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