BUTTERFLIES -

Hello Everyone!

Greetings from the-sun-always-comes-again-no-matter-how-crazy-the-storm-is Colorado! 

Literally, and spiritually that's how I feel.  The weather has been stormy and so have I.  But...  there is light.  There is hope.  I want to quote Mama Sheri.  She told me a bad attitude is like a flat tire - you can't go anywhere until you change it.  Thanks mama.  It's true... there are some things that I can change to try and find joy in the journey now. 

Happiness won't only come when I have so many teaching appointments I don't ever have time to knock on a single door.  Happiness won't only come when the members are giving us referrals every day and we don't have time to contact them all.  Happiness won't only come when I see people enter the waters of baptism.  Sure, those things WOULD bring happiness.  But until then, why don't I just enjoy being happy now.  Ok, if you insist.  :)  

Some tender mercies... in the middle of one of the saddest days I've had, Heavenly Father put a lot of butterflies in my path.  I hadn't seen many since my first transfer, but this week I've seen multiple every day... even to the extent that after a guy cussed us out for asking if we could pray with him, the next house had a butterfly doorbell button.  That was a tender mercy.  Heavenly Father took the time to send a little dainty butterfly to flit right on past me as if to say "I love you.  Keep going.  I know your potential.  I'm hearing you.  I'm mindful of you. I'm sorry you're sad, but just keep smiling"  He is SO good. 

Also, in humility and almost desperation one night I prayed that as we walked around the apartment buildings that the Lord would lead us to people/ lead people to us because I'm just me. I'm weak... I don't know where they are.. but He does.  So with the attitude of "I'll talk to EVERY single person I see" the Lord led us to people... one of those people was a lady I had previously met but had failed to get her information so I didn't know where to find her... well the Lord had other plans.  She said she doesn't usually walk home that way... coincidence?  I think not!  And also we met a lady who has a lot of LDS friends and she was very receptive of meeting with us... that was a miracle!!! 

I know the Lord is there and that He listens... I know that even more so after feeling like He wasn't necessarily talking back to me for the past few weeks.   He has let me struggle... and I think He is allowing me to be shaped up and fine-tuned... and I'm grateful.  But I KNOW that He loves me, and He is listening to every heartfelt and tear stained prayer I've prayed. 

 

I love this work, and I love the Lord!  I love the Atonement!  It is real!!!!   I love you all.  I miss you, and I think about the happiness you have brought to my life and I smile!  Thank you for everything!!! 

Onward Christian Soldiers!! 

From me to you, Kinzie Lou

here is a picture of the silver lining.

here is my favorite picture of the Savior... being the Light amidst that stormy sea.

Piano Playing

Hello Everyone!!!

Greetings from I'm-very-blessed-I-wasn't-washed-away-last-week-Colorado!!

Seriously, the weather this week was INSANE!  One day I was eating lunch outside and tanning, and 2 hours later I'm running to my car because it was raining cats and dogs... and then the tornado siren went off... and then the flash flood warning txts kept coming to my phone... great tracting weather.... maybe not.... haha...  rainy weather can be great cuz people will take pity and let us in when we are dripping wet... but in weather like that there is no way people would let us in because they think we are literally insane.  Why would they let a crazy into their house??  so yeah....  I love it...

 

I really had to reevaluate my attitude last week... I was feeling a little discouraged that I wasn't seeing "miracles." well....  I decided I need to start trying to see the little tender mercies more every day and I will be reminded that God is there... and showing His love to me.  He especially is showing me His love by letting me grow and struggle a bit.  But He is always there with the strength and comfort when I seek. 

 

Funny story... at dinner that crazy stormy day they had the news on and I saw little snippets of the destruction from the flooding up north in Boulder and stuff... and then this guy gets on and is talking about the rescue efforts being done.  It was amazing!  He said this is the biggest rescue effort made since hurricane Katrina... Hundreds of people have been transported by their efforts... so that was really great... and then he went into detail and said yesterday we rescued 500 people, and 200 pets of various species....  and then he said today we rescued 300 more people, and 100 pets of various species... ok... what's wrong with that picture here people?  there are people waiting to be rescued, but they are saving pets?  what ??  I just don't get it...  But i'm glad those people's spoiled pooches are fine...  sheesh...   sorry I sound heartless... I love pets!  I love cats, and love the dogs I've had growing up.... it just feels like our priorities aren't quite where they need to be. 

 

My spiritual thought comes from my study of Brad Wilcox's talk "His Grace is Sufficient"  I probably have mentioned it before but it is SOOO good I wanted to talk about it again!  I love the analogy he gives of the piano player...  

 

Christ's Grace and Atonement can be thought of a child and a mother who paid for her piano lessons..  because she paid the teacher in full, the mother then turns around and asks for practice.  The child's practicing doesn't pay the teacher, or pay back mom for paying the teacher... but it shows mom the appreciation for the gift given.  The child can use that gift and live a higher life. 

 

So here we all are practicing.  Some people get frustrated and quit when they mess up.  When the child is practicing and hits a wrong note on the piano do we say that they aren't worthy to keep trying?  No.  Do we expect perfection while they are practicing?  No.  The ultimate goal is perfection, but all we are looking for is progress. 

 

Are the only two options playing at Carnegie Hall or quitting?  No! Don't give up. Please don't quit! 

 

We are saved by our Savior's Grace, but He asks us to live the Gospel (faith in Him, repentance, baptism, the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Endure to the End)  So that we can be changed into the people that will be comfortable living in His presence.  All of us will be resurrected!  But it says in the scriptures "No unclean thing can dwell in the presence of God"... No UNCHANGED thing will want to.   We aren't earning Heaven, we are learning Heaven. 

 

So that was my paraphrasing of some of Bro Wilcox's thoughts on Grace.  Absolutely beautiful.  If only the world understood Grace.  If only I understood Grace more... then I wouldn't get so discouraged, but ever be full of Hope that He lives, and loves us, and has given us His Grace which enables us to go Home. 

 

My invitation to you all is to read that talk (read it again if you already have) here is a link: 

 

http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=1966&tid=7

 

 

I love you all so much.  I miss you a ton.  Really... a lot.  But I'm happy serving the Lord!  I can't believe I've been gone 4 months already!  

 

Onward Christian Soldiers!!!

From me to you, Kinzie Lou

THERE IS HOPE

Hello Everyone!!!

Greetings from why-does-everyone-go-to-sleep-at-8-o-clock Colorado!!!

Seriously, 8:30 pm is the worst time of day because I swear that everyone is like "Alright kids, 6:00, time to start getting ready for bed!" so it would do more bad than good to knock on people's doors that late....  man... people take school here so seriously... it's a traumatic thing or something.... 

But I just wanted to say, I'M BACK!  I feel like I'm back to my old self today, so All is Well in Zion!!!   I will say it was another hard week, and I kinda felt like I was just treading water (a familiar feeling...) I broke down in prayer, and just told Him how much I needed help... and just like He always does He calmed the sea, and the peace came... He really IS the Prince of Peace. 

My Spiritual thought for the week comes from a song from Rob Gardner's "Lamb of God".... So here is the Listening assignment everyone!! Go listen to "HERE IS HOPE"!  It is so moving...  the song takes place in the program right after the Savior dies at Calvary, and the following is so inspiring...   It says "Hope did not die here, but here was GIVEN."  

Because Jesus Christ paid the price, and completed the Atonement we are free.  Because Jesus Christ died and lives again, so will we.  I know there are a lot of things in this life that are REALLY hard...  I've experienced my own hard things, with many more yet to come I'm sure... but, at the end of the day, Jesus Christ has made it possible for us to have PEACE in this life, and to "dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness." (Mos 2:41) I know that that is something I really want. 

Sister Meteer - Elaine (new convert) Sister Hunter

So I was kind dejected last week, and not feeling very hopeful.  But I had a loving reminder that I'm out here sharing the BEST message!  I'm sharing the GOSPEL... THE GOOD NEWS... What is that good news?  The way for us to be able to access the Atonement more fully has been restored through a Prophet today.   That's pretty good news.  So no matter how many people aren't quite ready to hear this happy message, I should walk with a spring in my step because, hey, I'm sharing the best message the world has ever heard. 

I know, with every beat of my heart, that Jesus Christ is our Savior!  He knows us, (I know we say that a lot... but knows us SO PERFECTLY!)  He loves us!  And all he asks is for us to keep the commandments!  Love God, and love our neighbors.  God is just and perfect, but a lot of the times, I think that He is ALL MERCY....  He is so Good... He wants us to be happy.  So, everyone, have HOPE.  We have the most powerful being in the universe for a Heavenly Father, and He is oh so concerned with our happiness.  Allow Him to help you find that happiness...   I'm still working on it....  But I have HOPE! 

I love you all!!!  I miss you!!!! 

Onward Christian Soldiers!! 

From me to you, Kinzie Lou!

will the "Real Sister Meteer" be shown!!!

To all Makinzie blog fans.... I am taking the liberty of adding a few pictures that she sent to me.... maybe she didn't want this posted..... but oh well....

 I noticed that Sister Meteer's mother commented on the previous blog that the picture wasn't Sister Meteer..... sorry.  When I posted the picture Makinzie sent I thought it looked a awful lot like Sister Brown, and I commented to Makinzie that you all look so much alike, you could be 'sisters'.... then I realized.... THEY ARE ALL SISTERS!   ha ha...  
     So here is the REAL SISTER METEER!  Looks like they are already having FUN!!!..  (She is learning the standard, "say cheese" face!  

 I just wanted to get the picture of "the right" Sister Meteer in the blog!
So Makinzie, sorry I took the liberty of blogging on my own.

p.s...... this is kinda fun!!!!**!!!

EEEEK..... NO TIME

Hello everyone!!! 

Greetings from why-is-it-still-90-degrees-I'm-ready-for-fall-weather Colorado!

Sorry, I don't have much time....  

I had kinda a rough week again last week....  we got "dropped"  missionary lingo for our investigators broke up with us.... hahha...  not funny... actually it's devastating...  we just have this sincere desire for these people to have the blessings of the gospel, and when they choose to reject it... I just know they are missing out on a lot of happiness and peace.... but I hope they all come around some time... I just am sad they don't have it now... but missionary work isn't supposed to be easy...  "Salvation is never a cheap experience.  It requires something out of the very depths of our soul..."  To quote Elder Holland....

But after a rough week, Heavenly Father gave me a little tender mercy and I was able to see Ms. Elaine baptized... after she was baptized she stood up to bear testimony and just said "hallelujah"!  and then some other great words too....  haha.... but it was a long road to the font for Ms Elaine!  She was ready to accept it after the second lesson, but because of things from the past it took a few months.... but, I'm here to testify that the Savior's Atonement is real, and it works.  And it is not intended for just a select few, the Savior wants ALL of us to use that gift!!  He already gave His life, and already suffered.  We just have to decide if we are going to use it! 

I hope you all had a great labor day!!!  I was kinda missin home yesterday, but I love being out here helping people change their lives!!!   And I'll have many a more labor days to celebrate with you all!  Lookin forward to it.  But still, loving this chapter in my life I call        MY MISSION!        wew!!!!  

Love you all!!!  Thanks for the love and support! 

oh here are some pics of me and Elaine, and me getting a wonderful package... by wonderful I mean disgusting.... from my mom... I have the best one... who always keeps me laughing....  I'll just say that she knows how much I hate crusty white socks.... she sent me one. thanks mom.

Onward Christian Soldiers!!! 

From me to you, Kinzie Lou