Week #38

Hey Hey Everyone!

This week has been one for the books. It has probably been the best
week on my mission. Between Baileys baptism, Exchanges, Zone
Conference, and the Why I believe fireside we have been on a spiritual
cloud 9!!

This week started off with an exchange. Sister Gessel is also from
Utah! Funny story when I was a sophomore in high school she was my
student teacher for my foods class. We were laughing about it because
who would have thought we would be serving in the same mission
together. I was able to teach an elderly lady named Penny. She is the
mom of a recent convert in the Temple Terrace Ward. She has been a
super heavy smoker her whole life. Sister Gessel had me put some
peppermint essential oil under my nose so it wasn't as bad. We had one
of the most powerful lessons on the importance of reading our
scriptures and why it is a commandment. She has been investigation for
a couple weeks now and is already in Alma! Penny told us "oh girls
don't worry I can keep that commandment, I love the Book of Mormon."

Too many highlights this week. We had Zone Conference Wednesday and
the spirit hit me like a ton of bricks. President and Sister Cooper
centered our whole conference on faith and working with the members
that we serve with. It was held in the institute room and we counseled
together. It made me realize just how crummy of a member I was before
I came on my mission. If there is one thing I have learned from
President Cooper it is that there is not time or room for negativity.
We only have a short amount of time here on earth. There is no point
in wasting it on stress, worries, doubts. If we truly have faith in our
Savior we know that everything will always work out. Joy comes by
being optimistic!

BAILEY GOT BAPTIZED SUNDAY! What a sacred moment that was. She was
beaming. As soon as Elder Hatch said her name the spirit pierced my
heart. This really is the restored gospel. This really is the only
place where we will find the Priesthood authority of God! I can't tell
you enough how rewarding it has been watching her testimony and
knowledge grow. There were 39 members of the ward who attended her
baptism which was huge because our sacrament attendance has been 100
the last couple of weeks. Watching the ward grow in fellowshipping has
been so fun. When she went down into the water the spirit was so
strong. Elder Hatch said her name loud and slow and the spirit just
pierced me! Sister Neibaur and I did a musical number in sacrament
meeting for the intermediate Hymn. Shout out to my companion because
she has thee most beautiful voice! We did an arrangement to If The
Savior Stood Beside Me.

The Why I believe fireside was held at the Brandon Stake Center. Rose
was asked to share her conversion story. I didn't know this side of
the story. The day we met Rose she was suppose to hang out with her
friend Mary but declined to read a book at the park by her house. She
said she had a feeling to stay and she didn't quite know why.
Coincidentally she was reading the Book Mormonism for dummies and got
carried away while reading and read at the park for two hours. 8:30
and that is when Sister Bowen and I ran into her! Since
December she has read the Book of Mormon twice and all of the Doctrine
and Covenants and Pearl of Great price! She is a rock star. Her
testimony at the fireside was simple and strong. We also got to
perform a musical number called testimony. It was fun to be part of
something like that. After the fireside got over I was able to see
many people from the Palm Harbor area. One of them being Ligia who was
a sister we taught in English and the elders taught her in Spanish.
The reunion with her was something I will never forget. My love for
the people her in Florida grows every single day! We all were
definitely in tears!

I know I say this often but this church is seriously so true. Christ
is the head of it and because he is there and leading us we will
always be on the pathway of righteousness. Something that I have been
studying this week is charity. The pure love of Christ. One of my
favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon is Moroni 7:46-47
46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are
nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity,
which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail--
47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever;
and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well
with him.

Let us love those around us. Let us treat each other like brothers and
Sisters. This is the restored gospel and how lucky are we to have it
in our lives. I love being a missionary and testifying of the Savior.
He is the reason all of this is possible! Remember to trust in him and
have faith that he will always provide. I love this gospel! Have the
greatest week! I love you all:)

Love,
Sister Kenzie Graham
Tampa Bay YSA C