May 11, 2015

Dear Friends and Family,    

 

     I can't believe sometimes at how special our Heavenly Father makes us feel! Sister Lamb and I had a pretty crazy week filled with unexpected lessons, new investigators, exchanges, and meetings of course! I had my last Mission Leadership Council on Wednesday, last Zone Training on Friday, and my first and last Sister Training Leader specialized meeting. I learned so much from President Vest, Sister Vest and the assistants at this month's MLC meeting. I was able to gain a greater understanding of Charity. I know I can continually pray for that unconditional love so that I can put it more into action! I was able to give a training on the attribute of Diligence, which I've been working on my whole mission! It's so cool to see how some things were a struggle at the beginning of my mission, but they have now become a strength. When Ether promises that in Ether 12:27, he is not kidding. For the STL meeting on Saturday, President Vest asked if I would give a training on 'How to Minister to Sisters that Live Far Away'. So in front of al the sister training leaders in the mission, President and Sister Vest, and the Assistants, I gave a training. I was definitely nervous, but if there is anything I have learned from my calling as a Sister Training Leader, I have learned to love the sisters I serve with. Each of us are so different, but each of us need to know that we are not alone and that our first source of strength is our Father in Heaven. He really does have all the answers.

      One of the best things that happened all week; however, was the chance I had to finally find Amanda. Bishop Jacobus (a friend of Amanda's from work) had Sister Lamb and I try to 'tract' her home for the last two transfers. After trying plenty of different times, at different points in the day, we finally met her, her husband Rusty, and daughter April outside their home! We talked briefly about the Restoration and as we shared our testimonies and invited them to learn more, the husband, Rusty (not even Amanda!) said that we could come back on Tuesday at 4pm. What in the world! We are so excited to teach them. Also, the Kunce family (President Hardy's personal trainer, from the KC Temple) invited us to dinner and we shared the message of the Restoration with his family as well. On my last day in the field, he said he was going to cook us BBQ ribs. He said it's an all day affair.

      I know the Lord is preparing the elect. Sometimes members of the ward find them, and sometimes the missionaries find them, but whatever the situation it may be, we are all in the Work of Salvation. It is our blessing and duty to reach out to those in need. I love my calling as a representative of Jesus Christ. It has strengthened me as a daughter of God, both spiritually and physically. I know it's by His grace we are saved after all we can do. I love you guys so much. I hope you have a great week filled with the Light of Christ and I pray you will be led to those that are in darkness. Just in case, make sure to hold your 'candlestick' up high (Matthew 5:14-16)

 

Love Always,

Sister Penman

 

STL Training