Week #55

Hi Friends! What a week it has been!

All is well in Florida. We survived the hurricane and are slowly
helping everyone get back to normal!  It didn't impact as much as we
thought it would. Huge blessing and reward of faith! We got back to
our area Monday evening! We didn't have any damage where our apartment
was, but some of the Sisters in our zone did. They Lake Hamilton
sisters stayed with us for the week. It was a good old time. Reminded
me of the YSA days! Speaking of YSA. Paul, an investigator that Sister
Barlow and I were teaching was baptized on Sunday! So so amazing. Sad
I missed it, but so happy for him!

We have had some really cool service opportunities this week! Our area
didn't get hit too hard, so we serve for a little bit of the week in
Polk City with Sisters Densely and Gustafson. We said a prayer as
Sisters that we would be able to find a family that we could help. We
were in their neighborhood visiting a less active member and saw two
women outside their home. We asked them if there was anything we could
do to help. Amy and Diane's home was damaged by hurricane Irma. They
showed us the roof of their home and began to explain that they had
prayed moments earlier that God would send people to help them pack up
their home. The roof was torn, a tree had fallen on the house, and a
power line was hanging in their yard. They were renting and were asked
to pack up and move out in 2 days due to the dangerous circumstance.
We helped them pack the inside of their home. As we talked with Diane
she told us that her mom had passed away a month earlier. We shared
with her a message on eternal families. We testified of the Plan of
Salvation. Amy and Diane both asked for information for our church.
Diane specifically has been going through challenges of her own and
has been looking for a church to go to. Amy and Diane kept telling us
how God hears our prayers and answered theirs. 5 minutes after they
said their prayer was when we met them. We are going back today to
help finish packing and cleaning up their yard!

The work here in Citrus Ridge is really starting to pick up! Before
the hurricane we were visiting a few less actives, recent converts,
and would contact in the neighborhood along the way! I saw this girl
get out of her car and got a strong prompting that we needed to go
talk with her. We turned around to talk with her and as soon as we
did, she walked inside her home. We kept walking but again the spirit
said turn around. Right as we did she walked out the door. Her
family had recently moved into the area! We offered to help her take
things inside and got talking about her interests. We told her we were
missionaries from our church and she stopped and said "you're kidding,
I've been looking for a church to go to!" My heart was so happy!
Crystal is 15 yrs old and has the strongest desire to grow closer to
God! Her mom came out and asked if we were their neighbors. We
explained that we were missionaries and helped people to understand
their purpose. She just hugged us and told us that her daughters have
been dying to go back to church. We set up a time to meet with them
and finally got to go back this week. We had a great lesson. They have
had a lot of deaths in their family and so we shared the message of
the Plan of Salvation. Her mom couldn't believe how much peace and
happiness it brought to her. Crystal stopped in the middle of the
lesson and asked if she could be baptized!! We extended a date for
October 21st. Her mom said they would pray and talk about it with
their dad! I have such a strong testimony that the spirit provides
everything we need in this life. Yes their hearts were soft and they
are prepared, but Heavenly Father truly shows his love for us through
the gift of the Holy Ghost! The girls came to church on Sunday. Their
mom Rose had to work!

Miracles on miracles this week! Our investigator Haley has been
progressing really well. She has made a ton of friends in young
women's and coming to church regularly. We had a lesson planned with
her and usually when we go to her home, her mom goes into her bedroom.
Well this time SHE STAYED AND LISTENED! And not only that she told us
that she would read the Book of Mormon by herself and with her family!
Pam, the mom, got sick last night so we weren't able to follow up with
them, but we will be this week! Keep them in your prayers!

I have a firm testimony in the reality of this gospel. It is the way
we live our lives so that we may enter in the presence of God one day!
I have felt his love in my life these past two weeks in a way that has
strengthened me in time of need. I know he is there and watching over
each and every one of us. He is real and knows us so perfectly! Don't
doubt him but SEEK for opportunities every day to become more like
him!

Scripture of the Week! Mosiah 4:9-10

9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things,
both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all
power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not
comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.
10 And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake
them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart
that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things
see that ye do them.

I love this gospel and I love being his missionary! Thank you for all
the prayers. I'm so grateful to be surrounded by the most faithful
people I know! Have the best week yet :)

Love,
Sister Kenzie Graham