What to do, when there is nothing to do?

Hello Everyone! 

Greetings from everyone-and-their-dog-is-feeding-us-fresh-corn-on-the-cob-and-I-couldn't-be-happier-Colorado!

I love end of summer time!  BLT's, watermelon, corn on the cob, lemonade.... now I'm hungry. 

It's been an interesting week!   Sister Johnson has been to Nepal (and one day she will save that country) but she told me a phrase they say often. "ke garne" It means, "what to do?" In Nepal (it's a 3rd world country... where Mount Everest is if that helps with geography) their electricity will just randomly turn off for 8 hours. every day. So the people say "ke garne" and do the best with what they have.  Sometimes in missionary life.. or all the time... things fall apart. Everything that happens here is a product of someone else's agency.  Sometimes they ALL use their agency in ways I wish they wouldn't at the SAME TIME!.  So things seemingly have fallen apart here.... BUT I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for us and now we just have more time to find the elect, and to build trust with the members here. Ke Garne!  

We did have 2 amazing miracles. Benita. She soaked everything right up and is excited for a church to take her family to! Our recent convert Frances came to the lesson, and was THE MOST incredible missionary ever. So fun!  

Dayna. She had been taught in the past, but things had gotten a little hectic and so the missionaries stopped going.  We did some service for her and then she wanted us to come back to talk, not to do service. Great!  We talked with her and asked about her core beliefs and what she wants from our visits and the Spirit was soo strong. Everything that she had come to know as truth as she has studied allllll sorts of religions, lined up exactly with what we believe.  I do love that about being here and meeting so many people of different faiths, because God has truth everywhere. He just has all of the truth nice and summed up here in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  But she was so grateful to know that she could explore and study and ask God for what was true. We don't cram any truth down people's throats, but we teach and share what we know is true and then invite THEM to ask God, who will never lead them astray. It's beautiful. I love being a missionary!  

I know that God is our Loving Heavenly Father.  He loves us and has a plan for each and every one of us.  I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior and that because of Him, even when we don't understand perfectly, we can know with surety that everything will be ok.  Tomorrow can always be better. I know that the Gospel is complete and true and it contains answers to every question. I know that this church is living. It is led by the living Christ through a living prophet.  So amazing. I know that everything happens for a reason, and that we are placed in people's paths (or people in our paths) for a reason to help us learn and grow.  

I love you all and am grateful for you.  I miss you and hope that you are well! I know life is busy but I hope you are taking the time to live.  

Onward Christian Soldiers!

From me to you, Sister Kinzie Lou

pics:

temple trip! sis Johnson and I 

Sister Roquemore (who i live with... I LOVE HER!) she is a speeeeeeeeedster. notice the speed she is going on the dash. I didn't think that it was possible for people of her age to move that fast. 

That Bites --

Hello Everyone! 

Greetings from I'm-seriously-developing-West-Nile-phobia-Colorado!  I kid you not when I tell you that I currently have 27 MOSQUITO BITES!!!!!!! Sister Johnson has 4.  My life is a fairy tale.  I've also discovered on my mission that I'm allergic to mosquitoes.... this too shall pass.  I guess it's a way for me to keep working on self control....??  Heavenly Father definitely has a sense of humor.

What a week. I realized that if I'm not learning I might as well be dead.  This week was a bit of a tough one, but I feel like I'm growing the most.  Things that I'm currently learning: I'm not in control. People have agency... duh. Breathe when it's ok to breathe. Be grateful. Being perfect does not mean never making a mistake. Big miracles come from small promptings. Just to name a few.... 

We were teaching a less active sister in the ward, Glenda... (who I just ADORE!) and Sis J felt prompted to ask her who she knew that we could teach. (She had already asked Glenda many times before) Glenda told us about her neighbor.  We were headed to the car and I felt we should contact them right then and so we headed over. The daughter pulled up EXACTLY as we walking to the door. We talked to her... less than interested. But across the street were 2 men working on an old van. I was totally expecting them to tell me to get lost... (my b.)  We had a GREAT conversation with them and one's wife came out mid convo. I explained about the Book of Mormon to Chad and Alisha perked up and asked if she could possibly have one too.... oh I guess so.... WHAT! It was so exciting! We are going back to teach them on Tuesday!!!!  I learned that as Sis J and I both are seeking the Spirit and we follow it and trust each other for promptings we individually receive, great things happen!!!! I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!! 

As I've been getting to know more members here, I've found 2 people who know and love good ol Holden, Utah.... It's such a small world. Sorry... random thought. 

My spiritual thought today is on the importance of prayerfully setting goals. If we don't know where we are headed, how can we get there???  This week I've had the chance to take some time to ponder and set some goals for my future life.  As I've done this, I've been filled with God's love, hope, and faith. I know that He has great things in store for me. I know that He has many things He wants me to accomplish.  I know that as I have a clear direction of where I'm headed and who I want to BE in a year's time, or 5 year's time, or a Lifetime with His Grace I can become that. I know that as we do our very best, and rely on the Lord we give Him opportunities to work miracles in our lives.  It all starts with faith, and trusting Him....

I invite you all to prayerfully set goals for where you want to be spiritually in a year. What do you want your relationship with God to be like?  What do you want to learn about in studying the scriptures? What will your faith be unshaken in? 

 I LOVE THE GOSPEL! I love the chance we have to learn and grow and become more like Christ.  I'm so happy, even during days that are hard and sad. Because of Him.  

I love you all and I miss you so much.... In the beginning of my mission, I asked Sister Burnett when I would stop missing my family. She had been out for 5 months and she told me... Never. That's part of the reason why we leave our families, to realize how precious they are to us.  I pray for you and love you so much!!! 

Onward Christian Soldiers!

From me to you, Sister Kinzie Lou

 pics:

downtown Brighton last p day. do i look angry? it's because I am... haha... EVERYTHING WAS CLOSED ON MONDAY! all 5 stores. WHHHYYYYYYY? HAHHA... 

Sis Grenfell and I at zone conference.... i love her. I've been so blessed with mi compeneras! 

timing is everything--

Hello Everyone! 

Greetings from a-small-little-town-that-thinks-it's-a-big-town-Brighton-Colorado! 

Aren't those the best types of towns? Then again.... Holden knows it is small and owns it. 

It has been a great week here, it was a long week, but great nonetheless!  

Here are some snippets of miracles that took place:

DEZ! she is an amazing recent convert who hasn't been able to come to church much due to her living situation... she is a full time care taker of her aunt. Sis Johnson has been promising her that if she would just break up with her boyfriend who holds her back, that Heavenly Father would make a way for her to come to church and have the blessings she needs.  (All the while sis J had NO idea how that could happen but just trusted) ... Dez finally broke up with her boyfriend and literally 3 days later something happened that her son & family have to move in with her, and as part of the arrangement they will take care of the aunt so Dez can come to church EVERY SUNDAY.  I know that's a lot of story about someone you don't know.... BUT I learned that when Heavenly Father (or one of His servants) promises us blessings, if we are obedient HE WILL ALWAYS COME THROUGH.  He is perfect, which means He will always be true to His word... which means we can have perfect trust and faith that if we are obedient things will work out. That applies to tithing, Sabbath day, word of wisdom, whatever it may be. It was amazing. 

JACKIE! She is an amazing woman we found this week.... Sis Johnson had met her 3 months ago, but at that time she wasn't ready. Now she is ready... she is SOAKING everything right on up that we teach. She has so much light in her eyes as we teach her about God (who she never learned about ever) It is amazing.... Heavenly Father knows everything. He knows all of His children, and knows when the right time is.  Just trust! Incredible.

Sister Johnson and I just love being together every day.... we each are our own kind of crazy...and we love it!  We laugh so much every day. What a good life. 

My spiritual thought is based on an article in this month's Ensign that I read. "Act Upon This Land As For Years"  It was great.... first off as I started I read the title and just thought... what?   But ultimately it means that whatever we do, or wherever we go, act as if we will be there for years.  We can hope for things to come in the future, but in the meantime, make the absolute most of our situation and choose to be happy there.  The author referenced the children of Moses wandering in the wilderness.. being led by the pillar of fire.  Sometimes they were in an unpleasant place for a year... sometimes they had to leave a nice place after just 2 days... both were acts of faith.  Trust God and know that His timing is perfect.  He knows what will bring us joy, and ultimately what will help us grow and develop into the people He needs us to be. If we trust Him and do good in whatever circumstance we are in, we will be happy.  I sooo know that that is true! He loves us. He is so good. I love Him. 

I love you all and I pray for you!  I hope you all have a wonderful week, and I invite you reflect on your life right now and think of one way you can show the Lord a little more faith and trust... and then do it!  He always comes through.   

Onward Christian Soldiers!

From me to you, Sister Kinzie Lou

pictures:  Sis Smith here in Brighton, is a sister to the Dallin family from HOLDEN UTAH! tender mercy!  She offered to take some stuff home for me! #wheredidallofthisstuffcomefrom #ohyeahmymom #andiloveit

B. Right. On. aka. Brighton

Hello Everyone! 

Greetings from this-here-is-tornado-country-Colorado! But don't worry folks,yes... the tornado that hit here was pretty close but nothing bad happened to me or to the area....no worries.

It's been a great week for Sis Johnson and I!!!!  I'll tell you about some highlight experiences!!!

We found a SUPER prepared 17 year old on Tuesday... her name is Karen and she is one of the most prepared people I've ever found on my mission. the three of us had an instant connection and she trusted us from the first meeting.  She agreed to be baptized in Sept, but her gma might be a little opposition.... drats. no worries, just an opportunity to pray and see miracles. 

 ALSO, our investigator Bill Mason is changing right in front of our eyes. His wife died 9 years ago and he had so much pain and grief and bitterness towards God.... but we invited him to repent and forgive God and the next time we went back he was so much brighter!!  He was telling the member at the lesson his story and he said "I used to be really mad at God"... as in like 2 days ago.... BEAUTIFUL! The Atonement is real, and it REALLY does change people and heal their hearts. I've felt it myself, but seeing it in someone else is precious.

LASTLY, Frances got baptized!!  she is one of the most converted converts I've met on my mission! She really loves the Lord, and even though she is 70, she is sooo excited to be able to serve the Lord in His church for the rest of her life.... so cool. 

When we were teaching bill the funniest thing ever happened.... in our previous lesson sis J had invited him to Frances' baptism on Saturday and wrote him a note to remind him.  Bill, due to a coma, struggles with short term memory loss... but he really is an intelligent man.... anyways. he read the note and forgot whose baptism it was for and so he thought it was HIS baptism. we came on Friday and he said at the end of the lesson, sisters I'm really confused and I'm really nervous for my baptism tomorrow. What do i need to bring for it?  I already told my kids about it. ...... WHAT? when we told him it was not his baptism but Frances' he was soooo relieved.  We all laughed for a good minute or two, but it shows me that he knows he has felt the spirit because even though he doesn't understand all the doctrine yet, the peace he feels in his life is enough for him to be baptized. amazing. 

I know that this Gospel is true.... it's fruits are way too sweet for it not to be. I and many others wouldn't be able to be spiritually and physically changed if this wasn't true.  I know that no matter what questions or challenges we face, there is hope because the Gospel.  If we do the best we can each day (and sometimes your best differs from day to day... just do what you can that day) we can know we are on the Gospel path that is happiness and that leads to Heavenly Father's open arms.  I know my Savior, and I'm grateful I can know Him better each day. I love Him, and I love this Gospel.  I want to invite you all to continue, or start, reading your scriptures every day this week for at LEAST 10 minutes.  That is the way God is able to help us know Him, and help us know the Gospel, and a way He can bless us with the Spirit in our lives daily. 

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!! I love you all, and miss you, but I know that this is right where the Lord wants me to be. I'm so grateful.  You are in my prayers!!!  

Onward Christian Soldiers!

From me to you, Sister Kinzie Lou 

pic: Frances' baptism!!!! I only taught her for 2 weeks, but I already love her. She is soo converted!