PRE to the PARED!

Hello Everyone!Greetings from the-field-is-white-already-to-harvest-and-so-are-the-thistles-Colorado!

What an awesome week we had.... I just feel so blessed to be finding and teaching people who have been SUPER prepared by the Lord for the Gospel.... so awesome. 

1st - Monica.  Claudia referred her to us (doing missionary work BEFORE she is even baptized!)  And everything that she said she thought was wrong about her other churches and what she thinks it should be IS EXACTLY WHAT WE WERE GOING TO TEACH HER. She had many LDS neighbors and the elders used to teach her husband a few years ago.... so cool. 

2nd - Quinn.  We met him tracting but we weren't sure how interested he was. We felt prompted a few weeks later to try back and we taught him about the restoration.  As I recited the experience of Joseph Smith's first vision the Spirit was sooo strong. He was blown away and was like "wow. wow. I believe that. whoa!"  So awesome!

3rd - Vivian. She was in the area book and we stopped by to see her. She instantly let us in (and had such a happy almost crazy look in her eyes I thought I was walking in to my death) She is from Haiti and speaks very little English... but she speaks French.  The old Bishop speaks French!  BONJOUR! We taught her and her son Peterson translated it all for her and she came to church the next day. SO AWESOME! 

Another miracle is that there is someone in the ward who served his mission in Ghana and so we took him to teach olac with us and the whole family was AMAZED that this white guy was speaking perfect Twi to them... I know this will be a turning point in their conversion, being able to more fully understand! 

Sister Grenfell and I are getting along like a 5 dollar foot long. I love her!  She is started to understand that I really am crazy... accepted. I haven't realized in a long time how many crazy faces I make until being her companion. Everyone has always been able to read my face like a book and all the time she is blown away by how expressive I am.  If anyone in church says an off comment that worries me due to our sweet investigators there, apparently I make a face and she can't not laugh. my b.

 I really have been thinking a lot this week about the power of loving people and being kind.  It was President Toombs' last week here in the mission and it was sooo sad saying goodbye to him. He is like a father to me and I have learned SOO much from him.  I think my favorite thing that I've learned from President Toombs is his ability to make everyone feel so good about themselves.  "You would never walk away from a conversation with the Savior feeling bad about yourself, or that you were without hope or help." - Sis Carps.  I think that President Toombs was that quote personified.  I want to be like that.  I want to see people how Christ sees them, and talk to them how He would and just LOVE like Him.  We will never know what it would mean to someone if we treated them that way. I know that Heavenly Father loves each and every one of you, perfectly.  He knows your strengths and weakness and potential. He gives us the opportunity to be the means of helping those around us recognize the love that He has for them.  

My invitation to you is to think of one person you could be more kind to (parents, siblings, cashier at walmart, salespeople, neighbor, trash guy, etc.) and then write down a plan of action for this week and what you can do to make that person feel more love in their life.  I know that if we ask, Heavenly Father will let us feel a taste of the love that He has for those people. That will in turn change each of us forever, knowing that God feels that way about us too.  

I love you and am so grateful for you! I'm so sorry that I'm behind on responding to emails and mail... but I really appreciate the love and support and the updates from home.  I cannot believe I have just 4 1/2 months left of my mission.... I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!! sorry this is long... my b.

Onward Christian Soldiers!From me to you, 
Kinzie Lou

pics1 - me and p toombs at the goodbye day thing. que treesh!2 - a member gave sis Grenfell and I dinner to go... it was raining... (mission rule can't eat in the car) so we ate it on the side of the road under towels... looked straight up homeless.

My Favorite Color is WHITE!

Hello Everyone!

Greetings from I've-been-here-for-so-long-I'm-running-out-of-catchy-greetings-Colorado! 

What a week... so good!  We had many miracles, and had the craziest and most incredible attendance at church yesterday... blessings.  We want everyone we teach to come to church, but when they do... we don't even know how to handle it. But it is awesome seeing people happy and smiling as they live the Gospel. I love being a missionary!!!!

Alyssa got baptized this week!!! Oh happy day.  I got to sit by her mom Marisol and I just love seeing the change come over her as she has been becoming more converted and as she has been coming back to church. It is like the happiest feeling. 

Olac came to church and LOVED it.  He is so excited for his baptism date in July... AND I FOUND OUT A NEW MEMBER OF THE WARD SERVED HIS MISSION IN GHANA! Miracles.  The whole family will be soo tickled. But I'm pretty sure that I'm learning enough Twi that soon I'll be able to teach them in Twi on my own.... one word at a time. ;)   just kidding... 

I love serving here in this area that is so diverse! I love all of the different cultures and people. And the suburban heart beat (incredibly loud ghetto bass beats) that rattle the windows of my house every evening is now music to my ears. :)

My spiritual thought this week is on the Atonement.  There was an event that happened yesterday that was really tough with one of the families I'm working with.... and as I took that burden upon myself thinking I have to fix it all and make it perfect (like I've always tried to do) I realized there are many things I can't fix. There are many things that only Christ can fix.  I know He can HEAL us and He can also make us WHOLE.  There is a difference - healing is physically being made right; being made whole is something that happens inside of us, in our very souls.  I know that Christ can make us whole and help everything to be right again, through His atonement.  I know it takes time and patience, and a lot of faith in Him... but it can happen.   As we rely on His atonement, the challenges we have in life can be better endured, understood, and one day can prove redemptive.  I love changing.  I love my Savior.  He makes me strong when I am weak (all the time)

 

My invitation to you is watch a bible video this week.  Follow this link  https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/?lang=eng  and watch whatever one you feel so inspired to watch.  They are a great tool to help us know the Savior a little better.

I love you all and am so grateful for you. I miss you all and pray for you daily.  Thank you for the love and support... and sorry I'm THE WORST pen pal ever. But I cherish the letters you send, I just am sooo slow at responding! sorry!!

Onward Christian Soldiers!

From me to you, Kinzie Lou

pics of me and sis Grenfell at the temple & Alyssa's baptism! wee woo!

Smilin so much my face might explode!

Hello everyone!

Greetings from there-are-potholes-so-deep-here-I-think-they-might-reach-to-China-Colorado!

I am so happy right now, I feel like I should write this email in all caps... but that's tiring after a while because then it feels like I'm yelling at you!!!  haha... But I am soooooo HAPPY. My week with Sister Grenfell was amazing. She is an incredible missionary!  She has taught me so much already.... mostly we are trying to rely on the Lord and do the work in His way.  It's been incredible. We have seen soo many miracles! I'll list a few!!!

 

1 - Sister Grenfell actually met one of our investigators, Janice, a few months ago and is way close with Janice's best friends who introduced her to the gospel.. coincidence? I think not.

2 - Olac said "I promise I will get baptized on the 19th of July!" what??? We saw him change his heart right in front of our eyes... amazing.

3 - Terry admitted that she doesn't think her church has all the truth and she finally has the real intent to pray about the Book of Mormon. Also she promised to come to church! First time ever.

4 - We found a new family of investigators because they were playing soccer outside and we played soccer with them for a few minutes then shared a message about how the Gospel blesses familes! #iknewsoccerwouldcomeinhandy #soccerinaskirt

 

I recognized that all of these miracles come from Heavenly Father. He is sooo good to me. I'm amazed that that goodness doesn't run out. No expiration date. And if he is blessing me so much, it doesn't mean that there aren't enough blessings in the blessing jar to bless you too.  We each can have overflowing blessings in our lives because our Father is perfect, kind, loving, wise, and merciful.  Sometimes He has to allow us to experience mortality... which equals the hard and bad things that are a part of this life.  But I know that He is there with us ever step of the way. He won't ever allow a trial to try us that will break us down past repair.  He can always help and strengthen and heal us. Always.  I love my Heavenly Father.  I hope He smiles a bit and chuckles at me when I just walk around smiling... I know I'm goofy, but I'm so happy. The Gospel is true. It is good.

In John 10:10 it says "... I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."  He really means that.

 

I love you all and miss you all.... today is my 13 month mission birthday. wee woo. 5 more months and I'll be back home... buggin ya.  I love you and pray for you!!!  Keep the Faith!!!

 

Onward Christian Soldiers!

From me to you, kinzie lou

 

pics.... yes. i'm looking crazy... and i'm holding a ferret. There is a definite correlation.

Miracles

Hello Everyone!!!!

Greetings from they-never-are-getting-rid-of-me-here-in-Green-Valley-Colorado! 

 

That's right folks, I am staying in Green Valley FOR ANOTHER TRANSFER!  SOOO EXCITING! We were all shocked that Sister Openshaw, who had been here for less time than me was transferred.  Crazy. My new companion's name is Sister Grenfell... man I love her already.  She is so cute and blonde... already we have had more cat calls today than I had in all my time here... blondes. so annoying.  :)  I'm grateful for guardian angels!

 

LE'CRETIA GOT BAPTIZED!!!!! Wow! It was such a beautiful service!  The Spirit was sooo strong and I knew that Heavenly Father was soo pleased with the decision she made.  It was crazy all the little obstacles that popped up that day, and right before she was confirmed in Sacrament Meeting tornado sirens were going off and we had to pause and check out the weather outside to make sure all was safe.... I just sat there thinking that she made the devil REALLY mad in getting baptized.  He was trying to stop her with anything... but her faith is incredible!  I have loooved teaching her! 

 

I'm so excited for this new transfer to have the opportunity to really stretch and grow and try to be the best that I can every day.  I'm unhappy when I feel stuck in a rut... but the good news of the gospel is that we can change. All the time. It is so exciting! 

 

My spiritual thought this week is on faith.  What is it? Faith is  a hope of things not seen, which are true.  That's a broad definition.  For me, personally... faith is knowing that God is real and that He loves me and cares.  That means that no matter what things I go through, I know it all will be OK
.  And one day it will be more than OK, it will be wonderful and right again.  I know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is a real power that we can tap into.  It changes us. It makes us strong enough.  It brings us peace and healing when nothing else does.  It doesn't keep the bee of life from stinging us, but it takes away the sting. It takes away the hurt. It can even take away the fear of getting stung again in the future.  I know that Heavenly Father is there for us and will walk with us if we just ask Him to.   Keep the faith.  If you don't think you have any, I invite you to start. Baby steps will do.  Start with a desire to believe and let that work in you.  Read Alma 32!

 

I love the Savior.  I love this Gospel. I love being a missionary! I love the plan of Salvation... it is true.  I love you all and I miss you. I pray for you daily and I appreciate the prayers you say for me too.

 

Onward Christian Soldiers!

From me to you, Kinzie Lou

 

I GOT RYE IN ME EYE!

Hello Everyone!

Greetings from this-is-probably-the-only-other-place-in-the-world-besides-Holden-to-have-this-abundance-of-rye-grass-Colorado!  That's right folks, allergy season is upon us... but unlike my former years I won't use "I have allergies" as an excuse for anything... Cade hated that I never had to help with the farm chores during rye season.. lol.

 

What a week we had. It was great... Everyone in emails has been asking me if I have been transferred yet... I know I've been here forever! 6 months baby! But this is the last week of the transfer... who knows, President might just keep me here a little bit longer (if I could be so lucky!)  But always when we are comfortable or accustomed to anything... time for change.  That's the only way we can grow is by getting out of the comfort zone. Que the story of my mission "You can't grow in the comfort zone, and it's not very comfortable in the growth zone.. but he will always provide comfort." 

 

We have found a few new investigators who are awesome! All of them had or have great relationships and experiences with members, and they are prepared because some member loved em enough to invite.  That's the hastening people... Just be a light, then invite.  I even made it rhyme for ya. :) 

 

My spiritual thought for the week is on pride.  I was finishing up Ether the other day and in the span of a chapter or two, millions of people (a whole civilization) were destroyed.... Right at the end of this crazy war, one of the leaders Coriantumr writes a letter to Shiz saying (I'm paraphrasing here) "Alright... you win. this is crazy. you can have the kingdom, can we just be done fighting already?"  Shiz is so angry and so proud (all of the people were proud too) and he says, "nope. don't care, I'm going to kill ya."  So the Spirit knew that I needed to learn something... not about war, but about relationships and families.  Ultimately the Jaredites were destroyed because they would rather be right, then happy.  They would rather hold a grudge than hold out a hand offering a new start.  I know that every single one of us has personally experienced that, or seen it first hand in our families.  President Monson's closing remarks from the past few conferences have encouraged "our homes to be filled with love, courtesy, and the Spirit of the Lord."  That is happiness.  I hope that each of us can identify one person that we can be a little more kind to.  It will probably take some help from the Lord, and some humility.  But I know I want to learn from the Jaredites, I would much rather be happy than be "right".  Christ IS able to heal every hurt, and help us feel real love and charity for someone we might not be able to on our own. That's my invitation to you this week. 

 

I love you all. I miss you, but I'm LOVING my mission.  I love the Lord. I'm grateful that He is able to truly change my heart, and my very nature so that I can truly have peace and happiness.  Have a great week! PS thank you for the emails and letters.. I've been feeling so loved and remembered. You are all soo good to me. Thank you!!! I pray for you daily!

 

Onward Christian Soldiers!

From me to you, Kinzie Lou 

 

 

pics:

the new church building built right here in Green Valley! the work is hastening so the building can be full!!!

the stake presidency once a transfer feeds us breakfast. pancake and baskin robbins ice cream. try it. I'm so serious. it is soo good!!!! my zoneleader volunteered to be a model.