June 9, 2014
Hey Family and Friends!

     How are things going on your guys' neck of the woods? It's going really good over here. We were on foot all week so we really could enjoy the woods. Did you know it's actually green here? They have all 2 seasons. It's so beautiful. The only trouble is it gets humid here and I'm not too fond of it haha. Last week we had P-day at the stake center again and played sports with the other missionaries. That's always fun. Tuesday we went to Farmstead and this time all we did was pack snacks into little dixie cups and make the other missionaries lunches... yeah. But then we visited with the Brackett's who were a less active couple, but now are fully active. We visit them every once in a while to keep encouraging them. They are going to Temple Prep classes starting next week! Yay! Wednesday was Mission Leadership Council meeting. President Keyes counseled us on transitioning with the new Mission President. It was pretty sad, but I'm excited for the Vests! I'll help train on it in a couple of weeks. We were also able to teach our investigator Dan this week too! We taught him about the Plan of Salvation. It was really awesome to see him open up. He has this thing where he doesn't like to look at people when they are talking because he says he can't focus, but this week he talked a lot and made eye contact! We were talking about the Book of Mormon and he he was like "Yeah, I don't like the Bible too much... it has been changed a lot. I think I'll stick more to the Book of Mormon." umm OK sweet!!!! He texted us later on in the week tellingus he had a question about Ether 3:6 about the brother of Jared. And he said he got work off and all he had to do was buy a new tie and new shoes! Sadly, he didn't make it to church this week. We were really excited, but we will see what happened this Wednesday at our next appointment!

     Want to know something funny? Sister Beard and I were walking home one night and there was a car that drove past us and yelled, 'Sisters!' We walked a little farther and they ended up turning around and pulling off to the side and parked. Inside the car were 2 ridiculously good looking returned missionaries, one from Florida and the other from Tennessee. They asked a little about ourselves and the ward that we served in and then basically asked if we wanted to go get ice cream. After a couple seconds of laughing I said that had better start walking home because we were going to be late. They left soon after... I just want to testify of how much I have changed hahaha Sister Beard and I were cracking up the rest of the walk home. 

      Later on in the week we were walking and we got caught in a rainstorm. I looked like a rag doll and my mascara was on my cheeks. So we had to make a pit stop before visiting a less active's home to CVS to pat ourselves dry. It didn't really work haha. On Sunday night we were having a hard day finding people home, but we decided to visit Chris (the romanian guy we met about a month ago) he was talking about how he has been working so much and hasn't had time to read the Book of Mormon we gave him, but he said he wanted us to meet his wife and his kids and that he would make us Romanian food! It was a miracle! I'm so glad the Lord softens hearts. 

       I'm so grateful to be a missionary and to serve here. I love my Heavenly Father for the plan that he has lovingly given us. A path to guide our lives. I love you guys. The church is true! Talk to you later!

Love, 

Sister Penman