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!