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