February 2, 2015

Dear Family and Friends, 

 

      Man, where do I even begin? I don't know if you guys know this already, but God is a God of miracles. That's really what explains the past week. When Sister Bradshaw and I first became companions, we were teaching quite a few people but no one was progressing! Then after a few weeks of trying to determine what the Lord wanted us to do, we went to Him and prayer, and after talking to a few of our investigators, we realized that many of them were not ready to progress, and by the middle of December, we had no one to teach! It was really disheartening. However, after much fasting and prayer, by the beginning of January, we are teaching more solid investigators than I have my whole mission!

     We received a referral this week for the Shadoan family. Their aunt from Vegas, asked the missionaries to go find them. We didn't know what to expect, but as we knocked on the door with Sister Johnson, the woman answered the door. We started to introduce ourselves and explain that one of her friends had referred her family to the missionaries. At first she got worried, but then after we explained her Aunt Ginger sent the missionaries, she said 'Oh come on in!' We sat in their living room as they talked about how much they love their Mormon Aunt Ginger! Then Bro. Shadoan came into the room and talked to us about how he grew up Mormon, but his parents weren't supportive, so people from the church would always pick him up for church every Sunday. We shared a little about the Plan of Salvation with them and then we asked if we could come back to teach them more. The wife and 15 year old daughter said they would love it! Sister Shadoan said she has been reading the Book of Mormon Aunt ginger sent her! Can you believe it?!? The Lord has been preparing His children. Now it is our responsibility to be worthy of those children, and in-tune with the Spirit!

     Katlynn is continuing to do great. Want to hear something totally awesome? It was Fast and Testimony meeting yesterday at church. Most of the testimonies people shared were on missionary work. Sister Bradshaw and I both went up and shared our testimonies. (I don't understand; I talk to strangers everyday about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but I get so nervous to share my testimony.. pretty sad huh?) But hey I did it!!!!!!!! But, wait the best part is.... KATLYNN SHARED HER TESTIMONY! At the last minute, when bishop was standing up to close the meeting, Katlynn asked if she could still go? Sis. b and I were like, yes, go go! As she was walking outside the pews, Sister Bradshaw and I stood up a little bit to point to Bishop that Katlynn was going! So he continued to sit back down :) The Spirit was so strong in that meeting. I'm so grateful to see the progress of the ward and the members.

     Never in my life would I have thought that I would be a missionary. But man, I would never take it back. The things that I have learned, the Spirit that I've felt, the people I've met, will bless the rest of my life. I know this is truly Christ's church on the earth. If you don't know this yet, I invite you to act as it says in Alma 32, even if you only have a 'desire to believe'. I promise He will 'manifest the truth of it unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost, you may know the truth of all things.' It's true, and man I am so grateful. 

 

If you want to know if my personality is still the same since being a missionary..... Sister Bradshaw and I accidentally locked the car keys in the apartment right before exchanges.... I thought that I could possibly open the sliding glass door on the back, but it's on the 2nd story. So Sister Bradshaw helped me up and as I tried to climb up the wood porch and beams, I totally ripped my tights... woops. It's all good!

 

Love you,

Sister Penman

 

P.s. I have a really bad sore throat and stomachache. It's made me really tired.... It can be healed by playing P-day sports right?