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