzed up version of the song! It was amazing. Anyway, when he and I were tracting the other day we came across a guy who had talked to the missionaries before. He then began to rip on Mormanism and how the Book of Mormon Was proven false and about how you cant add to the scriptures, and Joseph Smith was a cult leader, ect. Now, he had divulged prior, that he was a Calvinist, and they everything he believed was bible based. This dude was ripe for destruction and I could have destroyed him, knowing that Calvinism is probably one of the most confused sects of Christianity, That Calvin was a cult leader by this mans own definition and he burned men at the stake for disagreeing with him. Also, he essentially added to the bible himself and had a version published with doctrines of his own (predestination among other things) written as commentary on the sides. Basically everything the guy said was easily refutable and though he claimed to hold to the Bible, Calvinism has many creeds that have no biblical support. But instead of arguing with the man, my comp. and I bore testimony of the Book of Mormon and bid him farewell. No party would have benefited from confrontation except for my pride. Pride is really not an attribute worth devolving. Mother, the part of preach my gospel that Amanda Turner spoke of is something my companion shared with me during studies. It has caused me to think and study more intensely, Jesus the Christ, and specific scriptures regarding the atonement. I am probably three fifths of the was through James E. Talmage's master piece and already, when I open to a place in the gospels I usually recognize the context and remember insights regarding that passage of scripture. If I don't, it has become easier to comprehend what is being spoken of. I am learning to love the scriptures as was foretold in my patriarchal blessing.This book has helped me to gain a greater understanding and love for the savior and for the father who sent him. Their work is to bring to pass our immortality and eternal life. Through the atonement, our weakness's can become strengths. We must set our sight upon the kingdom of God and accept nothing less. I will work hard and repent daily. I hope you are all having a wonderful time and I miss you all!
love ya,
Elder Higginson

St. Albert Pictures

                                            Midnight Mass in St. Albert

                                                                St. Albert

OH CANADAAA!!!!!!

Hey Family! I'm in Canada!!!!! the weather isn't horrendous, they say it's been a pretty mild. it hasn't dropped bellow 14 degree's whilst I've been outside. usually it's in the 20's. the sun comes up around 9:30 and sets around 4:30.. not that you can really tell because it's almost always cloudy. My companion is awesome! Elder Allen is his name and he's been out for 16 months. He's the salt of the earth and he is teaching me well.  I have been assigned to labor in a town just outside of the capitol (Edmonton) - a place called St. Albert. my area inside the city is called mission hill- so named because their is a Catholic Church.... on a hill. Quite an  appropriate name I think :) So about miracles: they really do happen. On my first day tracting, after about an hour, we came across a house that was advertising crafts. after ringing the door bell a short native american woman answered and my companion skillfully asked if we could see her "craft" set- up. She invited us in and showed us her beads and jewelry she was selling. We then talked to her about the Book of Mormon and how it is a record of her ancestry, to whom Jesus Christ appeared. She was immediately receptive to the idea and she reads her bible twice a day but doesn't belong to a specific church. Well, not yet anyway haha :). She accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon and will probably be coming to church next week!!! So stoked! I'm surprised at how much I remember about the world and about other countries- it has helped me build upon common ground with people. Just know little bits about lots of cultures and histories has helped me to love people that I have never met. An old couple that isn't particularly interested in the church invited us in to come play on the piano. They are from Denmark originally and supper cool! they just like beer a bit too much. The husband, Henning Larson, was dressed in the most hilarious multicolored pajamas (I think they where pajama's) with red socks and sandals! He was in his 80's and has a white beard. he invited us down stares where he has the coolest room I have ever seen: the walls were covered with advertisements and pictures from the old county and then their was the piano: 1890's vintage and in mint condition. my comp. played some while Henning rocked in his chair with a smile on his face. Then I played a little, including an Irish song- and that got him exited because He had a lot of Irish friends and he recognized it! Evidently he lived through WWII in Denmark and it scared him a bit. He didn't want to talk about it at first but he opened up when I shared a little of what I knew. after the war he took his new bride on a motor scooter with a small tent and traveled Europe. He was drafted after the war into the Danish army and operated a Brenn Gun! He spoke of Christian the 10th, the king of Denmark, who would ride his horse around the square in Copenhagen every morning during the occupation. I told him that I had seen the old footage of when the king rode through the city on the day of liberation and he remembered and it brought tears to his eyes. I think he had hid those memories away a bit. I do not know if Henning will ever join the church but I love him dearly and his sweet wife. Jesus Christ is surely at the head of this work and he has sent missionaries forth before his face, so that we might prepare men to receive him when he comes. And he is surely coming. I miss you all like crazy!!!! Thank you so much for the electric blanket!! our apartment is pretty warm, just like all the houses out here haha! I am amazed at how thoughtful you have been ( and by you I mean mother) in sending me so many nice things! Oh.. I can't find any Chicken Pot Pies here. If the shortage continues I'll not be happy. Haha, just kidding, I'll survive. Got stuff for crepes and biscuits and gravy, and little blueberry waffles. My comp is also a good cook- and almost as parsimonious as myself! I'll give you an update next week! love and miss you all! Hurrrah for Israel.

Affectionately,

Elder Higginson

 oh and Yellow Knife is not closed in the Winter: a couple of poor sufferin' suckatash's are up there now! Prselytin' in the - 40 celcious. They made sure to have us not go out in -40 weather in other parts of Canada.

Elder Higginson MTC

Dec. 13, 2014 Post Mailed letter

Dear Family,
Well the MTC has just flown by! I am improving in my teaching skills and yesterday we had in-field orientation which was like 9 hours long.  We had breaks, but it was still a lot to take in.  My P-day is Monday and I get to Canada Tuesday--so I will not get to send an email until then.
I love and miss you all! I hope everything is ging all right.  You will have to send me pictures of grandmother and granfathers new house!
In my time here, I have definitely firmed up my foundation and changed my outlook as a missionary.  If I focus on serving others and bringing them the restored gospe, I will be successful. I know that if I wish to grow as a missionary, I must drink the bitter cup and not pass it by when a situation is hard. I heard a really cool story about the Canada mission when Thomas S. Monson was the mission president.  There was an area, a city called Kingston. The missionaries called "stony Kingston" because it was like the stony ground where when seeds were dropped, they didn't grow.  They were having no success. But Pres. Monson found out that Brigham Young had gone to this place much earlier and in the space of 30 days--baptized 45 people. So the future prophet closed the area for a time. He then told his elders of a great area that would soon be opened, where Brigham Young had eat success. Elders asked to be sent to this place, so he re-opened the Kingston Mission and that area became the highest baptizing in the mission. I know that if I put forth the effort and go forward with zeal, I can hasten the work.
I love you all very much! Thank you for your prayers!
Affectionatly,
Elder Higginson

Week 2

An excerpt from his written letter:
Yesterday the Lord saw fit to bring many scriptures to my remembrance that were applicable to our discussions.  And the result was, the mission president made me leader over my district.  This adds a lot of responsibilities to me considering I have not had much time to study personally.  I'm sure I'll get used to it though and the Lord will quicken my mind that I may accomplish His work.  And one of my responsibilities is giving blessings to the elders in my district.  This must be more preparation for giving blessings in the field (as you had foretold, father). I go forth humbled and pray for more humility (which will probably happen as I teach my first discussion today).
Elder Higginson

Week 1

Well it has been a crazy week!! I am adjusting just fine though and I don't feel home sick or anything. Course that doesn't mean I don't miss you all a ton and love you to death! I had a good companion but he struggled a bit. He wasn't getting enough sleep at all and he eventually came to understand that he should serve in a different capacity. So he was reassigned and left yesterday to go home to Brigham city and do genealogy missionary work or something. I did my best to uplift him and help him grow, but in the end you must rely on your own conversion. I am at peace with it. We also lost another elder from our district the night before, elder L…. who is OCD. Not like us OCD, like hardcore OCD. He didn't ever shower while he was here and he kindof always stunk, poor fella bless his heart. He had a testimony but he wasn't physically prepared to serve a mission. I'm doing just fine though! This place legitimately stretches me, but I know that as I turn outward to strengthen others and forget myself I will have the strength to accomplish the will of the lord. If you can find it, watch David A. Bednars talk titled "Character of Christ." It totally changed my outlook as a missionary. And this 12 year old opera singer named Lexie sang at our devotional last night! it was the most amazing thing... but not as good as Aubrey or Ashlynn haha :). I don't have much time so I will hopefully write you all again soon! I sent a letter shortly after arriving, and I received both of yours.

Thanks for everything guys, I love you all so very much! Thanks for preparing every needful thing! 

Affectionately

Elder Higginson.