Hello!

How is everyone?? Thank you so much for your lengthy email Mom! I love hearing about everything thats been going on back at home. I'm def jealous about the Hunger Games, but my time will come when I can watch it haha. Well it's only been a couple of days since I've talked to you because of my Visitor's Center P-Day, but alot has happened! Saturday: I did referral center with the VC sisters, hung out and studied with the Mormon Batallion sisters, then we went to Temple Square and did splits! I had a cute little Phillipino sister named Sister Millares. She is 29 and converted to the Gospel three years ago. People like that inspire me so much. Could you imagine going on a mission new into the Gospel? I can't! But she has so much faith it's amazing. I know how blessed I am to have grown up in an LDS home. During splits we planned a little, walked to certain spots on the Square, tried to find people to talk to, but there were sisters everywhere haha so we just found some members to talk to. The tabernacle had some Gospel singers belting it when we went in. I loved it. But I'm sure you could imagine that. I love soul! Then we did some mormon.org chats and a couple of phone calls. There was this 15 year old UK boy that went on chat and asked us "My brother started smoking and he knows it's bad, but he said it helps him get friends, should I tell my parents? I just don't want to lose his trust." How sweet is that boy? He has so much love for his brother. We did our best to give him some decent advice, but I just thought it was heartwrenching. I know he'll come around if he knows his Heavenly Father loves him and will give him strength if he tries his best to be obedient. We then had dinner and then drove back to the MTC. It was a great day. 

Sunday was wonderful as well. It was the Elders and myself's last day before we left for the mission field. We had great meetings with our branch presidency (who always inspires me) and devotionals. Especially the evening devotional by Elder Stephen B. Allen of the Missionary Department. He made it interactive and the Spirit was so strong in that room. He asked questions like, "Stand up if your significant other has sent you a Dear John/Jane letter already?" "Stand up if you're a 19 year old sister" "Stand up if you're and 18 year old elder" "Stand up if you have a significant other and you're still writing" It was hilarious and really fun to see people stand at these questions. Although the beginning of his talk was a little silly, he then talked with such power. One of my favorite things he said was, "Compare yourself only to yourself and never give up!!" Sometimes its hard not to compare our talents and skills to others, but I know has long as I do my best, God will do the rest. I will never lose faith. After his talk concluded. He asked the MTC President's wife to play the piano as the auditorium of missionaries sand 'Come Thou Font of Every Blessing'. It was so beautiful. I can't express to you the Spirit that we all felt. The Elders were crying. Even the tough polynesian elder in my district kept wiping his eyes (He reminds me of Shaun like crazy). After the Devotional, we went back to our classrooms and the Elders gave Sister Griffes, Sister Bowler, and myself priesthood blessings. It was amazing. And I saw Nick Werber at the devotional. So cool.

This is the funny part of my last weekend. I stayed up late last night to shower and then woke up at 3:30 this morning so I wouldn't be late to the bus at 4:30, so I finally made it to the bus with the help of my companion Sister Clarke (Yeah she woke up that early for me, I know she's amazing!) So I said goodbye to her and then hopped on the bus really excited and ready. However, everyone on the bus had little packets and I didn't so I was really confused. Then a man from the Travel Office asked me to talk with him for a second and he proceeded to tell me my flight is planned for Tuesday morning!!!!!!!!! My district president told me it was Monday and I didn't double check my travel itinerary. And then he said I'm going with a big group, but I'm the only one headed to Missouri so I'll be alone (which is fine), but the district president thought I was gonna be with a few more elders and sisters! Hahahah They just don't want me to leave!!!! So I took a short nap afterwards, but I've been pretty tired today ha. Oh well, I guess I'll be there tomorrow! haha I know things happen for a reason. I love this Gospel so much and I'm so happy I'm able to get out in the real world and show my faith in my Savior. Do your best to follow the teachings in the Book of Mormon. It's the Word of God! I know it.

And mom, my awesome companion Sister Clarke's mom just friended you on FB and she wanted me to let you know!! hahah so add her! I'll email next week about my adventures and pictures in Missouri as long as the MTC decides to let me go!! Love ya'll so much. Have faith in all things. The church is so true! Have a great week! HAPPY THANKSGIVING. Eat alot of pie for me!

Love,

Sister Penman

Hey Everyone!!

     This is the second P-day I've had this week!! I've been doing Visitor's Center Training for the past three days. It's been crazy! My MTC experience is a little different than most haha. VC Training is a lot different than the Preach My Gospel training I've been doing for the past three weeks! Yesterday I had to do Referral Center. Do you know what that means? Well, I'll tell you! I've been going on laptops and talking to people on Mormon.org chat!!! Yeah, I'm one of the missionaries you can get a hold of. Cool, huh? And we also will be taking phone calls soon. Scary! That's what's weird. I've been teaching people with my companion online and stuff even before I do it in person! It has been some getting used to, but I've been learning to love it. I also went to Temple Square with the other Visitor's Center sisters on Wednesday! It was so much fun! We took a tour and other stuff. In my VC Training, there are about 31 sisters. From ALL AROUND THE WORLD. I've become friends with sisters from Denmark, Sweden, France, Tonga, Fiji, China, Argentina, and The Philipines and more. And they are going anywhere from Temple Square, Washington DC, and San Diego Mormon Batallion. It's incredible. Theses girls are so humble and have such amazing testimonies. They've been strengthening me as well. I've become really good friends with the Batallion sisters, Sister Larson and McGee. I'll try to send a picture. Tomorrow we all have the opportunity to do splits with the sisters at Temple Square!! Isn't that awesome?!?! I'm gonna be doing tours from around 4-8pm. I'm hoping they'll have the Christmas lights up by then. I'm praying. Either way, it's gonna be amazing.

      Thank you so much for the package!! You know, I love pumpkin bread and hot chocolate. I was wondering if you've seen the watch I ordered before I left? Did you mail it with my bedding and stuff? Talking about bedding... I'm gonna be able to use it on Monday!!!!! They'll called me out of class last night to meet with one of the district presidents and he handed me my travel itinerary and he thanked me for being patient and that he was excited for me to head out! I'm going to be in Independence Missouri by 1:30pm on Monday. I leave the MTC at4:30am. My flight leaves at 9:30am or something. I AM SO EXCITED!! I treated myself last night with some BYU Creamery egg nog that was in the vending machine in my residence. Tis the season ya'll! I'm trying to make it last. I've already been singing Christmas songs. I have no shame. I'm so glad I'm gonna be in my mission field by Thanksgiving. I'm blessed. Things are finally starting to move forward. I know four weeks in the MTC wasn't my plan, but I'm not bitter at all. I know I was suppose to stay here a little longer. Things don't have happen by coincidence when you're on a mission. Heavenly Father has a plan for me. But, I'm definitely glad that he thought it was time to go to Missouri now haha. I know this is the Gospel Jesus Christ preached when he was on this earth, and he saved us from our sins and mistakes. I'm so grateful! I love sharing the message of the Restoration and the Atonement with people because the Spirit is always so strong. This week I received some personal revelation that I really needed to hear. I have a strong testimony of God's love for his children and as long as we try our best to be obedient to his commandments, he will pour blessings upon us.I know that is true. 

      Hope everything is going well in Henderson! Tell me what's been going on. I love ya'll so much! Do your best to be member missionaries and tell others how much the Gospel has blessed your lives. This week, I invite you to pray throughout each day, and when your about to go to bed, say an audible prayer to your Heavenly Father, open your heart and tell him everything. I know he wants to hear from you! He loves us perfectly. The next time anyone writes me, send the letters to my Missouri address. Tell Shaun and Devin I love them, and I think about them always! Have a great week! Keep your steadfastness in Christ! 

Love,

Sister Penman

Dear Family and Friends,

     Thank you so much for both of the emails, Mom! I love hearing about the hunt. Shaun said it was really fun! I'm glad Devin got an elk!! I can't believe Kevin asked Shaun, Brett and Tanner to be his groomsmen. That is so awesome!!! haha Another week has past here at the MTC! I'm just finishing up my 3rd week. Can you believe it?! I can't. I just want to update ya'll on whats been going on considering I was suppose to leave to Missouri last Wednesday! haha because of my "low blood platelets" I was delayed from my mission field for another 2 weeks. I just finished my 3rd week so only 9 days or so to go! Please pray that my platelet levels adjust and my appointment Thursday with the "blood doctor" goes well and that I'm cleared! However, I feel fine if your wondering! I'm just tired every once in a while, but I'm also constantly going from 5:30am-10:30pm every day so that could be a reason haha. They don't give me much time to heal, but that's why I'm putting faith in my Heavenly Father. I know he can do all things if I have a steadfastness in Christ! I'll get to Independence eventually. However; in the mean time, I have an additional assignment while I'm here! I have been asked by one of the District Presidents if I will do Visitor's Center Training! He called my Mission President and he said that that would be great! It's not changing my mission or anything except I might be able to do some Visitor's Center stuff in Independence during the summer when it gets a little busier. Isn't that awesome?! For training, I take a bus to Temple Square Wednesday-Saturday this week. I'm a little nervous, but then again. you know me. I'm pretty easy going so I'm ready for anything!

      About an hour ago I just dropped my companions off who are heading to New Zealand! There names were Sister Lamoureux and Sister Pierce. Now I have my 3rd set of companions! But for the first time I only have 1 instead of 2! Her name is Sister Clarke. She is so awesome. She's from Georgia, 6'2, size 13 shoe, and completely adorable and sweet. I'm really excited to work with her and get to know her. She's going to Napa Idaho on her mission. When my Branch President told us during Branch Counsel that I was going to be her new companion she said "Awesome! I can't wait to learn from her".. Can you believe that?! How sweet! Because I've been here for 3 weeks, I'm like a veteran. It's crazy haha. But I totally don't know everything, but I'm learning. Teaching is getting easier. We do alot of role playing here, which is a little different because they're not real investigators, but I know that once I get out in the field that I will love all the people of Missouri. I can't wait to share the Gospel! And I know that as long as I'm obedient, love the people, and have Faith in Christ, I'll find the words to say and they might fill the Spirit of Truth. I can't wait! This past week was ok haha. Alot of people don't like the MTC, but it's mostly because of their attitude. I love it! However, this past week I've been repeating classes I already had my 2nd week. I'm just redoing the cirriculum until visitors center training on Wednesday! I can do it! Even though, things have been repetitive, I'm still learning and feeling the Spirit every day. I get my 3rd set of teachers and 3rd district today as well! Elder L. Tom Perry was awesome last week and yesterday we heard from Mary Ellen Edmunds. She is so incredible and hilarious. 

      I'm loving life. There is no where I'd rather be. I love and miss you all! Dear Elder me, write me letters, send me food. haha jk Have a great week ya'll! I know I will!

Love, Sister Penman

Hey everyone!

     My week has been amazing. I'm trying to remember everything that has happened, but the days are twice as long as they were before I left! I'm getting so much accomplished and learning so much. I'm glad Devin got an elk!! Tell him congrats!! That's so exciting! I haven't met an Elder Cluff yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was on my plane on Wednesday! I leave with my district and other Elders and Sisters going to Independence at 4:30am (that's when when we leave the MTC) I probably won't call you guys because I'm gonna talk to you in a month or so anyway, if that's ok? haha It'll be easier for me I think! But, I honestly haven't gotten homesick this whole time. My sweet companions Sister Lee and Sister Kang have had a breakdown here and there, but they're doing great now. Thank you so much for the package!!!!! The orange rolls were amazing! But I definitely had to give the blueberry ones to my companions haha. 

     Monday was P-day so we do laundry, email, write letters, go to the temple (I've done endowments at the Provo temple twice! It's such a beautiful temple!), then we have class, and study time and then bedtime I guess. It's a blur. But Tuesdays we always have devotionals and tomorrow Elder Tom Perry is gonna be here to speak!! I'm stoked. I'll tell you how it goes. The rest of the week is always busy with class and teaching "investigators". I love my Branch Presidency here at the MTC! My branch president, President Jenkins reminds me of Grandpa Sillitoe. He is so sweet and old. He picked on me and asked me alot of questions during a class we had with him this week, but after the class, he came up to me and gave me a hug and said, "You know I only pick on people that I love." And he went on to tell me how sweet I was. There is just so much love here because we're all here for the same purpose. It's such an amazing feeling. I'm getting so much better at studying my scriptures and teaching lessons. Every day here is filled with the Spirit and I know I'm supposed to be here. But I'm so stoked to go to Missouri! I know I still have stuff to learn, but I'm confident that I can figure it out. As long as I'm obedient and have faith, I know Heavenly Father will help me the rest of the way. Especially the fact that I got sick this week. My voice is practically gone. I cough like an idiot and some other little stuff, but I'm gonna go to the clinic later today so hopefully that can help me clear it up. It's been a few days so hopefully it'll go away soon. But I know I'll be just peachy!! Anyway, I hope you have a great week! I love you all so much! If you email me, I'll try to write as soon as possible! Keep your steadfastness in Christ! 

Dear Family,

WOW. What do I even say? I'm so happy to hear things are going good 5 hours South from here. Make sure to get the boys giant elk for me. I'm so glad you got to see Elder Till!! I'm glad you hugged him haha. Thanks for all the pictures and videos! I'm still trying to figure out how to do videos, but all the pictures were so cute :) Btw, I got your Dear Elder, it was wonderful! Love you guys so much!

But seriously. I AM SO GLAD I DECIDED TO GO ON A MISSION. I know this is where I'm suppose to be and there isn't anywhere I'd rather be. I get up at 5:30am every day. Yeah that's for real. And I go to bed at around 11pm every night (by the time I write in my journal and get ready for bed) I have classroom instruction with my district 6 hours every day and around 2 hours of scripture study. They are so amazing!! I'll make sure to send pictures. My companions (yes, I have two) are Sister Lee from North Logan, she had a stroke when she was ten and so has a little problem with the left side of her body. She has a little limp and a hard time using fine motor skills with her left hand, but she's an inspiration. Such a sweet girl and so dedicated. My other companion is Sister Kang and she's from South Korea. She speaks amazing English and I seriously love her. She's also sweet and a little quiet, but being around the loud and sassy Sister Penman she's been totally coming out of her shell and she's jokes around with me all the time! I love it! I'm in a room with 3 bunk beds, but its just us three in the room!! So I get my own vanity/desk to use in the morning and that is heavenly. Also, I listen to my ipod every morning to get us pumped for the day. Obviously it's all my hymn cds, but I don't even feel bad I can't really listen to anything else. How can you not have an amazing day if you start it off with Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing?

The days are just flying by. They made us teach the first day we got here! In a group, but nevertheless it was a little scary! Tomorrow we start teaching our Progressing Investigator. We do that four times in the MTC before I go to the mission field. Every day I'm learning so much, making friends, and having such an incredible time. My district are my best friends because we all are here for the same purpose. We all have testimonies of this church, but here is where we are becoming converted to Christ because that's what it's all about. I just heard a talk yesterday and it was about our Savior. I just want to remind you to say your prayers every day and when you say "In the name of Jesus Christ, amen" Remember that, we say Christ's name because without his Atonement we wouldn't be able to speak to our Heavenly Father. I just think of Prayer so differently. Always be grateful and hold to the rod ya'll. I love you so much!!! Have a great week! And kill some fat elk for me!

Love,

Sister Erin Penman