May 30, 2016- Pics! MLC, "accidently made the power go out.. " "Elder Nilson is my best friend!", "The blessings are endless!"

Area: Ottawa Ontario Stake, Champlain Ward
Comp: Elder Jared Nilson (Kaysville, UT)
Zone Leader

 I love our elders! this is Elder Buck!

1, What are the details of you being in the hospital ?!?!  

2. Spiritual experiences that stand out?

3. Who did you visit this week?  Where did you go?

4. What made you laugh?

5. Tell me something about your apartment and something about your comp!

6. What’s one reason you’re thankful to be a missionary?

7. What do you see everyday outside - when you leave your apartment?  

1- haha.. a Mother love never dies! It was nothing I was just having problems swallowing because of bad it hurt.. so eating and drinking was yeah.. and I was coughing a lot I had a fever and a loooooot of Mucus so I finally went to the hospital and they said I had some kind of infection thingy.. They were really unspecific and they used big doctor words that I haven't learned yet so bascially I got drugs and left haha. All is well now though so no worries! 

2- I think one thing in particiular that has been amazing so far in the time that I have spent here is the progression that I have seen in our area since I have gotten here. I know that this tranfers specifically in our zone was really inspired and there are so many amazing missionaries in our zone. It is reflected through calls as well as key indicators. In our area specifically when I showed up there were 0 people with baptismal dates but then within 2 weeks Elder Nilson and I went super hard and we had 5 people on date by the end of the second week. I have never had more than 2 people on date at a time so this was a prettu big deal. They were all progressing as well and the 1st one that we put on date  ( my second day here ) will be baptized this friday which is super cool! It will be the first one on my mission so I am looking forward to it! 

3- So this week was pretty crazy.. we Had MLC  ( missionary leadership council ) in Montreal so we had 6 hours worth of driving WHOO! and exchanges with the Assistants so yeahhhhh.. .Things were crazy! It was amazing to see Montreal again and driving for 6 hours was fun as well. So  much MOTAB.. but exchanges were super fun and I got to see Elder Udave and Elder Smith at MLC! 3 of my 4 companions were there and it was so amazing! Other than that we just visited our normal people. One Specifically that was cool was Brother lloyd who is a very old man now but he is the sweetest and cutest old man that you will ever see! He cant read anymore and we have been working really hard with him and now he is finally going to get the Melchizedek priesthood this sunday then we will get to take him to the temple! We are soooo excited! 

4- haha this one gets me everytime I never know what to say because we are just laughing all the time.. I think one of the hardest times that we laughed was when we accidently made the power go out.. When you are running a million fans and an air conditioner and the fridge.. it happens. But It was all fine until someone tried microwaving a burrito.. that was the funniest part. but in the end The burrito was heated up so it is okay!

5- Hmm. well our apartment is a 4 and a half I believe ( I am like 37% sure of what that means.. ) it is extremely hot! Because it is very humid and it has been in the 90's the past couple days so that has been fun but it is really nice! We have a smaller kitchen and bathroom but totally big enough for 4 missionaries and it meets all of out needs I will have to send you some pictures of what it looks like next week! If I can send you a 1 minutes video that I have i will you will get to see us celebrating the Elders Birthdays! Elder Nilson is my best friend! It is like having john with me it is so great! we mess with each other all the time and just have so much fun! but at the same time we are super effective as well he really is one of the best he knows how to hasten the work and be a great missionary. I am learning so much from him and it has been the best! I love my area and him so much!

6- I think one thing specifically is the knowledge that I attain. My greatest desire all the time is to learn and well.. that is what I do everyday! I learn how to manage everything! groceries, cars, apartments, schedules, time,  I know how to study, I know what to study, I know when I need a break, I know how to talk to people, how to fulfill callings, I have say in stake councils, in Pec, Mlc, ward council. Everything I just learn so much everyday and all these experiences would not be possible if I was not a missionary. It is like having  a limited free trial in life and then going back to the real world with everything that you have learned and becoming even better! The blessings are endless! 

7- GREEN! It is so green here.. Like sometimes I think it might compete with Oregon.. It is crazy! I will have to show you some pictures so you understand I am starting to forget how green oregon is though so i might be totally crazy but compared to all my other areas this is by far the most beautiful it is a perfect city! I could totally live here. No joke. but there is always amazing weather here the clouds are spectacular! I cant even describe them! Better than I have ever seen! Other than that.. roads and lots of cars! There are a million parks here as well as rivers it is like a little Oasis and the big city you can see for miles around. It is a very peaceful place by far my favorite area so far.

I will try and send pictures more consistently because well I realized that pictures are basically the best part of emails so I will try and return the favor!  ( you are the best) 

anyways I think that is all for this week! I love you so much! 

-Elder Massé

May 24, 2016 -"I am super grateful for the missionaries in my apartment and for my companion. For the weather and the clouds. There is amazing weather here. The clouds and sunsets are beautiful! I am grateful for my knowledge of the gospel and for my strong testimony in Jesus Christ and everything that he did for us. I have a long list of things to be grateful for. I could name so many things. I owe so much to the people around me, my family, to my Heavenly Father. He has given me so much. My everything! My eternity." Aristotle: "You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor."- Letters from Dad and Grandma

Area: Ottawa Ontario Stake, Champlain Ward
Comp: Elder Jared Nilson (Kaysville, UT)
Zone Leader

Dinner at Brother Rob Grahams's house!!

1. HOW ARE YOU??

2. What did you do this week??

3. What is Victoria Day and how do you celebrate that in Canada??

4. What made you laugh?

5. What are some things you were grateful for this week?

6. Is there anything you need from me?  Anything I can do?

7. Tell me anything!!

8. Tell Elder Nilsen hi from the Masse family!!  

 (mom's side note:  All during high school when Tate needed me or was calling me... he would always say "Ma mère" instead of mom- I miss hearing him call me that and so it is very endearing when he starts his letters that way!) 

Ma mère 

Bonjour ma mere! Je suis ici! Comment ca-va! Quoi de neuf?? 

1- I am super good as always! I got sick and had to go to the clinic this week.. go figure haha had to happen at least once on my mission I got some kind of sinus infection and that put me out for like a day.. But, aint nobody got time for that so I recovered quickly and just got back to work haha. Nothing can stop me! haha but I am doing super well! I am very happy as always and like is super!

2- this week! Well.. Besides going to the hospital.. I shoveled 18 tons of gravel with a shovel and wheel barrel in the sun for 6 hours! I got pretty tan haha. It felt really good to work hard again. I miss doing that more often! It was really rewarding and it was for someone who wasnt a member so we got invited back for dinner and who knows we could end up teaching them which would be great! Other than that.. ! OH we celebrated the birthdays of Elder Gentillon and Elder Nilson in our apartment and it was super fun! As you know I always go pretty hard with birthdays so it was really fun we went on exchanges that day and so we decorated the whole apartment and made a cake and bought them presents it was super fun! I ate more cake this week than my entire mission haha.. that 18 tons of gravel probably leveled off what I ate haha.

3- It is to celebrate something with queen victoria.. I have no idea what and. I think they just wanted a holliday so they made it up haha.. I dont think anyone really did anything to celebrate. BUT! There is a giant tulip festival but I dont think it was because of queen victoria day specifically but I am not sure. I dont know my canadian history haha..

4- What didn't we laugh about! I think some of the funniest moments were during the celebrations of the other elders birthdays. We ate soo much cake and we bought them a bunch of gifts from the dollar store and then we ended up just tackling them and tickling them and wrestling. It was pretty funny! I am failing on my memory right now. Sorry! It was a long week! 

5- I am super grateful for the missionaries in my apartment and for my companion. For the weather and the clouds. There is amazing weather here. The clouds and sunsets are beautiful! I am grateful for my knowledge of the gospel and for my strong testimony in Jesus Christ and everything that he did for us. I have a long list of things to be grateful for. I could name so many things. I owe so much to the people around me, my family, to my Heavenly Father. He has given me so much. My everything! My eternity.

6- I have everything I need :D! Because of you! 

7-I am going to the tulip festival today which should be pretty fun!

8- Okay haha he says hi back! 

Love you have an amazing week! 

-Elder Massé

-------------------------------------------------

Note from Dad:

Hi Son,

I hope your doing great!

I know you are busy so I'll keep it brief. A lot going on here.  We've had some long days.  I'm reminded that there are times when your just climbing uphill, with a heavy pack, sun beating down and every part of you is saying: stop this sucks, this is too hard, just head back down, it would be so easy.

But then you keep going and your friends lift your spirits and make that part of the journey bearable. And then you finally get to the ridge and the view is amazing, and the hike downhill feels great and you can finally rest, and the cool water is a gift and the food is amazing (who knew beef stroganoff in a bag could be so amazing).

And the camp fire, chair, and evening of talking and playing games makes it all worth.

But yeah. That uphill part just seems so hard.

So there it is. It's really not more complicated than that, unless you try to make the trip alone or your on the wrong path.   Life isn't really much more than that.

I love you and pray for you.

Love,

Dad

---------------------------------

Note from Grandma Judy:

Dear Elder Masse'

     Grampa and I are full of gratitude that we are home safe...     It was a grand tender mercy to get to see you on Mother's Day.I am thrilled that you are so happy. It is well have you have noticed increased patience in yourself and better organization.Those characteristics will serve you well when you get to college.

     The quote for the day is from Aristotle: "You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor."

     To repeat myself: Thank you for the blessings your good humor, obedience, hard work, good example, faith and diligence sends our way.

     Continuez votra bon travail avec diligence inebrantable.

Love,

Gramma

From Elder Masse: 
Well after 9 months a way from home I can understand and appreciate that quite a bit. ... I try my best and the lord makes up the rest. I really like that quote! Did you know I have a quote book and I always write all these quotes in it? Well just know I love every single one and I appreciate everything that you do grandma! You inspire all your grand children to be greater and you truly make the world a brighter place have an amazing week! 

-Avec amour Elder Massé

May 16, 2016- " my vision of the purpose of this life has really been defined. I have simply just grown a foot or 2..." 3 people on date, exchanges, opportunities to serve!

Area: Ottawa Ontario Stake, Champlain Ward
Comp: Elder Jared Nilson (Kaysville, UT)
Zone Leader

1. How are you???  You seem so crazy busy which is great!!

2. This week is my birthday....  send me some pics!! 

3. Any Spiritual experiences or tender mercies that stand out?

4. What made you laugh?

5. What's the best part of being a zone leader? /Some of your responsibilities?

6. What have you learned about yourself the last two transfers?


1- I am sooo crazy busy haha.. all the time! sometimes I dont even get studies because I am on the phone with the District leaders or the assistants.. Life is so crazy all the time! But it is all worth it! Everything I do is rewarding and I feel so accomplished when I go to sleep at night! This is truly the best time of my whole life!

2- I will;) and did you think I would forget! You will have some treats coming soon :D! I just need to find a box There is a member actually who goes to the United States so I might be able to get you a flat rate box soon! 

3- I think something amazing this week was the fact that we put 3 people on date! 3 Solid people that are totally ready to receive the blessings of the gospel they are so prepared and perfect and I am so happy that I get the opportunity to teach them! They are just wonderful people and all I want for them is the best. I have really seen what it means to love someone and want them to have the same blessings that you have seen. It was quite an amazing experience which has never happened on my mission! 

4- umm.. I think the funniest thing this week probably happened during our exchanged! We had 6 missionaries in our apartment and we were playing a game.. Let me tell you haha. It was quite the night! It just reminds me of the good old times with the 3 musketeers! But really I laugh and smile all the time with the elder I am with! They are a blast to be around! 

5- Honestly I think it is just all the opportunities that I have had to serve. That is really the defining feature of what I have seen so far from being a zone leader. Every day I am just given more opportunities to serve! There are so many people looking up to me and in need of my help and I get the opportunity to do everything in my power to make sure that they are successful and have all the tools that they need to accomplish their callings! It is so amazing! It is quite the opportunity and I love it so much! I love being able to help solve problems and motivate people and give them advice on what they can do to improve! It is so amazing. 

6- haha.. Ah too many things. I think I have just matured honestly. I have just been thinking in a different way I have calmed down a lot and I am very patient and I think things out a lot more. I try to come up with the best solutions that benefit everyone. I have become a million times more organized. My mind has cleared it seems as well. I know more of what the future will look like and my vision of the purpose of this life has really been defined. I have simply just grown a foot or 2. I have progressed a little bit and I am ready to progress a little bit more! 

You are the best love you!   

-Love Elder Massé

May 9, 2016 - Bonjour ma mere! Day after skyping for Mother's Day!

Area: Ottawa Ontario Stake, Champlain Ward
Comp: Elder Jared Nilson (Kaysville, UT)
Zone Leader

Bonjour ma mere!

okay... so this week is going to be like no email because.. we started p -day late and in the middle of emailing we had to go run an errand with a phone.. soo I think this may be all you get for this week and I am so sorry! I will get you all your pictures next week and I will write a lot! I love you have a good week! 

-Love elder Massé

May 4, 2016 - Transfers to Ottawa!!!! New Comp!! Zone Leader!! Picture of Member who knows Finn from Oregon!

Area: Ottawa Ontario Stake, Champlain Ward
Comp: Elder Jared Nilson (Kaysville, UT)
Zone Leader

"Ottawa, Canada’s southeastern capital, sits in Ontario at the border of Québec. A cosmopolitan city on the Ottawa River, it has at its centre Parliament Hill, with grand Victorian architecture and renowned museums such as the glass-and-granite National Gallery, with noted collections from Canadian and Indigenous artists. The park-lined Rideau Canal is filled with boats in summer and ice-skaters in winter.  
Population:

883,391 (2011)

• Area code:
  Area codes 613 and 343
• Area:
  1,073 mi²"

1. What are the details on you skyping us???  

2. What ward and stake are you in?  How was the reception you received?

3. Who is your new comp??  His first and last name and where he's from???  What do you love about him?

4. How did transfers go?? 

5. Tell me stuff about your new apartment.. how is it different from your last two areas? How is it speaking English?  lol

6. What made you laugh??  What was wonderful?

7. Tender Mercies?  

8. How are you feeling about things/your mission?

1- I will be skyping you this sunday between 3-5.. Well before 5 i think and after 3.. So really descriptive but, that is all I got right now sorry! haha

2- I am in the Champlain ward and the Ottawa Ontario stake. IT WAS AMAZING! this ward puts me right at home! It helps that it is in English too. They are so awesome! It is one of the biggest in the mission and they have amazing leaders! I have already met the stake president! I got to talk etc. so many wonferful things! 

3- HE IS THE BEST! I have had so many great companions! and Elder Nilson is another one of those! he is seriously so kind and patient! He is super loving! super talented! Great leader and singer! I love him so much! His name is Jared Nilson and he is from Kaysville Utah. I think i spelled that right. I dont think I could tell you everything I love about him. he is just the best! he is like my twin! We are so effective and we have so much fun together! 

4- transfers were super easy! I took a Metro to Montreal then I got onto a greyhound bus and just headed to ottawa and that was it haha.. Saying goodbye was alright the ward was acutally really sad to see me go! but they understood that it was from the Lord and it was my time to leave! So I was well loved on both ends! The bus ride took about 2 and a half hours and I was greeted by the other wonderful missionaries of my apartment! Except elder buck because he was coming from super far away and so his bus came in later then.. He ended up missing one of his connecting buses because the 1st one was late and well.. we eventually found him haha after lke an hour.. It was a pretty funny experience! he had to call us from someone elses phone. 

5- Speaking Enlgish.. is weird and sometimes I forget words actually it is kinda sad especially praying because I always say my prayers in french and now I have to say some in English and it trips me up,, When I can though I say them in French, because of where we are located I actually still live in Quebec and my area is but the other half is in a different province haha. So I get plenty of French in still. Our apartment is really nice still! I honestly have been blessed with some of the nicest apartments in the mission. the only difference is this one doesnt have a washer and dryer and we have to pay but that is no big deal at all I am still blessed beyond belief! 

6- Well the even in losing Elder Gentillons companion for like an hour and a half was pretty funny.. He had called and left a voicemail that was pretty funny. Saying " hey I am in Ottawa.. I missed my bus... Ummm i am next to this building on this street.. Good luck and well I hope to see you soon.. Do what you can with that. " it was pretty memorable but here was cheerful and bubbly as ever after all was said and done! It was hilarious! other than that we laugh everyday over the smallest of things! I dont think I can name all of them! 

7- Well here is a cool one. So when we travel we travel along of course and so I had said goodbye to the other elders and I had gotten all my stuff on the Metro ( that was a miracle in and of itself haha ) I have a lot of stuff. But I just sat there with my 3 bags and I waited for my stop and I waited.. and waited  it was a pretty long ride and well I got to a stop and I was sure it wasn't mine but I couldnt see exactly what it was and I had a strong impression to ask someone close by which one it was and well.. It turned out it was the one I needed to get off at! SO I like sprinted off the metro as it was closing with all my stuff.. it was a super close call! If i had not asked that man I would have missed my stop been late, missed my bus and would have had no way to contact anyone.. SO! That was a giant tender mercy. I was able to reflect on that later. It was quite the little miracle.

8- I LOVE EVERYTHING HERE! It is so perfect I think I might like the city of Ottawa more than montreal whihc is saying somethings. It is a lot more beautiful and clean it is so wonderful! We must visit both when you come. I am just as happy as could be! I dont think I have been happier my whole mission! I am loving it so much. It scared me that this will end eventually. It is just a part of my life now and I cannot imagine life any other way.. SO with that I am trying to make the best of it! 

Well I think that is all I have to report on this week.. I dont think there is really anything else! Love you have an amazing week! 

-Elder Massé