July 7, 2014
Dear Fam and Friends,

     Hope everyone had a great Independence Day! Filled with war triumph movies, fireworks, national anthems, patriotism, and BBQ! (They do it best here in Kansas City though, I have to admit) It sounds like it from what I hear. The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays because I am so grateful for our forefathers that fought for our freedom. We are so blessed to live in a country that made it possible for the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was only here that it would be possible to spread to every kindred, tongue, and nation. What a blessing! I had a really good 4th! We actually went on exchanges so I was with Sister Sommer for most of it. She's awesome! We get along so well we were joking that we were going to call President Vest for an emergency transfer... not gonna happen haha. We had Zone Training in the morning in which I did a couple of trainings and then we had a district lunch. We went to Cheddar's and then we got cinnamon and sugar pretzels from Pretzelmaker.. We decided to really celebrate America by eating good food :) Then we were able to visit a couple of people! I was nervous that no one would be home because of the holiday, but we got in to a lot of door which was a huge blessing. We had dinner at the John's house along with a few other misfit families that didn't have a place to go. Our whole dinner calender was full except the 4th of July... wierd haha. But we found one, which was awesome! I sang a little 'I'm proud to be an American' while waving a little American flag when we walked back to our car. And then we had a great lesson with one of my favorite people, Iva Pruett! It was her birthday so we knocked on her door and she answered. She wasn't doing anything to celebrate! So we sang to her and then talked with her for a while. Sister Sommer and I both felt prompted to talk about the temple and about how she was sealed to her husband (he passed away quite a few years ago). She has had a hard time coming to church within the last few years and we have been trying to figure out why. And then while we were talking, she finally opened up to us so now we know how to help her! I'm grateful for the Spirit that helps us teach and to know what to say. We told her that she will be able to live with him again, but we need to do our best while we are here on earth so we can be worthy of those blessings. What a miracle! Then we drove home and heard a couple of fireworks, but had to go to bed before we saw any. Oh well, next year! 

      The rest of the week was pretty good. We have found quite a few people recently, but it's been difficult for many of them to progress. But that doesn't stop us from working hard. Obedience is key. I'm so grateful for the blessing I have to share the Gospel to those in Kansas. As much as we are here to find those that are prepared, I know we are also here to uplift the ward and help those that need a hand to come back to church. We need to find those lost sheep. I love being a servant of the Lord and I cherish my short time that I have to be full-time and 'all in'. I love you guys! Have a great week!

Love, 

Sister Penman

expires on the day I come home.. awk., the sisters on the 4th of July (I tried to dress as patriotic as I could!) Our neighbor,Tania is the cute black one! She's the best! She always wants to go on team-ups with us! haha

June 30, 2014

Good morning everyone!

     I have to admit, I don't have alot of time left because I got distracted on lds.org looking at all the Mission Presidents and looking at mine! haha I'm excited for my friends that are getting new presidents too! President and Sister Keyes went home on Saturday from their 3 year mission and probably love being with their families again! I haven't met President and Sister Vest yet, but will being seeing them on Wednesday at Mission Leadership Council. I'm so excited!

     My little brother Shaun went on a bus trip with a bunch of other kids from my stake to visit all the church history sites. And what did you know, they came to my mission! I didn't get to see them, but it was so good to hear that my friends in the mish got to take them around! I love you guys! I hope you have an amazing rest of your trip! 

     It was a really good week! As I think about what we have done, it seems like a blur, but a couple of great things happened. We decided to visit a family on the ward roster named McClenton after some pondering. On the ward list it said the the boyfriend 'opened and then closed the door' when he answered haha. But we felt prompted to go anyway. Who's scared of a little rejection any way? We knock on the door and this little boy about 13 years old comes to the door. His name is Romaine. He said he hadn't been to church in a about a year, but he wants to go back. We shared the story of the Stripling Warriors and how that applies to him and we testified of the love God had for him. Then on Saturday we get a text from Romaine that said he really wanted to go to church, but he didn't have a ride. So OBVIOUSLY we told him we would love to find him a ride! He came to church and that night he texted us saying thank you for finding him a ride and that he was going to the activities on Wednesday too. We talked a little more and then we invited him to start reading the Book of Mormon every day. And then he said he was already on 1Nephi 4.... He's so awesome. 

      We have been helping our other investigators progress and they are doing really well! Our neighbor Laura and her friend Melani are going to meet with us hopefully this Thursday! I'm so grateful for my time to serve and to see at an up close view at how the hastening of the work is affecting the youth. I thought we were strong when I was younger. I can testify that the youth in these Latter-days are inspirational and steadfast. They stand as witnesses even when the opposite is popular. I'm so blessed to be around them and to be uplifted by their spirits. This work is true. Happy birthday Devin and Grandma! Happy Independence Day! If you know me, it's one of my favorite holidays :) Love you! Have a great week!

Love, 

Sister Penman

Have I mentioned how beautiful it is here? cheesy pic

June 23, 2014

Dear Everyone,

     Hope you've had a good week! As a missionary, time is always different. Some minutes take hours, hours feel like minutes, months feel like days, and your mission, well it feels like a second. I have had a great week. Sister Champagne and I work really well together. We are very different, but it doesn't matter because we are sisters with the same purpose! She's a sweetie. The last little while has been difficult to find people and to help the ward progress, but we have seen so many miracles this past week. 

     On Tuesday, there was a Relief Society activity we went to. I lvoe going to those because you can invite your investigators so the women can fellowship them, there are normally a decent amount of women that are less-active, and there's always food... you know me. The topic was about the Savior and the Presidency did a great job. At the end of the activity, Sister Lenz asked if I would give the closing prayer. I did, and afterwards this little girl came up to me. Her name is Hermosa and she is 14. She asked me about my prayer and asked me how I know that God answers my prayers or how I get answers. I talked to her about how her Heavenly Father loves her and how with faith, we can receive answers through the Holy Ghost. We talked for a few minutes and found out that she wasn't a member, but was living with a recent convert named Arthena! I can tell she's had a difficult time growing up, but she is sweet. We ended up setting up an appointment and we taught her about the Restoration on Thursday! I think she is still trying to understand why all this important. But I think, first, she needs to know of her divine worth. She came to church on Sunday and we have another appointment on Thursday! I'm excited!

     We also have been working with a sweet lady named Iva Pruett. She is the coolest. She's a widow of about 14 years, but she's only in her 60's I think! She lives right across the street from a guy named Brandon, who is kind of creep... the previous sister taught him a lesson one time and now he calls our phone multiple times a day.. but it's all good haha Sister Pruett thinks that he might kill her some day.. hahah But she hasn't come to church in a really long time. We've really been building a strong relationship so we asked her to come to church with us this Sunday and she said she isn't ready yet. We are still working with her, but I know she will get there!

      One last miracle that happened this past week. Sister Champagne and I drove home one night because it was getting close to curfew, but we were trying to figure out what we should do for the last few minutes of our time proselyting. So we get out of the car and there are two cute young girls about 23 that were walking by. One says, "Hey! My friend is your new neighbor!" We talked to them for a little bit getting to know them and where they were from. They are awesome! Melani asked what we did for work, and we told them that we were full-time missionaries! We talked a little about what we do and then helped Laura move up her stuff to her new apartment, which is literally right next door! We talked inside her apartment with Melani and Laura and we introduced the Book of Mormon. I bore my testimony of how it has blessed my life and how it contains the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We discussed a little more and then after we had Laura read the Introduction, she said, "Can I borrow this?"... um no but you can surely HAVE IT!! We gave both of them Book of Mormon's and we are planning on teaching them this week! Miracles happen you guys! 

     Seriously it's been such a blessing to see the Lord's hand in Overland Park this past week. Every day I am excited to serve because the knowledge we get to share with people. It has changed me. I know this is Christ restored church and if we do our best to share our testimonies of the truth that we have to our friends, our testimonies will be strengthened and we will literally feel His love for us and for the people we share it with. I encourage you to find a way to share your testimony to someone this week. It's the best feeling. I love you. Have a great week! 

Love, 

Sister Penman

P.S. We finally got a ward mission leader! Someone 'fruit attacked' and put water bottles on our car.. we don't know who it is.. haha and then we had a picnic hosted by one of the members!