Week #35

How goes it everybody?

Okay you guessed it, this week was awesome. Well every day as a missionary is just the greatest. We got one of the most rewarding phone calls this week. Rose and Velda were able to attend the Orlando temple and do baptisms for the dead. It gets better.... Rose has been working hard at her family history and she was able to baptize her mom and grandma! How cool is that? She was in tears when she told us. The temple brings such a special spirit into all of our lives. If you haven't been to the temple recently I encourage you to do so! The blessings that await you are some that I promise you don't want to miss out on!

Please keep Velda in your prayers this week. She got some pretty hard news this week. A member in her family was unexpectedly killed in a motorcycle accident this last weekend. She is doing well and is grateful for the Plan of salvation. How lucky are we to know that we will be able to see our family and friends again. That this life isn't the end!! 

Sister Suman and I were asked to help with specialized missionary training this last week and let me tell you it was a blast. It is a training where all the new missionaries go to learn skills and more in depth the mission rules. I'm pretty sure that I learned more than the new missionaries. Usually we have specialized missionary training at the mission office and we contact with the new missionaries on USF, but the last couple of times we have done it in down town Tampa and it has been way better. I was able to contact with Sister Saunders. She is from Riverton Utah and actually knows my cousin Emma, who is serving in Rome, Italy. Shout out Emms, love you tons. We talked to some amazing people down town. We were challenged to sit by someone at lunch and have a gospel conversation. We got jimmy johns and sat by a man who was smoking a cigarette. I was trying NOT breath any of the smoke in, but we asked him "hey have you ever wanted to quite smoking" he replied "yeah I do I have been trying for 2 years" Jordan started smoking when he was 16 years old because he thought it was the cool thing to do. He told us it was the worst decision he had ever made. It made me think just how important our everyday choices really are. We told him that Jesus Christ could help him and that we had a program for him that would help him quit. He was pumped about it and gave us his number. Sister Neibaur and I are going to reach out to him this week! 

It was finals week which resulted in a lot of our lessons falling through, but the Lord always provides. Saturday, on my exchange with Sister Hansen we talked to everyone we could. It was almost time to head back to the church to exchange back. We were walking down by the dorms and talked to a man named Dantaye. He is awesome. We got to know him and invited him to church. Throughout the conversations I noticed a change in him. I love being able to see the spirit work in those around us. He was very receptive to the restoration and explained that he wanted to learn more. When we got home that evening we texted him and he responded. We were super excited because most people don't respond. I love the little mile markers that I get to experience in the Lords work. The little steps of faith that people take on their journey of coming closer to their Savior. 

Bailey is still doing amazing. We had thee best lesson with her on Wednesday. Bailey drives 45 minutes just to meet with us. She prayed for the first time and I can't tell you how spiritual that experience was. Her testimony is growing and it has been so rewarding to watch her come to know the Book of Mormon it true. She hasn't been able to come to church the last couple of weeks because of her job. She is still on date to get baptized on the 14th but she mentioned she might move it back a week because she is moving to Utah for the summer! 

I have learned so many things on my mission. This week specifically I have come to know that through Jesus Christ all things are possible. I have had to rely on the Saviors atonement countless times. There have been hard weeks both physically and mentally, but the moment I turn to my Father in Heaven in prayer strength comes! As we pour out our hearts to him and ask for comfort and peace, he gives it to us. The enabling power of Christ's atonement is so real and at times on my mission has truly carried me!.  When ever you feel down about work, family, school, just remember the Savior is your best friend and your Father in Heaven is waiting to hear from you!! I love you all and wish you the best! Until next week!️

Love, 

Sister Kenzie Graham