September 22, 2014

Happy P-day Everyone!

    I'm totally going to come home next year expecting Mondays to be awesome... oh well. For now they are! Hope you're having a good day so far :) this week has been really good. We were on foot all week so it was kind of a struggle to get around to the places we needed to be, but somehow, we were able to get there! I'm really grateful for the members that drove us to different areas when we had appointments. If you haven't asked the missionaries in your ward if they need rides, definitely let them know when you're available. It has been heaven-sent. We had a really cool experience on Saturday.

     We needed to get to the temple in the morning to teach a recent convert/friend named Danny his new member lessons and we could not FOR THE LOVE find a ride there. It wasn't until we called about 10 different people, that Sister Alexander called us to tell us that she had seen a couple of sister missionaries in the temple that knew us. And proceeded to tell us she was going to do more work in the temple, but felt like she needed to go and give us a call. We told her that we really needed a ride, and she was there in 10 minutes. That was something so small, but it made me realize how special the Spirit it. It's so easy to see the blessings in our lives when we are aware of the little things.

     Jenifer has been doing really good! We had a lesson on the Plan of Salvation with her this week and I know it makes sense to her. Now it just needs to go from her head to her heart, and she will want to act upon it! she's getting there. She wasn't able to come to church this week either which is kind of lame, but the General Women's Meeting is this Saturday! I know she will be going to that. If you haven't already, invite your friends and families that are women 8 and older. I know it's going to be a really amazing evening.

      Meet the Mormons is coming to theaters near you! Take your friends that aren't members! It's not a proselyting movie. Instead, it's to help our friends understand who we are! It's about a missionary mom, a football coach, professional woman kickboxer, and more. It'll be sweet. Our Mission President is going to be showing it to us next month!

      This week Sister Kaimarama and I both decided to work on a Christ-like attribute. I wanted to focus on diligence and she wanted to work on patience. Never let the Lord know what you are working on... he'll give it to you. Haha Just kidding... but seriously. He definitely tested us, but I am so grateful for it. It's not fun to be uncomfortable; however, it's definitely necessary for us to grow. I'm so grateful for the Savior, for the empowerment I receive when my desires are pure. He loves us so much. Never forget it. Have a great week!

Love you lots,

Sister Penman

September 15, 2014
Good Morning ya'll!

     Have I mentioned that it feels good to be back in Missouri? It's been a really great week. We had the car so we were really able to get around to all of our appointments and go to places that wouldn't be possible without the car. Want to know something crazy? On Saturday we went to the temple in the early morning around 10am to teach our friend Danny his new member lessons and who I saw? Some of my favorite people from Clinton! It was such a sweet experience. They're like my family down in there. Can't wait to hug them all! I'll send a pick of just a few of them. 

     I am so grateful to serve in Zion, and especially in my new area in NKC. I just want to mention a few miracles that happened. 

     First off, I'm so grateful to have Sister Kaimarama as my companion. We both have been working our tails off, and we already work so well together. This week we had Zone Training which was really good. The only problem is that I forgot my study journal so I can't remember some of those quotes that I like a lot haha. But, just know that is was good and our zone leaders did a great job. 

     This week we were able to teach a lot of people! The sisters in this area have been teaching Jenifer Lagana this the beginning of this year. She is so sweet. Her son, Jordan, 15, who is autistic, got baptized earlier this year in February and her mom was less active for over 30 years and started coming back to church at the beginning of the year. On Wednesday we had an appointment with Jenifer and her son Jordan was able to be there for it. We taught her about the Book of Mormon and how and why it is important. During the lesson Jenifer asked Jordan, "How did you know that it was true?". The Spirit was so strong as he talked about first sitting down with the sister missionaries. How he knew that they were servants of the Lord. There was something different about them. He told about his experience when he got baptized and how much it has changed him. I was so grateful for that boy. That he as able to open up to his mom. She is now really progressing! We're excited to continue to help her. Miracle? She came to church on Sunday for all 3 hours! Halelujah.

     You know how we found that one lady Angela last week while walking her dog? We set up an appointment for this last Saturday to see her again. And a lot of the time people forget about those haha, but we knocked on her door and she opened it. She's like, 'Come on in girls!' That night we talked to her about the Restoration and more about the Book of Mormon. She told us that she had been thinking about our visit from the previous week and knew that God was trying to tell her sometime and then that night she met Mormon missionaries.... she cracked up right after she said that hahah. Funny how the Lord works! She said she never would have stopped to talk to the guys in the white shirts on bikes, but said that we were really sweet. Yay!! I love the Spirit!

     Also, their was a zone goal of getting 3 new investigators per companionship and this week we found 4! We have been so blessed. Obviously not all weeks will be like this, but man. I am so grateful for the Gospel. The church is true. If you're struggling with your testimony; go to church, read the Book of Mormon, and pray. And I know, He will never lead you astray. Love ya! Talk to you next week!

Love,

Sister Penman

Zone Training. Just ignore my ridiculously awkward mental hand hahah

September 8, 2014

Dear Everyone, 

 

     Drum roll Please............ I GOT TRANSFERRED! No big surprise. I had a feeling, but I'm so excited! This is my 3rd area! I am now in the North Kansas City ward in Kansas City, Missouri. I'm back in Missouruhhh ya'll! Glad to be back. Listen to this. My chapel is right next to the Kansas City Temple. I get to see it every single day! I'm so stinkin blessed. I'm in the Liberty South zone now. Normally, I would be within the boundaries to serve in the Liberty Jail, but the NKC bishop, asked specifically for non-visitor center sisters. That's me! I've had multiple missionaries come up to me and say that it is their 'dream ward' to serve in. The ward is on fire! I'm so excited to get to work. I live in an apartment complex, i'll send pictures of it soon, that has 2 bathrooms in it which means I get my own bathroom! I feel like it's Christmas already. My new Companion is sister Kaimarama! She is from the Cook Islands, just south of Hawaii. We're practically twins!... Ok not really, but she is so awesome and fun. I'm so excited to work with her. It's already been a great half week with each other. The only kind of not so cool thing is that we have the car one week on, one week off. But, the weather is becoming so beautiful so people are going to be outside! It's a hidden miracle.

     There has been a lot of new things happening so right now i'm just playing meet all the members, find people to teach, and learn the area! I'm so grateful to be here. This week we didn't have the car, so we were walking! We were ale to teach a lot of lessons and find a new investigator! Her name is Angela. We were just walking home from our dinner appointment when this lady with a dog start walking by. We talk to her a little bit and find out she went to the Kansas City temple open house a couple of years ago! We talked to her a little about what we do and she said we can come back next week. Miracles!

      It was difficult to leave the members in OP2 just like it was in Clinton, but I can already feel the support of the members here. Want to know a huge miracle that happened yesterday? Bishop Vance told the sisters to stand up in sacrament meeting and he introduced me to the ward. During the testimonies, I had a such a strong feeling that I need to share mine. After the meeting, a really cute older lady came up to me and said that she really appreciated my talk and that she felt really good. She told me that she wasn't a member and that she was only visiting with her brother who was in town from Logan, Utah. She asked what we did as missionaries, and after talking for a few brief minutes she said that she looked forward to meeting with us and we exchanged numbers!

      I don't always have such strong promptings, but that will be an experience I will remember. Even though I talk to strangers every day, I was still nervous to get up and share my testimony. Heavenly Father knew I needed something a little stronger to get up on the podium haha. We are so blessed to have the knowledge of the Gospel. When we are willing to act upon the Spirit we feel, Heavenly Father will guide us in the direction or course we need to go, or the person we need to talk to. It's ok to let Him humble us a little bit. When we are uncomfortable, it leaves room for us to grow. Love you all. Talk to you next week.

 

Love,

Sister Penman

 

Last Farmstead, Ihop with the girls before transfers!

September 2, 2014
Dear Family and Friends,

     Another week has passed and now we're in September! Thank goodness for cooler weather. No offense to Kansas, but seriously the summers are pretty brutal. I felt like I was eating the air. I dare you to look up chiggers. I think I got at least 40-50 misquito and chigger bites this spring/summer season. I'm grateful the Lord provided me two winters. However, it's been a beautiful last few days in Overland Park. I'm so excited for fall! I had a great week, considering it was my birthday, and because I teach people about the Savior! No worries, the members did a great job in making it special. I'm really grateful for them. I will tell you a couple of things that stood out to me during the week :)

     We taught Star and Alyce on Monday and we taught them alot about the Law of Chastity and the Book of Mormon. Kind of an interesting combination, but it was definitely led by the Spirit. They both are progressing so well and making big decisions in their lives. Star especially. She made sure to tell us that she was only drinking 1 cup of coffee a day instead of 3, and that she has been reading the scriptures every day. She even went to the extent of asking if it was ok if she had a man in her apartment and if they needed a chaperone of some sort?... That's how maticulous she wants to be at keeping the commandments haha. I love her so much. She is obviously a huge example to me. However, I did make sure to tell her that she didn't need a chaperone :) Star, Alyce, and her son James took Sister Champagne and I out for my birthday to get mexican. It was so sweet. 

    We were able to teach our 85 year old friend Vic Crum (proof that their is no age to change) about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and he came to church on Sunday all by himself! Normally we have to kick people in the butt to come, but we called him up that morning and said he was already on his way! He has some ways to go, but the no matter how big the step, he's still moving forward. 

     On Saturday we visited Renee. She was an unknown on our list, but we decided to try to catch her at home one night, and their she was! She said she was doing ok, but that the church or the missionaries seem to always know when she is struggling spiritually. It was another testimony builder of how aware the Lord is of his children. She really wants to come back to church and is excited about meeting with us! Hopefully we can start to talk to her husband here pretty soon as well. He's not a member!

     One last thing. Sunday was amazing. Sister champagne and I and a couple of members from the ward sang The Lord is my Shepard in sacrament meeting which I think turned out really well. And then the night before, Our ward mission leader asked us if we would teach the lesson in Gospel Principles. I was a little nervous because we didn't have alot of time to prepare, but I was really able to see Heavenly Father's hand as we taught about Charity. I can promise you that everything in the church. Every Doctrine and principle will lead back to charity. The pure love of Christ. I pray that we will all do our best this week to put ourselves out there a little more; to be a little more vulnerable so that we can strengthen and bless the lives of our brothers and sisters. Love you all! Talk to you later!

Love,

Sister Penman

p.s. I find out if I'm being transferred tonight and if i do, I will be in my new area by thursday afternoon. Until then, please use the mission address for anything until i find out my new address. You're the best!

 Birthday Fun!

August 25, 2014
Dear Everyone,

Thanks for all the birthday wishes and support! I'm sorry I don't have like any time to write today, because Sister Champagne and I are going on an adventure with a couple of sweet ladies from the ward for my birthday week. 

It was a great week! Sunday especially. Romaine, the 13 year old less active boy we've been working with, invited his friend to be taught by the missionaries and she said yes! We have an appointment with her this week. And then We are meeting with star, alyce, and hilary tonight! I'm so grateful for the miracles we have seen recently. This area is going to blow up! We also had an amazing stake conference in Lenexa all about hastening the work of salvation. In the Saturday session they played a video they made with all the missionaries from the stake opening their mission calls and it showed the clip from President Monson when he announced the age change. Is it possible not to cry during those videos? I'm so grateful I was able to be apart of those 19 year olds. Even though I'll be 20 in a couple of days :) 

The church is true, the Book is Blue, I'll see you in 2!!

jk like 8 months wierd. 

I'll give you better updates next week! Love you!

Love,

Sister Penman  

I went to El Torito and I thought of home! Make sure Grandpa Sillitoes sees this ;) best chicken quesadilla i've ever had