Week #81

Dearest Family and Friends! 

In the words of Alma “my heart is brim with joy”. How grateful I am to have served the last 18 months as a full time missionary for the Church or Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I remember when I first opened my call to Tampa, Florida it felt so right. My heart is here in Florida. I love the people of Florida! President and Sister Cooper have changed my life! There will never be enough words to describe what I have just experienced. 

The biggest miracle of the week was Wednesday morning we met Adam Whitten and his wife at the church. Last Sunday Adam came to church and had an amazing experience. While he was sitting in priesthood he gained an understanding of his role as a husband and father. We have discussed baptism with him a couple of times and he told us that he just wasn't ready. Of course, we told him to keep praying and reading the Book of Mormon. That week he had a dream. In it he told his family that he was taking the missionary discussions and had a desire to get baptized. Adam was nervous about telling his family, but because he had that dream the Lord comforted him and answered his prayer. The following morning he called his parents and they were in full support of his desire. WHAT A MIRACLE. We started to talk about baptism again with him during our lesson. Adam had the biggest smile on his face and told us his experience. We then asked him to be baptized and he said yes. He then began to tell us he wanted to be baptized soon, like April soon! The time table of the Lord. I’m telling you it is the only way to go! Teaching to our investigators needs and connecting them with our Father in Heaven developed a desire to be baptized within them! 

So many things happened this week! We had so many member visits teaching them about family history, the Book of Mormon, and saying a few goodbyes! We also received a smart phone! The work of the Lord is truly hastening. We did some service for a few members in the ward and ate way too much desserts. We planned with Brother Cottam, our ward mission leader, a little get together for all the ward missionaries and our investigators this Friday, but the ward turned it into a goodbye party for Sister Suman and I. We had a taco fiesta! It was hard to say goodbye! How grateful I am for the Citrus Ridge Ward, Tampa Bay YSA, and Palm Harbor wards. The people I have met and worked with have changed my life. “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God (Mosiah 2:17)”. The members and investigators I have worked with have taught me that service brings us closer to the Lord! When we feel distant from him we need to immerse ourselves in the scriptures, pray fervently, and find someone to serve! 

My last Sunday in the field I got to spend with President and Sister Cooper in stake conference! It was the cherry on the ice cream Sunday. There was one thought I wanted to share from a talk given by a member of the stake presidency. “Never let go of Celestial goals for telestial distractions”. Think about that one! I have such a love for the leadership of this church. They are so inspired! 

I am so grateful for all of my companions! Sister Suman, Sister Martin, Sister Bowen, Sister Minson, Sister Neibaur, Sister Barlow, Sister Robertson, and Sister Smith. Each one of them have taught me how to live the gospel. I have learned priceless lessons with them and will cherish all of the memories that we have had. To all of you... THANK YOU! I love you! 

“He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it (Matt 10:39)”. Serving those around us and doing it because we love the Lord is how I find joy! Joy that is everlasting. It has helped me to understand that when we turn away from selfishness and look to the Savior and turn outwards, we find who we truly are. Our divine potential is to become like our Heavenly Father and a mission has helped me to have a clear vision of that and to gain the habits needed to accomplish it all! I am still me with the same personality, but have had the opportunity to be refined by the hand of the Lord! I have such a strong testimony of this gospel. I know with out a shadow of a doubt that this is the Lords kingdom restored to the earth once again. A young farm boy had a simple question and a desire to know. Because of his heart, I was able to serve a mission and it change my life. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and I promise that any of you who read it will come to know that Jesus Christ is your Savior. He lives! I have a strong love for the Book of Mormon that I didn’t have before. The message contained inside is true! Our Savior Jesus Christ is the “light and life of the world”. As we focus in him and live his gospel we find true and everlasting happiness. I am excited for the journey ahead. Thank you for all of your love and support! As President Cooper would say ONWARD AND UPWARD! I am so excited to see all of you soon! 

Much Much Love, 

Sister Kenzie Graham

Sister McGarian is the RS President in the Citrus Ridge Ward-March 2018

                       Citrus Ridge Sister Missionaries on their last P-Day together-March 2018
                                   Sister Barlow, Sister Graham, Sister Sorensen, Sister Suman
                                   Sister Graham and Sister Suman come home March 21, 2018

           Citrus Ridge Missionaries with the ward mission leader Brother Cottam-March 2018

                                              New smart phones in the mission-March 2018

           Sister Cook in the Citrus Ridge Ward drew this picture of a dancer for Sister Graham

         Sister Graham and Sister Barlow with Patsy Dick who comes from Maine each Winter

                            Velda sent Sister Graham and Sister Barlow a package-March 2018

Week #80

Hey Everyone! 

What a wonderful week it has been! Time is just slipping through my hands. Man I feel like I need another year and a half! Hmmm maybe I’ll just serve another mission ;).  Well the stars aligned in every single way because NAILAH IS THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE CHURCH! Her dad was able to baptize and confirm her! Our morning started out with a time change, so we lost an hour of sleep. It stays light for so long now! We got to the church at 8 am to get everything set up for the baptism at 8:30. A little time went on and we looked at the clock and it was 8:25 and Nailah and her family still weren't there. This is where we started to stress just a little bit. They were running a little late and we started the baptism at about 9:15 am. But nonetheless, it all worked out! She was baptized and it was a special day. She was confirmed in sacrament meeting and was all smiles all day. The faith that she has is just amazing! I love her more than she will ever know. It has been a huge blessing in my life to teach that sweet family! I am so thankful to Heavenly Father that he placed them in my path! 

Due to stake conference next week Sister Suman and I gave one last testimony in sacrament meeting as full time missionaries. We also sang in sacrament meeting. We had something planned and didn't feel prepared so we just switched it up and made it work! When it was all over I was like, Phew! I honestly can say that we couldn't have done it without Heavenly Father. 

Adam is doing quite amazing! We had another wonderful lesson with him this week. We read 3 Nephi 11 with him and taught the importance of baptism. It is something he knows he wants to do, but he felt that he needed to be perfect. We reassured him if we are required to be perfect the only one that would have been baptized would be the Savior. In fact baptism is the step we can take in truly repenting for our sins and calling upon our Savior. Adam was able to get work off this Sunday and come to church! It was an even bigger miracle because his wife also had work off. The Lord truly knows what he is doing. After church we talked with his wife for a minute and she was so excited. She told us that Adam had a wonderful time in priesthood. He told her that he understood what his role as a husband and father was!  

There was a quote given by President McKay "True happiness comes only by making others happy!" This is why I would extend my mission because you get to serve 24/7! How great is our calling. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have learned this principle on my mission. It is one I will cherish for the rest of my life. “When you are in the service of your fellow beings, you are only in the service of your God (Mosiah 2:17)”. Lasting happiness comes with an eye single to the glory of God. As we were watching the mobile device videos during companionship study this week, Elder Bednar said something that really impacted my life. He said “missions are not a sacrifice, they are who we are!” Pondering this phrase the spirit taught me that serving, loving, learning, growing, living the gospel, is what we are here to do. It is our whole purpose. Having this goal in mind continually will help us to accomplish the Lords will and become who we know we can become! 

This week as I partook of the sacrament one last time while being a missionary, I had this overwhelming feeling of love. I know that our Heavenly Father lives. He really does! He gave us our Savior Jesus Christ so we can make it back to him. My life has been truly changed because of the gospel. My mission has established a foundation for the rest of my life! “A foundation where if men build, they shall not fall”. I love this gospel and I love being a missionary will all my heart! We are down to single digits. I am so very excited to see you all! I hope you have a wonderful week!

Much Love, 

Sister Kenzie Graham 

 

Sister Graham and Sister Barlow doing service with Sister Dick-March 2018

People think Kenzie and Megan are real sisters-March 2018

                                             Nailah Michel is getting baptized-March 2018

                            Sister Graham and Sister Barlow at Nailah's baptism-March 2018

                                       The Michel Family at Nailah's baptism-March 2018

           Sister Graham's last Sunday in Citrus Ridge with the Cottam family-March 2018

Week #79

Hey Everyone! 

There just isn’t enough time in the day to get everything done! This week was great. We have seen so many miracles and are loving it here in Citrus Ridge! Due to a zone activity day I don’t have any time to email today! I just want to leave you my testimony that I know this church is true. It is led by a prophet of God! He is the one who speaks for our Heavenly Father and when we listen to his counsel we find joy. I really mean it. We find true happiness when we follow the Savior! It is such a great blessing to know we have the gospel! 

All of our investigators are doing well! We have been working hard with members and finding new people to teach! Our car broke down this week, but the Lord provides and we were able to get it fixed. Nailah baptism is postponed for a little while. She is so ready we are just waiting for a few more things to line up! 

The scripture I love from this week is found in Alma 37:37. We need to remember to counsel with the Lord in all things and he will direct us for good! Let’s go do some good this week! Listen to the spirit and help those around you! Thanks for all your love and support! I love being an missionary and I love this work. I hope all of you have a fantastic week! 

With Love, 

Sister Kenzie Graham 

                                                 Lakeland Zone Activity Day-March 2018

                              Playing sports during Lakeland Zone Activity Day-March 2018

            Sister Barlow and Sister Graham riding bikes and sharing the gospel-March 2018

                                   Going to Interviews with President Cooper-March 2018
                                Sister Graham, Sister Sorensen, Sister Suman, Sister Barlow

          Sister Barlow and Sister Graham trying to take a picture of an alligator-March 2018

                                        Sister Lance came back to visit Florida-March 2018
                                              Barlow, Sorensen, Lance, Graham, Suman

                                  Making Mexican food with Sister Montalvo-March 2018
                                      Suman, Sorensen, Graham, Barlow, Sister Montalvo

Week #78

How are all of my favorite people doing?

This week was a week to remember! There are too many things that have happened and not enough time to fit it all in one email. I have been reflecting a lot this last week on the love that our Heavenly Father has for his children. He never fails to provide the things we need for our lives right in the moments that we need them! We had Zone Conference this week and boy was the spirit piercing my heart the whole time. President Cooper taught us the importance of being genuine and ourselves as missionaries! I loved it. I think we can all be a little more genuine in our words and actions! I know that it is possible as our focus is dn the Savior. We talked a lot about family history and how the spirit of Elijah will help those around us accept the gospel. We also got news that our mission will have smart phones in the next few weeks which will open up so many doors! 

Nailah is going amazing! That girl has taught me so much. She has such a pure testimony of the gospel. She is getting baptized this Sunday!! We are so excited for her. This week Sister Dick came to her lesson. We sat around the kitchen table and taught Nailah the gospel of Jesus Christ. We had a puzzle of the five principles with Christ in the center. It made the shape of a heart. We asked Nailah what principle applied the most to her. This sweet 10 year old responded and said Repentance. I am so glad I can repent so I can become clean again and make it back to Heavenly Father! She told us how excited she was to get baptized! Once again she said a prayer that brought tears to our eyes! 

We had the opportunity to attend the Why I believe fireside in St. Petersburg. The Michel family was able to attend with us. There were amazing conversion stories and testimonies shared. The music once again brought tears to my eyes. There was a scripture that has been coming to mind since last night. “by small and simple things are great things brought to pass (Alma 37:6). That is how we are the Lords hands. By the simple acts of kindness that we do for those around us. Each Investigators conversion story showed the simplicity and faith of the missionaries and members around them. At the end of the fireside all of the missionaries who attended got up and sang A Child’s Prayer. As I looked out at the congregation I saw members from Palm Harbor, YSA, and Citrus Ridge. I have been blessed with the most amazing people in my life! 

So why do I believe? Well I believe because I know there is now way that the success I’ve had on my mission is my doing. Not even close! I am so inadequate, but through my Savior Jesus Christ all things are possible. All fears vanish and faith fills our lives. Faith causes things to happen that need to happen. I believe because I have seen people change their lives around and the only way that is possible is through the spirit of the Lord. I believe because I have read the Book of Mormon and pondered the things contained in that book. I have received a witness of the truthfulness of that book and that the fullness of the gospel is contained in it! I love this gospel with my whole heart! I love being a missionary! 

Love, 

Sister Kenzie Graham