April 20, 2015

Dear Everyone,  

   

     Some amazing things happened this week. After doing to the finishing touches to the basement, we stayed our first night there on Saturday. We were expecting to see the sheet-rocked walls, but when we walked in, there was paint on the walls and carpet rugs on the floor! It looks amazing! Not to mention, the New Mark relief Society printed off pictures of all the church history sites in the Missouri area and we hung them all up! It feels so good to be grounded. We are excited to be close to our area again and get tons more work done!

     On Wednesday, we had an exchange with the Albany sisters! I was with Sister Davis for the day and night in Albany. That morning we did service at the Bethany Care Center and painted some of the hallway walls, but just as we were going to change into our proselyting clothes I realized I forgot my clothes at the apartment (30 minutes away in Albany). We were stuck and didn't know what to do! Sister Davis felt prompted last night during planning that we should see Mariah and Bryan (some of their investigators) that day. However, if we went back to get my clothes, we wouldn't be able to see them. We sat in the car for a couple of minutes trying to decide what to do, when a car pulled up at the member's home we were parked at. It was Amber: a recently returned sister missionary! I went up to her and asked if she would let me borrow some missionary clothes.... She said of course! Immediately after changing, we went to visit Mariah and Bryan. They were home! We discussed how they were feeling about their baptism date and Mariah finally opened about how she felt and committed to coming to church with them this Sunday. I guess the sisters hadn't been able to get in touch with Mariah and Bryan for the last couple of weeks and it was miracle we caught them at home that day! I know we were meant to see them. All I know is that the Lord's plan is so detailed and the work will move forward even if Sister Penman forgets her clothes!

      Logan is doing great! She went to mutual this week and Mormon prom on Saturday. Yup, I said Mormon prom! I feel like I was just there last year.... Ian, her friend, went also! AND he came to church on Sunday! We invited him to come to our new member lesson for Logan tonight and he said yes. Please keep Logan and Ian in your prayers.

      Last week we went to the Historic Liberty Jail with Abbey and the Litsters to watch the Joseph Smith movie. After the movie we taught her about how Joseph received his answer. He prayed, read the scriptures, and went to church! As Abbey talked about how she has been feeling about investigating the church, she started crying as she said that as her and Tom Litster (her boyfriend) were talking about her baptism in his house, she felt this overwhelming peace come over her and she knew the things that she had been learning about were true. The Spirit was so strong in that room Sister Lamb and I started to cry.

      I know that the Work of Salvation is moving forward even as steadily as before. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is our light in a dimming world! Our hearts can change. My heart has changed. I love the process of repentance and the peace that comes when we follow it. I use it daily. We have a prophet that is lead by our Savior Jesus Christ. He knows us perfectly. He will succor us if we come to Him. I love you guys so much! Have a great week!

 

Love,

Sister Penman

    

Abbey and the Litsters :)

April 13, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

     Logan got baptized on Saturday! It was a wonderful service. Sister Lamb gave the talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost and I sang a hymn with the Keeney girls in our ward. I blanked on which one.. so I'll tell you another time. I just realized that I will have been in Kansas City, MO for about 8 or 9 months now. It doesn't get much better than that! It was a pretty crazy week, nevertheless. We finished all of Logan's lessons in time for her baptismal interview and she was ready and excited when that day came. One of the days, we were going to go to the church building for a lesson and to try on her baptismal jumpsuit to make sure it fit, but she got really really sick that day from a chronic illness she has. We rescheduled and prayed and prayed that she would feel better. The following day she called us and said the pain subsided and she was feeling great! I was so grateful for the tender mercy that day. On Sunday, she received the Gift of the Holy Ghost and her temple recommend. Sister Lamb and I are hoping we will get permission to go with her for her first time. She is doing so great! Miracle? Her mom and dad, best friend, and cousin all came to the wedding! Her best friend, Ian, came to church for all the meetings and said he wants to come back! Logan's parents weren't able to come to church on Sunday because of work, but her dad committed to coming to church next week... yup, that's real. The very person that kept her from getting baptized two years ago, said he would come to church with Logan. The Lord truly softens our hearts. 

       This week we also had MLC and zone conference. It was so much fun to see past companions, and past district and zones that I was a part of. What I wasn't aware of was the fact that this was my last zone conference.... which meant I would give my testimony, along with those that were going home with me. That threw me for a loop!! At the end of the meeting, I got up in front of over a hundred missionaries and shared what I knew to be true. Let me tell you, there is nothing that I could say in those 3 minutes that could define these last 18 months of my life. I definitely did my best to express my love for the Savior and my Heavenly Father, and the way it's changed my heart. However, I also added that I never thought I would be a sister missionary. Yet there I was. Standing behind the podium giving my final testimony! It was a pretty surreal feeling. 

      Sister Lamb and I are best friends. Do you know what it's like to be companions with your best friend? I'll tell you. It's pretty great :) It's been such a blessing to go through both of our ups and downs together. We've both worked on plenty of patience. This transfer has been by no means normal. But hey, regardless of what the world throws at us, we know our purpose and we are stoked for the next few weeks. Only 2 weeks til Abbey gets baptized :) Want to know something cool? I saw Bishop Vance from NKC ward yesterday after church in the hall. He tapped me on the shoulder and said he almost hugged me! He thought I was just visiting and that I might've gone home. Silly Bishop!! He kept asking me, 'How are you doing? You seem to have a glow. What's changed? How are you doing?' I guess I'm not sure what has happened, but all I know is that I'm down right happy. Heavenly Father has blessed me with friends and family that are eternal. We are all a family. We are all part of God's family, all with the same goal: To be more like Jesus Christ. I know He lives and this is his Restored church. Talk to you next week!

Love always,

Sister Penman

Logan's baptism; family and girls from Young Womens!

April 6, 2015

Dear Family and Friends, 

 

     Happy late Easter! But hey, it's never too late to celebrate the Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ! I'm almost positive we were still celebrating in the Heavens over two thousand years ago :) It's been an interesting week. Sister Lamb and I didn't go to transfers! Halelujah! We are together for my last transfer and we are staying in the New Mark ward and the elders moved to the Smithville Lake Branch. That was a surprise! Now, unfortunately, we don't have any elders in our ward. It's just Sister Lamb and I. I've always had elders in the wards where I have served so this threw my for a loop. It'll be ok though. The ward had been struggling with investigators when I got here so they didn't need more than one set of missionaries. However, now, Abbey(19) is on date for April 25th and Logan(17) is on date for this weekend on the 11th of April! Can you believe it?! It's been a miracle, especially since these last couple of weeks have been kind of weird with moving homes, and the ward split, but it's all starting to figure its self out.

     I wish my good friend Elder Dunn could read this. If you find him on facebook (Brandon Dunn), let him know Logan is getting baptized! Elder Dunn came up to me at the February transfer when he was going home and said, 'You need to go find Logan Morley. She will get baptized. Go find her.' Immediately that day, I called the elders to look for her in their area book. That Sunday, they let us know they were teaching her. The elders were closer to where she lived (we lived 30 minutes away) so it was all good that they were teaching her. At first, I was a little upset that they didn't let me know, but hey, we're all on the same team! It's not the church of the Elders or the church of the Sisters. However, now we are finishing Logan's lessons because the elders took over Smithville. We are so excited for her! She has been wanting to get baptized for over a year now and her dad finally gave her permission!

     Abbey is doing great! She watched General Conference with the Litsters and we had an April Fools dinner this week at their house (Sister M Johnson I will think of you now on April Fools. Your family's tricks were awesome.) This General Conference I was totally instructed and edified. I can't wait to see them in print so I can know how I can be a better disciple of Christ, sister, friend, and companion. One thing that keeps ringing in my head is the powerful testimony of Elder Pearson of the Seventy when he said, 'Read the Book of Mormon. Every day. Every day. Every day.' He promises that when we do so, we will learn new knowledge specific to us, gain a stronger witness of the Divinity of Christ, and be greater protected from the temptation and influences of the adversary. Welp. That's enough for me! I'm all in, Elder Pearson!

       I know the Doctrine of Christ is the road map to eternal life. When we obey God's commandments, we are strengthened. No commandment is too hard or too inconvenient to keep. He loves us with an infinite love. He looks after us even when we're not 'looking up' to him. I know this is Christ's restored Gospel and it is led by a living prophet who will guide us every day until the time Jesus Christ comes in Glory once more. I love you guys so much and I'm so grateful every day for the love and prayers you have sent my way. Know, that you are thought of. Talk to you next week!

 

Love,

Sister Penman

 

Abbey, Sister Lamb, and I at the General Women's meeting!

     

March 30, 2015

Hey Everyone! 

 

     You know, I'm actually pretty tired this week haha. Our week was filled with quite a few meetings and exchanges, but it was totally worthwhile. I went all the way up to Albany, MO to be with Sister Flink for a day and it was really fun to go from appointment to appointment, seeing the Spirit softening peoples hearts. That area is blowing up. Those sisters are bringing light to that little branch up there by Adam-ondi-Ahman. It's so fun to see ward members get excited about the Work of Salvation. We are truly in the heart of it all here in Missouri! The other exchange we had this week was with Sister Kaimarama and Sister Lee. They were both my companions. Sister Lee in the MTC and Sister Kaimarama, last fall in NKC! Sister Lee came with me for a day in the New Mark ward.

      That day with Sister Lee, we had a lesson with Abbey. We taught her about the Plan of Salvation in the home of the Litsters. It was one of the Spirit-filled lessons I've ever been a part of, not because I did any particular, but as we asked the Litsters' to share their testimonies on the Savior and the Spirit world at different points in the lesson, Abbey was able to tell us at the end of the lesson that she knows she felt the Spirit at those specific points. Earlier that week on Monday, when Sister Lamb and I taught her the Restoration, we invited her to be baptized and she said that she would if she were to find out if it was true. By the middle of the week, as she read the Book of Mormon and the pamphlets we had given her and prayed, she said that she will be ready by the 25th of April and even asked her sister to take that day off of work!!! This past weekend, she came with us to see the General Women Session of General Conference. She said she loved it! My good friends Katlynn Shannon and Melanie Sanchez need to meet her! She needs good friends and support. You'll love her :)

     Tomorrow we find out about transfers! It'll be fun to find out what the Heavenly Father has in store. We have officially found a new place to stay. The Jackson's! An awesome family with 3 teenage daughters. The husband is the new 2nd counselor of the New Mark Bishopric and will have 5 young girls in his home. I don't know if he's ready for it ha, but I know there is no other place the sisters are to be. Did I mention, we're supposed to live in their basement starting on Friday, but it's completely unfinished? The elders' quorum said they have work to do! :) I'm excited to see what happens. It's going to be a crazy week, but I know that despite all the things that go on, there is work to be done here in the Lord's Vineyard. I pray with all of you that Sister Lamb and I will be led to those that might be 'perishing in unbelief'. For the Lord said, 'Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price." May we all remember Jesus Christ at this time for the infinite sacrifice he has given. And may we never forget, 'He is not here' 'He is risen'. Have a happy Easter season and I pray God will answer your sincere prayers this weekend during General Conference. I love you.

 

 

Love,

Sister Penman

March 23, 2015

Dear Mi Familia y Amigos (that was for Elder Penman) 

 

     This past week has been a whirlwind of feelings! For some reason, Sister Lamb and I have been feeling a little 'off' the past couple of weeks. We've been seeing many miracles and tender mercies from the Lord, but we have been feeling like something was going to happen. First off- we are moving out of the wonderful beautiful home of the Kissinger's within the next week or two. They have housed missionaries for over a year now and it's time to be moved to another place. Second- the New Mark ward is getting split into! The Zone Leaders told us the news the day after exchanges with the St Joseph sisters. I couldn't believe it! It all makes sense why it felt like we've been on a teter-totter for so long! I tend to say, "Are you lying??" a little too much apparently because the zone leaders were like, 'No Sister Penman!! We're not lying to you!" I'll be working on that one... :) The New Mark ward will be splitting because the Smithville Lake Branch will be forming! There are some big changes occurring! I'm so excited! It's just a testimony that the work is still moving forward and is still hastening!

     Next week is transfers. But you know something weird? I have never felt so much peace about transfers my whole mission. It is true, that this will be my last transfer as a full-time missionary. I don't know what is going to happen. I could be opening the Smithville Branch with Sister Lamb, get a new companion, Stay in New Mark, or move to another area. I don't know what will happen, but whatever it is, it is the Lord's will. I have been praying and praying about how I can more fully give my will the Lord, and I think he's really been teaching me recently.

     Abbey (our WML's son's girlfriend) came to church again this Sunday and last week we had dinner with the Litster's and they invited her over. We had no idea! But, it was the perfect  opportunity to teach her a little bit. For our message we taught the Litster's and Abbey the importance of knowing how the Holy Ghost speaks to us. We then asked Abbey if she had ever read the Book of Mormon before. She said no, but that she would love a copy! She is now investigating the church! We have an appointment with Abbey tonight at the Litster's home. We will be teaching her the Restoration! Linda dropped us unfortunately, but I feel ok about it because I know that she was able to feel the Spirit. She might not be ready now, but in time, it will come.

     I have a testimony of the guidance of the Holy Ghost. When we are baptized by the Priesthood authority, we are given a member of the Godhead to be with us always. He will teach us God's will, testify of truth, comfort us, and even warn us of danger. I have been able to see his influence more in my life as I have sincerely sought his guidance. When I picture the straight and narrow path, many of us focus on the destination. I picture The Holy Ghost as a candlestick that we get to hold in our hands always. It will give us enough light and knowledge to take the next step on the path. We may not see the path down the road, see how far away it is, or know how big the next hill is, but as long as we are following the light of our candlestick. We cannot be lost.

 

I love you and thank Heavenly Father every day for the friends and family that I am blessed to know. Talk to you next week!

 

Love,

Sister Penman

 

P.s. If anyone wants to know, I will be ending my mission the 22nd of May and returning home the following Tuesday. My mom and sister will be picking me up :) Since I will be moving in the next couple of weeks, please send anything to the mission address 517 W Walnut St Independence, MO 64050 Love you!

 

Helping Sister Filger organize her jewelry sale