July 28, 2014
Good morning everyone!

     Hope it's been a good week. This past week was transfers for us. I'm still in Overland Park 2nd ward with Sister Champagne! This will be my 3rd transfer here and I had 4 in Clinton. Everyone says I'm only going to have 3 areas haha. I don't mind at all. The longer you stay, the more you get to know the members and are able to gain their trust! I'm meeting life long friends here which is so awesome. Want to know a couple of cool facts? Tonsss of missionaries went home this last transfer. It was all the sisters that left right after the age changed, so, I expect a dramatic rise in marriages this winter. I am still the Sister Training Leader in my area which has been going really well. I am over 3 sets of sisters in 2 zones. One of the sisters is training after 12 weeks just like me except her companion really wants to go home :( I've been working with both of them for a few days now and she visited President Vest yesterday and so now she is going to stay at least til the end of the transfer. It makes me so sad to see sisters struggle. 

     Although it's not our Priesthood obligation to serve, it is an experience that is irreplaceable. I know that with the Lord's help and guidance, she'll be able to know that there are things that she needs to learn for her own spiritual growth, but also blessings for her future family! This time to serve is sacred and I'm so grateful for it. Especially with the experiences that I've had the last week. 

       Last Sunday we visited a part member family, the Crapos. We felt prompted to visit them that night and we were able to meet the wife's mom, who is a member from Idaho, who was in town for just a couple of weeks. They went to the husband's christian church that morning and we talked about the Gospel and we shared a scripture in the Book of Mormon and how it related to them. Near the end, Jessica, the wife, told us that she loves I Stand All Amazed. So we sang that to close. The grandma told us as we were about to leave that she was feeling really down because she was missing the her lds church today and that it was heaven's sent that we stopped by and she said that she was grateful that we had followed a prompting. 

      Another experience happened on Wednesday. We decided that we should try one of the unknowns on our ward roster named Starlene Johnson. I had never met her or caught her at home ever since I've been here. So reluctantly, not expecting her to be home again.. We knocked on the door and a few moments later, two ladies answer the door. I was really surprised, but they were almost scared silly! They kept saying, "Oh my gosh. This is a miracle." They invited us into the empty apartment and they went on to tell us that they had only stopped by for a couple of hours to check on a leak in the apartment and that Starlene had moved out months ago. And while they were here they were talking about the Gospel and how they wanted to start going back to church. And then we knocked on the door. They talked about the trials that they have faced within the last few years and about the 8 deaths in their family and how they knew they needed God. We testified of the Plan of Salvation and God's love for them. We have an appointment to meet with them this week so they can start coming back to church!

      I know that the Lord was aware of Jessica's mom, and Star & Alyce Johnson. And definitely aware of me. Whenever I feel discouraged, He always sends angels to remind me that He knows and that He is there. I invite you guys to remember that when things aren't going according to plan, to be consonance of the Spirit so that it can comfort you and direct you. I know that this is Christ's work and that I get to have a part in it's hastening. I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior. I love my little brother Shaun who will be turning in his mission papers this week. I am so proud of him for the choice that he has made. I'm so excited to hear where he goes. Watch out, the Penman's are out!!! Talk to you next week!

Love, 

Sister Penman

Sister Sommer is transferred to..... KC 1st to serve with Sister Beard!!! What the heck those punks are going to tear it up! 

The zone leaders think they're so funny....