The Three Nephites

LONG TIME NO TALK EVERYONE!

Sorry for being lame. Some weeks I just sit infront of the computer and feel zero inspiration whatsoever. It's a lame excuse I know but I don't want to just write a bunch of stuff for the heck of it that would just be a waste of everyones time. Anyways, this past week was awesome! I actually have things to report on. It has been kind of a frustrating time. All of our previous investigators dropped us. We have been having a hard time finding new investigators. People on our potentials list from the area book never seemed to be home. Things were just blah. It was time to set the reset button. This week was full of training and firesides and opportunities to learn new ideas and apply them. Thank goodness for mission conferences and visits from CC to help get the motivation back. It is nice having an outgoing mission president with friends from all over the world with different experiences. We have been very blessed by the opportunities we have been given.

First of all JT (a friend of President and Sister O's who wrote a book about missionary work) came and gave a mission wide conference on "opening windows" and "making appointments with the Lord" in our efforts to find the ELECT. She has created a program that has helped missions throughout the world have more success in finding people to teach. Her method is simple but very powerful. She taught us that we need to include the Lord in the work we are doing. We must pray to know where to go find people and receive confirmation from the Spirit that we have planned according to Gods will. As we do this we are "making an appointment with the Lord". We are promising Him that we will be where we promised when we promised. In return Heavenly Father will provide us with the truth seekers that are ready to hear the message of the restored gospel. As we open these "windows" or time slots the Lord will provide us with His elect. We had the opportunity to put Sister T's method to work twice this week. It was interesting because the basic outline of her method are things we already do but putting everything together made so much sense. Our first experience was not what we were hoping for. I think we psyched ourselves out and our expectations were too high and we put too much pressure on ourselves and the situation. We were all feeling a little bummed and frustrated but then realized that it is a process. When we put our trust in the Lord and know we are where we need to be when we need to be there, He will provide us with the 'elect' we need to find. We also need to truly understand and feel comfortable with the method before we use it. We talked about why things didn't work and what we can do to solve the problem. After that our desire and excitement to try again was back. The second time we "opened a window" was Saturday while Sister T and I were on exchanges with Sister W. We decided to go contacting outside of a grocery store. This time the miracles were numerous. We were able to talk to many people and see the difference between those that are truth seekers and those that are not. We left that "window" with a new investigator (K) with a baptismal date for August 31st and an appointment for Tuesday and a referral (J) for the spanish missionaries. It was incredible to find people that were ready to drop what they were doing and listen to a 'special' message that has the potential to 'change' their lives because it has 'changed' our lives. I gained a testimony in that experience that Sister T's method is inspired. When we truly involve the Lord in the work miracles happen. This was proof to me that changing things up and learning a new way of doing things can help us get out of the rut that might be keeping us from finding those that need to be found. Change is good. Never thought you'd hear me say that, huh? It's not always easy or fun but it is important and helps us grow and progress.

Exchanges are always great. It was so good to learn from Sister W (she is a Sister Trainer Leader) and ask her questions and get her insights on certain things. Another miracle that happened while on exchanges was meeting with M. M is a former investigator. He is from Ghana and moved to California with his wife and 3 kids a few years back. He is a well educated man and loves the Lord. I have felt the prompting to get in touch with him and we were able to teach him at the church on Saturday. I had taught him the first three lessons before with my previous companion. He enjoyed us coming over but was always in a rush. I could tell that he liked what we were saying and he agreed with it but he wasn't understanding the importance of priesthood and the fact that our church is different. We focused out lesson on authority and taught the second half of the first lesson. It was so powerful. I could see a difference in his reactions. Being at the church, with little distraction helped him think about the things we were sharing with him. He works on Sundays and said that he would cancel work to come to church but not until the first week in September. We challenged him to pray to know if the things we were teaching are true and to act on the answer as he got it. He said he would get baptized when he received that answer and would do the things he needed to in order to do it. We are meeting with him tomorrow. I am anxious to know if he has received an answer. We promised him that God would provide a way if he would put his trust in Him. He agreed and said that he would be a missionary to his family if he knew it was true. M is incredible. The Lord has been preparing him. I know it. 

Our work with less actives continues to go well. We picked up two new people this week which is wonderful. People are afraid of change. I think a message of faith is what majority of them need and a reminder that they have not been forgotten. Brother C taught in his fireside that a lot of times people don't have a need for the church but the church has a need for them. We just have to help them realize it. He also focused on the importance of questions. Instead of just sharing the basics of what you know ask them what things they are specifically curious about. Then use the scriptures and your testimony to answer those questions or concerns.

As for my companions...being in a trio is not always easy but I feel like we have grown so close. For some reason I was worried that Sister J would come back from exchanges and wish we were more like the other sisters she was with. She said that she had a good time but missed being with us. It made me feel so good to know that she is comfortable with us. Sister J is such an awesome addition. She has that greenie fire that is just so contagious. She makes me want to be better. I want to teach her and help her in any way that I can. I have grown to love my companions so much. I just care for them and want them to succeed and feel successful. Sister T is doing great. She is such an amazing missionary. I think she gets down on herself sometimes. I am trying to help her see that practice and expereince really is key. The only way we can grow is if we try. I have a very dominant personality and I am learning that sometimes it interferes with my companions ability to progress. I am trying to step back a little and not be the one to suggest ideas all the time, or lead the discussion. Balance is important and sometimes I struggle to find it. I just hope that I am giving them the help and strength that they need. I have been blessed with two incredible companions. I love them and look up to them more than I think they realize. I know that Heavenly Father has put us together for a reason. I have so much to learn from them. I just hope that they will stop to recognize how amazing they are instead of comparing their abilities to mine. We all have different strengths not to mention I have been out a lot longer than both of them. I try to help them see that I was very similar to them when I was brand new. I had many of the same concerns and worries. I am just grateful that they are patient while I try to figure things out. Oh and we just have a blast together. We laugh and have fun and just enjoy being around each other. Whoever says you can't be a missionary and have fun has got it all wrong. If you're not having fun as you do missionary work, you aren't doing it right!

I love being a missionary. I can't believe that I have less than a year left. I still have my hard days but they seem to leave less impact. I have come to truly understand my purpose. I have something special that has changed my life and continues to change my life and I want to share that with people. One of the biggest differences I have seen in myself is my new found ability to be assertive. I just talk to people and let them know how I am feeling. It is important to be sensitive and aware of others feelings but I am not afraid to say what needs to be said. Very unlike me for those of you who know me well. It is amazing with Heavenly Father can mold us into if we let Him. I still have MANY weaknesses to work on but I have a testimony that they have the potential to become strengths and that is what gives me the motivation to work on them and do my best with the Saviors help to change.

I hope you are all doing well! Serve others. Read your scriptures. Pray. Love people.

I miss you and love you,

Sister Kimball :)

ps You might be wondering about "The Three Nephites" thing. On our phone as missionaries we all have a signature that gets sent with all of our text messages. We tries to make a combination of all our names but that was lame and putting all our names was too long. We didn't know what to do and we were all sitting around tring to think of famous trios, so naturally we thought of 3's company, the 3 amigos, the three muskateers and then BOOM...THE THREE NEPHITES. We thought it was clever but didn't think much of it but we have gotten more comments on it than we ever would have guessed. Our members love it! A less active guy named Duke from Tonga that we are working with calls us his 3 Nephites. It has just been fun to see so many reactions. 

New

Oh transfers. I can finally say with some confidence that change is getting a little easier. I am not at the point of saying I like change but I am getting used to it. The adjusting period seems shorter and I don't seem to freak out as much. Thank goodness. Making improvement on a weakness is always nice. 

So what has the new transfer brought you might be wondering? Sister Thompson and I have a new companion. Her name is Sister J. She is a newly 19 year old from Springville, Utah. She is the youngest of 6. She has a twin sister that looks little like her. She also has 1 brother just like me and Sister T. He is serving his mission in Oregon right now. What else? She has major greenie fire which is awesome in so many ways. She knows why she is here and is ready to work. It is weird being in a trio. We have kind of just been trying different stuff out and seeing what works. It's a total trial and error thing. She isn't afraid to get out there and try things which is awesome. I think with a little more time we'll have it down. We'll have to take a companionship picture soon. 

Along with getting a new companion our area split and we now have a set of elders in our ward. Five missionaries in the ward now. What does that mean? There is a lot of work to be done. We just hope our ward will finally catch the wave. We have to leaving a challenge and commitment with each of our dinner appointments to pray for and act on missionary opportunities. We tell them we will follow up in two weeks and it's just about time for our first round of follow ups. We're excited to see what experiences and miracles our ward members had as they took the challenge. Anyways, back to the new elders and the ward being split. We are trying to figure out how to coordinate with them so we're not double visiting and things like that. It's weird. We aren't split by a geographical area. Like north/south or east/west. We all share. It will all work out!! 

We have been working on a Less Actives list as well as pulling out all the potential and former investigators out of our Area Book. We have a lot of work to do. The past few weeks have been hard. People dropping us, investigators not keeping commitments, appointments falling through, etc. But we are ready to turn things around and not let the frustration get to us. We know that as we are obedient at work hard the Lord will put us where we need to be when we need to be there. 

We found a new investigator this week as we were out tracting after an attempted visit to a referral. His name is A. He has some friends that are mormon. Doesn't know much about what we believe but is interested in learning more. He is probably in his late 20s early 30s. He has a son that is only with him part time. We assume he is divorced. Very friendly. We have an appointment with him this Wednesday and can't wait to get to know him a little better and share how the gospel that improve his life and being happiness. 

This is the beginning of an amazing transfer! I can feel it!

Love you all!

Sister Kimball

What up everyone!

TRANSFER DAY AHH!

Sorry there wasn't a weekly letter last week. We had to take care of some things and emailing kind of got thrown out of the picture. But luckily not too much happened that week so there wsn't too much you all missed out on. :) Today is transfer day. We will be getting our new companion and finding out the new people in our zone. It is an exciting time. But stressful as always. Luckily I am staying with Sister T. This transfer really wasn't all that upsetting for once. There will be a lot of change being in a trio but I am still kind of in denial that that is happening at this point. I know it will all work out though.

Prayer has become one of my favorite topics. Sister T and I talk about it a lot. We talk about how Heavenly Father already has blessings ready and prepared for us. All we have to do is exercise faith and ask for them. There are so many things you pray for as a missionary. I am constantly in communication with my Father in Heaven. I love it. I have come to realize that when I include the Lord in every little thing that I do things work out a lot better. Plans run a little smoother. Trials seem a little easier. Loving people that are hard to love is no big thing. Everything is just better. It continually surprises me the love Heavenly Father has for us as His children. You would think I would have that down by now. I mean I know it to be true but my testimony keeps growing. I just know that prayer is real. I know they are answered when we ask with a sincere heart. I know that the more specific your gratitude and requests the more specific your answers will be.

We have been struggling to find new people to teach and those investigators we were working with are all turing out to be less that truth seekers. It is times that this that it would be really easy to get discouraged and not want to even try anymore but we're not. We have changed our focus and are finding success in working with the less actives of the ward. There are LOTS of them. We have been meeting regularly with about 4 families and they are all progressing slowly but there is so much potential there. It is amazing how sometimes we get stuck focusing on the wrong thing but once you figure it out it all seems to make sense. This is the Lords work. He knows what He is doing. There is a purpose for everything. Once we relize that and embrace and allow ourselves to be apart of it, miracles happen.

I hate to cut things short. But transfer days are crazy. I will report on all the happenings of today next week!

I hope you all have a wonderful week. Remember who you are!

I love you.

Sister Kimball

July 9, 2010

Hello!

So I feel like I should have all this crazy news but again this week I really don't. We met with President and Sister O on Thursday aka 4th of July. Quick side note: We had a ward breakfast that morning and naturally Sister T and I wanted to dress in red, white, in blue. The ward went crazy over us. They thought we were the greatest thing they had ever seen. Apperently, they had never had missionaries get super excited or involved or something. Anyways, back to the O's. They are wonderful. I already love them so much. The number one thing I was worried about in meeting them was that they would be unapproachable or hard to relate to but that is so far from the truth. They are warm, real, down to earth, spiritual giants, in love, and hilarious. Those are just a few of their traits. As individuals and as a couple. I can't wait to get to know them better.

We show up to the welcome meeting and are greeted by many familiar faces but by even more strangers (since there are 3 Carlsbad zones and only 2 Anaheim zones). We walk into the chapel and notice that the room is split down the middle by tape with signs for the Carslbad missionaries on one side and a sign for the Anaheim missionaries on the other. We were all super confused. We thought the point of this meeting was to help us integrate and get to know each other better. After the meeting started we heard a testimony from a missionary from both missions. The AP from Carlsbad then explained that the tape was there as an object lesson. We would be getting to know each other in the next hour and the idea was that the segregation no longer existed after the activity and we would come back together as the Irvine mission. We got into groups of 5 or 6 and answered "What is something unique that we ALL have in common?" "Who has the most embarassing mission experience?" "What excites you most about being part of the new Irvine mission?" President and Sister O walked around and would join in different groups. The AP's would stop us periodically to switch groups and have a couple groups answer some of the questions. It was a lot of fun. We joined back together to hear from President and Sister O. It was a blast getting to know them better. They have 7 kids. They LOVE polonesians. Obviously. And Hawaii. They have four unmarried sons. And I beleive 3 married daughters. They met at BYU. That is a long crazy story for another time. They are just great. After their introductions President went into a mini training. It was then that I realized how powerful he is. He told us that he was impressed many times from the Spirit that "we are His chosen ones". He explained that as we bring two missions togther there are going to be differences and none of them really matter because in the end we all have the most important thing in common and that is our purpose to being others unto Christ through the gospel. It was awesome. The Spirit was there very strong. I knew that what he was saying was true and key to a smooth and successful transition.

Our district was lucky enough the be the first to have interviews with President O later that afternoon. I had the best time getting to know him one on one. He was so interested and took down numerous notes. I could tell he cared. We talked about What makes me different. We talked about my area. To my surprise he praised me on my work and said we had some of the best numbers in the mission. We talked about my struggles, my strengths, my ambitions. We talked a lot about my family. He told me that he wants to meet them all very badly. He invited himself to my wedding. :) He made is clear that he cares about me more than just now as a missionary but what I will become. It made me wonder if there are missionaries out here that might not have a dad and what a wonderful father figure President O can be for them. Change is not always bad. Sometimes it comes just when we need and in the way we need it. I know that if I have faith in Heavenly Father I will be happy. I just know He is SO much smarter than me.

Pdays are on Tuesday for the next couple weeks. President will announce the final decisions on how things will be done at transfers. He needs some time to figure things out and receive inspiration on what will work best. We'll just have to wait and see what happens. All I know is Monday's are rough now! Haha Our minds are conditioned for a break that we don't get for an extra day now.

Sister T and I are doing well. We have had a lot of fun in our finding activities. One of the things that we are struggling with right now is getting our ward members involved in missionary work and receiving referrals from them. We have made it a goal to brainstorm and try different things to try and help the members recognize their role. We want them to know that we are here to do whatever they need. We want to be a support not a burrden. We are both hopeful that as the members come to realize how much our success depends on them they will be more quick to act. Just as we testify, commit, and promise blessings to our investigators we know that we must do that with the members as well. We have also determined that we want to be better at having members with us at every lesson where it is possible. We know the testimony of a member is so powerful.

I have been thinking a lot about my purpose this week. On Sunday in fast and testimony meeting I was prompted to share my testimony about how missionary work is focused on the Savior and bringing families closer together through living the principles of the gospel. I have come to know that the family really is key. I know personally that as a missionary my family has and continues to receive blessings as I am away. I know that I am helping people have the opportunity to be with their families forever by helping them prepare to make sacred covenants. And finally, I know that the work I am doing to save families now will be an incredible blessing to me and my future family. The gospel is connected to everything. The actions we make have an effect on way more than we realize. It has been a growing experience to understand that what I do matters. 18 months is not a very long time. I want to make sure that I " start strong, and finish well" as President O stated. 

Our area is doing well. Our investigators have been out of town or sick this past week. It was hard to not have contact with them. It is amazing the love you gain for people so quickly. We are excited to see potentials turn into solid truth seeking investigators. Summer time is hard but life is good. 

I hope this email finds you all happy and well! It's summer time. Your schedules are open...GO OUT WITH THE MISSIONARIES! :)

Love,

Sister Kimball

July 2, 2013

Greetings from the Irvine Mission!

Well it's offical. I am no longer an Anaheim sister. It is bittersweet. But in the end the friends I left behind will always be there and now I have the opportunity to make new friends. I am sure all of you are wondering why there was no email yesterday. There have already been a number of changes announced. All of which are not bad but not maybe what I would have hoped for. I think by now you all know that I am not the biggest fan of change and we are all experiencing a whole lot of that now. With a new mission president comes a new vision and a different way of doing things. Again not bad, it will just take some adjustment and getting used to. Our pday was switched to Tuesday this week. We are hoping that it will go back to Monday after the zone leaders and AP's meet with President O tomorrow. Our zone leaders announced that the truck elders (the ones assigned to move missionaries in and out of appartments) would be taking away one of our beds and replacing it with bunkbeds. When they said this Sister T's face lit up, "I LOVE BUNKBEDS." On the otherhand I stood there straight faced. She quickly realized that this meant that we would be getting another companion. We will be trio training a new sister at the end of this transfer. It is always scary to add in a new person, especially when you have a good thing going with your companion. But we know that there is a reason for it. The zone leaders quickly added in their predictions that after I finish training Sister T she will finish the second half of training with the new sister and I will become a coordinating sister (sister leadpership). My heart started racing. This was the second time this week someone had told me that. I felt so unqualified for responsibility like that. Especially in a new mission. I mean it's not for sure but definitely got me thinking. It is flattering that my own leaders see that potential in me but scary to consider. I still feel so young in the mission. I honestly don't know too much more right now. We meet the new AP from Carlsbad later today at zone activity. Then we meet President and Sister O on Thursday. The whole mission will be there. I am excited to see us all together and meet the stranger missionaries that will hopefully become quick friends. I will have a lot more information about everything next week. I am still in the dark about most things.

We had an awesome last week in the Anaheim mission. We went on exchanges with Sister S1 and Sister S2 (ASL sisters serving in the deaf branch) on Tuesday. Sister S1 came to Costa Mesa to spend the day with me and Sister T when to Fullerton to be with Sister S2. We had an awesome day. We had a blast together and found 3 new investigators and taught each of those individuals almost the entire first lesson. One was at the door, one in the laundry room of an apartment complex, and one out on the front steps. It was such a testimony that missionary opportunities are EVERYWHERE! Sister T is progressing super well but she is still new and timid. It was nice to go out with another expereinced sister and just go all out with little to no fear. Sister S1 is so awesome. As we were walking out to the parking lot after dinner Sister S1 just kind of stopped at the car and said,"Sister Kimball I don't think you know how much the Anaheim mission is going to miss you." It was so unexpected and out of the blue. I felt tears start to well up in my eyes. She continued, "You have no idea the influence you have been on the sisters, especially Sister M (my second cousin), Sister S2, and Sister S (my mtc companion) and how sad they are to see you go. You are an angel. I hope you know that you are going to be called as a coordinating sister super quick. They need your strength." I am tearing up as I type this now. I have grown to care about those sisters so much in the short time I have known them. Along with many others in the mission. It was a blessing to hear Sister S1 say those things. I was just going along doing my thing and little did I know being an example. It made me so much more aware of myself and how I want to be the best that I can be for whoever is watching. Especially as a trainer and to the other missionaries in the new mission. This is true for all of us. We never know who is watching. We all need to be diciples of Christ at all times and in all things. The gospel should be who we are. Needless to say it was a pretty emotional week. But in the end I am happy. I have the deepest testimony that Heavenly Father is aware of each and everyone of us and our personal situations. I love being a missionary so much. I think back to the days not so long ago when I thought my life was heading in a pretty good direction and I was happy but a mission is helping me become the person I have always longed to be. It is challenging but it is rewarding. We all have such incredible potential. We just must have a desire to work for it.

Change is in the air. Oh and whoever said Southern California isn't humid is a lier. :) It has been super muggy and hot this past week but it's supposed to cool down in the next few days. I know that all things are possible as we put our faith in Jesus Christ.

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!

NEW MISSION OFFICE ADDRESS:

23 Lake Road

Irvine, CA 92604

Sister Kimball