January 20, 2015

Dear Everyone,

 

     Another week has passed here in Kansas City with Sister Bradshaw. I don't know about you, but January has been such a great month. This week we had a few more appointments with Katlynn! One day we invited her to come to one of our dinners with a member family, the Johnson's and had a great lesson on Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy. Then, a couple days later we went to get ice cream at Sheridan's and had a lesson on the Word of Wisdom with one of the old YSA relief Society. Yeah I know it was kind of a different setting to have that lesson, but don't worry, I didn't get the large ice cream. However, I do recommend the Razzle Dazzle if you get the chance to go. As we taught Katlynn the Word of Wisdom, she really opened up about how she was affected by the addictions of others around her. She told us that when we mentioned how we don't have coffee at dinner the other day, she donated all her little Keurig coffee cups to her work the following day. Wow. She is an inspiration. She is so aware of the Spirit and is able to recognize truth more than anyone I have taught on my mission so far. I think about how blessed I am to have been here, at this moment in time, to be her missionary. However, I believe I knew Katlynn before this life, and in that premortal world, telling her that I would find her. On Sunday, during church, she told us that she wants to be baptized on February 21st :)

     This morning, Sister Bradshaw and I went to an appointment with a referral named Lyn. We didn't know what to expect, or neccesarily know exactly what to say, but we sat down with her with Sister Stokes from the ward and had one of the most Spirit-filled lessons. Half the time was just listening and discerning her needs. So amazing.

 

The rest of the week was also great! I hope you all have an awesome week! Love you so much!

 

Love,

Sister Penman

January 12, 2015

Dear Family and Friends! 

 

     Man. So much to say so little time. However, I did want to make sure you all knew that I'm in Kansas City another transfer with Sister Bradshaw! So grateful! I guess the Lord likes to keep me in areas for a quite a long time. This is my second area I will spend 6 months in. I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm sure Bishop Vance is trying to figure out what he has to do to get rid of me! Jk he is so great. This weekend was our 2 days of all-day splits with members in our ward. If you look up the #KCMissionarySplits on any social network you might be able to find a picture of me and Sis Bradshaw and other missionaries in the mission. It was a really cool event!

     Katlynn is doing so well. We went to the Liberty Jail with her this weekend and she came to church for the second time and she's going with us to dinner at a member's house this weekend! She has been so prepared. I'm so grateful I have the opportunity to feel of her Spirit and to teach her the saving principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I'll try to write more next week, but I'm doing great. Thanks you for your prayers. Love you so much. I know this is Christ's church!!

 

Love

Sister Penman

January 5, 2015

Dear Everyone, 

    

     Happy New Year!!! It has been a great week. Seriously. Sister Bradshaw has taught me recently by her dad that 'Fasting and prayer and do more than just prayer alone'. I know that has been true especially in our area. We have been doing our best to keep 'our eye single to they glory' keeping our focus on the work and the people. We've had to drop a few people because they voiced they weren't ready to progress; however, we also met with Katlynn (the referral I told you about last week) and she is so ready to get baptized!!!!! YAYAYAY! Below is a picture of all of us together after we went to the Visitors center in Independence and watched Meet the Mormons. Katlynn said she loved it! We also taught her about prophets in the prophets room there. Cutie, Sister Currie (a sister I was over back in Overland Park) took us on the tour.

    

     Katlynn also came to church this this Sunday and said she loved it! Have I mentioned she asks the best questions and also some of the most deep questions I've heard on my mission? Most of the time investigators ask questions like, "what happens after we die?' or "how do I stop feeling guilty about mistakes I've made?". But she's asked "What is Kolob?" (Might I mention, she asked that on our first appointment haha) and then asked "If your spouse passes away, can you be sealed to another person?" I was like, uhhhhhhhhhh..... haha I don't even remember what we said, but I know the spirit guided us. No worries though, we didn't go all deep on her. She's doing so good! It's such an amazing feeling to feel just a little hint of God's love for His children. It's impossible to not love the people you teach or even people you see in the streets! No judgments. Just love.

 

     I went on exchanges with Sister Oleson this week in Shoal Creek Valley ward. It went great! You'll see a picture of us in a spot that looked just like Clinton. Transfers are this Thursday, so if I stay here for another transfer, I'll be here for 6 months! We'll see what happens.

 

Investigators:

Angela- is doing ok, but got sick so we weren't able to take her to the Historic Liberty Jail this week like planned, but we know she once she is feeling better things will start picking up

 

Katlynn- we're teaching her this week in the Relief Society President's home :)

 

Precious- after meeting with her quite a few time and discussing it, she said she isn't ready to focus on church right now so we won't be going over too much at this point, but I know she will accept the gospel in the really near future.

 

Grayson Family- the holidays have made it hit and miss, but they loved when the elders and us caroled to them Christmas eve. Please pray that they will open their hearts and be ready to accept our message!

 

     Love you guy so much! Talk to you next week :)

 

Love,

Sister Penman

 

McKenzie, Sis Bradshaw, Katlynn, Me, Kami (our mini missionary for the weekend!)