April 28, 2014

Hey Everyone!

     Hope you guys have a had a good week! We've had alot of great things happen this past week. I'm so grateful to be out here in Clinton and to teach so many of our Heavenly Father's children! We had our Warrensburg Stake Conference this Saturday and Sunday. They focused alot on Family History, Temples, and some Missionary Work. The whole stake made a goal to find 10,000 'cousins' and do their work in the temple. Have you seen that video? I think it was made by Family Search. It's a little cheesy, but it has a great message. They have encouraged the youth to go onto Puzzilla.org and use that to find, if not our direct decendents, our 'cousins'. I think it was awesome! I've never felt so pumped to do Family History! It was one of the Young Woman that gave a talk on that. It reminded me about when I was asked to bear my testimony along with Zac in our Stake Conference a couple years ago. I thought I was going to pee my pants. The youth are so amazing these days! Also, our stake building couldn't hold enough people so we had the conference in Hendrick's Hall at the UCM campus. That was sweet! You guys would love it here right now. It's SO beautiful. Within a week, there is grass and flowers everywhere and the trees have leaves! I've only been here so long as a winter and I've never seen it so beautiful! I'm really excited about that. Also yesterday we had a tornado watch which is pretty sweet. In Missouri we don't have spring showers, we have spring rainstorms and floods, but the soil just soaks it all up! I'm not used to that.. anyway, the weather is awesome haha. 

      We were able to do quite a bit this week! On Tuesday we went to the Liberty Jail and Independence Visitors' Center with Sister Stock and Mia (the Elders recent convert). It was so great to see Mia enjoy the history of the early saints. She has some disabilites, but she's a total sweetie. We are really trying to help her get enveloped by the ward. It's just so hard because she lives in Warsaw and she will NOT move. Her trailer is not nice, and she lives in a scary area, but she is determined. Well, so are we! haha She needs to move to Clinton so we can help her, but we won't give up and we will continue to help her the best that we can.

      Wanna know something awesome? We met with the Battaglia's this week and they are doing great. Sister Battaglia read a little bit out of the Book of Mormon last week, but we were able to discuss the importance of that, praying, and coming to church that we were able to commit them to doing that as a couple every day and coming to church next Sunday! Ah I'm so excited! Also, we taught her Chastity and the Word of Wisdom and she commited to living both laws. However, Brother Battaglia has a hard time with the Word of Wisdom, but I felt prompted to be a little bold and let him know, after talking to Sister Battaglia, that she is doing great, but she needs his leadership and encouargement because she wants him to baptize her. I think it really sparked something in him. He knows of his priesthood responsiblities, but it has just been awhile since he realized the importance of it. We're following up today and I can't wait!

     We also were able to teach Chuck this past week. He has been out of town in Oklahoma alot because he has a farm there and he has been working really hard on it. We taught him about Temples and Family History and invited him to set a new baptism date. We had mentioned May 3rd. However, after a second he said, "That seems like a while away, is there any way we could do it sooner?" haha. He's so prepared! We were going to do it sooner, specifically on April 25th, but he wanted to do it at10am that Friday. And the Priesthood and members were all going to be at work! So we called him later and reset it for May 2nd at 5pm. So that is going to be great! He's going to make such a strength to the ward in Clinton. I'm just a little nervous at this point. Transfers are this week and I have no idea what is going to happen! If I leave, I would miss his baptism by a day and that would be pretty lame.. but, I have been here for 6 months. A third of my mission. Sooo people keep telling me I'm out of here. But, I know whatever happens, it is the Lord's will and I trust him. It'll be interesting to do something new :)

     Something crazy. One day last week we went to teach Amy. We were sitting on the couch with her and her adopted grandson Ashton talking about the scriptures and we were starting our lesson on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and had asked Ashton to read a verse out of the Book of Mormon when Amy's mom who is sitting on the couch, starts saying. "Don't you do this Amy!" and something else along those lines. Amy spoke quietly and told us her Mom had talked to her yesterday about meeting with us and about the Book of Mormon and how she doesn't want it in the house.. They went along talking about us.. right in front of us.. however, it was the most incredible experience. Amy went on saying such humbling things that she had been feeling and how she has needed something and she doesn't know what it is. Defending us left and right. 9 year old Ashton even pipped in and said, "Grandma! We believe it ok?!" After a minute or two we decided it would be best to reschedule for another day. We walked outside with Amy and she told us about how she was having a rough day and had been crying alot and then she went to go on her phone and the video 'Because of Him' we had shown her a couple days ago had popped up and she said that never happens. She began to weep. I am so grateful for the Spirit in leading Sister Call and I to her 4 months ago. While I was on exchanges in Warrensburg, the large print Book of Mormon I ordered her came in the mail and Sister Laycock and Christensen were able to drop it off and follow up. She told them that she told her mom that she is going to continue on having us over and that she can just leave the room if she wants to haha. She was excited to finally start reading. I'm so excited for her!

     There was alot more that had happened this week. We met with Anne and Hailey again for the first time in a while because of the holiday and such. Judy (her step-mom) told me that Anne said she NEEDS to have weekly appointments with us or she'll go crazy haha. Anne is currently praying about a baptism date in May :) They are definitely one of my favorite families! I love them so much. Also, MATT GOT BAPTIZED yesterday! He has been going to church basically every sunday for the past year and he finally did it! (I think it helped to let him know that we didn't know what was going to happen at transfers so he needed to get baptized soon) haha. It was a great service. Now he just needs to go on a mission!

      Anyway, it has been a great week. Not an average week for sure, but nonetheless awesome! Alot of missionaries have been asking me recently if I've ever felt like I wanted to go home or if I've ever had a really hard time... I think it's because I smile alot or something... but, honestly I have never been so happy in my life. Even those this is the hardest thing I have ever done, I am so grateful for this service I can render for a solid 18 months. I cannot imagine my life without this experience. I love sharing the message of the Restoration and how everything refers back to that. I'm so grateful for my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for constantly reaching out and loving me and chastening me to be the missionary and woman he knows I can become. Only one year left. I love you guys and I'm so grateful for your example! Have a great week! This week is up in the air. Here goes nothing!

Love,

Sister Penman 

Pictures aren't loading this week. I'll have more next week! Love you!

April 21, 2014

Good Morning Ya'll!!

     Just kidding. That would be cool if I really did have a southern accent. People that live in Missouri don't really have accents. Except those that have been raised here say things like 'Warsh' instead of 'wash' or 'Warshington' instead 'Washington'. I'm not really sure why they do that, but it's all good haha. They also have a town here close by called 'Nevada', except they pronounce it like 'Na-vay-duh'. Yeah, that's real. It kind of drives me crazy. I think it's worse than 'Nu-vah-duh'... But anyway! Haha I hope everyone had a great Easter weekend and spring break! Just thinking about having free time freaks me out.. haha It has been an awesome week here in Clinton! For heaven's sake, Kye Acheson is officially baptized!! 

     On Saturday Sister Laycock and I got ready and headed to Sister Quinnelly's house to help her clean cook for Kye's Luncheon afterwards. Sis. Laycock made a gluten-free strawberry cake. It turned out really good! Then I made lemon bars :) I think they turned out really good! Sister Quinnelly was impressed and she even told me that they were the best lemon bars she's ever had! She's Italian and an amazing cook so I felt content haha. She wouldn't even give me any leftovers because she wanted them haha. After we prepared for the luncheon we headed to the chapel where Kye got baptized! It was a great service. It was a smaller crowd this time because many of the members were helping Sister Messegee move (Our Relief Society president, when I first got here), but there was still plenty of people that loved and supported her! We then headed to the Quinnelly's and had lunch. It was such a great day. And then Sunday after our church at 9am, we went to her YSA ward's sacrament to see her recieve the Holy Ghost and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. And then a little afterwards, the ward sustained her as the new Relief Society Secratary! She is so solid. I love her so much. 

      The rest of the week was kind of crazy. I ended up going to Visitors' Center Training for two days. Inbetween the trainings on Tuesday and Wednesday. I learned alot! We worked in the Independence VC and prosylyted the remainder of the day in the Independence within Sister Erikson and Sister Fanua's area. It was so interesting to be in a city doing missionary work! I'm so used to the country! But it was a really good experience because I don't think I'll be in Clinton forever.. unfortunately.. haha I always thought that the Visitors' Centers were so scary, but I feel like Heavenly Father was trying to reassure me (He tends to do that alot) that I would be ok. I'm grateful for the Spirit who is truly the Comforter. Maybe someday I serve there. I'm in no rush :)

     The rest of the week included teaching some our investigators. Our numbers weren't too hot this week, but it's not always about that. We had a great Zone Conference! It was President and Sister Keye's last zone conference before they leave because next month is interviews. So the whole mission is going to the temple on the 29th of May to do endowments. That'll be awesome. I'm anxious to see how the next mission president is going to be. I know he'll do great! Inbetween a bunch of random things this week, we were able to meet with Megan M and teach her more about the Restoration because we felt like she needed to remember the Spirit that comes with learning about the Restoration. It had been since December since we taught her that last. I know that really helped her. She has been reading the Book of Mormon so well. She went out of town for Easter to see her family, but I know she is planning on coming to church. That is what she needs. Also, we dropped by Amy's house this past week to teach her, but her granddaughter and her boyfriend were there cleaning so I asked if we could help! We did, and were able to teach Arial and Jonathan about the Book of Mormon inbetween sweeping and dusting. You do what you got to do :) they are sophomores so they didn't seem especially interested, but Amy told us yesterday, when we visited her on Easter, that she asked Jonathan if he had read it yet and he said he hadn't picked it up and she went on to say, "He has no excuse! I would read it if I could see it!" I am buying her a large print Book of Mormon as we speak haha. We are also teaching her grandson Ashton who is 9 or so this week because while we were cleaning, he finally went up to us and found out that we weren't scary! The first or second thing he said to us that day was "I'm not getting baptized!" He didn't have the best mother growing up and I think he saw too many scary movies... But I know amazing things are going to happen with this family. Please pray for them so their hearts can continue to be softened! I'm so excited!

     There are so many things I am grateful for. Especially for my Savior. #BecauseOfHim we can live with God again, our families forever, be clean from our mistakes and imperfections. I'm grateful for the sacrament to remind me every week of his loving sacrifice and why I was baptized myself. I still remember that day. The baptism is vague, but I can clearly see myself sitting in that metal chair having the men and fathers I love, lay their hands on my head and give me the blessing of the gift of the Holy Ghost. I know I remember that for a reason. That peace I felt is timeless and eternal as I live worthy of it and I stive to be that daughter of God every day. Love you guys so much. Have a great week!

Love, 

Sister Penman 

April 15, 2014

Dear Fam and Friends,

     Is it too early to say Happy Easter? Never! Hope you guys have a great holiday and eat lots of peeps and reeses' eggs (my personal favorite). However, don't forget the Savior this weekend! I'm so grateful for this time of year to remind us of the importance and the reality of His resurrection. He is my ultimate role model and I strive to be more like him every day. Something I've been working on this week has been the Christ-like attribute of Patience. I used to think I had a lot of patience (especially compared to my brother Shaun, no offense Shauny boy ;) but, if there is anything I've learned this week it is that, we can constantly be improving. This short mission we are able to embark on can change us completely if we let it! We must rely on the Savior so that He can make 'weak things strong' and even our strengths, stronger than before! What a blessing.

     I guess I'm going to start off with bad news. Chuck wasn't able to get baptized this past Friday... Bishop tried calling him earlier the morning of his baptism to let him know that he wasn't able to be there because he was still out of town for work, but he wouldn't answer. And then Chuck finally replied and told him 'He had an emergency and he needed to reschedule'. We tried to get ahold of him the remainder of the day, but he never contacted us back. So Friday was kind of depressing. The Elders (Simonsen and Nielson) drove up all the way from Warsaw to fill the font and help with the baptism. It was really nice of them. But after everything was cancelled, we all had dinner that night with the Stock's (Bishop's family). So it turned out to be ok. We ended up going over to his house yesterday with Bishop and Sister Stock and he was definitely a little loopy. I guess he had fallen off his combine and popped out a few disks in his back thinking he could jump off no problem... Dangit Chuck! It's ok though. At this point he is just adjusting and healing, and he'll be back to it in no time. But please keep him in your prayers because he has had problems in the past with prescribed medicine and I know Satan won't let up on him because he's going to be an amazing member! I'll keep you updated. 

     Megan M has been dong so great!! We were able to meet with her a couple times this week to teach her more. We pretty much have taught her all the missionary lessons, but some people progress slower than others and there's nothing wrong with that! She texted us yesterday telling us she had read 6 chapters in 1 Nephi and she was so excited. We visited her the next day and she showed us certain scriptures that she had highlighted because she had felt the Spirit really strong when she read them! I am so excited for her. We reminded her with love about Chastity and how Bishop could totally do her wedding! And she said it might be going the other way, but she'll let us know.. Poor girl! She is in the middle of making some really big decisions in her life. She needs the prayers and thoughts as well. Megan K is doing well. You can tell she is progressing, but at a very slow rate, especially without the support of her husband. We are in the middle of getting him some solid home teachers since he is a member.

      Jessica G is doing great. However, her boyfriend just moved in with her. So that's another wall to tackle. But I know as she is feeling the Spirit and wants to change so we just need to need to help her to see the importance of this commandment. What I want to know is why our investigators have so many issues with the Law of Chasity!! Out of all the commandments! But it's all good haha. They are still growing. We visited Darlene this week as well. She is such a sweet old black lady! Her son who is retiring, with his wife, is builiding a home right behind her. We were able to meet them as well. Emanuel and Keisha. Sometimes I wish I was like them. They're so cool! They all go to the baptist church and she loves it, but I know all we need to do is get her to read the Book of Mormon and she'll be hooked. 

      We had some other appointments as well. It was a pretty solid week. It's just the best feeling when you teach and serve others. On the topic of service, however, this weekend we did quite a bit! We helped Sister Quinnelly get her backyard ready by raking up all the leaves and power washing her porch and picking all the weeds. I was assigned the sitting area and Sister Quinn said it looked amazing and that I seemed to be a perfectionist. That's new!! I'll be ready to clean up the cabin, Grandpa :) I'm still sore! It's a little pathetic haha. Also, on Saturday we went to dinner with the Camden's in Chilhowee and we went to Roger and Debbie's place and watched them milk goats and see the little baby goats. It was awesome! I think it's really helping to be around them and help them to know we're normal people! In time. We also went over to the Camdens and helped them with a couple of chores before dinner. We collected eggs, fed the horses, kissed a llama, sat in an amish buggy, fed the rabbits, MILKED A GOAT (yeah I milked a goat), and then Sister Laycock and I castrated a couple of goats. And then they fed us soup all made out canned items. Including rabbit meat. However, I saw three little hearts in my soup so I pushed them to the side. That kind of freaked me out a little haha. Anyway, it was quite an adventurous week.

      Now, Sister Laycock and I are going to P-day it up. We don't have solid plans so we're just going to go with the flow. Just the way I like it. But we're definitely going to the mexican restaurant for sure :)  As well, tonight Sis L and I are driving up to Independence tonight because I have Visitors Center training on Tuesday and Wednesday morning. So we'll see how that goes. I guess all the VC sisters will be going. And I am full pros and VC so I guess I'm invited! And then we have zone conference on Thursday and then Kye's baptism on Saturday, and Easter Sunday will be her confirmation! Does it get any better? I'm so grateful to be a missionary at this time. I love the people I get to teach and the opportunity I have to help them to come to a knowledge of the restored Gospel. I know these things are true with all my heart. I hope you guys have a great holiday and look for the blessings in every day. Talk to you soon!

Love,

Sister Penman 

Dear Family and Friends,

Another great week in the Mid-west! Would you call Missouri mid-west? I don't know, but it really was awesome. It wasn't the average week, however. On Wednesday we had a combined zone training and we had to give trainings on the talks that were given at leadership conference. I gave 3 trainings. I wish I could tell you that it was easy and that I was so comfortable up at the front, but let me tell you. Training other missionaries is way harder than teaching people the Gospel! I was so nervous. But I was grateful for the Spirit that afternoon that comforted me in my time of stress. I know all of our callings are inspired. I trust the Lord with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. Something that I continue to learn every week is the power of trusting God. As we are continually doing our best to be worthy and follow the promptings of the Spirit, Heavenly Father will always build us up and help us to become the person He knows we can be. I know that is true.

We were able to meet a few less actives that we haven't been able to contact in a while, like Sister Vanderslice and Sister Frankin. They are both very sweet older ladies. We are doing our best to find out what they need so they will have a desire to come back to church. They both smoke and I think that that is part of the reason they refrain from coming to church. That is so hard for me to see. The church is made up of imperfect people. Once we start to think we are not worthy to come to church, we need it more than ever! I was so grateful to hear the General Conference addresses this weekend that emphasized the importance of Charity and serving others. Specifically President Monson's talk. "Why are our families the target of our harsh words?" Please forgive me family, I love you! If we continue to remember the things that our Prophet taught on Sunday, I know we will see those that have not been participating in our wards actively, growing their faith in our Savior and feeling His love from the members. They will come back!

 

Something crazy that happened last week? We went to teach one of our investigators, Jessica Gowin and her friends Jordan and Steven one afternoon and when we came in the door, there was 2 more people! Shade (Jessica's boyfriend) and Ashley (Jordan's 'friend'). And then Jordan picked up another one of his friends. So it was basically like a classroom, it was crazy. And they were all expecting us! haha We were able to watch the Joseph Smith movie which definitely brought the Spirit and then Sister Laycock and I bore testimony of the Restoration and then a lot of them had questions. Long story short, it was great! Shade and Ashley also wanted a Book of Mormon. And we are planning on teaching them as well! Sister Call.. I know you're reading this.. want to know something crazy? The friend Jordan brought over during the movie was a guy named Alex and he went on to tell us that he already had a Book of Mormon and that we already had his number... I was so confused. I looked through my planner and he's like, "No, it's in your phone!" He said his name was Alex Hunter.. WHAT!? Alex was a guy that had texted us back in January after we had talked to his friend about the Gospel while street contacting. He asked a lot of Gospel questions and showed Genuine interest, but we were not able to ever meet with him. Do you believe in coincidences? i don't. 

We were also able to teach Chuck this week with Bishop and Sister Stock which went great. We taught about tithing and fast offerings and at the beginning of the lesson, he's like 'Oh, i already know about tithing, it's 10% of what you make.' He went on to explain it more and said that he has done his research over the years.. haha he's awesome. We are doing our best to strengthen his testimony so that the temptations of Satan will not be too much. He hasn't been drinking Coffee and when we followed up with him last appointment, he said he didn't want to talk about it.. haha It's amazing to see the lifestyle changes people will make for the blessings of the restored Gospel! It's so real!

 

Megan K is about to burst, she should have her baby in less than a week! Kye is doing great. She is so cute. She already has been buying modest summer clothes and she watched General Conference with us on Saturday. She's the best. We haven't been able to meet with Amanda and Jasmine recently :( Anne Scott was out of town, however, Sister Battaglia is doing great. But we need to help her progress more because she is so ready! So we are going to visit her more than once a week even though she lives farther away. We are so excited for her!

 

Conference was SO GOOD!! I'm so grateful for the prophets, seers, and revelators we have on this earth today. I was uplifted and chastened as well! Which is always good :) I loved Gary E Stevenson's talk. We came to this earth to perform! I'm humbled to be out here and doing my best to perform for the Lord every day. I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior and the encouragement and love I feel from them. Life is so great. Have a great week everyone! I know I will!

Love,

Sister Penman

     My zone and my sweet 'sister missionaries' :) Sarah and Bella!

March 31, 2014

Dear Friends and Family,

     It has been a week filled with missionary work. I'm so grateful to be able to serve others and teach. I was able to go to a leadership conference this week with all the district leaders, zone leaders, and sister training leaders in the mission. I thought I was going to pee my pants. I didn't have to do anything except listen to the Spirit teach me through the talks that were given by a few missionaries, President Keyes, Sister Keyes, President Medina, President Hepworth, and other senior missionaries. Sister Rasmussen, a senior missionary, talked on the importance of having a 'rainbow' diet and exercising in the mornings. The average weight gain in the mission is 30 lbs... crap. They feed very fell in Missouri that's for sure. I almost wish I didn't have to worry about it like my friend David Winward. He's lost 45 lbs in Chile! Rock star. The talks and trainings were all on the missionary daily schedule and the importance of being obedient and being dilligent throughout the day. I was really grateful to be a part of it, even though I was the youngest sister there. I'm going to be training 3 of the topics in zone training this wednesday, so that'll be fun! Pray that I'll have the Spirit and convey the message the Lord wants me to give. One of them is on Dress and Grooming. I think I can nail that one. 

     We had wonderful appointments this week with our investigators. At the beginning of the week, we were teaching Jessica G (there are ALOT of Jessica's here!) the Plan of Salvation and a couple of her friends came in and had stopped talking for a second and then Jesssica said don't stop, they need to listen! So we told them what we were teaching and then Jordan asked us some deep questions.. I then felt prompted to teach him about the great apostacy and the Restoration of the Gospel through Joseph Smith. The Spirit was strong with these 20 year olds. After I introduced the Book of Mormon, Steven asked, 'Where can I get one of those?!' haha I know the Lord has a plan for these three. I'm excited to help them to come to a knowledge of their Savior. Jessica G was able to come to the General Women's Meeting and ice cream social last Saturday and she brought her 14 year old friend Rachelle with her as well! It was so perfect. Now we're working on helping them to come to church! Great things are in store.

     We were able to teach Megan K this week. She is progressing slowly, but she still has a desire to learn more and she continues to read. I really wish she would just get baptized already, but I suppose I can be patient... A miracle, however, happenned with her this week! She came to the General Women's Meeting on Saturday and brought her daughter Julia, and we didn't even make her!! She couldn't stay long (she's 9 months pregnant and should burst any day now) but she she still came. It was perfect :)

      We had planned for Chuck to be baptized last week, however, we failed to realize he drinks coffee when we taught Word of Wisdom last week. So his date has been rescheduled for the 11th of April. It's coming up! We're so excited for him. He's going to be such a great member and asset to the ward. 

     One of the best experiences this week was when Sister Laycock and I dropped by Amy's house and taught her the Restoration. The Spirit was so strong!! Amy has so much potential. When the lesson was closing, she asked us 'So if all the other churches have bits and pieces of the truth, does your church have all of the truth?' We pretty much were like, yeah exactly haha. She went on to say that it's a little scary to her. I asked her why and she said because all of it is so real... I know the Spirit that was there wasn't something she had felt very much in her life. I agree with her, the knowledge we have is a little intimidating, because it gives us the responsiblity to act on it.. But I cannot think of a greater peace in my life than when I am obeying God's commandments and following the example of my Savior! The joy is uncomprehensible!!

     We were also able to teach Sister Battaglia again!! Halelujah. It was about 3 weeks since we were able to meet. Her husband and her bought triple combinations and scripture markers and a case since we met with them last! We taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ using 2 Nephi 31. She is trying her best to remember the doctrine. But we told her to remember that it is most important to believe in the doctrine and have faith in the Savior and the knowledge will come. Faith will always be the foundation. I didn't know much of the doctrine before my mission, but I've had faith since I was baptized. I'm so grateful for that. Sister Battaglia and her husband are planning on going to the temple, so baptism is just the first step. I know it will be soon and they will recieve some important callings in the future :)

     Overall it's been a great week! I'm so blessed to be able to serve in this area. As much as we are harvesting, we are doing our best to continue to plant seeds. I was asked to speak in sacrament about preparing to serve a mission yesterday (they like to torture me) I think I have a fear of public speaking a little. Why didn't anyone tell me?! But, I was grateful to study and talk about the importance of it. I'm so proud of the boys at home that are preparing now, including my cute little brother Shaun. Encourage and build each other up. The Lord is preparing his fields for you! Tell Kolton congrats on Ohio, he's awesome! Love you guys. I know my Savior lives and this is his restored church. One thing that stuck out to me during the General Women's meeting was that 'keeping covenants brings happiness and peace into our homes'. I know that is true. Have a great week ya'll!! 

Love,

Sister Penman

Wierd fact: I ate duck eggs and the Camden's fed us a geese they ran over and killed when they were working on the ranch. And they fed us pork as well. I mostly had that, but the geese wasn't too bad! You can throw up later... :)

Pic- Sister Deidrich and I at the Leadership Conference! She was my first sister training leader. Crazy how time flies!