March 3, 2014

Good morning Everyone!

  

     I hope you guys had a great week! I sure did. It was a little different than last week, however. We went to the Battaglia's, our friends/investigators house, for dinner this past Wednesday (Halelujah! Because of the weather this winter we haven't been able to make it over there in a month!) and we had dinner and a lesson on the Plan of Salvation. It was so great. Sam is a member, but his wife Susan is not. Brother Battaglia is always saying 'don't worry we're gonna get her baptized!' But he hasn't come to church in a while. We invited them to come to church this Sunday, but he said that they will.. soon... Not the answer I want to hear dangit!! jk but seriously. We're doing our best to help them to take a leap of faith. I think we need to get them the right member present. We'll be working on that this week. That night, however, we had soup with them and the next morning poor Sister Laycock thought she was going to die. I guess beef bouleon cubes have wheat in them? She was not in good shape considering she was in the fetal position for hours that day. I felt hopeless! Luckily the Elders came up from Warsaw and gave her a blessing.. People are going to start thinking I'm trying to kill my companera. 

      The rest of the week was pretty good though! We taught Megan M a couple times this week which was great. She's been reading the Book of Mormon in between our visits! She's progressing so well. At the beginning of last week we were planning on teaching her Chastity. And let me tell you. We were nervous. Not to teach it, but what her reaction would be. She has been with her boyfriend Chris for about 6 years and has a cute boy named Bradley. But, as we discussed the commandment, you could see Megan truly listening and then she mentioned an experience she had while at the jewelry store with Chris's family that past week and that his family got her a 'mother's ring' and at one point she turned to the engagement rings and she got chills...I'LL TAKE IT! We invited her to discuss it with Chris and so now we just have to follow up because if she says he wants to, we're just going to give them a calender and have them pick a date next month! Be bold right? ha We'll see how it goes. 

      Megan K this week was brutal. She was progressing so well last week, reading in between visits, and really seeing her faith growing. But this past week, as we talked about Keeping the Sabbath Day holy, it all crumbled. We really felt good about teaching that because she has been having a hard time coming to church, so we thought we'd discuss why it's important. The lesson seemed to start well, but after while, we asked her 'Why do you feel it is important to come to church?' and then it all went down hill. She went on to say that she didn't feel like it was important and then eventually as Sister Laycock and I were doing our best to follow the Spirit, asking inspired questions, and after 30 minutes, we got down to the root. She ended up saying that she doesn't even know if God and Jesus Christ are real. umm WHAT. I was so frustrated. What the heck have we been doing the past 3 months if she doesn't even have faith? But, after I punched a pillow or something, I got over it, and now we know how to help her progress. To help her truly see that God is our loving Heavenly Father and that Jesus Christ is our Savior. I'll keep you updated.

     Although some of our week was a little different, we did have a miracle! We taught Chuck this week at the library (he's gone to church 3 times without even having a lesson). We taught the Restoration and he said he's been reading the Book of Mormon since the 70's! We invited him to be baptized and he set a date for March 29th. Yeah. Heavenly Father just likes to throw His prepared children at us. 

      We taught Anne Scott this week with her family and Randy (her dad's who is not a member) really participated and asked alot of questions. More than I have ever heard since we've been teaching Anne. It was awesome. Also Anne's 9 year old little sister Hailey wants to get baptized too so that's SWEET. They just need to talk to their real mom in Arizona about it. They have a hard time talking to her so we'll be praying they have the courage. I love the Scott's so much.

      One more thing, JESSICA SCOTT IS GETTING BAPTIZED ON MARCH 8TH, this Saturday. Yes it's happening. We have been visiting and teaching her every day this past week and she has been coming to church consistently. What a miracle. I love her! 

      Church was cancelled because of the ice yesterday. I'm starting to get jealous of my friends in Guam and Chile.... Jk! I love it out here ice and all! I am so grateful to be a missionary at this time when the work is truly hastening and to have friends serving around the world with me. There isn't a better feeling. Missionary work is not easy. If it was, it wouldn't be called work. But I know, that as I put my faith in the Lord and work my hardest that my Heavenly Father will be proud of me. And I just want to make Him proud. I love you guys!! Have a great week! 

Con Amor,

Sister Penman

Sister Laycock made me a 3 course meal!!! I love her.. She is going to kill me... haha