Dear Everyone,

     Can you believe it?! Christmas is finally here!!!!!!!!! I hope you're all having an amazing time spreading Christmas cheer and drinking lots of hot chocolate and egg nog (egg nog has been my particular favorite these past couple of weeks). My waist line is probably not too pleased with me, but I like to live it up in December, what can I say? It's been an amazing week. Very eventful!

     Remember Megan K.? The miracle from the Ward Christmas Party? Well we met with her twice this week! And she's invited to the Christmas Eve party we're going to. She is so amazing. She's had a hard life and has been through a lot, but the first time we met with her we only got through part of Lesson 1, but we're teaching people not lessons, right? But the Spirit was so strong as we taught her and shared the Restoration video. As we were talking to her, I felt the Spirit prompt me to invite her to be baptized. And she said YES!! After she comes to find that the things we are teaching her are true, she said she would be baptized at the end of January. I am so excited!!! I know some people are so prepared to here this message and as we humble ourselves and are obedient we can have the gift of the Holy Ghost with us at all times. I have really felt that this week. I'm so grateful for the Spirit. The next lesson we taught was more of Lesson 1, and as we taught through the Book of Mormon and discussed the power of the Holy Ghost, she interrupted us at one point and said, "this sounds really crazy, but I don't know, I just feel weird sometimes when you're here. And it's like something throughout my body. Like Iodine or something at the doctor's, except I don't have to use the restroom. I just feel really peaceful which is so not normal." UMM WHAT. I know!!! So we basically told her that what she was feeling was the Spirit bearing witness of the truth and she felt it mostly when we would read out of the Book of Mormon. That was one of the best experiences I have felt on my mission so far. What we are teaching people is truth. It's real. We can feel it. I feel so blessed to spread this knowledge to others. 

     Danny F. is another man we've been teaching. He has so much potential. He's a faithful christian and a little rough and tough around the edges, about 57, and the Spirit has been felt both lessons we've taught him this week. He just has a hard time knowing that there is only one true church. We're doing our best to build his faith, but he has to put in the time to read the Book of Mormon because that's where true conversion is. Keep you updated.

     Jessica is so fun loving and such a sweetheart, but we didn't meet with her at all this week as planned. She bailed on all 3 appointments we had scheduled, one including institute. She struggles with anxiety and so we think it really stresses her out to have appointments, so this week and the next, we're just gonna drop by and show up at her door. She can't deny us haha. And we wrote her exactly what she has to do before she can get baptized on a a cute piece of paper, like a checklist. I think that'll help her to know that it's up to her to be worthy for baptism because she already knows that this is the true church. We're really excited to help her overcome her struggles with her! I know she can do it. 

     The last two days we've been 'iced in'. Yup, that's real. I'll show you some pictures. So we've been doing missionary work inside. Surprisingly, we got a lot accomplished. Today we've went to Warrrensburg and went bowling at the Whiteman Air Force Base which was really awesome. I won once and lost once. I started to get a whif of how competitive I am again haha. Christmas Eve we're having dinner at a members with a bunch of inactives/investigators and Christmas we're going to a member's house in the morning. Plus a whole lot of caroling. 

     I'm so grateful to be a missionary. I love it with all my heart. I'm so grateful to have this time for my Heavenly Father to shape me to who he wants me to become. I have a constant desire to share this Gospel because it's the truth and it brings so much peace. I love people more than I ever have before. I'm so grateful for my Savior and the path he created for us to return to our Heavenly Father. Our life on earth is only a small time in which we do our best and follow His commandments, so that we can have eternal life with our families. What a miracle! I love you all, have a very merry, snowy, icy, grateful, loving, fun Christmas!

Love,

Sister Penman

Hey Everyone!

     This week is my first transfer. Yes, I'm already on my second transfer! How on earth is this happening? They say the first few months go by slow, but my mission is just cruising and I'm loving it! I haven't been transfered. I'll probably be here in Clinton for a few transfers. Sister Call thinks I'll probably train at the beginning of February when she leaves. That kind of freaks me out, but I'm glad I have my Heavenly Father to help. I can do all things with him and my Savior on my side. 

      This week was awesome. Tuesday we had two solid lessons planned for our investigators Laura and Jessica, but they fell through for ok reasons so we tracked a little and tried to meet up with some less-actives, but I sware everyone had a plot to not talk to us that day haha. But that night we got to drive up early to the Mission Conference in Independence so I finally got to see the Visitor's Center there, ate at Chick-fil-a, and stayed th enight at one of the sister's apartments. It was like a sleepover. So obviously it was really fun. And then the next day we had an incredible conference with the over 200 missionaries in our mission and I got to see all my friends from the MTC and catch up and then meet tons of other missionaries. I also saw the older Jorgensen sister which was awesome. I just love meeting new people!! Then we drove home and did exchanges for the first time. I was with Sister Diedrich and Sister Call went to Warresnburg with Sister Challis. It went pretty darn good. Sister D said I'm doing really good, and being obedient, and she said this is one of the first times she hasn't had to talk to her exchangee about something. So that made feel pretty good! I guess I'm progressing pretty well. Halelujah! Missionary work is no joke, but I feel so much joy everyday from being a servant of out Savior. We're spreading the good word and there isn't anything that I'd rather be talking about. The Gospel changes lives and improves who we are! I love this work so much. 

     All of Jessica's appointments fell through this week, but she went to the Christmas Program on Saturday with her husband and cute little girl, and also church yesterday for the third time in a row! This week we have solid plans with her and we're so excited to help her progress and take that leap of faith and set a date for her baptism. I'm so excited!

      We went to Laura's house this week and taught her the Plan of Salvation and it went really well. I can see her faith growing. She read the Book of Mormon and the pamphlet we gave her last week and she keeps letting us in haha. She said she'll think about getting baptized so hopefully she'll be able to recieve that witness from the Spirit. I know she will as she has a sincere heart.

      Brother Lankford, who we met a couple of weeks ago, is being taught by the Elders and he set a baptismal date for Jan 4th!! Sister Call and I are a little jealous haha we're so excited for him, I know his family (who is all LDS) has been waiting for him. Glory, Glory, Halelujah!

      We had a Christmas Program for the ward on Saturday where we showed the First Presidency Christmas Devotional and we had a really good dinner that the ward all helped with. We invited alot of our investigators, but Alana, Randy, and their 6year old son Eric (who we met tracting) came!!!! It was awesome! We have an appointment with them today to teach them about the Restoration. They have so much potential. I'm so stoked! And then we met Megan and Allen who randomly came to the program. He hasn't been to church for years and his wife Megan isn't a member! We met up with her and she basically said I definitely want to learn more. Holy miracle!!!!! It's been a great week. The members always tell us how much they love having Sisters in their ward and how great we are. We are so blessed! We are getting more and more progressing investgators, but we are working on getting them with a baptismal date! Life is so wonderful. I am so blessed to be a missionary. I know this is The Gospel of Jesus Christ. The same Gospel our Savior taught when he lived on this earth. I love sharing the peace, joy, and happiness it brings to others especially at this time of year. We're gonna do a whole lot of caroling this week and I can't wait!! Have a great week everyone. Keep your steadfastness in Christ and always look to him and our Father in Heaven for comfort when times get hard. When we bear our heart to Him, he will lift our burdens. Love you! Merry Christmas! 

Love,

Sister Penman

Hey Ya'll!

     I'm working on my country accent since I live in right in the middle of the country. I'm getting good at it. This week was amazing! I'm so excited for Marc! He's just gonna love it. I know if I would have heard all those sweet boys sing Armies of Helaman I would have cried. I'm so proud of those guys! I'm glad that you're hosting the Mission Prep classes! Those will be really good for Shaun. I wish I would have humbled myself more before my mission and taken a few. But, oh well make sure Shaun goes!! 

     This week has been great. I always forget everything by the time P-day comes because I'm always going! We've done some service at the Samaritan Center this week moving boxes and lifting them on top of each other. I got a pretty decent arm workout that day. And tomorrow we're helping distribute these boxes that have food and soap and towels and things to everyone who needs it. I LOVE service. We've met some incredible people these past two weeks. One is Jessica. She is amazing. Her husband is less active and she's not a member. She knows the church is true and she loves everything about it. Everything we teach she just soaks up, but she's had a few baptism dates she's had in the past and she's bailed on them, but this week we went to teach her about the restoration, but we felt like she needed a member to be with her. So we brought Sister Jensen (cute blonde mom from Utah who went to Utah State with her husband, cool right?). But I know it was the direction of the Spirit because we didn't end up teaching her anything about the restoration, but Sister Jensen told Jessica she had anxiety and they just clicked. Jessica told us as well that she's always had anxiety too! Long story short, they get along so great and now Jessica has fellowship in the church and that's what she really needed, so now we just need to get her baptized! I'm so excited for her to progress. I love her!

     Another person we are working with is Eric. He's married to an active member of the church, but he's not a member. His wife had cancer a few years ago and got a priesthood blessing, and the next day at the doctor, the tumor was gone. Then, Eric got cancer and he got a priesthood blessing, but he still has cancer and is going through it right now. I know he wants to be baptized, but has some doubts. So we're gonna fill those in with a whole lot of faith!! He's progressing because he wants to go to the temple. Sister Call and I are so excited to continue to teach him and help him through! There are a couple more progressing, but I don't have much time left. Clinton is so prepared, it's such a blessing!

     We had zone training this week which was pretty good. They talked about keeping Christ in Christmas and how the world is trying to take him out of it. So NEVER say X-mas again. Because it's like you're crossing out Christ. That just blew my mind a little bit. This week has been a little less finding people, and having more appointments with those that are progressing. Which is so exciting!! The Elders that were here before us, are now in Warsaw. But, I just feel like they need Sisters. Plus, they can't be as mean to us cause we're girls, which is nice. But seriously, I am so blessed to be here in Clinton. I see the Work right in front of me and all I want to do is harvest all these people wanting to know more about our Savior! I love the people like crazy. We went to this one lady's trailer who was a less active, but it was quite an adventure. She didn't have any teeth, and she had her dogs on her bed (they might have had fleas or something) and they pooped and peed on it while we were visting with her. It was quite the experience. But I couldn't help, but love her and just want to help her. I also drove out to one of the small towns in our area with sister call and Sister Stock the bishop's wife to visit some people this week. While visiting one of the members, her 40 year old daughter came out tripping on meth and had soiled herself.. as she talked in murmurs. The Spirit was not there. I'm so grateful for the Gospel in every commandment, doctrine, and principle. We are trying to help her the best we can with visiting teachers and fellowshiping. It just made me realize how truly blessed I am, and now I'm out here to help others come unto Christ and recieve salvation. 

     Which was what my talk was on this week! I didn't have as much time to prepare my talk this week because we were so busy, but I did my best and worked really hard and prayed my guts out. I know the Spirit helped me say what I need to say. I talked for 15 minutes without looking at my talk, always finding the words to say. I've never experienced that. I never knew I could do that. I felt so amazing as I sat down. Because I knew, as I was obedient and asked my Heavenly Father to help me to find the words to say, he filled my mouth. I am so grateful and so uplifted! This week we have a mission conference in Independence and I get to see my friends from the MTC and we're singing White Christmas and another song with my zone for the program. I'm so excited!!!! Tis' the season! I'm so grateful for this Gospel and all that it has given me. I'm here to spread the glorious news that Our Savior's church is restored!! I have never felt so much purpose in my life. I'm so blessed. Have a great week and love one another!!

Love,

Sister Penman

Hey Everyone!

     I finally made it to Missouri!!!! Holy cow. This week has been a little crazy. I'll tell you all about it... On Tuesday I made it to the airport with the rest of my district and zone. They were all going to Idaho. So when it was time, (after I grabbed a cinnamon and sugar Auntie Anne's pretzel at the airport) I said goodbye (awkwardly shook hands) and went to my gate all by myself! I really should have been nervous going by myself, but it didn't matter to me haha. I got on the plane and sat next to these 3 burly duck dynasty looking guys. They were from Logan and they were going to Arkansas to go fishing with his brother. One of the guys hadn't ever been on a plane! It was hilarious. They were really nice guys. I talked to them the whole time (besides a 30 min. nap in between converstions). They were like "Well, if no one comes and picks you up you can just go fishing with us today!!" I was dying. When I got off the plane, two older sisters were there to pick me up. As I was leaving, the three duck dynasty guys said goodbye and good luck! It kind of made me want to go fishing haha. After I was picked up from the airport, the two sisters took me to the mission house and I met the President and his wife. They were really nice! So all is good with that. I then got some Wendy's, and went to Warrensburg to meet my companion! I got there, and my companion Sister Call, had another sister with her! Her name was Sister Boswell. For the past two weeks, she was my replacement. She's 17 years old!!!!! And when I was interviewed by President Keyes, he's like "You have big shoes to fill".. I was like what the heck!!! A 17 year old was showing me up haha. But, it's all good. We were a trio for a couple of days including Thanksgiving and we ate dinner with her huge family. Sister Boswell was the oldest of 10 kids and her dad was the stake president and all the kids names were names from the scriptures. Like Ester, Hyrum, Joseph, Ephraim, Jacob, and so on. It was kind of funny haha. But cool. She stayed with her family after dinner. Thanksgiving was delicious!

     I live in a place called Clinton, Missouri. I can't believe I live here hahaha. It's awesome! There is only one ward in Clinton and it spreads out to about 6-8 towns outside of it. The members are really nice. Our dinner calender is filled for December! It's a blessing. I love eating dinner with members. Clinton is very diverse! There is some ghetto, but also some beautifulllll homes here. I love the people because they're all so nice! We've been tracting alot lately because guess what? Sister Call and I are opening this area! There hasn't been sister missionaries here in 16 years! It's amazing. People say, tracting isn't successful, but here in Clinton, it works like a charm! We really have been trying to find people because the elders before us didn't make a whole lot of records. The area book basically had 1/2 of a page of potential investigators. So we have to go find everyone! But we've found SO MANY PEOPLE. We see miracles every day. I've only been here a week, but I know that Clinton and the towns surrounding it have so much potential. People are being prepared every day! I'm so stoked to bring everyone I can unto Christ!

     Missionary work is hard work haha. I know I wouldn't be able to it without my Heavenly Father. We wake up at 6:30, exercise a little, study for about 3 hours including the 12 week program and head out and do the things we planned for the day. Meet people, make some return appointments, do some service, and meet more people and go to bed around 10:30 or so. It seems very bland, but I can't describe to you the blessings we recieve by being obedient and trying our best. It's never a boring day and that's the way I like it! I'm here to do the Lord's work and I don't want to waste his time. Some the people are a little crazy, alot don't have teeth, most smoke, and some stink a teensy bit, but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else! Haha I love it. I'm learning so much. Helping others is one of the most wonderful feelings and we get to do it every day!!!! My companion is Sister Call. She is from from Newport, California. She has been a Visitor's Center sister for her whole mission and this is her first time going full pros. But she's amazing!! She has so much knowledge. She went to Jerusulem for BYU and studied the Gospel like crazy before her mission. Plus she's a second grade teacher. She's 24. So you know, she can REALLY teach a lesson. I look up to her alot. She also makes me realize that I have a lot to learn haha which is good because I do! She has a strong personality, but really nice. And she's EXACTLY obedient. Which takes some getting used to.. which sounds bad haha, but one time in the car (yes we have a beautiful 2014 chevy car) I was eating some Smarties and she's like "I don't want to have to tell you this, but we can't eat in the car". She said it really nice! But it was funny because I wouldn't even think twice about those things, but I know as I'm exactly obedient, I will recieve the blessings and help I need to help others and to teach with the Spirit. It'll just take some getting used to!! 

     I'm feeling all better. Life is great here in Clinton. There is so much work to be done and it's great because the ward members want to help to! This is an amazing time as we're hastening the work! I'm so blessed to be here. Please pray that I will have the Spirit with me as I teach this week and pray that I'll be able to know what to say for my 15 min talk this Sunday. It's like they think I'm an adult or something! The town square is filled with Christmas lights and there are banners along the streets that say "Christmas in Clinton". I know this church is the the restored Gospel Jesus Christ taught on this earth. He is my Savior and I know that is true. Through him, we can have eternal families, become like our Father in Heaven, and live with him again. I feel so much peace and joy because of this knowledge. Do your best to share it with others! It is the best message anyone can recieve. I love you all! Have an amazing week preparing for Christmas and enjoying the season that comes with it. 

#ChristmasInClinton

Sister Penman