The Apocalypse

Hello, loved ones! How is everybody doing? I'm missing you all terribly over here in rainy Montreal. This week felt like the end of days. There was an earthquake that I'm going to claim I could feel, and as a result the water supply for the whole city was tainted. I'm blaming the Mafia though and not some tiny earthquake for the fact that I had to pay two dollars for the last bottle of crappy Dasani water at the store. Oh well, at least I survived! Anyway, I hope everyone has a pleasant Memorial Day! I'm sad I can't visit graves with family today, but I'm thinking of you all. To start things off, I would just like to give a HUGE SHOUT OUT to Grammy Nelson for sending me the most delightful package! It's a good thing I don't have a car out here, because I'm pretty sure I ate ten pounds of candy this weekend. Oh well, c'est la vie! Nevertheless, THANK YOU! Also, SHOUT OUT to my favorite Aunt Shannon for sending me my FAVE cereal! Sweet heavens. My companion was like, "Candy, for breakfast?" And I was like, "It's not candy, it's Reese's Puff Cereal!" Ha ha, je l'aime! Childhood flashbacks abounded this week. I literally cried tears of joy I was so happy. So THANK YOU! I feel so loved this week. 

So my life is pretty much crazy right now. Ha ha I don't think you would belieb half the things that happen to me out here. And to be honest, you would probably fear for my safety if I divulged some of the creepy encounters I've had, but I'll tell you some of my favorites. My number one was getting serenaded in the metros by a filthy homeless man on crack. He says to me, "Has anyone ever told you that you're beautiful?" And I was like, "No, never." And then he just jumps up and yells, "WHAT?!" screams a few profanities, and then proceeds to sing, "You... are.. so beautiful.... to meeee!" I cannot even begin to tell you how happy and embarrassed that made me. He then grabbed my hand and pulled me WAY too close. I was like... "Uhhh... I have to get off at this stop... and he's like, "Not before I give you a kiss!" Aaaand before any of you start to worry, he kissed my hand and let me free. So fabulous. That day I was grateful for hand sanitizer, to be sure. 

Last night we found another gem. Compy and I were out street contacting when we ran into a friendly Jewish man. He just kept saying, "Wow, you girls sure are beautiful. Why don't you have boyfriends?" And I was thinking, "Aside from the fact that I'm like the ICE QUEEN of the universe and a bra burning feminist, that's a very good question." LOL. He's going to set me up with his 30 year old son who's a lawyer. I kid you not, this offer was legit. He showed me pics and everything. I'm seriously STOKED! He told us we would make terrific wives. My eyes rolled so far into the back of my head that I thought they would get stuck there. Still, every Mormon girl's DREAM is to hear that, so I feel fulfilled. Ha ha in all honesty, I really did find this old man quite charming. At least he wasn't yelling profanities at us or telling us we were brain washed, schizophrenic, Bible hugging Jehovah's Witnesses (all of which I heard this week), so I'm totally game to marry his man treat Jewish lawyer son. 

This week was so, so great! We had the CUTEST girl from the Chinese branch serve with us as a mini missionary for four days. Such a gem! She made us sushi and bought us Chinese food from a sketch Chinese restaurant by our house. We were in heaven! I wouldn't mind keeping her around. ;) We also got to take her to zone conference this week, which to a missionary is seriously better than Christmas. In the morning Sister Cannon met us all for breakfast at a charming cafe. We're pretty decadent here in the CMM. :) I ordered the most heavenly raspberry sorbet. And you know me, I just loooove eating sorbet. Needless to say, zone conference was paradise for Sister Cutler. I got to make up for a month of elderless P-Days and flirt to my heart's content, so I'd say it was a success. Oh yeah, and the trainings were pretty great too. ;)

We had a challenging week, often getting caught in the rain, but coming home drenched, exhausted, and sketched out by metro urchans telling you that they're Jesus makes you feel like a true missionary. We had so many tender mercies this week though, so I feel truly blessed. Yesterday my favorite French family in the ward invited us over for Sunday gauffres, so I had my fill of Nutella and happy French chatter that I could only understand when their sweet girls said, "One Direction" or "Zane" or "Justin Bieber."

So far V-Day has been FABULOUS! Sister Varella and I went to walk around Old Montreal and Old Port today. The sun is finally out and I got to get my tourist on! We got maple ice cream and had a ball taking pictures. Now we're going to go home and hopefully do some much needed relaxing. I love you all SOOOOO much! I hope everyone is having a glorious day! Enjoy summer/spring/whatever you're having! Big hugs!

Love,

Sister Syl

The Week That Was

Bonjourrr! Hello lovers and friends! Did you miss me? Now, before you get yourselves all worked up, let me just dispel any rumors that I was abducted by a group of tall, dark, and scruffy maple syrup guzzling hockey players in the metro. Actually, maybe I'll just stick to that story... the alternative is not nearly as glamorous. Truth be told, last P-Day I was stranded in my apartment with a sick greenie, a couple boxes of Mac & Cheese, and a copy of Legacy to keep me entertained. PARTAY! I actually did manage though in the midst of all of this to smuggle four elders into our apartment, so I'd say my "elderless" P-Day was still a success! Scandalous, I know. Ha ha no, my sweet little compy needed a blessing, and they ended up leaving their man stink behind for the rest of the day, so it wasn't as exciting as it sounds. I hope everyone had a great couple of weeks! Mother's Day was a dream... talking to my family gave me a new lease on life. Seriously, the best.

So this week was hoppin. I honestly don't even know where to begin or what would even interest people because I feel like I live on a different planet! Aaah. Okay, so first of all, I had a premonition. A few nights ago I woke from the strangest dream. The following morning as I was "exercising" I  told compy that I had a dream that I was pregnant, and I was like, "Seriously, what am I supposed to make of this?" And she's like, "You have GOT to be kidding me... my companion is losing it." Well, it turns out I'm more in tune with things than people give me credit for. I'm having a baby! Ha ha I tease, I tease. But later that day I found out that we're getting a mini missionary this week! So I'm taking that as a sign from the universe. Pretty cool, eh? We have a cute girl from the Chinese branch coming to serve with us for the next few days. Wish me luck! We're excited.

In other news, I am currently teaching a Jehovah's Witness who is Greek and gorgeous but TOTALLY off limits. For several reasons, obviously. But it's still fun, nevertheless. My investigators are seriously the coolest people! This week my fave investigator bought us Italian food, and last week he rented Million Dollar Baby, Taken, and Mercy for us to watch. I was so heartbroken when I had to tell him that this was WAY off limits. But then I was like, "What on earth made you think we would want to watch Taken anyway?" And he's like, "I was trying to send you girls a message so that you would stop going on the metros and going to dangerous areas at night." Ha ha. Like that'll ever happen. I live and BREATHE the soft stench of the metros! Wouldn't have it any other way. Yesterday Sister Varela and I were harassed by a couple of guys when we were out after dark, but they were obviously high and obviously in need of the gospel. He told me he wanted me to be his personal mentor. Lately we've been running into men who want to meet with either me alone or Sister Varela alone, and to be honest, I'm tired of all the dates. I am seriously going to have no patience for dating once I get home if it keeps on being this way.

Other than that, our week went soooo well! We met and exceeded some of our goals, so today we're treating ourselves to frozen yogurt. I haven't had frozen yogurt since I left Utah, so I'm out of my mind excited. Normally I managed to get free frozen yogurt a few times a week back home when I went on dates, so now I'm going to have to pay for myself. New experiences happening everyday out here, that's for sure. Ha ha last Saturday we also got to go party at the mission home for Phillipino family home evening. MY FAVE! Phillipinos are obviously my favorite people out here. This morning I also decided to do service for P-day. The Mormons and the Jews and the HIndus in the area teamed up for an Inter-Faith Eco-Action project for Victoria Day, so I spent the better part of the morning picking up cigarette butts and saving them for later. Can't wait! Ha ha but really, this community is the best. I can't get enough of the diversity out here! I'm loving every minute with this crazy bunch.

I hope everyone is doing well and having a glorious week! Soak up the sun or rain or whatever it is you're having! Go watch The Great Gatsby or Star Trek in my honor. I will try to remain happy with The Joseph Smith Movie or The Testaments. Mmmm... love me some steamy Nephite! If anyone wants to send me the Emma Smith movie, I will love you forever. God bless you all! Sending all of my love and joy your way!

Love,

Sylvia

The Lusty Month of May

It's May... it's May... the LLLUSTY month of May! Tee hee! Hello everyone! My dearest, dearest family and friends! How the heck is everyone? Wow. I seriously think this was the longest week of my life! So much has happened. One minute it was winter, the next it was spring, and now suddenly it's summer! Serious mood swings with the weather out here. Montreal is PMSing worse than a poser punk rock group right now, but I looove it! The days are gorgeous and I am slowly but surely turning into a leathery old lobster. Tres, tres chic! I hope you are all enjoying very fine weather. Soak up the sun! #cherylcrow

So this week was ever so hectic, but I've totally got my groove on again. Last P-Day was SUCH A FUN DAY! Seeing as P-Day has now become a "girls only" club, Sister Foniciello and I decided to shed some Nutella and hike Mont Royal with a couple of my favorite chicas on the mission. Oh my, it was GORGEOUS! I desperately needed to be out in nature for a change after this long winter. Montreal is seriously the coolest. Who can say "let's go downtown for a hike?" In the middle of the city? Montreal is my place, I tell you. I miss my canyons and mountains like you wouldn't believe, but Montreal hasn't let me down just yet. After the hike I was able to see my favorite cousin Joe and his girlfriend. (Sorry cousins, maybe if you come to Montreal and take me to get Vietnamese food you can be added to the favorites list too.) It was seriously CRAZY to see someone I knew from my former life! Definitely brought me to tears, but let's not talk about what a huge baby I've become on my mission. Anyway. It was tons of fun, so SHOUT OUT to Joe and Priscilla for showing my companion and me a good time in Montreal!

Things got a little sad later in the week as I said farewell to my little fledgling Sister Foniciello. I'm going to miss my honey bunches baby cakes, but she has amazing things in store for her in Quebec! My new little greenie is Sister Varela from Riverton, UT, and she is absolutely phenomenal! Ha, she's probably teaching me more than I'm teaching her. I am so blessed! I took her for her first poutine this week, so she is now fully initiated into the CMM. I also took her for her first metro contacting experience soon after, and I would say it went quite well. We were talking to these adorable Chinese girls about sushi... I mean.. about the gospel... in the metro, and what do you think happened? No, they didn't agree to come to church. But! This girl just reaches into her bag and gives us a whole tray of sushi! Like, seriously? Who does that? And on the metro, no less. So not going to lie, I'd say my companion had a fabulous first day here in Montreal. 

Yesterday I had a creeper-ific experience at church. Some elders in the ward have a new investigator that really digs sister missionaries. He's quite the character, and quite too middle-aged for me as well. However, he was bold enough to ask me if I had a fiancé waiting for me back home, to which I was like, "Uhhh... should I lie and say that I do just so we can end this awkward conversation before it gets started?" But of course I told the truth, because, well, I'm a missionary. And then he started talking about how he would love to date me if he ever joined the church, that he already had five kids but that he wanted to start over and have a new family with a young wife. And I was like... "That's okay. I'd rather live in a cat infested shack. Thanks though!" Ha ha. Too, too funny. I love when awkward stuff like that happens.

Well, I hope everyone had a great week! We are killing it out here and working our bootays off! Seriously, my new companion is tons of fun. I'm excited to see what the next few weeks bring! We're just bible bashing around with TJs (Jehovah's Witnesses) and loving every minute in this crazy town! Also, SHOUT OUT to my girl Stiners! I hope your birthday was fabulous! You are so, so loved. I hope you're reading this... but if not, someone tell her HAPPY 20th for me! Anyway, I hope everyone is doing so great! Peace and blessing to you all! Enjoy the spring. Big loves and big kisses! 

Love,

Sylvia

Thriving in the CMM

JOYEUX PRINTEMPS! I hope the weather back home was as glorious this week as it was here. My spirit is soaring! I'm waiting for the snow to come back and wake me up from this dream. This week the unthinkable happened--I left my coat at home! And I soaked up some delicious Vitamin D! Such a perfect weekend. The warm weather also prompted me to shave my legs for the first time since the MTC, so that was good...I guess. DON'T JUDGE ME. My companion is European! I couldn't help it. Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the delights of the season. Go on a nature walk in my honor! And then send me the pictures. I miss my beloved Utah spring. I hope you are all making the most of it!

So this week was INSANE! (Ha, what else is new?) Missions are the greatest. Last Monday I had my first and LAST zone activity. P-Days in the CMM will now be segregated, meaning the elders can no longer have activities with the sisters, MEANING I will no longer get to flirt with said elders, MEANING I will have a very difficult time finding my future spouse out here, MEANING there is absolutely no reason for me to be on a mission at this point. Ha, but seriously, I'm quite torn up about the whole thing. I guess elder crushes have been running rampant ever since a little slice named Sister Cutler arrived at the CMM. So... I take full responsibility for the whole thing. But I can't help it that I'm popular... Ha ha okay, okay. I'm kidding. My vanity meter is through the roof right now! In all seriousness though, I find the whole segregated P-Day thing appalling on so many levels, but I'll spare you the Sylvia rant. My sweet companion is still recovering from my tirade, poor thing. Nevertheless, we are both SO FRUSTRATED and I fully intend to create as many elder crushes as possible from now on. I don't need Big Booty or activities to make the elders love me. I mean, I'm Sylvia Cutler, DANGIT! Can't stop this. Anyway, our last zone activity was a riot! Probably too much of a riot. We went to the Biodome, which was heavenly and OH SO MUCH fun with OH SO MANY opportunities to flirt with les elders. LOL. It was fun to spend time with the elders from my zone outside of the kitchen, and I think I am finally forgiven for the Hawaiian Haystacks incident. The Biodome is super cool! Fish, penguins, gators, porcupines, parrots. Elders. Fish. Nature inside its unnatural habitat. Je l'aime! It was a glorious day, until disaster struck. I was bragging to my dear friend Elder Mortenson that Sister Foniciello and I had never gotten separated on the metro, making fun of him for losing his greenie on the metro earlier that day. He says, "Just for that, I bet you anything you and your companion will lose each other on the metro tonight." HA. Fat chance. Fast forward two hours later, we're getting on the metro with huge bags of groceries, when suddenly I realize that my arm, my companion, and my groceries are behind the metro doors, but my body is not. The door shuts on my hand. SO PAINFUL. I manage to throw my bags at Sister Foniciello, pull my hand out just in time and watch helplessly as my horrified green and the metro disappear into the tunnel.

My life flashes before my eyes. There I am, for the first time in three months, completely and utterly alone. In the metros. Sans companion. No cell phone. No clue what the heck I'm doing. The very first thin I think of? "LOOOOLLLLLZ! I can't wait to tell Elder Mortenson that he was right!" Aaah so funny. Until I realized that I had no idea what our game plan was if we were to get separated. ...So, long story short, God answers prayers. But what a trip! Never, ever again. I'm going to be much more responsible from now on. Let's just say though that it was the darkest twenty minutes of my life.

In other news, I also got to go to the beautiful land of Terrebonne on exchanges with my mommy, Sister Cantu. SO FUN! I finally got to see what this province actually looks like. In other words, GORGEOUS! I WILL serve in that area one day. Preferably in the fall when all of the forests surrounding the Ile Mille river change color. Canada is beautiful! Exchanges with my cute trainer were so great. The FIRST and only door we knock, guess what I get for her. An investidater! Haitian too. And super sexy. Ha ha for some reason Sister Cantu and I can only get investidaters when we're together. BAD MATCH, I tell you. I guess it was for the best that we were separated. ;) But he was a cool guy! He asked if we were allowed to get married, and I was like, "HECKS YEAH I'm getting married when I'm out of this place!" And he just sat there gazing at me intently, sly smile on his face, wheels obviously turning in his head. So good news! I found myself a husband! Who needs elder crushes when you can marry your investigators? All is well in the CMM.

Sad/glad/bittersweet news... I'm having another baby! Sister Foniciello is heading up to Quebec City to work on her Spanish and I will be training a cute new greenie! Maybe I'll get it right this time. ;) I'm horribly sad that I won't be with Sister Foniciello anymore, but I'm glad I have another chance to train. Gosh, I'm popping out babies left and right out here! But I love training sooo much! Hopefully it will go well this transfer. I'll keep y'all updated!

Anyway, I hope everyone had a great week! Things are going great out here. I'm sure everyone is more relaxed and happy and more than able to send me letters now that finals are over, eh? 

SHOUT OUT to Shannon who will be leaving for her mission this week! Bon courage! Missions are incredible. You will be amazing! Also, BIGGEST SHOUT OUT OF ALL TIME to my main squeeze Robin Uata! No one told me that my boiii got his mission call?! I am weeping over here! But no, I kid you not. I really am! Sooo much happiness! Phillipinos are THE BEST PEOPLE in the entire world. The very, very best. If I could pick any place to serve other than here, it would be the Phillipines. ROBIN! You are going to be amazing and bless so many lives! I am soooo proud and so happy! This really is the perfect mission for you. I know it with all of my heart! Going on a mission will be the best decision you will ever make in your life. Besides being friends with me, of course. But a very close second! When does Robin leave? Someone tell me! Why am I so out of the loop out here?

Sending sun rays and happiness everyone's way! I love you all and miss you even more! Peace and blessings!

Love,

Sister Cutler

Girl without a Country

What is this? It's P-Day already?! My goodness, time flies when you're having fun! I hope you are all doing amazing. First of all, I would just like to say... HAPPY SPRING! In Montreal, anyway. The earth is FINALLY beginning to awake, and my inner nature goddess is bursting forth! Such an incredible feeling! The grass is green and the city is spotted with lovely, tiny, purple flowers. I'M SO PUMPED! Hopefully the nightmarish winter months are coming to an end. Bring on the humidity and sweaty French-Canadian metro-dwellers! Je l'aime!

This week was CRAY CRAY (crazy). Sooo much drama in the district! Ha okay, not really, but I've been doing a pretty good job of offending les elders everywhere I go. So last P-Day our district was gathering at the church to play Big Booty. ...Guess who was the biggest (and sexiest) booty. Ha ha that's not really related to the story, but I just wanted to remind you all of how unbelievably curvaceous I am. ANYWAY. Sister Funny Cello and I were walking up to l'église when suddenly we see an elder on the side of the road SANS COMPANION. And well, you know me. I'm a busy body. So I smirk at him and I'm like, "Elder, WHERE is your companion?" And he barks back at me, "I'm sorry, I'm just so FRUSTRATED right now!!!" and then storms off. Being the insensitive jerk that I am, I yell back, "Psh. Where'd you hide the body?" As I'm laughing to myself about how funny I am, and this elder is running off in tears, Sister Foniciello just looks at me IN HORROR. Turns out he was legitimately in distress. My bad! The sun was in his face! I couldn't tell, I swear. Now everyone in the district thinks I'm just a cruel, cruel, snarky sista. No bueno. BUT! I'm learnding. 

I was punished for my insensitivity a few days later with a gnarly cold, so justice was served. Lucky for me I have the sweetest roommates on the planet, so Sister Murdoch nursed me back to health with fresh-baked cookies and doTerra oils. She is such a gem! I am so blessed, and am now on the mend.

My investigators are doing well! We braved going to see the prophetess again, and this time she wasn't hopped up on goofballs, so our lesson actually went well. I have a feeling she's going to become an eternal investigator, but we'll see how that goes. We're also teaching THE SWEETEST nine-year-old boy from the ward right now. His little sister reminds me so much of sweet little Lily when she was a wee babe. She's excited that we're reading "The Book of Muffin" with her big brother. So precious. Honestly, I have never met a sweeter family in all of my life. Gaaaah! The cute families in this city are making me baby hungry! It's a good thing I am HERE and not home at the BYU marriage market. For now I'm going to have to settle with being a mission mommy, but still... BABIES!

Okay, so the highlight of the week was our ward's multicultural event that the ZL's, AP's, and Sister Foniciello and I put together. Dang, they know how to PARTAY out here in Montreal! Our ward is comprised of virtually every nationality on the planet, so we seriously had diversity EXPLODE all over the cultural hall. SO FUN! We ate exorbitant amounts of food from around the world, and the Phillipinas, Colombians, and Hondurans all performed native dances. Sooo culturally enlightening! I'm in love. It took us the whole afternoon to decorate, but it was definitely worth it. My super fly ward mission leader tried to sneak me some apostate music (non-missionary approved music) while we were decorating. He turned on "Kryptonite" by Three Doors Down, and so much of my childhood flooded back to me. I was like, "Aaaaah, this is my JAM!" and I was boppin around the cultural hall with my exacto knife having the greatest time; then the zone leaders saw that I was quickly turning pagan, so they made us listen to EFY music and the "Brand New Year" soundtrack. Which, to be honest, is the MOST irreverent thing I have ever encountered. So the set up was torture, but the PARTAY was a success! My ward is A-MAZING. The kids (and Sister Cutler *secretly*) danced to Gangnam style. The APs caught me...whoops. NOT ALLOWED. Still, it made me miss my peeps and prancing around the house like a Korean with Daniel and Lil. Everyone had a great time and we got to know the ward even better. It was one of the most perfect days on my mission. I am so lucky to be here! It's like I'm serving in twenty different countries. Seriously, I'm loving every minute in this crazy town.

I hope everyone has an amazing week! SHOUT OUT to Shannon Whiteley on her mission farewell yesterday! I heard you looked gorgeous and gave an incredible talk! (Don't ask me who I heard that from...;) ) You will be sensational! I'm so happy for you. The MTC is a joke. Hang in there... Poland will be fab! So proud! Missions are the best thing you could possibly do, trust me. :) Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well. Thank you to my main squeeze Robin for FINALLY sending me a letter! Took you long enough. I have yet to hear news on your mission call. Anyway, please know that you are all loved and missed more than I can possibly describe. BIG LOVES and HUGS!

Love,

Sister Cutler

Hawaiian Hayslackers

Family... isn't it about... time? Ha! My goodness! How the heck are you all? I hope everyone has enjoyed their week! For those of you experiencing the nightmare called "finals" right now, just know that you are getting the best missionary prayers a sister has to offer. So don't be surprised when you get all of those A's! Still study though! And rub Buddha's belly for good luck. ( That's the recipe for my finals success.) Bonne chance! 

This week was a whirlwind! Lots of miracles, lots of tender moments. Lots of getting hit on in the metro. (My favorite-- thug master T yelling "Ehhhhhh, sexy LADAY!" at me from across the station. Mmm. Heaven.) So I'd say it was a pretty successful week! This week we had zone study, which for Sister Cutler means.. ELDER HEAVEN!!! Ha ha. Blagues. Elders are huge babies. On Monday night Sister Foniciello and I get a text from an unknown number demanding that we need to prepare chicken breasts for twenty people because some elder has the idea that he wants to eat Hawaiian haystacks at zone study. Do you see where this is going? After poor Sister Foniciello (bless her heart) endured a solid hour of a Sylvia rant (which I'm sure my friends and family have missed terribly since my departure) I accepted the fact that I would be buying and making chicken for 18 whiny elders. For TWO HOURS we slave into the night making chicken, because as you know, having estrogen gives you this miraculous ability to cook! Don't ask an elder to cook anything! Heavens, no. It's not like 16 months of independence as a missionary has made them capable of throwing chicken into a pan and making it edible. This is, in fact, the reason sisters come on missions, in case you didn't know. 

So the next afternoon at zone study we gather for lunch. All I know is that I contributed copious amounts of chicken, and so I assumed my part was done. OH NO. There I find myself with a group of twenty-year-old boys looking at me helplessly. Their expressions practically SCREAMED, "Get thee to the kitchen, woman! Me want HAYSTACKS!" Finally some brave soul has the courage to turn to me and say, "Uh... Sister Cutler... umm... like... do you know how to make Hawaiian haystacks?" It took everything within my power not to yell "GIVE ME THE CUSSING CANS OF CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP, ya ding-dongs!" Ha ha patience is a virtue, and I have it. So guess who made the Hawaiian haystacks? The elders did, of course, under my orders. I made them open cans (poor babies) and dump it into pots and mix the chicken in. Rocket science, I tell you! I was asked questions like, "Uhh... Sister Cutler... should we like... um.. strain the pineapple juice out of the cans?" ... "Yes, sweetheart. Yes, my darling, darling boys." It was pathetic. I feel like this learned helplessness is only going to get worse as more sisters enter the mission field. DON'T BUY IT! Make the elders open cans. Make them cook chicken. Make them mix salad into a bowl. DO NOT BAKE THEM COOKIES. My goodness, they need to learn. Ha ha I'm being harsh, but it was a ridiculous experience. I really do love the elders in my zone. At first they were terrified of me, and then they found out that I'm 20 and I'm from the new wave of sisters their age. You should have seen how fast the dynamics changed! I guess elders aren't into the whole cougar thing? But as soon as they found out that I wasn't an old maid, ELER LOVE was poured forth from the heavens. Ha ha I can't wait for all of the drama that is about to ensue when all of the sisters get here. Lock your hearts!

Other than the Hawaiian haystack mayhem, this week had some exceptional moments. This year our ward had the once in a lifetime opportunity to host the Jewish and Christian commemoration of the Shoah. It was incredible to be able to come together with the Jewish community of Montreal and remember the victims of the Holocaust. A female Rabi (I was in heaven) gave a stirring address about tolerance, overcoming fear through love, and always remembering so that history does not repeat itself. I was so moved. It was touching to be a part of a concrete example of communities joining together out of love and respect, showing solidarity and a willingness to overcome prejudice. A woman sang several Jewish songs written by brave women during the time of the Holocaust. I was able to have the experience of listening as they prayed together, remembering and mourning for the lives and dreams that had been lost. I am SO glad I was able to have this experience on my mission. I truly love Montreal. There is so much diversity and tolerance for other people's backgrounds, religions, and personal beliefs. This mission really is so perfect for me. I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to witness and take part in this community's event. Anyway, just thought I'd share that little experience with y'all.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week! Thank you for all of the lovely pictures of the cheerful spring you are having! My heart is aching. We had a big snow storm this week, but today is lovely and I plan on enjoying it with my awesome companion and my almost as awesome district. Also, SHOUT OUT to Jane Bryner and Kristin Matthews for well-timed letters this week. The love and validation was definitely needed. Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well! Take care! I love you all and miss you soooo much!

Love,

Sis Cutler

Christmas in April

Brothers and sisters, aloooooha! For those of you who don't know me, "Hello." For those of you who do know me... "Hi!" ... Sorry, I was feeling deprived of sacrament meeting greetings this weekend. Thought I'd throw a couple in there for my own amusement. Most likely my amusement and no one else's, so feel free to roll your eyes and move on. But on a less awkward note, how is everyone doing?! I'd love to actually KNOW how some of you are doing. Okay. I really don't want to do this, but I've been out for two months now so I'd just like to remind my clan/vampire coven/what have you back home that I'm a missionary and I REALLY love to receive letters and news from the outside world. DROP ME A LINE, DANG IT! It's not like I went to outer space or something! The North Pole is a close second, but if you can send mail to Santa, you can certainly send mail to me. SHOUT OUT to those who have been as faithful to me as Edward is to Bella. You know who you are. The rest of you... just let that feeling of guilt seep over you... Mmhhmm. Ha ha! I tease! I tease! But not really. I'll be back sooner than you think, and I'm not afraid to unleash my wrath. You've been warned. 

Alright, so an even bigger shout out to my cousin Lauren!!! I heard through the grapevine that you've been called to serve in Panama City! Whooo hooo! That was my guess, but no one asked me... I'm so happy for my little cuddle bear! You will be the best missionary, and the people will love your kind spirit and vibrant energy. I could not be happier today! I've prayed for this moment for a long time! Best of luck, baby cakes! Since Lauren doesn't write me, someone please tell me when she is leaving. Thanks! ;)

So! Happy Conference, Harry! Happy Conference, Ron. Wow, I never knew why missionaries were always geeking about G-con until now. What the Christmas in April?! I was in heaven! And a Christmas miracle happened! One of my fave investidaters actually attended conference! Not like you care, but for weeks I've been trying to prove to everyone that he's interested in the gospel and not just me. It was such a glorious moment when he walked into the chapel. No one thought he could do it, but I never gave up on him. From the moment Sister Cantu and I knocked on his door that snowy, quiet evening in March, I couldn't help but envision the day when they would make his "I'm a Mormon" video, with me, his wife... I mean... his wife, whoever she may be one day, sitting by his side and weeping in a Relief Society manner about how grateful she was that she... I mean, the cute sister missionaries... knocked on his door. Such a miracle! Flirt to convert WORKS, I tell you.

Basically the highlight of this week was conference if you can't tell. It's fun to get together with the whole ward to watch it. The Phillipinos fed the missionaries a feast and it was just one big party! I wish that was something we were inclined to do in Utah, but maybe when I'm not a missionary anymore I'll remember how wonderful it is to watch conference in pajamas and... go to the sand dunes? ... while... listening... to G-con on the drive... ha ha. Aaah! I miss my family! I tried to keep certain conference traditions alive this year, but les elders weren't game to go along with the hot sauce drinking game. Daniel and my cousies Laurs Bars and Jare Bear will remember last year when we had to take a shot of Tobasco every time they said a word like "scriptures" or "virtue." Ahhh Mormon drinking games. Love it! The elders thought I was crazy when I proposed said idea, however. Granted, they already think I'm crazy, and apostate, and a temptress and so forth, so I wasn't surprised when they said NO. Still, it made me miss my family. I guess it was good to pay attention to conference for once, but I do miss the occasional conference cat naps and family togetherness. 

In other news, Sister Foniciello and I also crashed the Priesthood Pizza Party that the ward had for the men before Priesthood session. (I haven't lost all of my Sylvianess, still felt entitled to go.) I mostly just did it because well, A, I wanted pizza, B because I REVELLED in the awkward, contentious vibes the zone leaders kept sending my way, and C because I loved watching everyone's reaction when I said we were staying for Priesthood. I actually really was trying to stay because I REALLY wanted to hear them talk about missionary work because I KNEW they would and they DID, but I was informed that I would have to wait to read about it in the Ensign next month. Grrr. As you can guess, Sister Cutler didn't take that too well. So I just chanted "SERENITY NOW!" a couple of times and went on my way. Still I was very jealous. But hey, at least I got free pizza.

Other than conference, the best part of my week was tracting into a real life cat lady. It was SO horrific. There was a soft dusting of cat hair over every square inch of her apartment. When I sat down on her couch, I had cats climbing ALL OVER MY BODY. Ohhh boy. What a trip! Did I mention I'm allergic to cats? True story. Still, my aspirations to become a cat lady after the mission have not changed. Who needs to get married when you can own twenty cats? I was truly inspired by the love I felt being literally suffocated by cats, as well as the warm, fuzzy feeling I got when I inhaled soft tufts of silken fur. So precious. 

I hope everyone had an amazing week! And if you watched conference, I'm sure you have a sense of how amazing my week was. I heard that I was on TV?! Psh! My shining moment and I didn't even get to witness it. My mission president told me about it, and I felt so cool. I don't remember my companion being filmed by anyone though... but I heard there was a foxy picture of me, so I'm thrilled. Maybe it will motivate more boys to go on missions in hopes that they get called to the CMM? ;) Anyway, I miss you and love you all! I hope everyone's week is as bright as a blinding pastel sea of Mormon Tabernacle Choir singers. Take care! BISES!

Love,

Sylvia