March 16, 2015

Good morning everyone!    

 

      I can't believe it's Monday already. I had a great week here in Smithville and Kansas City. It was filled with a lot of meetings! Earlier in the week we had Zone Conference with Elder Renlund and then last Thursday we had an all-day meeting with President and Sister Vest. We were able to discuss the survey the mission took a couple weeks ago and see how the mission and missionaries have doing on terms of Preach My Gospel, and obedience in the last 6 months. It was comforting to hear we've progressed on a lot! But also have some places of focus in the next few months. Sister Lamb and I will be doing some trainings about it this upcoming Friday. It's such a blessing every time I get to be around my Mission President and Mission Mom. Although they have so many missionaries to worry about, I know they truly love and care for us individually. Every time Sister Lamb and I see President Vest he says, 'My day just got brighter because of your shining smiles!' He's so awesome.

     We were able to have another lesson this week with Linda! Jim was sleeping when we came over this time... bummer.... but we still had a good lesson with Linda. We didn't want to move on with the lesson without Jim, so we felt prompted to share a review lesson on the Restoration using the Mormon message by Elder L. Tom Perry. I love using the testimonies of the prophets and apostles in these latter-days! Linda got sick on Sunday so she wasn't able to come to church, but there were 2 huge miracles on Sunday! Our WML's son brought his girlfriend to church and she was really open and even cried during sacrament! I could tell because Sister Lamb and I were on the stand, singing in the choir. She said after church that she has been curious and wanted to give it a try. Her name is Abbie! Also, that evening before dinner, we contacted a headquarter referral for a lady named Sonya. She had stopped by the San Diego temple about a month ago and talked to some sister missionaries there at the visitors center. Her husband recently passed away at the end of last year and she is still trying to find the 'new normal'. Her husband wasn't interested in organized religion, so one of her serious concerns is where he is now. We set up a time to see her next sunday!

      On Saturday, Sister Lamb and I and the elders in the ward helped clean up our WML's yard (Brother Litster) One of the best things in the world is service. If you're ever in a crummy mood, serve someone. Heavenly Father wants us to help each other! Brother Litster said I have permission to stay here til the end of my mission so that's cool... Two of their daughters are getting married in May and June this year and their other daughter received her mission call to Frankfurt, Germany yesterday! And their other son is coming home from his mission in November.They've got some big things happening this year! Go grab your missionaries and let them help and serve you! We know you've got other stuff to worry about. If you can't think of something, make something up! ... seriously ha

     Sunday was one of the best days for me in a while. I was so spiritually fed as every class talked about repentence and in Gospel Principles we talked about Prayer, Prophets, and the Scriptures. Brother Litster said, 'If you're missing one, you're missing the message'. Heavenly Father wants to constantly help us. When we are seeing, hearing, and feeling his answers, our lives will be more in-line with God's will and we will be able to put a 'door stop' in the door to personal revelation. I know Jesus is the Christ, our Redeemer, and the Messiah. He is the ultimate example and of service, charity, and obedience to our Father. I pray we'll all repent a little more to be like Him. Love you guys sooooo much!!!!!!!! The church is true.

 

Love always,

Sister Penman

 

Lenexa district throw back to last summer

March 10, 2015

Dear Family and Friends, 

 

     Well today is Tuesday and it's pday! Our whole zone has pday today because yesterday the Lord blessed us with a General Authority named Elder Renlund, who visited and toured out mission. We had a Zone Conference with him and his wife yesterday and it was awesome. It was so cool to hear what he, the quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the First Presidency wanted our mission to hear. How many times in my life am I going to be able to here from a Special Witness of Christ on such a personal level? This was the second one I've had on my mission. Last March Elder Martino visited us also and gave us awesome instruction. I'm so blessed! However, before Elder Renlund gave his training he said. 'If there is anything I want you to hear, it's these four things: 1- Thank you. The Presidencies of the church want to thank you from their heart, for your diligence and obedience in the work of the Lord. 2- This is where you are meant to be. The Twelve and the Prophet pray fervently on where the Lord needs you to be on your mission and you have been called here for a purpose. 3- President and Sister Vest have been called of God and they love you. 4- I testify that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of a living God.

     He went on to teach wonderful principles that I'm stoked to apply into my missionary work, but the one principle that I noticed the most was charity. In all things Gospel, Charity never faileth. Sister Lamb and I were able to attend a leadership meeting with the zone leaders and district leaders after the Zone Conference and when Elder Renlund opened it up for questions, and elder(district leader) spoke from the back, 'What do you do if your companion just doesn't care?' He said that he has been trying to figure out what he can do to help, but he was at a loss. Elder Relund then testified of what he could do to help this young man. Charity.

     I've learned so much this week! Sister Lamb and I were able to have 4X as many member presents this week than last week. We are so grateful the Lord has been blessing us in furthering the Work here in New Mark. A member referral, Linda, came to church! She had a huge smile on her face during the talks in Sacrament and throughout Relief Society. Unfortunately, her husband didn't come. Please say a prayer for Jim! I know Linda will be able to progress so much more with Jim by her side. Also, we have an appointment with the Temple President, Pres. Hardy's physical therapist and his family this weekend. I'm so excited! They're the Kunce family.

     Thank you so much for all the love and messages. I'm so grateful for my Savior and especially leading up to celebrating his Resurrection. General Conference is coming up. I'm going to do all I can to prepare to receive revelation for myself and for our investigators, After all, He promises it. And God always keeps his promises. have a great week!

 

Love,

Sister Penman

 

 

pics from recent snow storm. ps- its been 70 degrees the past 2 days. I love missouri

March 2, 2015

Dear Fam and Friends, 

 

     It's been a great week in New Mark! We found 2 new investigators through a member family. They invited us to visit their neighbors, Jim and Linda this week. That was awesome, because the elders said they haven't had the missionaries visit their friends in a while! We are going to teach them this Thursday. Can't wait! Also we visited the Dean family, a part-member family in the ward and we asked if we could do a Family Home Evening with them this week! Things are happening! I've been able to get to know the ward a little bit better this week and it's been so awesome!

     On Friday night we helped the ward with their Daddy Daughter dance. (I'll send pictures next week) It was the sweetest thing to see the dads let loose and have fun with their daughters from ages 1-20! Seeing things like that remind me how important my call is. I'm so grateful for the knowledge of eternal families. I have the priveldge to share that knowledge to those that are truly seeking. I love you all! Hope you have a great week.

 

Love,

Sister Penman

 

 

February 23, 2015

Dear Family and Friends, 

     It's official!!!!!!!! Normally, what would follow that is like a wedding announcement or something, but I'm a missionary so that means.. I WAS TRANSFERRED. I am now currently in New Mark ward in the Platte City Stake. Still in Missouri and now in the country again! I'm also still in the same church building next to the Kansas City temple. I still get to see most of the members in the North Kansas City ward every Sunday. Pretty sweet, right! I will more than likely be here the rest of my mission. I can't wait. You know why? This area has really been struggling. The sisters haven't had any investigators in at least the last 3 months. I'm so excited to see this ward bloom. Although there is a lot of work to do, and it'll probably be a rough first couple of weeks getting things going again, but I know the Lord has put me here for a purpose and I will do all I can to fulfill it. However, Sister Lamb and I could really use your prayers. Oh yeah, Sister Lamb is my new companion!!!!!! I'm so excited. Sister Lamb and I served around each other in Liberty when she was serving in the Historic Liberty Jail. I did you exchanges with her. In all seriousness, it's like President and the Lord allowed best friends to be together. I'm so blessed.

     The ward is definitely different than the ones I have been in previously, but I already love them! A few months ago, the Platte City stake started having the missionaries teach the youth the missionary lessons, hoping to help them gain a greater conviction in the Savior, His Gospel, and the Restoration. Many of them have struggled in their teenage years finding out what they truly believe. I can definitely remember those years.. considering it was only a couple years ago. It's hard to stay on the straight and narrow path when the world makes it look so undesirable. But let me tell you. The fruit of the Tree of Life, as in Lehi's dream in the Book of Mormon, is far more desirable than anything the world could possibly offer.

      We taught Mickinly and her sister Mckinzie yesterday about the Restoration. Mckinzie wants to serve a mission. Man..... obviously, you know I told her that it would be the best decision of her life! But only if the Lord doesn't tell her otherwise. Every woman is different. For me, Heavenly Father knew, in order for me to get my bum in gear I needed to serve Him. Full-time. For a year and a half. So here I am.

     You never know who's heart you'll touch as you serve Him with all your heart, might, mind, and strength. Our responsibility is to help each other return to live with God again. One day it'll be a wonderful reunion. Love you guys so much! If you get a minute this week send me a short email or letter this week. I pray for you often! Have a great week!

 

Doctrine and Covenants 67:10

 

Love,

Sister Penman 

 

     

     Sister Lamb and I drinking hot chocolate. It's been really cold lately. She's from Woodland Hills, UT :)