Week #64

Hello Fellow Humans! 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING on Thursday. There are so many incredible things to be grateful for in life. I know I have been blessed beyond measure. What a week, what a week it has been! We have biked almost everyday this week and it has been a blast. Full of laughter, bugs in our teeth, burning thighs, and miracles! 

Tuesday, we didn’t have district meeting due to transfers, but we biked to the church for a lesson with Elsie. I have a firm testimony when it comes to talking with everyone. I know we looked like completely dweebs with our slacks, helmets, and sunglasses, but we saw this girl walking towards us and we received the prompting to stop. Well we stopped last minute, Sister Robertson almost crashing into me from behind. We said hello and can we just say she looked so confused. We took off our helmets and sunglasses and started talking with her. Venice has been here in America for only 10 months. Her story is just incredible. She was rescued from Haiti and brought to America because they were able to find her mom. To say the least she was abused and left on the streets in Haiti. As we got talking with her she told us that she prayed and asked God how she would be able to grow closer to him. Venice has been looking for a church and was so excited when we told her there was one just down the street from her. She asked if she would be able to be baptized on her birthday. We haven’t been able to get in contact with her this week, but we have faith that the Lord has a plan for her. 

Elsie is doing just incredible. She was so excited to tell us that she picked a Baptismal date on February 3rd! She has been working a lot and wants to attend church for the next couple of months to feel ready. We went to the YSA face to face with her last night, and she told us that she gained a testimony of prophets. Elder Oaks and Elder Ballard answered a lot of her questions. 

As I’ve been looking back over the course of my mission, I have recognized that success comes into the people’s lives that you bless. There have been so many experiences from this last week that have shown me that. Sunday evening, Sister Robertson and I knocked on a Less Actives door before going in for the night. She answered and told us how busy they were, but mentioned they needed to finish decorating. We asked if we could come back and help and she invited us to come back on Saturday. Her father is the branch president in the Loma Verde ward. Sister Smith and I were able to go and help her with decorating her home for Christmas. We talked and got to know her. She told us her story and how she made it to Florida. She has been inactive to 17 years. Her husband and 5 boys are not members of our church. We shared a message with them and they invited us over for Thanksgiving. How amazing is that. There are so many of our brothers and sisters who are lost and all they are waiting for is someone to listen to the spirit and reach out to them. Speaking of Sister Smith, she is my new companion. She is amazing and a spiritual giant. She is from Virginia and knows why she is serving a mission. I’m super excited to this transfer with her!  

I have a firm testimony in following the spirit and listening to the inspiration from our Heavenly Father. I know that is how he reveals things to us. I am thankful for the gospel. I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for my friends and companions. I am so very thankful for my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. I am thankful for chocolate. I am thankful for the scriptures. I am thankful for dance and cosmetology. I am thankful for my mission! As we are entering into the holiday season let us remember the spirit of the Lord and to be thankful in all things! I love you all. Much love! 

Love, 

Sisters Kenzie Graham