Elder Wesley Holt: Week 86: The Shields have arrived!!!‏

This has been a CRAZY week! With transfer week, typing up 200 travel plans, finalizing everything, new mission president, and a bunch of people to meet with... it's been wild but fun!

President Shields is such a fireball! It is interesting, there were certain things we needed to learn from President Clayton. How to partner with members as a team and help them be successful with missionary work. How to teach simply and clearly so we can get out of the way and let the spirit be the real teacher. How to nourish a growing spirit through daily contact and helping them with what they need.

But something that we felt has been missing from the mission recently (and something I am continually trying to work on in myself) is a sense of urgency for the work. Searching and talking with everyone we see because we don't want to miss people who are prepared. Being exactly obedient because we love the Lord and want the blessing for those we teach. Using time effectively and efficiently because we are on the Lord's errand on His time, and we can't afford to waste it.

And if anyone is qualified and capable of pumping up a group of teenagers and young adults to go out and fulfill their missionary purpose, it's definitely President Shields! He came to the Canada Toronto Mission sprinting forward! He was a successful lawyer and a Stake president over a YSA stake of 5,000 people before he came here! And it really shows in his energy, genuine interactions with missionaries, and power and authority in his teaching. He is super good at relating to YSA age people. He reminds me of Troy Dunn or one of those other motivational youth speakers. He'll joke around with you, laugh with you, and really try to be your friend. And one of the first things he wanted to do is go out teaching his first day here! You walk away from that man with a heightened sense of urgency! He is definitely what the CTM needs right now! When I first met him at the mission home and shook his hand, it just felt right. He is the key holder for the mission. It's really a privileged to be able to work with him. There is so much to learn from both President and Sister Shields! I can't wait to see them in action these next few weeks!

Before President Clayton left, he told us the Shields will take this mission to a level it has never seen before, and that this change is what is needed. At first, I was hesitant to believe that wholeheartedly. But now it is interesting to see how the Lord had the Claytons serve here for a time, which changed the way we do missionary work. And now it's time for the Shields. Both men are spiritual mountains, and each with different and unique things to bring to the mission.

From the Claytons: "Goodbye to our dear Canada Toronto Mission! We turn the reins over to the capable hands of President and Sister Shields. They will do such a splendid job! Godspeed to you all! We love you!"

So those are some of my thoughts about the switch in mission presidency. This is my first time attempting to put those thoughts in words, just with everything running at 100 miles an hour this week! (or should I say 160 kilometers an hour... 0_o). It was sad to see President Clayton go... I'll definitely miss them! Hopefully I'll see him at the next general conference.... ;)

There is also the sadness of Elder Forsyth leaving next week... I don't know how it will be when he leaves! He has been assisting the president for 10 months now, so he has been the one we and the Shields have been turning to for answers to everything, haha. He has grown to be a good friend these past couple months, and I'll really miss him. He has taught me so much, most of which has been by the example he has set.

With all the craziness going on, we managed to still meet with (now recent convert) Mandeep! He is doing great! And he brought his Indian roommate to the lesson as well! We also met with investigator Jashan. Man, he is so prepared! Whenever we see him, he asks, "is July 10th still good for my baptism?" We taught him the law of chastity, and apparently it answered the questions he had all week about what standards he needs to live to become a member of Christ's church. So he is also doing super solid!

So much more is happening, not enough time to write it all! Ahh! My trainer Elder Womack is going home next week as well! And Elder Turner! And other old companions! It's so weird!

Today we are going to Kitchener for preparation day so Elder Forsyth can visit some of his recent converts before he goes. And hopefully I'll get to visit Sid, the first person I have taught who got baptized! So long ago! Feels like yesterday!

Well anyway, the next email should come not this monday but the next. Thanks for all the emails! Sorry I don't always reply to them all, but know that I read them all and really appreciate them! They definitely make my week :)

Love y'all!

Elder Holt

洪长老