15 October 2013
Dear Sister Smith,
We are excited to learn that you have accepted the call to serve in the Canada Halifax Mission.
Like many of the missions in the world, we have experienced a significant increase in the number of sister serving. In our mission, our approved complement has gone from just ten to fifty-two in the last year. We are very excited about this change. Of course, it brings with it challenges, which we enthusiastically accept. Probably the greatest is the challenge of ensuring that you sisters are properly trained and cared for.
As a sister, you will have an experienced companion as your trainer. There will generally be six to eight sisters within a reasonable distance of each other to allow for adequate exchanges and interaction. In the group of six to eight sisters, one or two will be designated as Sister Training Leaders, and they have the responsibility of overseeing the training of the sisters in their group under the direction of the District Leader.
The Zone Leaders and the District Leaders take special care to work with the sisters in appropriate ways to ensure they are progressing and learning. In addition, Sister Leavitt and I have a conference call with all the sisters every six weeks so we can discuss how you are doing and give you the opportunity to exchange ideas with the other sisters and receive instruction.
Like all other missionaries, you will write to me each week, and I personally respond to all your letters, answering your questions and giving you encouragement.
I am finding that the sisters in particular come to the mission field often with unreasonably high expectations. Many are quite hard on themselves and find it a challenge when the work goes slower than they had anticipated. The Lord only expects our very best efforts, and I always tell the missionaries that a mission is a marathon, not a sprint. Steady, constant, and sustained effort is what the Lord expects.
We are excited that you will be joining us and the other missionaries in this great work. We are confident that as you continue to prepare yourself, focusing on the Book of Mormon and the wonderful guidance included in Preach My Gospel, this will be one of the greatest experiences of your life.
We have reviewed your missionary application carefully. I have read your own comments and those of your Stake President and Bishop. They have recommended you without reservation. I feel that you have prepared yourself to serve a mission and are coming with a sincere desire to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are eagerly awaiting your arrival and are looking forward to serving the Lord with you.
Thank you for coming.
Sincerely,
Brian D. Leavitt
Mission President
Canada Halifax Mission
Dear Sister Smith,
We are excited to learn that you have accepted the call to serve in the Canada Halifax Mission.
Like many of the missions in the world, we have experienced a significant increase in the number of sister serving. In our mission, our approved complement has gone from just ten to fifty-two in the last year. We are very excited about this change. Of course, it brings with it challenges, which we enthusiastically accept. Probably the greatest is the challenge of ensuring that you sisters are properly trained and cared for.
As a sister, you will have an experienced companion as your trainer. There will generally be six to eight sisters within a reasonable distance of each other to allow for adequate exchanges and interaction. In the group of six to eight sisters, one or two will be designated as Sister Training Leaders, and they have the responsibility of overseeing the training of the sisters in their group under the direction of the District Leader.
The Zone Leaders and the District Leaders take special care to work with the sisters in appropriate ways to ensure they are progressing and learning. In addition, Sister Leavitt and I have a conference call with all the sisters every six weeks so we can discuss how you are doing and give you the opportunity to exchange ideas with the other sisters and receive instruction.
Like all other missionaries, you will write to me each week, and I personally respond to all your letters, answering your questions and giving you encouragement.
I am finding that the sisters in particular come to the mission field often with unreasonably high expectations. Many are quite hard on themselves and find it a challenge when the work goes slower than they had anticipated. The Lord only expects our very best efforts, and I always tell the missionaries that a mission is a marathon, not a sprint. Steady, constant, and sustained effort is what the Lord expects.
We are excited that you will be joining us and the other missionaries in this great work. We are confident that as you continue to prepare yourself, focusing on the Book of Mormon and the wonderful guidance included in Preach My Gospel, this will be one of the greatest experiences of your life.
We have reviewed your missionary application carefully. I have read your own comments and those of your Stake President and Bishop. They have recommended you without reservation. I feel that you have prepared yourself to serve a mission and are coming with a sincere desire to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are eagerly awaiting your arrival and are looking forward to serving the Lord with you.
Thank you for coming.
Sincerely,
Brian D. Leavitt
Mission President
Canada Halifax Mission