Happy New Year!

Hello Everyone! 
Greetings from this-was-my-first-Christmas-that-wasn't-white----what-the-hey-Colorado!   I hope you all had a great Christmas. I sure did! I got to talk to my family on Google + video chat... so all of us were hanging out! It was soo fun!  My nephews are the cutest things ever! Songs and kisses for Aunty Kinz... i love my life.  I'm so grateful to all of you for the love and support... seriously i feel soo blessed!! 

Sister Makasini and i have a lot of fun together... mostly she just tries to understand why I'm so crazy. But we laugh a lot, and have each other’s' backs.  She is an incredible woman!!! 

My spiritual thought has to do with the whole cliche new year's goals and whatnot... but I read a talk that REALLY impacted me and inspired me to change, and to strive to BECOME the person I want to be... a woman more like the Savior.  

I'm going to quote Elder Corbridge's talk "The Fourth Missionary."  

"To believe that weaknesses and deficiencies in your character are unchangeable is to reject the central truth of the plan of salvation.  You are not cast in stone.  You not only can change, but you do change all of the time.  You are a dynamic, changing, evolving being.  You are always changing.  You never stay the same. You cannot stand still.  ... 
"Do you know what kind of person you want to become? Do you see in your mind who you want to be? Do you know? ...
"The purpose and central blessing of life is change.  It is to be changed to become more like Jesus Christ.  It is to incorporate into your character, the qualities of His character. It is to move from one degree of intelligence and capacity to the next, and from there to the next, until you see God face to face and know Him as He knows you."  

I love that... we change. We always are changing... Are we changing to become more like Christ... or more like the natural man in us every day?  But the good thing about it is that each new sunrise brings a new change to try again.  So hopeful.  So happy.  I love the Gospel!  

I love my Savior. I love His church which allows us to have the ordinances necessary to use His Atonement.  I love being a missionary. I love you all. I am so grateful for you!!!  

My invitation to you is to sit down and set goals with the Lord. Discuss who both of you want you to become.  Write it down. And take it a day at a time.  We won't accidentally become like Christ. It doesn't happen that way. It takes planning, effort, and study and prayer. But it can happen.  

Onward Christian Soldiers!

From me to you, Kinzie Lou 

Picture from Christmas day -- ya’ll! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS..... Born in a Stable, Right?

Hello Everyone! 

Greetings from wow-I-am-sooo-in-a-different-world-right-now-but-all-is-well Colorado!  Seriously... I moved into a new house.... and I'm not going to say TLC Hoarders status.... but..... TLC Hoarders status. Na,,,, bless her heart she just REALLY loves the whole food storage thing... 10 year supply. love it!  haha... But it's been a good humbling experience for me... and we just laugh so it will be good... I'm going to help her organize and consolidate and dejunk... my favorite! for real! I'm excited to help! 

This week I went to a Christmas Devotional they had for all of us missionaries.  A man came who was an archeologist who has done extensive research of the Mayan ruins (he said that 90% of it is buried underneath layers of the rainforest, and that soon more will come to the surface... what???? )  It was incredible all of the things he showed us that testify that the Book of Mormon really is true... but we can't convince anyone by fact... we know by the power of the Holy Ghost... how nice that we can just pray about it.!!! and the facts just make sense in my mind what I already know in my heart! I LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON!!! 

Well one week down in my new area.  I'm praying for charity to love these people and to be able to make some sort of difference in their lives. Working progress. but change is good, and it's good for me to again learn who is in charge... not me.   Heavenly Father is in charge. To show me this, He let me see miracles this week... He is so good to me. 

Almost EVERY single door we go to (whether it is a former investigator or someone we already know isn't interested) they let us right in no questions asked. WHAAA?  yeah, it has been rad!  We have sung christmas carols and let people feel the Spirit and testified of the Savior and of His Atonement everywhere we go, and I love it!  The Spirit of Christmas is really just the Spirit of Christ.  I love this time of year!!!! 

Sebastian was baptized on Saturday!!! what a sweetie... the Spirit was there soo strongly, and i hope that he can stay on the path! i know it will sooo bless his life!!!!  and when people were up there giving the talks he kept raising his hand to answer the rhetorical questions.... that's straight up Sebastian for ya.... love him..!!! 

Here is a miracle we saw: 

-We went to a "former's" house.  She is from Ghana. Unfortunately her son had passed away in an accident that week, and so they had a ton of family there, mourning Ghana style...  in their culture you sing for and shake the hand of the one in mourning. So I was prompted to sing "I need thee every hour"   We started singing and they ALL STARTED SINGING ALONG! The Spirit was there soo strong, and we got a return appointment to talk to them again.  WOW! 

Heavenly Father is definitely preparing the hearts of people to come to Him. That's all He wants... for us to come home.... but He won't force us.  That's not love... So He wants all of us to reach out and help each other find the way to the path of the Gospel, which leads straight back to His loving, open arms. 

Christmas is a celebration that the Savior came. He taught.  He loved.  He atoned.  He died.  He rose.  He Lives! I love the Savior! My invitation to you is -- to think of what gifts we can give the Savior.  Are we truly grateful for His gift, the greatest of all, the Atonement?  All He wants is for us to use it. That’s my testimony!  

I love love love you all! Thank you so much to those who have sent cards, and letters, and packages... I have the best family and friends ever! I love you and hope you all have a great Christmas!!!!!  

From me to you, Kinzie Lou

picture at Sebastian’s baptism...

my new house.... wee woo... :) 

Trail of Tears...

Hello Everyone!  Greetings from why-is-change-so-hard-for-me-I-wish-I-could've-stayed-in-Tallyn's-Reach-forever Colorado!  

That's right, folks.  I have been transferred to another part of Aurora... straight up aurora... for real this time... In Green Valley.  It is ... let's just say... a more diverse ward and I'm excited!  There are about 15 Polynesian families in the ward, and so everyone has told me "have fun gaining 20 pounds!"  Thanks everyone... I will.   Change is good, and if I would've stayed in Tallyn's Reach forever I wouldn't have ever grown into the missionary and person that Heavenly Father needs me to be, so.... I will go where He wants me to go!  I know this change will be good for me.  As I said goodbye to many families in the ward and got pictures I just was overcome by how much I love them!  I love those people.  I love my investigators!  I love the ward!  But I'm sure I will love the people here too!!!  On a plus, Sebastian is getting baptized on Saturday, and I am close enough that I will be able to go to it!!!  So I will show up to it, and everyone will be like "whaaaa, Sister Hunter we thought we got rid of you already!"  haha..  At church on Sunday, they announced I was getting transferred, and they asked me to say the closing prayer in ALL THREE MEETINGS!  Good thing I love to pray pray pray. 

I'm going to miss serving with Sister Carpenter soo much.  She is one of my best friends! Good thing she is going to switch to Utah State and live with me ;) .... I would always slide that in our conversations hoping that if I said it enough she would start to believe it for herself. haha.. but I'm grateful to have served with one of my best friends. 

My new companion's name is Sister Makasini! She is Tongan, and such a boss.. a good boss for all you whose lingo may not be up to date. ;)  I know I will love her! 

My spiritual thought comes from a talk from Elder Dube of the Seventy from this past conference.  It was just what I needed this morning.  He quoted other apostles when he said that "in the service of the Lord, it is not where you serve but how."... and "The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes.  And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed to the future."   I loved that..  I know that no matter where I'm serving: Green Valley, Tallyn's Reach... or later Relief Society, nursery, ward bulletin whatever it may be.... it is not where we serve but how.  I want to serve well.  I know as we all look forward in faith we will witness miracles and be able to learn the things that our Heavenly Father needs us to learn.  Don't worry... even when things don't make sense, remember that our Heavenly Father's most important work is helping us to have immortality and eternal life... sometimes that means we will have hard days, but all will be well.  All is well!   

I love you all and am soooo grateful for the support and love you have shown me!  Thank you for the letters I have received!  I hope you all have a great week preparing for the holidays, but in the hustle and bustle don't forget whose birthday we are celebrating!  I love the Savior. I love the Gospel. I love you!  

Me and Mama Wells

The Jenkins - Mama and Papa Jenx

Onward Christian Soldiers!  From me to you, Kinzie Lou

 

Miracle on 34th Street.... or something like that!

Hello Everyone!!!

Greetings from I-have-had-nose-sickles-all-week-and-I'm-in-a-skirt Colorado!!!

The weather has been freezing cold, but my heart is warm. Heavenly Father has been soo good to me this week! I'm so grateful!  I just wanted to tell of some miracles that happened.

1)  I have been praying for weeks that we would be able to meet with Hope and also Twyla and Emmi.... met with them both this week.

2)  Coreen was able to come with us to the Christmas Devotional last night and hear the prophet speak.... she still hasn't told her parents... eek.... 

3) Our investigator Jacqueline's husband Randy came to church and after Sunday school he went up the teacher and told him thank you for the lesson. He said that it blew his mind, and he is ready to take baby steps towards learning for himself!!!  WHAAAAAA????  Jacqueline knows it is true, but doesn't want to rock the boat in her marriage... so I feel great things will be happening with them soon!  WOO HOO Love the Spirit! 

4)  I drove on ice roads and survived!

5)  We taught Sebastian again and he bore testimony that he knows this is true.  He said the sweetest prayer to close the lesson... and I quote... "I hope I can get baptized.... I hope I can make it to the Celestial kingdom to live with You and Jesus Christ.... I hope I can be able to go to church on Sunday...."  It was so sweet.... if he isn't saying the most off the wall things, he is saying the sweetest things! I love Sebastian!

Miracles people miracles .... I know Heavenly Father knows me, and I know He knows you, and I know He knows every single one of my investigators... He is our Father, and loves us so much! He is so aware, and will do EVERYTHING in His power to give us opportunities and the choice to be "eternally encircled about in the arms of His love" (2 Ne) 

The ongoing joke this week has been about our former investigator Leon's cat Pumpkin... who pounced on Sister Carpenter and stole something out of her purse and ran to the other room.... hahha... every joke with Pumpkin in it is a funny joke.  Sister Carpenter told me "I wonder who your next companion will be.... PUMPKIN!" haha.

Also, I take Sister Carpenter on a date every night before we go home... it's like 30 seconds so don't worry, I'm not an apostate missionary....gotta make time for date night.  I drive real slow by a house that is all festive and lit up for the holidays...  I know she looks forward to it every day.... ok, she doesn't have much choice I'm the driver..... so what I take my companion on forced dates every night? .... sue me..... 

My Spiritual thought is simple. It is from Mosiah 26:26.  The Savior said that "I am your Redeemer, but ye would not be redeemed."   He already has atoned.  He has already paid the price for our sins.  Will we be redeemed?  He can't make us clean against our will.  He won't.  We use His Atonement as we act.  As we show our faith by living the Gospel, which is:  Faith in the Savior unto Repentance, being baptized for the remission of sins, and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and continuing in faith and repentance all throughout our lives.  He loves us and always stands there with His arms outstretched towards us.  Will we be redeemed?  Nothing would make Him happier, than to see His precious gift of the Atonement used. 

I love you all!!!  I love my Savior.  I love being a missionary!  I love our prophet, Thomas S Monsen... how blessed we are to have a prophet.  We don't have to be confused or worried as the world goes to pot. We can know we are being led and guided in the direction the Lord wants us to be.  The Gospel really does make sense... but first, we have to have faith.

Onward Christian Soliders!!!

From me to you, Kinzie Lou 

picture from "date-night"... people here are so festive!!!  In a neighborhood when all the houses are the same... it is their one claim for individuality! haha.

FORGET-ME-NOT

Hello Everyone!    Greetings from yesterday-it-was-60-and-tomorrow-it-will-be-twelve-degrees Colorado! 

Everyone has their lights on at Tallyn's Reach, and I'm just loving life!  I got to see summer here, and see all the beautiful leaves change, and now I get to see the immaculate Christmas light displays... So blessed to be here!  I love this ward!! 

I had a great Thanksgiving and hope you did too!  We have SO much to be thankful for seriously!  I was a little homesick this week... why act like it wasn't hard?  But I am so blessed to be here serving and before we know it I'll be home again by next thanksgiving... that's crazy!  I ate thanksgiving with the wells, and loved it... but I will disclose a little info for you all to paint you a picture.... it's called anyone who knows me knows how much I can eat... especially when there is no shame on thanksgiving!  .... well.... the wells are all so fit and slender.... they ONLY ATE ONE SERVING!!! I had a small second helping... but I was thinking to myself... what about the thirds and fourths here people??? It's called indulgence!!  haha....  But I was soooo grateful for them having us and letting us be a part of their family! I love them!  their daughter was home from Utah state for the break, so that was really fun to talk about my home away from home, Logan....

The work is going well... we are in some dire need of miracles... Alls I'm going to say, is that for some reason, as soon as people decide they want to get baptized Satan decides to throw EVERY distraction at them.... so yeah.... we need some miracles here.  I realize every day more and more how much I need the Lord!

My Spiritual thought this week is about President Uchtdorf's fabulous talk, "Forget-Me-Not".... I read it this morning and it was exactly what I needed to hear!  I have been a little down, and disappointed in myself for some reason, and on edge... not knowing why I was..... So I am so grateful I got to take the Sacrament yesterday to have a fresh start... I feel so great.  I love the Savior!    In His talk He mentioned 5 things we should never forget, but I want to focus on "Forget not that the Lord loves you"....  Sometimes we can feel like the little forget-me-not flower... insignificant and forgotten of the Lord and our family.... HE HAS NOT FORGOTTEN US. He loves us with an infinite love!   He says "Just think of it:  You are known and remembered b the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe!  You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time!  He who created and knows the stars knows you and your name. ... God loves you because you are His child." When we remember this... TRULY remember this, it fills the holes in our hearts and we don't need to turn anywhere else for happiness... we don't need to seek praise or recognition from anyone else.  We don't need to lose 20 pounds to feel self worth... We are loved, because we are God's children.  And He gave us the Gospel to be happy. 

 

I love you, and I'm grateful for the Gospel, and that it's a Gospel of Change.... Phew! I'm never stuck in a rut.  I love the Savior. I love my Heavenly Father.  I love you! 

Onward Christian Soldiers!

From me to you, Kinzie Lou

The Wells put up a Christmas tree for us in the basement... so happy!

LOVE is spelled T-I-M-E

Hello Everyone!

Greetings from I'm-thankful-to-still-be-in-Tallyn's-Reach-for-thanksgiving-but-I-miss-you-all-a-lot- Colorado! 

Happy Thanksgiving week!!!!  Man, I have so many things to be thankful for!  My cup really is running over.  I couldn't even begin to say all the blessings I have received, but I'm so grateful to be living such an abundant life.  I know everything comes from my Father in Heaven and I'm so grateful! 

A funny story is that for some reason... sister Carpenter and I are substitute EVERYTHINGS.!  Primary presidency has to go to a meeting during junior primary? Ask the Sisters to teach sharing time!  Don't have enough people to help at your wedding reception?  Ask the Sisters to prepare and serve the food!  Is your early morning seminary teacher going to be gone one morning?  Ask the Sisters to step in - they are the only people in the whole ward who can't go home and take a nap... it's right back to work. Don't have a Sunday school teacher?  Ask the Sisters to take on over! Everyone is taking Russell M. Nelson's talk "Ask the Missionaries, They can help you!" talk way too seriously....  hahahaha kidding.... I love it so much!  I'm grateful for all of the experiences I'm gaining, and I'll be able to go home and just handle whatever calling is thrown at me!  I love it!  :) 

The work is going so well!  We have a new investigator, Kade! He is 11 and is sooo prepared, and so precious!  Such a good kid.  We taught him the Restoration, and as we shared the story of Joseph Smith's first vision, he was ENTHRALLED! I know he felt the Spirit testifying that it was true!  He then asked, has the true church been brought back then?  Can people attend it?  Lucky for you, Kade, yes.... and it is our job to tell you all about it!!!   He struggles a little bit with reading (especially scriptures cuz it's a whole other language...)  but his friend told us a few days after our appointment that he had already read 2 chapters from the Book of Mormon.  WOW!  He loves it!  I can't believe it! 

Thank you to all who took the time to email me this week..... I just cried and cried.  I have been feeling a little blue due to the holidays, and feeling so isolated from everyone (no letters besides from my mom in over 20 days)  and just feeling forgotten.... when lo and behold, I get on my email this morning and got 5 or 6 emails I wasn't expecting at all.  Everyone told me they loved me and had been thinking about me this week.... that was SUCH a tender mercy.  Heavenly Father, even though He has so many bigger fish to fry, took the time to prompt my friends to send me a little email.  I feel so loved, THANK YOU!  I truly have the best family and friends in the world! 

That leads me to my spiritual thought.  I wanted to speak about compassion... I was reading in the New Testament... and it is ALWAYS talking about how the Savior was going about doing something else, but then He sees the people who need His love and so He stops and has compassion on them and serves them.  It's incredible.  He never is too busy to stop and help the one.  I have seen that just today in having my pitiful prayer answered.  But love really is spelled T.I.M.E.  I know that if we will pray for the Lord to help us find time to show compassion or love on one who needs Him, He will make a way.  I have seen that again and again that if I pray for the Lord to make a way for me to be more obedient, or to do what He needs me to do, HE ALWAYS MAKES A WAY.  If He can lead His children through the red sea on dry ground, I know that He can lead you to someone who needs a little pick-me-up.  That's my invitation to you!  I know our Savior loves us sooo much, and ever is ready to have compassion on us. 

 

I'll be missing you all, but know that I'm so happy!  I love being a missionary, and I love being an instrument in the Lord's hands!  I also know we don't have to have a black name tag to do that, all of us can be.  I love you!!!!!

Onward Christian Soldiers!

From me to you, Kinzie Lou

ps here is a pic of me and Sebastian!!  he is wearing my coat.... little buddy.

and also here is me and sister carpenter spending all last p day at a car dealership waiting for our car to be serviced.... "AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FO DAT!" hahaha. yup, still me.. loves!

ANOTHER WEEK!

Hello Everyone!

Greetings from people-are-starting-to-put-up-their-Christmas-lights-and-I-want-to-cry Colorado! 

It has been a week... good... but kinda a blur... kinda hard... but good.  haha. 

Things are great with Sister Carpenter... she may be getting sick of me, but I'll never get sick of her! We still are having the time of our lives.  She printed out a TERRIBLE picture of me that in behalf of Chelsey I lovingly entitled "the Schemer".... it was nast.  And she printed it and hides it all around the apartment... one day it was staring at me as I hopped into the shower... I died! haha...  One time on my cereal box... one time in my scripture case... it is so funny... we have to laugh and love every day !

The work is going well, and one of our investigators wasn't able to meet with us last week, but SURPRISE... shows up to church with her neighbor in the ward... This ward is so awesome! I love the people here! We are really trying to work hard and work smart, by helping the members to be good missionaries too.  So all of you reading this... can I just say.... M. Russell Ballard has invited every member to pray about one person they can introduce to the missionaries by Christmas time.  We just have to give em the choice... it's all about agency people... by not ever inviting them to learn more, we take away their agency. And don't ya think the best Christmas present you could give to them and the Savior, is an opportunity for them to feel the Savior's love more in their life?  That's all I'll say about that.

I love teaching our recent converts about the next steps they can take.... steps toward the temple! I get to go to the temple this week, and I just love the peace we feel in the Lord's house!  I love being a missionary! I love seeing me change, and I LOVE seeing these people change as I invite them to come to Christ. 

Shout out to mama Sheri for being so thoughtful and sending me letters and packages. She is the best.  Sometimes I feel like my life at home is a dream, and I feel pretty isolated and lonely at times.... So I'm grateful for a good mom and great friends that help me to feel loved.  Thank you! 

I love the Gospel! It is true!  I love the Savior!  He is so patient.  We as impatient and imperfect people can't understand the kind of patience that He has, but it is there. He loves us and is ever ready for us to turn to Him. It's never too late.   I love Him.

I love you all, and miss you!  Have a great week.... til we read again I suppose. 

Onward Christian Soldiers! 

From me to you, Kinzie Lou

PS here is a little snap shot of me at zone conference with my zone! and also a shot of me and Sis Burnett and Sis Carps and Sister Bleak all of us have been companions with each other except Sis Bleak and I... and Sister Openshaw joined for kicks and giggles... that didn't make sense... sorry... loves.

Life's a Test....But good thing we take it in PENCIL!

Hello Everyone!!! Greetings from I'm-staying-in-Aurora-and-I-couldn't-be-happier Colorado!That's right, Sister Carpenter and I are staying here in the Tallyn's Reach ward for another 5 weeks and we are sooo excited!!!!  Funny moment that happened this week... We are teaching some members the lessons and they invite non member friends to come, but after one lesson we were gathering our things to go.  I gave the mom and hug thanks and then stuck out my hand to shake their 13 year old sons hand cuz he was right there.... he said opening his arms wide "bring it in sister Hunter!" and stepped towards me... I just backed away slowly and he kept stepping forward and then his dad a RM said Cole, you can't hug sister missionaries! he stopped in his tracks and was SOO bright red!!! I felt sooo bad!  I felt really awkward too so I tried to recover with an awkward bust slash handshake I didn't know what I was doing thing....  so awkward.... It has been a great week for the work!!! On Sunday at church I was sooo happy!  I looked around and we had an investigator there who loved it, 3 less active sisters that we love were there, and our recent converts were there as well!  Heavenly Father is just sooo good to us!  One Less active sister we work with was the one introducing our investigator to all the relief society sisters... it was amazing!!!  And I know full well that that was definitely the Lord's hand at work,,,, nothing on our part! I wonder when I go home if I will ever be this excited to see people at church... seriously... rush of the week / or biggest let down of the week.... sacrament meeting start time is game time as a missionary. My spiritual thought this week is from President Uchtdorf's talk in the Priesthood Session of General Conference.  "You can do it now!"  I love how hopeful he is, and truly that is the Savior's way.... He said in effect, that our destiny is not determined by how many times we stumble, rather by how many times we get back up.   He taught the difference between Godly sorrow and worldly sorrow... Godly sorrow is recognizing what we have done has moved us away from the Lord, and so it moves us to want to turn back to Him.  True repentance is not torment, but it is the promise of being able to turn back to God, no matter what.  I told a recent convert this morning that life is a test.  Our Heavenly Father has given us the answer key (the Gospel and the commandments) but still He knows we won't score 100% on our own.  I'm grateful to our Father that we don't have to take the test in pen.  We take it in pencil, and our Savior and His Atonement is the perfect eraser.  Wouldn't it be silly in this little analogy to make a mistake and then just give up?  Use that eraser, and try again... it's quite simple.  Our Savior loves us and gave His life so He could be that eraser in our lives.  I love Him. 

 I love you all and I know I will miss you during the holidays, but, I'm grateful to be out here sharing the good news.  Here are some pics of my zone, and also sis carps and I finding out we can stay together. wee! Onward Christian Soldiers!From me to you, Kinzie Lou

Pure Love OF Christ!

Hello Everyone!!! 

Greetings from why-do-I-keep-going-outside-without-my-coat-I-must-be-in-denial-that-its-winter Colorado! 

Wow,,, what a week it has been!!  We've had a week that is quite common for us mission folk to have, it's called.... everyone and their dog wanted to cancel their appointments with us... no big deal... :)  But we still were able to work hard and accomplish some good!  :) 

Some funny happenings... first... I love this ward, and I'm close with a lot of the families. There is one family that is so sweet, but the youngest child... let's just say his 7 dwarf is Grumpy. (his mom blames it on the curly hair)  Anyways I did a loving little head scratch as he walked by and he turned and with all sorts of rage, full out HISSED at me.  We died laughing!! soooo funny! 

On Halloween we had to go in by 6 o’clock so it was a fun little relaxing night for us!!!  My mom suggested that I should've dressed up as my favorite Book of Mormon character... but I don't know how that would've flown... me as Ammon with an bag full of fake arms or something... not sure how I feel about it... yes I do... not good.

My spiritual thought is on Charity.  I was reading Moroni 7 again, and I had a new insight.  Charity is the "pure love of Christ"... I have always thought of the pure love that Christ has for us that we should show to others.  While I still think that is accurate, I had the thought that Charity is the pure love OF Christ.  When we truly love our Savior it makes us want to treat others better.  It makes us want to feast on our scriptures.  It makes us want to use the Atonement every day, because we love him so completely and are so grateful for His sacrifice for us. 

I love my Savior.  I have felt His strength and His peace more than I feel I deserve throughout my life.  I love how forgiving He is.  He is Hope, He is Everything!  I'm so grateful for Him, and for His Atonement.  I have seen it change me, and I get to see it change others every day. 

My invitation is to think about how much you love the Savior.  Has that changed the way you live your life?  Elder Holland said, "the crowning characteristic of love is always loyalty." 

I love being a missionary!!  I'm so happy, even though I miss you all a lot! 

Spread your love of the Savior to someone who needs it... which is just about everyone. The Master said, "Do ye love me? ... Feed my sheep."

Onward Christian Soldiers!

From me to you, Kinzie Lou

pic... Halloween time... sporting earrings my mama made special... she is so festive!

TRICK OR TREAT... no candy ....... JUST THE GOSPEL!

Hello Everyone!

Greetings from why-does-everyone-love-having-creepy-Halloween-decorations- Colorado!

What a week it has been!!!

Sister Carpenter and I have been working soo hard, and loving every day we have together! 

We volunteered at the Southland's mall handing out Halloween candy and I was reminiscing about all my favorite Halloweens growing up... my favorite was when it was super foggy and we were waiting for the bus at the bus stop... usually we could see the bus a few blocks away... but this special Halloween morning, the bus came out of the fog suddenly like a ghost bus! wow!!!  and then the power was out at school so we got to go home... BEST HALLOWEEN EVER!

When we were at service, we heard the 90's song "it's electric" come on.... if you ever feel down, I will quote the inspiring tune.... It's electric! Boogie Woogie Woogie...

Last week we had a miracle happen!  A woman and her daughter that Sister Meteer and I had met doing the "prayer approach" was soooo friendly to us when we saw her again, so sis carps and I went back to set up a teaching appointment.  That first lesson was INCREDIBLE!  That little 9 year old girl Emmy was soooo prepared!  They were asking questions that we can't wait to answer with the Gospel, and they didn't want us to leave that night they had such a good experience!  Updates to follow!

I love these people here so much, and I adore the ward... I hope I can stay til Christmas but who knows!! :/ 

Bro and mama Jenkins were soooooo sweet and they surprised us yesterday with a gift. and wood encarved plan of Salvation diagram!!!! They know personally the guy who designs and makes them, and they aren't even on shelves yet.... It even has my name engraved on the back... I know it will be a family heirloom, and I can't wait to teach my kids using it.... just a way cool moment... I love the Jenkins! They are sooo good to me!!

 

My Spiritual thought is about Charity.   In Moroni 7:48 it tells us that Charity is the pure love of Christ and that we should "pray with all the energy of heart, that ye may be FILLED with this love."  I was thinking about the times in my life, and out here as I have asked the Lord to let me love them and see them like He does, and He Always lets me! It's amazing!!!!   In the New Testament, the Savior told us that the first great commandment in the law is to..." Love the Lord with all our heart, mind, might, and strength.  And the second is like unto it.  Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."  Why didn't He just say... and love thy neighbor?  .... hmm....?   So my thought is that sometimes it is hard for us to truly love ourselves and see ourselves the way the Savior does.  Every single person on the Earth, every single one of YOU He knelt in agonizing prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane for.  He LOVES us with His pure love..  as we pray for Charity with all energy of heart, any hole we may have can be filled!  We can be filled with His love He has for others, and we can be filled with the Love He has for us.  That is my invitation to you! 

I love you all!  I miss you... I can't believe that come November I will have just a year left!  what?  I know....  I am truly happy.  I love this work, and I love being a missionary! 

ps I know this is soo petty... but with Christmas time coming up I will just say, that I am not happy with how many chins I have these days... therefore... if you feel the need to send a goody package come Christmas (i'm not expecting anything... I'm the worst gifter of them all)  I would much love dried fruit over candy....  or you could send me just wrappers as a joke.  anyways.... just to throw that out there...

Onward Christian Soldiers!

From me to you, Kinzie Lou

ps how many times do I say "soooooo" ??  my apologies.

And That's the Gospel Truth!

Hello Everyone,

Greetings from I'm-so-sad-that-the-leaves-are-starting-to-fall Colorado!!! 

That's right... it is sooooo beautiful here, but soon enough it will be not as beautiful wintertime....

Man oh man,,,, what a week!  This transfer is going by WAY too fast!!! Sis Carps... she's a gem.  I have gained such a testimony of planning and setting goals. She has taught me so much, and we see miracles as we work our hardest every day to achieve our goals! 

AUNIKA GOT BAPTIZED! My sweet little 11 year old Aunika who was my first investigator I started teaching in this area!  She got baptized yesterday, and we've had to overcome a lot of family dynamics to get her to this point.... but she was sooo excited!  She went down into the font and looked like a sweet little angel, and when she came up out of the water - I have never seen anyone smile that big!  She was GLOWING!  wow!  Seeing her grow these past few months has been incredible.  We have taught her twice a week for a while now, and we went through all the lessons twice, so that she would REALLY understand, and hearing how her sweet prayers changed, and now I know that she is coming to know the Lord and that she loves Him! It's incredible.!  I love being a missionary!!! (are you all sick of me sayin that yet??? too bad,,, we still have a years worth of emails to go.... haha) 

I feel so strongly that Sister Carpenter and I are together in this area for many reasons and it has been incredible to witness miracles everyday!!!  This really is the Lord's work!

I just want to bear my testimony that the Atonement is real.  If it weren't I wouldn't be witnessing so many people (including myself)  changing.   That is what the Gospel is all about - using the Atonement to change into and become the people our Heavenly Father wants us to be.  People that will want to live in His presence forever.  It's never too late for the Atonement.  The Atonement is our Hope!  Hope that we can be made strong enough to get through and find joy in this life; and Hope that we can live in a state of NEVER-ENDING HAPPINESS. 

I love the Gospel, it is true and complete and blesses us more than anything else.  We have it because Joseph Smith "saw a pillar of light..."   How great it is to know we have a prophet on the Earth today, who just spoke to us and filled me with so much HOPE!  I love the Lord, and I love His work.

My invitation to you is think about your testimonies... go on, take a moment....  who would benefit from hearing a little part of that?  I invite you all to pray have an experience where you can share something you believe with someone! 

I love you all and miss miss miss you!  I still am finding moments that make these 18 months away from you all worth it.... I'm soo happy, and I'm grateful for your thoughts, prayers, and support!!!  (and letters... I love those too... hehehe)  

ps... Oh here's a pic of me and sis carpenter at a service 5k race we helped with.... we were so cold we just about died....  moment of melodrama for the day - check.

Onward Christian Soldiers!

From me to you, Kinzie Lou

"Miracle Whip"

Hello Everyone!!! 

Greetings from the-leaves-are-changing-and-I-love-fall-so-much-it's-beautiful-boo-winter- Colorado!!! 

I have seen absolute miracles this week!!  Hence, the title of this is "miracle whip".... also because Sister Carpenter asked me what my guilty pleasure food is... and I'm not ashamed of anything except Miracle whip sandwiches I would have when I was little.  That's right...  bread and miracle whip. hahaha... So that's been our catch phrase all week!!  She is so funny.  And I am just crazy.... what a good match!  :) 

Tucker was baptized on Saturday and it was so special!!! I have loved teaching him!!!  He soaked it all right up, like a sponge!!  He reminds me of my great friend Chris... haha.  But the smile that was on Tucker's face after He was confirmed was priceless. He was BEAMING.  Another one of those "this is all worth it" moments.  I have those every day!  So truly, this is the most incredible things I have ever done in my life!!!  I will forever be grateful that the Lord inspired President Monson to change the age, making it possible for me to come right now.  So blessed! 

Funny stories that happened...  well we were pulling up across the street to our dinner appointment and there was a little boy (9-ish)  playing in the front yard.  As we parked our car he looked at us with shock.  20 seconds later that look transformed to pure terror!  We were getting out of the car and he starting pounding on the car in his driveway (his friend was inside) saying "let me in, let me in!"   We couldn't stop laughing... I had no idea I looked like such a kidnapping terror!  wow.... hahaha. 

Another terrible story... most of you know I'm afraid of birds.... especially chickens. (which is ironic that my nickname growing up was evil chicken.. anyways....)  Well we were doing service at the Plains Conservation center and they have like 20 chickens... we were sweeping out the buildings... we were walking from one to the other and the chickens all stopped and looked at us.  they started creeping towards us, making me VERY uncomfortable... they accelerated in pace and then the squealing and running ensued!  They chased us into a building we had already swept and then just hung out outside the door waiting for us to come out.  We were held hostage in the building for 5 minutes before they went about their business.... It was absolutely terrifying... I'll tell you that chickens look like mini tyrannosaurus rexes with feathers....  and they run like them too!  so scary! I don't know why animals love to attack me.... 

Like I said earlier, this has been a week of miracles and I want to share one that happened last night.  It was with a young part member family that I met and had tried to teach since I was with Sister Brown. They have been so busy and not able to meet with us. Out of the blue last week they called us and Mischa (the investigator) asked when church was and the address etc. WHAT???  They came! One of the speakers spoke on Hope through Jesus Christ and Mischa was so touched!! It was an answer to her prayers! When we sat down to teach her last night, she told us right off the bat, that being at church yesterday was the most peaceful feeling she has ever felt in her whole life! She started to cry as we taught the Restoration and especially the First Vision. She said that she previously had fears about joining because of her family was staunch in their religion, but she said she didn't care anymore. She knows that this is right for her and she is excited to be baptized! WOW!!!! Heavenly Father FILLED our hearts with His love for her, and it is just an honor to be an instrument in His hands. Sister Carpenter related to Mischa SOO well and I know without a doubt that the timing of us finally being able to teach her when Sister Carpenter was here was by divine design. Mischa needs Sister Carpenter and I'm just grateful to be a witness of that miracle of Heavenly Father crossing their paths. 

I have that reaffirmed to me again and again... everything happens for a reason.   Heavenly Father has this wonderful and great plan... and amazingly He allows us agency and free choice, but yet everyday little miracles happen that I know that the Lord is very involved in our lives.  He loves us so much and knows what we need and WHO we need.  So think about the people in your life.  Has Heavenly Father crossed your paths with someone for a reason?  My invitation to you is to pray to know if there is someone that the Lord has placed in your life that you can bless and help them to feel His love for them.  Missionary work is INVITING PEOPLE TO COME TO CHRIST.  If that is by inviting them to church, or to meet with missionaries, or if that simply is telling them that they have a Heavenly Father that loves them that they can pray to.   May we all pray more earnestly for those sweet experiences.  I know the Lord has placed us here on this earth at THIS time for a reason... He knew that we could help those around us make it home.   So let's do just that. 

I love you all so much and I miss you!  I can't believe I've already been out 5 months!  This time has flown by, and in one month I will have a little under a year left.  wow!  I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! Heavenly Father let's me feel a taste of His love for His children and it is amazing!  I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! I LOVE THE GOSPEL! I LOVE THE SAVIOR! I LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON!  This church is true.!  I know it with my WHOLE heart! 

 

Peace n blessins... peace n blessins.... 

Onward Christian Soldiers!

From me to you, Kinzie Lou

pictures: 

@ Tuckers baptism (that's his girlfriend too) 

 My MTC Sistas!!!!  We had a sister's conference!!  LOVE THEM!

We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet!

Hello Everyone!!! 

Greetings from Could-I-be-any-happier?-I-Submit-That-I-Could-Not!- Colorado!!!

Seriously, life with Sister Carpenter has been amazing!!!!  She is an incredible missionary, helping me to think outside of the box!!!  We just laugh all day, 'ere day!  haha.  We are trying to ever find JOY in the Lord's service and we find it in the little things every day! 

Tim was baptized on Saturday!!!  So happy!!!!!   Sister Mack with tears in her eyes came up to me and hugged me.  She said "12 months and counting"....  (12 months til they can be sealed in the temple together)   That moment right there is why I do what I do.  That is what this is all about.  I love you all and miss you so much, but yet that moment makes this all worth it.  I LOVE THE GOSPEL!!! 

Can I just say that General Conference was AMAZING!!! SERIOUSLY!!!  After every talk I did a victory fist pump because as was quoted in conference, "Righteousness is more powerful than wickedness" and that was a lot of truth and hope being shared with the world!  Winning Team!!!! 

I love that they were bold, but loving and hope-filled, but strong and resolute.  That is the Lord's way!  His ways don't change to appease man, but yet He ever stands beckoning for us to repent and return to His loving arms.  I especially loved President Uchtdorf's talk (I think of him as Deiter F. HOPEdorf these days).  "Come. Join With Us."  We are never too late, or too far gone when it comes to the Atonement!

I also really loved Elder Neilsen's talk about missionary work and exclamation points!  I always say that I could put down my skill for using exclamation points on my resume so I was LOVING IT! He was like a sports announcer (I'm pretty sure he really IS one)  and was sooo excited about missionary work! Well So AM I!  I'll quote President Monson "NOW is the time for members and missionaries to come together, work together, and labor in the Lord's vineyard to bring souls to Him."  .... That's what is on the prophet's mind.  NOW is the time!  LOVE IT!!! 

Some take aways that I heard reiterated multiple times that I loved were as follows:

·        Be not afraid, only believe.

·        The Lord's ways are not our ways. (make them our ways.)

·        Take His Yoke upon you, for His burden is light.

·        To spiritually ENDURE we have to be in spiritual shape.  Use the Gospel!

·        MISSIONARY WORK IS SO IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW!

·        Men and women are different, but both important.  We just need to understand our roles in the plan of salvation.

·        What was that fly trying during the austrailian seventy's talk?

·        I love music.  Mo tab nailed it again! Oh Divine Redeemer!! Stunning.

·        The prophet and apostles have trials too,,, they overcome them just like we do, through the Atonement. They are so hopeful, and cheerful.

·        The world is wicked... but we are FREE to choose for ourselves life or death.

I love you all! I love the Gospel! I love my Savior, and I know that He is leading this church through a Prophet and Apostles!!!   I love this work!  There is so much joy to be felt, even amidst craziness.... are we looking up? 

Here are a few pics for ya!

- True Love is Sister Carpenter peeling my oranges at lunch because she knows I hate peeling them myself.             

   

-  Tim Mack's Baptism!!!!  Such a happy day!

 I love you all!!!!! 

Onward Christian Soldiers!

From Me to you, Kinzie Lou