Angelica's first PDay in Canada:

8/18/14. This PDay seemed to take forever to get here.  I was anxious to hear where she was, how she was doing and to get her mailing address.   I was up late the night before typing up the email I wanted her to read the next day and so I didn't wake up until about 9:00 AM the next morning.  I thought by then she had already emailed.  I turned my computer on and just a few minutes later her first email came!  I was so excited that I was there to get it in live time.  She was replying to the emails I had sent her.  And she gave me her mailing address.  Now I can begin the fun of sending her packages and letters! :)

That first week she said members had fed them every night. And they had appointments for the next few nights as well.  So she is being fed well she said :)  Since I was able to talk to her live she took the opportunity to ask me how I make spaghetti using zucchini instead of noodles because her companion can't have wheat or dairy.  So I explained in detail how I make it.  I am wondering if she actually tried to do it.  If you ever have easy recipe ideas to share please send them to her.  I am sure she would love to have them!

Here is some of the mass email she sent:

"President L is extremely nice and runs the mission like a well-oiled machine.  Very strict, and I love it. =]  We only listen to MOTAB, we have an exercise plan that we are required to follow and do 6 days a week, we keep track of how often we are late, and everything is structured VERY well.
My companion is also very structured and we have not been late to anything!  (yet.)  She is great and we get along just fine!   She's very goal oriented and is a hard worker.  I really think these next 12 weeks together will be super fun.  =]

I love street contacting!!  It is so much fun!!  Just yesterday we street contacted a young man on the street. We asked him about his beliefs and he said he was Agnostic.  He said he believed everything happens for a reason, but he doesn't really believe there is a God.
And after talking for a bit he was willing to sit down at the curb and have a lesson right there!!! =D  And just instantly the spirit just smacked us all like a wave and he opened up and was crying.  (It's a good thing.)
And he was saying how he felt alone and that he just relied on himself.  We told him that God is our LOVING Heavenly Father and that He loves him very much.  And we taught him about the Holy Ghost and Christ as well and how to recognize the Holy Ghost.
I told him that I have anxiety and that the Holy Ghost is the only thing that really can take that away.   And I know that it's not me, because on my own that anxiety won't leave.  He then told us that he too has anxiety and mentioned some hard things he's been through.  He explained that he really would like to feel that comfort and love and have that relief.
We had a wonderful lesson and we got him to pray!  (he prayed silently to himself, but it's a start!)  It was amazing to see him go from not believing in God and saying that religion was shoved down his throat, to believing there is God and wanting to know more.  ALSO he felt the spirit and said he was feeling calm and like some of his problems were lifted.  IT. WAS. SO. INCREDIBLE!!! =D  And hopefully we will meet with him again!  He said he was interested!!

Nothing bad to report haha Everything is wonderful here.  =]  I enjoy being a missionary quite a bit and am glad that I made the decision to come out here.  Being here, I realize that I only get to be a missionary for a short time and I need to make the most of it. 

We went to the temple on Thursday and having that room filled with missionaries was incredible!  I have NEVER in my WHOLE LIFE felt the spirit like I did while I was there.   It was so strong and I could literally FEEL it.  Like, not kidding.  It was not just a feeling, but like there was something inside me that was growing and couldn't fit inside.  But it felt so good, you have no idea!  I just stopped paying attention to everything else for a minute, and I listened.  I know he spoke to me. =]  That's all I'll say about that ;]  haha
GO TO THE TEMPLE!!!  It's the best thing in the world!  Happiest place on Earth.  <3

There are a few things here and there that are different.  The accents are cute because it's only a couple things here and there.  They say the words "bag" "tag" "drag" like "beg" "teg" "dreg" hahaha And the bathroom is most commonly called the "washroom".  People are HUGE into recycling here.  Like, EVERYONE does it.  And there are like 3 different garbages that I have to choose from when I throw anything away.  Normal, compost, and recyclable.  

Overall, the mission is fantastic and I am happy and very healthy!  I talk to lots of new people each day and get to experience SO much!  I can't believe I only get to do this for 18 months.

I know Christ is my Savior and I know He is there.  I know that He loves me more than I can possibly comprehend.  I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father and that He sent his Son to this world to save the world. (John 3:16-17)  I know that the Holy Ghost is the comforter and has brought comfort to my life more times than I will ever know.  This gospel of Christ is true and I know that this is His work and His glory.   We are building up His kingdom and bringing the Saints forward!!

I love you all so much!!"

She had 2 hours that first PDay to email and send pictures.  In all I got 31 emails and lots of pictures.  That is when I got her MTC pictures and a few of her new companion.  Four days later I got a few emails from the President's assistant with pictures from their Zone Conference.  I was so very happy they did that :)

Overall Angelica is doing great!  And now that I know she is doing great I am doing great...haha.  I have to say, the first few weeks are the hardest because you have to adjust to them not being there and you are constantly worried about their physical and emotional well being.  Each day is getting easier but there are still days where I miss her terribly.  Some may not know that for 14 years she was an only child and so her and I did everything together.  I taught her at home, went to all of her dance, gymnastics and violin lessons and we did a lot of outings together.  We were always together.  And after her brother came along she was always there helping me and she enjoyed taking care of him and playing with him.  It has definitely been an adjustment, but we are doing fine.  

If you would like Angelica's mailing address or her email address you can send me an email and ask me for it at kcdoula@aol.com.  Or if you are friends with me on facebook or see me you can ask me then too :)

I hope you enjoy this blog.  This is my first attempt at actually doing one.  I hope I am able to share the things Angelica wants me to share and you are able to feel the wonderful spirit she has to share.  I know with out a doubt that God lives.  I know that our Heavenly Father loves us just like we love our own children.  He wants only the best for us and for us to succeed.  I know he sent his son Jesus Christ to come to Earth to teach us and to be our Savior.  I know my Savior has felt every sin and burden I have felt and will ever feel.  I am so thankful every day for the opportunity I have to pray and ask for forgiveness when I make mistakes.  And I am so very thankful I have been blessed with a wonderful family.  I love Angelica so much and miss her every day. But I know she is where she is supposed to be doing exactly what she wants to do and is supposed to be doing.  This will be a fun and wonderful journey for both of us.  I know many have asked how I am doing and I am doing great! Yes, I miss her. And I am pretty open and I will talk about that, a lot.  But I am also so very happy for her.  And I am doing good.  This is not only going to be a wonderful experience for her, but it will be a wonderful experience for me also.  I am going to love hearing from her every PDay and getting updates on what she is doing.  Being a Missionary Mom is a wonderful thing!  I wouldn't change any of this.  Thank you all for your support and love.  I say all of these things in the name of my Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.