Mama JOURNAL RESPONSES Transfer 2 (Hochelaga, Montreal) Fitzner 5/7/26-
5/9/26
Oh Abe and
so it begins—I love your start- steering conversations to happy places and
being so dedicated to dig in and work.
What a blessing you will be to your area and your companion- I also love your faith to ask to be involved
and to just try. Faith in action!
I am sure as
you settle you will find blessings and challenges but this I know- you are
prepared in all things to handle it because you will do it with a striving
heart- and prayer. This companion has
things to learn from you and you from her—and both will be a gift- Show extra love—it will soften a lot of edges
It’s a nice
fresh start ♥
I hope you are sleeping well and that the shared eating is working out
for you—I ‘m guessing it’ll be awhile before you bust out taco soup- you prob
left some of that in your freezer in Ottawa-
it will prob cause you to menu plan more just to coordinate what you are
buying and what you are eating.
About Pday-
we’ll just navigate that as it comes- but yes, need to be aware—getting out and
having a plan will help, just getting out—maybe she will nap while you call or
stay on longer—it will work out! We’re
here for whatever that looks like-
It’s fun you
are already meeting friends (Sister Avery- that’s cute) Sounds like a nun name
That’s a
quick journal response but it’s pretty much from that first day entry- which I
was grateful for, I was thinking about you all day yesterday hoping it was
starting off well and that travel went smoothly
This weekend
L has bball (high school CTB) and I think (rumor is) she made JV- don’t think
Holland did- so that’s problematic- but we don’t know for sure yet—the hs girls
were talking about it at practice—a little awkwardly in front of the group- so
we’ll see- Maybe Lainey will tell you more about it in a message—we really don’t
know for sure yet-
Cont. Sat
night
Graham was
over helping at Sadie’s all day – I am overwhelmed just hearing about her 12
garden boxes (and that doesn’t even include the fenced in garden area- but she’ll love it—but what a lot of
work! I did our garden (kept it a little
more sparce this year) and flower pots (6) this week and it took me a few hours
and totally wore me out. I also put down snake deterrent to ward off any potential
snakes (remember that last year)
Back to your
journal- so good to read how you are taking time to discern how the spirit speaks
to you—I bet your brain hurts from all the French- but it’s the best way. Tonight
the only session we could make work was the Spanish one—(for endowments) Dad
got the headphones 😊
I didn’t- and I loved it so much-
it was beautiful to me (he said it was distracting to him) by the end I did
feel tired because my brain was translating it all- and because it’s familiar,
it wasn’t hard- but it did require a different focus- which I liked and Dad
didn’t- but he had headphones for English the whole time- he just likes what he’s
used to and that’s okay. I was thinking
how fun it’ll be to go to the temple together and you can get headphones in
French—and I’ll be in English-- - I did that with Emma once, she had Italian Headphones
gong—at the veil the worker thought she didn’t speak English so they called her
up in Italian to go first hahah—backfire—made sort of a spectacle and she didn’t
want to be disruptive and tell her she could speak English, so she just went
with it—sweet temple workers were trying to accommodate her so well since she
had the headphones with Italian.
I love your
answers to prayer- “You can trust me, I already trust you”—how beautiful is
that?
Grateful you
like your district and the metro—I am sure it has felt like a long week- pday
will be a welcome break!
Looking
forward to your call tomorrow l!! I don’t have meetings! Maybe I’ll finally get a Sunday nap. But I definitely don’t want to miss your call
so whenever works for you is great. Graham
is making breakfast (egg sandwich) Lainey lunch (frozen pizza) and Dad dinner
(I picked a pasta dish for him) 😊 We will go out to Grandmas about 7 our time—but trust me, I’m happy to
step away if that’s when you call- and I won’t parade you around the group, I
promise!
I love you Avery-
hope you have a wonderful Sunday—Thank you for making me a mama
_______________________________________
Journal responses post pday pg 93
I am sorry that Facebook referral wasn’t awesome- I seems
like you’ve sure had some weird ones since getting to that area. It’s important to know when it’s not
productive or starts to get weird—you have too much good to do to stay on those
calls long. You’re right- it doesn’t
mean that the contact is lost forever- it just means that you got to be a
touchpoint and maybe at another time when their life is different, they’ll be
more ready to receive—God numbers them, so you can do your dot color process and
not feel like you are leaving someone behind.
I think it’s great that you asserted yourself kindly but strongly enough
to send the message that the call needed to end—I’m glad you have confidence in
yourself and in the direction you get from the spirit when it’s time to pivot
I’m glad you liked your service opportunity with the fruit—those
are fun pictures.
About the vibe and the talking on the metro—it’s prob giving
you a clearer picture of why her comps might have talked to their family on
pday while out and about—if she wasn’t going to talk, it’s hard to “save” that
time. Honestly sometimes I feel like
that with dad-- I try to talk to him in
the car and he doesn’t really engage—when I call him on it he says, “I’m just
listening” and then I say a rock listens—you need to invest a little, ask
follow up questions, or just interact—so it feels like you are engaged—like you
were saying, do something to add to the situation, conversation, not just be a bump
on a log-- I mean comfortable silence is good and fine too- sometimes, but not
passive aggressiveness or not communicating you just want to chill for a little
bit-- Maybe she’s not a great conversationalist—or maybe she’s just working
through moods- or needs more in her head processing- but I get what you are
saying. What if you suggested that you
use your metro time for language study together—like you could write some
themes down in your phone notes and number them (the market, the hospital, a
first date, booking a hotel, meeting a new friend, the weather, directions
somewhere, etc) and then have her pick a number and then you talk about that
theme on the list in French- vocab, or
role play or something—then it might not feel overwhelming to her to have an
ongoing conversation, but helps her be more interactive. You could cross of the numbers as you go
through them? Idk just an idea- Be prayerful about it—and keep trying. Make it about her and see if she responds
more
I hope your week shapes up with more lessons
Things here—last night Graham and I went out to Sadie’s
The garden is impressive—they are now trying to figure out the
watering, seems backwards a little like should have dealt with sprinklers then
planted and made boxes- but they’ll figure it out—this year will be a test and Buggy
is okay with working out the kinks- but it’s a lot of hand watering. The boxes look great though and the arch is super
neat—pretty with plants later in the summer I’m guessing—Buggy thinks she can
train it all to grow in the way she wants (on the inside of the arch) but she’s
not tall enough to reach the taller sides or the top so that ‘ll have to be Seth’s
deal (added to his list) to weave growing vines and harvest the fruit that’s in
the top half of the arch. Miller was
pretty tired when we got there and I tried to keep him up to play but it only lasted
awhile, and when I did lay him down he was hyped about his binky and lovey which
is so cute-
On the way home Graham was working on his talk about his sacred
priesthood responsibility that he has to give at the stake general priesthood meeting
tonight—He wanted to do it by himself but he veered off his topic of his
priesthood responsibility to the sacrament in general- it was hard to work on
it with hm because he wanted to plow ahead- ask for help with a quote or a scripture,
but wouldn’t give me context or the flow—I finally gave up and it was
frustrating because he’s so capable and wants to be independent- I realized
that he needs to figure this out himself, but also that he wasn’t speaking to
his topic but there was no telling him.
Earlier this week he had a history essay and he thought he did so well
but the grade was bad- and after last night I’m guessing it’s because he
probably did write a good essay but didn’t hit the rubric points. He doesn’t totally get that the length or quality
of something doesn’t trump the application or purpose. Dad tried to help him and about lost his mind—
like there was a disconnect between Graham wanting to get it done and really
digging in and applying what he was doing to what was asked and what the spirit
could give him. Anyway—when he gets home
today I’ll follow up and I’m a little worried.
In his mind- if he gives a good talk (on the sacrament) that’s fine- although
I know they asked him to speak more to his priesthood responsibilities and how
to let that change the sacrament experience particularly as it relates to the
young men that will be there tonight.
Wish me luck- I am walking a delicate line between letting him figure it
out and him misinterpreting a scripture within his talk. He said, “ I felt the spirit
when I was preparing it” but Dad said, that’s because the thigs you are writing
about are good things- they just aren’t the topic you were asked to speak
on. Graham said, “I am talking on the sacrament’s
responsibility”- I said, “the sacrament doesn’t have responsibility- you do (as a bearer of the aaronic priesthood)”. That about blew his mind- and in trying to help him understand that it
just didn’t go well. Seriously- pray for
him… he’s such a sharp kid- but still needs some help to direct things—and I
was telling him that’s okay—that’s what parents are for—to HELP!
Seems like Emma and Noah are having a good time—it’s prob good they’ll have Colorado to unwind from all the adventure—I hope that’s an unwinding time for Emma anyway—because when she gets back here there’s a lot of adulting. I will be so excited to see her/them. I’m so glad they could maximize this time and this trip—so amazing.
Lainey doesn’t have a tournament this weekend—nice—they are doing a scrimmage on Sunday that we won’t do obviously- but no other tournaments—Sadie is going to bring Miller over Friday to be with me while she shops (she’s decided to get back to where she will thrift and sell things as side hustle) so her garage is super full, and the idea might be good, but also feels like another iron in the fire—I’m happy to help with Miller though- She & seth were going to stay Fri for dinner and Hawaii 5-0 after her errands but coach Steve just put together a “just for fun” gathering for the training group for Fri night—I didn’t think Lainey needed/wanted that (team bonding vibes- but this group is a mix of 9th and 8th and not at the same schools so it doesn’t seem needed to me- but that could just be my inner introvert talking) but then holland’s parents offered to host it- so she’ll prob want to go. I feel like Lainey needs a little less Holland focus (like I think she’s honestly more worried about what team Holland will make for summer ball/ reg season ) than she is about her placement. I’m guessing Sadie and Seth will still come for dinner Fri and hang out for awhile
Miles is working through getting his car fixed- dropped it
off at the place yesterday so he’s without a car which is a pain- but hopefully
things get done without a mess w/ the car wash place and the payments. He got
an 86 on that midterm- Idk if he told you or not—he wasn’t hyped but not
freaked out either—he really needs to lock in- and A in this class would be a
big deal
Well that’s a lot of info that might not have been needed—but
there you go. Oh I love you kids so much—if
you didn’t know before, you can prob tell now how absolutely invested I am in
each of you!
I love you Soeur Miller.
You are right where you wanted to be—(as His missionary) and where
you are needed… on divine errand and God doesn’t waste time or opportunity ♥
______________________________________________
I love how you love personal study—Lainey used to do that with you and I don’t think that’s happening now—maybe you can encourage her- or get her to make a chart and report back about she studies—I want he to develop a love and a pattern as you have- It is so nice hta you have dedicated time and that will become more challenging after your mission, but you can still prioritize it
It’s so cute you could find kids to talk to—I am sure they are a lot less intimidating- but I bet they still talk fast! It’s neat you would reach out to them—they prob liked that a grown up was interested in them/ their huntrix sweatshirt.
I hope your throat didn’t get worse or turn into a cold. Good call on the Vit C and Tylenol
I love how you describe Serena- I think she must be a gentle spirit and even in the chance that she isn’t all there- it’s sweet that what she can and does understand can bring her so much peace—Christ will fill in the gaps and her willingness and soft heart are the best offerings to make at baptism.
It ‘s interesting that it is taking some time to figure out your comp- but it’s sweet that you are still trying-- I imagine some comps might have quit on it or just been irritated but you are still trying—meeting her when she’s open and loving her when she’s not- that note was super sweet. ♥ Might seem like a little thing but it’s a big thing!
Yay for the stickers—and for kindness and you are right, planting a seed—they might be more friendly to a missionary down the road because of that kindness!
That’s amazing about Dina, and all the people you are teaching-9 out of 10 lessons is a crazy success!!! I like how you keep trusting that the Lord is going to help you improve each day and I know He is—you are doing better than you think you are, I promise! Keep using that faith Ave—it’s BIG faith and it can do Big things—
Understanding 40% at greeting at the door of those ladies is wonderful! You go Soeur Miller— That’s great you had Serena and her dad come (even if it is late) it’s encouraging that he supports her and is somewhat involved ♥Her baptism announcement cover is beautiful!
If it makes you feel any better I went to 2 different ward second hour today Foxtail (it was their ward conference and ours) and I didn’t understand much of what was going on in Sunday school—total weeds (Rex Larson was our teacher) haha.Every time I’m in Sunday school I can’t wait for Sept when we will only have 25 min and will need to dial it in and not have it be so random. No time for the long winded comments or teachers who can’t figure out the applicable points (he got a book written by an ancient scholar names Josephus and read from it! He said, "it should be scripture" I was nudging dad to make a comment quick to bring it back and the lamest thing we had some visitors there—ugh—what is going on here?
That’s great that Serena could come to a baptism and know what to expect for when it’s her turn! I think you need to gently find a way to help your comp understand some boundaries—esp physical ones—they should be the same for all—just bc serena is sweet or a girl, doesn’t make different physical boundaries okay—for one- there are people who may watch and infer the wrong thing- which then becomes a clouded view of you as a representative of Christ--- I am not sure how you say that – but I think you should= also the botanical gardens on pday is your rest day, your break day and I am pretty sure you aren’t supposed to “hang out” with friends that day—you are a missionary not a bestie—so hopefully you can help your comp understand that—one point to maybe think about is that if you create too close of a bond with her- it makes her more attached to the messenger than the message or more likely to have some sort of separation issue when either of you get transferred. We can talk about it more tomorrow—but I think I’d put my foot down about the joint pday—I should have responded sooner to suggest this because your in bed now I’m sure--= if it does go that way- I guess that’s all right- but if you can switch that up, go a different pday or different time or something, I would. I think it’s good for you to have a day that is a break from the other days--- and like you said to be together as comps.
Oh sounds like you handled it well; Way to lead out babe
You better call me every day or text or something!! I’m so grateful to be close like that. I wish Sister Fitzner had that too- maybe she will with her mother in law
Okay so want to wrap this up quick so if you are up you can read it-
Tomorrow I am free whenever except for these things—apparently Noah left his work computer here which he needed to take ot Manaasa- so I have to go at 9am to a fed ex place and see about the best/most economic way to get it to Colorado by Wednesday. I don’t think that should take me very long- but I need to be at fed ex at 9am when they open. Then in the afternoon I have to pick up Holland and Lainey at Sawtooth at 3 and take them to Rocky for try outs—so I’ll get off the call when they get in the car for a few minutes till I drop them off—so tomorrow you’ll just get Lainey in the morning- but I’ll drive her to school so it’s longer
I don’t know what everyones else’s plans are. Tonight Sadie and Seth went to Middleton instead of here (bawwwbbhhhaa) but they did sleep over here on Friday night- and spent half of Saturday- still we wanted them back for COME FOLLOW ME- oh well. Also I really don’t like Miller kissing on the lips—we are pretty aware to always offer a cheek--- 😉
I talked a lot to Max Barton’s mom today (she was just released as her ward RS president) she had lots of updates about her son and Preston form your MTC group—sounds like a crazy experience and made my heart happy that you are in Canada- not Africa. ♥
All right I’ll sign off—love you so much—we’ll be ready to talk at 7 am and find out your day plan—I think Emma is flying right now to Taiwan- and might get to get on for a minute before their long flight to Seattle. I hope the flight back is better than the flight there. Seems like they’ve had an amazing time- but I bet they are tired and a week in Colorado might be a lot for Emma! Hope that goes okay-
I love you Avery- Talk to you in the morning!! Whoo hoo!!
_________________________
That’s so great that Fahti has plans to go the temple—that’s
amazing—
It’s neat how you can literally feel yourself drawing closer
to your Heavenly Father through personal study-
I think it’s a beautiful example of proving the Lord – like He cannot restrain the blessings and His spirit when
you seek it like that and let that study and that relationship be so important
to your heart and your daily pattern..
I’m glad you are taking your time with the fourth missionary—I
always worry that it’s so much that you won’t have time or energy to work
through it- but its also so amazing. Makes
me happy that you are working through it- also says a lot about your heart and
your level of understanding that you can pour over that in consistent way and
get so much from it!
Yay for Dina—three times in a week is a lot! I will be prayerful that the invitation feels
guided by the spirit soon!
That’s so sweet you can connect with all your friends in different
meaningful ways—cute about Nick and the mutual language help- and how fun for
that family with the wife from Brazil to get to talk about her home country
with someone who has been there and fell in love with it. She is a long way from home!
That’s it from 5/21/26- just keeping up 😊
I love it
Miller is down for his second nap of the day- Sadie brought
him over so she could prep the house and get ready for their mccall weekend—I think
Seth will get home do some yard stuff and then they’ll get miller early this
evening on their way to Donnely. I try
to take lots of videos for you when I have him!
Miles is in route and should get here by 4:30pm. I made a temple apt for tonight so hopefully
that works for him.
Day one of summer and I’m trying to get Grham and Lainey to plan
out a day schd- not down to when things need to happen but to have some
accountability with piano, jobs, reading, scriptures- neither of them like to
be scheduled- but if they can get a plan written own and manage themselves with
how to roll it out I think it’ll be good
Lainey was at Hollands with friends from right after school
till 10pm- she had a lot of fun but it was sort of a lame last day hoorah
around here. I figured it was a good time for her to hang out with them
though before things get more distance in summer. She was pretty emotional
about the last day- but I reminded her that if it’s hard to move on from it’s
because it was good.
Yay for the nail challenge—keep going! Maybe you can buy a growth polish or
something like a nail builder polish on Monday even clear!!
I love you! Mama
“The more obstacles you have, the more opportunities there are for God to do something.” – Clarence W. Jones, 1900-1986, Missionary to Ecuador
“To know God and to make Him known.”
Journal response starting 5/22 It IS so beautiful there—you are taking such
fun pictures!
I am so glad you love your district and enjoy district
council- hopefully you plan a fun pday together soon
Hallmark actor vibes- that’s funny—hopefully that friend is
actually intereseted—I bet Montreal would make a great hallmark location for
shooting—you’ve probably seen one set there—I’m just guessing.
I love that Serena told you “I’m ready for my baptism” It’s
so neat to see with her and with Fatih how prepared and willing they are—I am
sure there will be some that will keep you guessing more than those two have—but
what a blessing of an opportunity to be able to teach and impact those two ♥
The hair incident and rinsing off and “just go” painted a
good picture of the comp dynamic! Keep striving to let things go quickly and move
forward with love—no one wins if you don’t
5/24 You were describing your hair as frizzy but I want you
to know I think your curls look so pretty in your pictures- I wish mine looked
like that—my ends looked like someone lit my hair on fire and then rubbed the
ends together to put it out and left it that way—
That was sweet of you to celebrate a 6 mo milestone—I am
sorry you weren’t appreciated adequately—I know you didn’t do it to be recognized-
but from the outside looking in – that was a very sweet thing of you to do
I love that you are continually teaching Serena what the
spirit feels like and that she feels safe enough to be emotional about it. It’s such a beautiful beginning for her at whatever
understanding she has
5-25 I worried if everyone (not Em and Noah) but the rest
home would make for a harder p-day but I did love seeing everyone invest and
just love that time with you. It was a
sweet thing to see—we all love you so much and your older sibs get it in all
the ways
5-26 2 hours of cutting cabbage is a lot of cabbage! Satisfying to crunch through it with a knife
though, I bet! It’s fun you can use that as more French language time
5-27 How can I love her—that’s beautiful and neat to recognize
how the Lord shows up for you with a good day to help you weather the
challenging ones.
As far as sounding dumb not faking it—While “dumb” isn’t a
kind way to say it --I kind of get that—it’s like when Graham or Lainey speak Spanish
they don’t sound legit—you hear it correctly all around you so you can imitate the inflection and the accent as
best you can when you try—it’s okay if all of it doesn’t come naturally or
sound right but you’ll get better faster if you try to say it with your best accent,
or like you hear it said. I hope her
advice didn’t make you feel small--- because you are doing great- but it’s also
pretty good advice to sound as “French” as you can—pretty soon it will roll off
your tongue—and sound naturally how it should- but in the mean time, over
accentuate- you might as well practice
it as best you can sounding like a frenchy. 😊 You go Soeur Miller
I will always know what you mean when you say a dog is being
weird/// haahahaha
I hope things are going well and moving along with Wesner-
it’s good to be ready when the spirit prompts you- maybe it isn’t just yet—hopefully
your member friend knows you are actively heading that direction!
Well love- that’s the journal I have. We are doing well. I set up fourth of July today ♥ Emma and Noah got in at 1am after leaving CO
at 8am that morning but they wanted to just get it done! It’s fun to have them here—still feels like a
visit- not a permanent situation. It’s
nice they have the upstairs to do their own thing. Right now they are taking the littles to
Walmart to do a scavenger hunt which should be fun—I’ll try to get them to post
pics on the chat—but you’ll now understand they are scavenger hunt photos- 😊
Sadie and Seth are coming over for dinner tonight (to see
Sowards!) and that will be fun Lainey plays at 10 and 12 tomorrow—Emma Graham and
I will go (Noah and Dad have work) We made a text group called the home fries
for all our in house communique 😊 haha Friday
night Sadie and Miller will come over bc Seth (and Drew Bingham and their
bishop) have a YM campout – You go Caldwell ward, I wish Spurwing did – Anyway –
Miller and Sadie are spending the night here—Buggy has all these crafting and
thrifting plans with Emma but I’m not sure how that works with noah—it might be
an interesting dynamic- I intend to totally stay out of it and let them all
navigate that. Then Sat morning more
bball at the capital tournament. - 2 more games. I think Sadie will come to
those bc Seth will be gone at the campout—I think he and Drew might go fishing
on way back. Coach Megan asked her to play on Frosh too-
but I let her know that it was prob too much on Lainey’s knees—to do both Frosh
and JV and she’s doing great on jv—it’s pretty much equal playing time, but she’s
making an impact and I think she belongs there.
Sat eve we have apts for initiatory and baptisms at the temple. Sunday I
don’t have meetings wahoo! And I think Sadie and Seth and Miller will come back
over for CFM and dinner—I need to invite Jack and Janice soon. I also need to get my talk going for June 14th- I think
it’s in the Silverleaf ward. Then
Monday! Pday! And Swim lessons. I am hoping you can go to the botanical
gardens in the morning time for us—I am sure Sadie will be available if you don’t-
but I can’t be on from 9-1
probably- I’m so sorry—I’ll get on right
when I get kids cleared out! It’d be too hard to see and hear by the pool and I
really need to be more aware esp day one fo the sessions—which will be all your
pdays in June! We’ll do our best with
what we get!! And I can talk to you in
the early morning time too—I am not sure what Miles plan is—I think Noah has
work but I don’t really know that either.
I hope you had a good day and can sleep well tonight—I love you so so much. Day by day you are building the kingdom and binding your heart to heaven!
_____________________________________________
Comments
Post a Comment