Week #34

Hey everybody!

Hope you're all having a grand old day! There is nothing quite like serving a mission. So many things happen in one week it's nuts. I don't even know where to start. We were quite full in the inn this week. A total of 8 Sisters in an apartment for a week called for many laughs and a lot of time waiting for the bathroom! The Temple Terrace Sisters had some friendly critters in their apartment so they stayed with us until management could clean up their apartment! 

YSA is a partyyyy. It's so cool to be able to feel the spirit and have fun at the same time. FHE, Institute, and church are the only time that we get to see our members because they all live quite a distance away from us. Monday was Virgilio, who is a recent converts, birthday! We made him a homemade cake from a box. We didn't have a pan to cook it in, so Sister Suman bought one from the dollar store that said non-stick but turns out the cake wanted to stay in the pan. We tried to stick the cake together with frosting but it wasn't working too well. So we decided to use some tooth picks... we gave him the cake and sang happy birthday. Sunday we overheard Virgilio talking to the Elders in our ward. He said "the cake I got for my birthday was super yummy but I kept biting into tooth picks."😂 I guess you could say we need some practice! 

We had Zone Training Meeting at the Brandon Stake Center Wednesday morning. We got news last MLC that they are doing away with Zone Training meetings and only doing one Zone conference per transfer. We stopped by the mission office to grab a t.v. and then off we went to Brandon. I was driving and got caught away in conversations and definitely missed our exit which meant we had to take a detour! We got to the Stake Center and realized we forgot the cord attachment that allows our iPads to show videos on the t.v. Wow were we a mess! We got there in the nick of time to practice our musical number. The whole meeting was centered on baptism which was super inspiring. The greatest thing about meeting together with missionaries is being able to learn from one another. One of my favorite take aways from the meeting was a quote from Elder Eyring  “when we understand our baptismal covenant and the gift of the Holy Ghost, it will change our lives and will establish our total allegiance to the kingdom of God. When temptations come our way, if we will listen, the Holy Ghost will remind us that we have promised to remember our Savior and obey the commandments of God.”

Each week as we partake of the emblems of the sacrament, we renew our baptismal covenant. Elder David A. Bednar said: “As we stand in the waters of baptism, we look to the temple. As we partake of the sacrament, we look to the temple. We pledge to always remember the Savior and to keep His commandments as preparation to participate in the sacred ordinances of the temple.” As we keep our covenants and use the sacrament each week not only are our investigators truly converted but we too become converted! 

We are working with a girl named Rachel. Let me tell you she is very knowledgeable in the Bible and sometimes it makes my brain hurt. She loves learning, but asks some of the deepest questions. Our response is always we will have to get back to you on that one. She came to the pearl of great price institute class Wednesday evening. We were so excited because Elder Hatch teaches that class and the lesson was on the restoration. Sister Neibaur was asked to give the first vision and she brought the spirit so strong. I can't even describe how cool it has been watching her grow and gain confidence in her missionary work. There is such a special spirit that comes when we share the message if the Restoration. 

Bailey is progressing really well. She came to the Thursday night institute class and was able to share with us her testimony on the Savior. She met people in the ward and loved it. She worked this Sunday so she wasn't able to come to church, but she texted us the other day and told us how much she loves the gospel!! 

Sunday is always my favorite day of the week. Sacrament meeting had a missionary theme. Sister Neibaur and Elder Bowden spoke as well as our ward mission leader. There was such a cool spirit in the room. Sister Suman played thee most amazing version of will bring the world his truth. It has me in tears. It hit me then that I really am a missionary. This is my time to serve the Lord full time. I wear his name on my chest every single day. What a once in a life time opportunity that is! We were sitting in gospel principles and the lesson was on being a covenant people. Rabi, Velda, Rose and Virgilio were all there testifying of the covenants they have made. Rabi told us his conversion story and how his seed that was planted in him quite a few years ago is now a tree. The tree has sprouted forth fruit and he is now ready to give that fruit to those around him. Listening to their testimonies made me realized how much this gospel really does change peoples lives. I also go the opportunity to attend Rose's patriarchal blessing. She was grinning ear to ear and told me that she now knows who she is. Her life has not been easy and yet she has held onto her testimony and is confident in the Lord! She inspires me every single day! 

During studies this week I have been able to focus on my relationship with the Savior. I opened a brand new Book of Mormon, which is one of my favorite things to do, opened the topical guide to Jesus Christ and highlighted all the Book of Mormon scripture references. It is going to take me the rest of my mission to finish it but I have learned so much about the Savior and who he really is. 

"God so loved the world that He sent His Only Begotten Son to help us. And His Son, Jesus Christ, gave His life for us. All so that we could have access to godly power--power sufficient to deal with the burdens, obstacles, and temptations of our day. Today I would like to speak about how we can draw into our lives the power of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. We begin by learning about Him. “It is impossible for [us] to be saved in ignorance.” The more we know about the Savior’s ministry and mission--the more we understand His doctrine and what He did for us--the more we know that He can provide the power that we need for our lives."  - Russel M. Nelson 

God loves us all so much! I love being a missionary and this is his restored gospel! Don't fail to share it with those around you. Being busy is never an excuse! There are so many of our brothers and sisters all around us who are in a state of apostasy. Simply smile, share a message on social media, hand our a Book of Mormon. I love you all and hope you have another great week! 

Love,
Sister Kenzie Graham
Tampa Bay YSA C

Virgilio, who is a recent convert, turned 21 this week. So we baked him a cake and sand happy birthday to him at FHE!