Feliz Cuarto De Julio

Hola mis queridos amigos y familia,

It was quite the week. I feel like I say that every week... but I really mean it this time haha.

On Tuesday night, we were pulling into our apartment and getting ready to park when we saw some other sisters get out of their car. We parked and walked over to talk to them. It was Sister Fastabend and Sister Sorensen. They said that they were supposed to meet up with our roommates to have exchanges, but our roommates were locked out of our apartment so they came to figure everything out. We walked over to our apartment and tried using our key to get in but it didn't work either. We called the maintenance person that was on call, and he was just about to go to bed. He lives 45 minutes away and couldn't come let us in because he couldn't prove that we weren't just some random people wanting to be let into the apartment. We made a few different phone calls and ultimately decided that we would have to go stay with Sister Fastabend and Sister Sorensen for the night. Some Elders live in another apartment complex close by and they had two extra mattresses. We went to pick up the mattresses then took them to the sisters apartment and hauled them up the stairs. Sister Eyre gave us permission to put all of the mattresses on the floor and make one big bed since we didn't have enough for each person to sleep on one. We had to borrow some pajamas and stuff from the sisters and use our fingers to brush our teeth since we didn't have anything. It was like a big sleep over that no one was prepared for haha. The next morning, the maintenance person met us at the apartment to let us in. He ended up having to get a ladder and go through the door on our balcony. The lock on our front door was bad, so he drilled it out and replaced it. Now its good as new... literally. It was a fun adventure haha.

Unfortunately, we had to stop teaching Daniel last week due to some things going on in his life that none of us could control. He still has a strong desire to learn and be baptized. He even came to church again this past Sunday. We are hoping that he can get everything figured out this week and we can start teaching him again.

We had a meet and greet with President and Sister Fisk on Friday. They are absolutely amazing. I'm so excited to have the opportunity to serve with them and continue getting to know them. They are from Canada so they are even more shocked by the heat than I am haha. Sister Fisk was a convert to the church in her early 20s, and she has a powerful testimony. President Fisk served a mission in Argentina and still speaks Spanish! He owns a software company and has helped do some of the software that notifies us missionaries when someone in our area fills out an interest form on Facebook. I'm excited to see how his knowledge of Facebook and technology will help us to find the people who are interested in meeting with us. 

During Sacrament meeting this past Sunday, several of the people in our ward went up to the pulpit to bear their testimonies. Hermano Bustillos was one of them. He talked about the incredible opportunity that he had to go to the temple on Saturday and seal his parents together for eternity. Afterwards, he went back to his seat which was next to Carlos. Hermana Cruz and I were sitting next to some other people, but we heard Carlos and Hermano Bustillos whispering about something. Then Carlos stood up and walked to the pulpit to bear his testimony. Carlos talked about how much his life has changed for the better. He said how grateful he is for us missionaries and all of the ward members who have helped him. As I sat listening to Carlos' testimony, the Holy Ghost testified to me once again that this truly is the Lord's work. Hearing him talk about how much his life has changed made every rejection and hard time that I have experienced while on my mission 100% worth it. Bringing souls unto Jesus Christ truly is the most rewarding work. 

I've been thinking a lot about the importance of setting goals and making plans to achieve those goals. 
In Alma 34:32, it says "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors." As this scripture says, our time on earth is our time to prepare. We are here on earth to become more like Jesus Christ and to prove that we are willing to do whatever it takes to follow Him. However, becoming like Christ doesn't just happen by accident. It requires conscious effort. I have noticed a huge difference in the rate of my spiritual growth when I make specific goals and plans versus when I don't. I would like to invite you all to make one specific goal that you want to achieve this week that will help you to become more like Jesus Christ. Then make a plan for how you will achieve that goal. I know our time on earth is precious and that it is important for us to use each minute the best we can. I know that as you strive to intentionally become more like Jesus Christ, He will help you do so. He loves you. He wants you to reach your fullest potential in this life and in the life to come. I bear my testimony to you in His name, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

I love you all!

Con Amor,
Hermana Kendrick


















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