February 3, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

     Another week down, and it's been great. Not as successful numbers wise as past weeks, but we've seen some serious miracles! I'll tell you in a second... I just wanted to tell you that last p-day we got to go to Warrensburg and spend the day with the elders and sisters in my zone and it was AWESOME. We played black light volleyball, the game 'Bang", and finally.. soccer!!!! Halelujah. I had so much fun. I can't wait until it gets warmer so I can go running outside in the morning instead of doing "stretches" and a few leg lifts and squats here and there... haha. I don't know if you've noticed, but it gets kind of chilly here in the midwest. But point is, last p-day got me super pumped for the week. 

      We have been so blessed recently with appointments, we hardly have time to find new investigators! However, we had a solid 10-20 minutes to spare inbetween our appointment and dinner. So instead of finding random stuff to do, we decided to 'thrust in our sickle' and tract a little. It was actually pretty funny. The first four houses pretty much slammed the door in our face.. One man said he was a preacher at the southern baptist church and said that he reads the bible everyday and that we should read it. As he proceeded to slam the door, Sister Call said, "I read the Bible this morning!" haha people just have no idea. But, Sister Call and I were a little distraught. Isn't that pathetic? The Elders always get doors slammed!! I have to admit, being a Sister is quite glorious. However, we didn't let it get to us. So we decided on another house. There we met this couple named Brittanny and Nathan (probably 19 or 20) and they said they would like us to come back and teach their kids... miracle! I have such a testimony in not getting discouraged. Sometimes I feel inadequate in my knowledge of the Gospel compared to others. But you know what? That's just Satan trying to get in my mind and tell me that I'm not good enough! No. I know that I can help people come unto Christ. My knowledge will come with study and time, but I know I have an unwavering testimony and I love people. And I know the Spirit will help me remember the doctrine. I'm so grateful for that promise.

      Guess what? Eric Schweitzer is getting baptized on February 14th!!!!! I'll make sure to send pictures. It's crazy. We haven't been able to get ahold of him and his wife (who is a member) for about 2 weeks, but when we finally caught them at home, Sister Schweitzer said that he's been planning on it. So know we're just buckling down to get his lessons done so he can be ready. He's investigated the church for yearssss so he already knows it all and has a really solid testimony. I'm so excited! 

      Kye is also doing great. We watched the Restoration with her and talked about how Joseph received an answer through church, scripture study, and prayer and how that is central to gaining a testimony. Sister Quinnlley (her fellowship) was really surprised to see our plans for the lesson because she said that Kye had been asking alot of questions about prayer. I know that the Spirit really inspires missionaries to know what to teach and how we can meet their needs! I love it. Kye was planning on coming to church yesterday, but of course, it was cancelled. Saturday and Sunday were another set of 'ice days'. Saturday we were 'grounded' inside; however, Sunday the Bishop's family came and picked us up and we had sacrament with their 7 kids in their home and had a testimony meeting. I had never experienced that before. I felt like I was a pioneer! I'm so grateful for the sacrament. As well, that night we had a breakfast dinner with the Wood's and the Jensen's. I love those families so much! They made us a billion crepes and different fillings for Sister Call's last Sunday. Yeah. Wierd. And I forgot to mention, I'm training... Ahhh!!! Transfers are on Thursday so by next Monday I'll let you know who my new companion is! On Saturday, when we were inside, we were updating records while watching the pioneer movie Legacy. The couple in that movie proabably kisses like 5 times!!! It was so awkward... haha nooooo it's the missionary curse!!! Sister Call has been freaking out a little about boys... bless her heart. 

       This week really has been a week filled with miracles. Working hard, but having fun while we do it. I'm so grateful to have had Sister Call as my trainer. Everyone in the mission likes to remind me haha cause I know she is one of the best missionaries. I've been blessed. I love my Savior and I'm so grateful for His Atonement for me. We recite D&C 4 every morning and I'm so grateful to be a missionary at the time when the work is being hastened. Don't forget, 'If ye have a desire to serve God, ye are called to the work' and I know the Lord will help us in our shortcomings because I've experienced it. I love you all and I hope you have a great week!

Love, 

Sister Penman

Sister Call and I; Kathy and Paul (We're trying to think of a sitcom name to go with that picture)