April 10, 2013

Hello Friends!

 

It was so weird not having p day on Monday. I had no idea how conditioned my body has come to needing that day off at the beginning of the week to regroup. But it was well worth waiting because I had the opportunity to do a temple session at the Newport Beach temple this morning. There is something so sacred and special about being in the Lords house. I walk the streets each day and look for people that are prepared to hear the gospel. In the hustle and bustle of the days and weeks I am still able to feel the Spirit and be led by the whisperings I hear but there is nothing that compares to the peace you feel the moment you open the doors and enter the temple. The next time you have the opportunity to attend the temple I challenge you to look for the immediate difference there is as you simply walk inside. I think too often we pass up these opportunities to feel the Spirit because we get caught up in the routine of it all. What a shame. I have learned to look for every chance to recognize the Spirit. When we do that we realize just how close our Heavenly Father is to us.

 

Wasn't General Conference INCREDIBLE. There is nothing like setting 8 hours aside to listen to the servants of the Lord. They are in all reality missionaries. They are the kind of teachers with the kind of conviction I strive to have just as we all can and should. As I was sitting and listening I realized that the words I was hearing were the simple princples and doctrines of the gospel that I teach everyday coupled with overwhemingly powerful testimonies. The messages were based off of the primary answers. Pray, study your scriptures, go to church, have family home evening, love one another, etc. I loved that the messages were focused on hope and finding light in this world of darkness. There is only one place to find it and that is through our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. We have the answer to all of lifes struggles. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not easy but it is possible and it is the only road that leads to eternal salvation. How remarkable that my job as a missionary is to teach people of this message. To bring hope to those that are lost. Boy am I glad that I "caught the wave". The work is hard and it takes a lot of effort but it is more worth it than anything else. I was also struck by the theme of families. Satan is out to not destroy individuals but families as a whole. And unfortunately he is doing a pretty good job at it right now. 60% of marriages are broken in the United States. WHY? Because people do not value the sanctity of marriage. The future of the church and world are within the walls of our homes, the children. What a remarkable responsibility parents have to be a good example. I was so blessed with two parents that love each other and my siblings and I unconditionally. They honor their covenants. I had no idea how lucky I am. I had no idea my parents were the minority on the worlds scale. I feel priviliged as a family to be able to take broken families and make them whole again. To provide a knowledge of the plan of salvation. How simple a concept that majority of the world is missing. But luckily through the Savior we can all be forgiven and find peace if not in this life in the life to come. I invite you all to reread the talks when the conference addition of the ensign comes out and see how you can improve yourselves and help in building up the kingdom of God.

 

LM GOT BAPTIZED on Sunday!! Talk about a spiritual filled weekend. The program went smoothly. Our Relief Society president Sister N gave the talk and Sister S (from my zone) sang 'When I am Baptized' from the childrens song book. We had more than one woman crying so I would call that a success :). Everything leading up to and during the baptism worked out so perfectly. It was incredible to see the hand of the Lord so closely in her entire journey to baptism. I can't wait for her to be confirmed and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost on the 14th. Her nonmember son was at her baptism. He seemed to have a good experience. The members of the ward that attended did a wonderful job at talking with him and making him feel comfortable. When we met with L on Monday she said that L (her son) was very impressed and liked the way that we did baptisms. I told L that I thought that whether she moved to California or not she would have been baptized because she was so ready. But I think she moved to California to live with her son so she could be an example and support to him as he was introduced to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Heavenly Fathers plan is so incredible. I get goos bumps when I think about it. We invited him as well as L invited him to her confirmation and he said he would be there. I am hopeful that as he attends a sacrament meeting he can feel the same Spirit he did at the baptism and become more curious and interested enough to meet with us to learn more. At this point he is a very promising potential investigator. L is happier than ever and fits right into our relief society. She is a miracle that will lead to a miracle (her son).

 

Missionary work in La Habra just keeps moving forward. S our 18 year old investigator will be baptized this Sunday. She has her interview with our district leader tomorrow. She is so eagar to continue to learn and be baptized. She is an incredible example of a young person seeking for the truth. She is so ready for the covenant of baptism. I have loved getting to know her. She loves church. She loves God. She loves the missionaries. She told us that conference went by so fast and she wished there was more. She is just awesome. The Lord is providing me with such incredible opportunities. I can see that I am merely an instrument doing His work. We continue to look for new investigators. We are constantly on the mission to find, teach, and baptize. The work is never ending.

 

Transfers are coming up on April 22nd. I can't believe I am almost done getting trained. There is a 99% chance I will be training a new sister but I guess you just never know. I am freaking out but luckily everything is done by inspiration. I know that if it is what the Lord wants I can do it with His help. And just in case anyone was wondering I've been gone for 85 days! :) Not that anyone is counting.

 

I miss you all more than you know. But I wouldn't want to be anywhere but here. Catch the wave. Be an example. Stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places!!

 

LOVE,

Sister Kimball