Last Letter

July 13, 2015

From the Letter to the Mission President:

Just another week preaching in Paradise!!! Una semana llena de milagros como siempre!

My family is doing well! My brother finally is in California! He is bringing the world His truth! :)

This week has been such a productive one. We were able to get out and teach so many people! Recently, we have been finding more families also. It has been such a tender mercy of the Lord, as we have prayed to find families to teach, they have been put in our path, for it is truly the Lord's plan that we progress with our families, so that we can be with them for eternity.

We were able to have some great lessons with E this week! We also got to meet her dad from Mexico. When we first met him, he was so closed off to listening to us. He told us that we were just the same as the Jehovah Witnesses. Later he told us that we were exactly like the Catholics. As we began to talk with him, we tried explaining politely the differences. He didn't really listen to us very much and just wanted to contend with us. We tried giving him a Book of Mormon, but he refused it telling us that he simply would not accept anything other than the Bible. After talking with E's dad for some time, E got home from work and we sat down to have a lesson with her. G, E's dad, had left to another room. We started our lesson off with a song. As Hermana Bennion and I sang, G entered the room and quietly took a seat next to his daughter. I received an impression that we should teach about temples. As we taught, we noticed that G had completely changed. He was actually agreeing with us and adding his input. QUE MILAGRO!

He talked about how our body was a temple. Exactly! We simply, but powerfully shared what we know to be true about temples. He agreed with everything that we said! Our next lesson with E and G, we were able to teach the Restoration. We talked about how Heavenly Father is the same yesterday, today, and forever. With that knowledge, we know that today we have a living prophet. In the Bible it says, "By their fruits, ye shall know them." After sharing this with G, he was interested to know what some of the fruits of our prophet have been. Without giving him a direct answer, we invited him to learn for himself. We wrote down a website for him where he could learn more about Thomas S. Monson. It was INCREDIBLE! Here this same man, who only a couple days ago wanted nothing to do with us, was actually asking us questions, and searching for his own answers. Yes, we still have a lot more to teach G. We are constantly praying that the hearts of E's parents may be softened. I know that our lessons this past week have been answers to prayers! E is so ready for baptism! I know now as we teach and prepare her parents, it will open the way for her to be baptized!

Also, another crazy miracle! We were able to have a great lesson with a less-active named H this week! He had been baptized about 3 years ago, and had been inactive for some time. We brought a member with us, who turned out to be one of H's friends! Milagro! After we left the lesson, H texted us. He very kindly thanked us for coming by and wished us the best with our night. That doesn't ever really happen with less-active members. I know that H wants to come back to church, and he will come back!

Working with Hermana Bennion has been such a blessing! She is such a wonderful missionary who truly gives her 110% to the Lord! I am really going to miss working with her, but I know that she will have a lot of success with Hermana Winn. Santa Maria is definitely in good hands! :)

I am eternally grateful for my mission! I have learned SO much!  Every single day of my mission has presented me with opportunities to learn and grow! It brings me peace and comfort knowing that my mission isn't over. I'm just getting transferred to Idaho. I have LOTS of work to do in Idaho. 

As President Howard W. Hunter said, "A great indicator of one's personal conversion is the desire to share the gospel with others." I know that my mission has helped me immensely to become more converted to the Lord. I will strive to become more converted every single day to the Lord as I continue to assist Him in His work. 

As George Albert Smith said, "We will attain our exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom only on the condition that we share with our Father's other children the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and observe the commandments that will enrich our lives here and hereafter."

I have come to understand that a mission does not last only 18 months or 2 years. It lasts a lifetime. Although I will not always wear a missionary name tag, I will always have the Savior's name etched in my heart. His Atonement has carried me through my mission! He is my best friend! It has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve side by side with my Savior. He has never left me, and I will never leave Him! I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, and that will never change!

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MOM! Love you so much! Thanks for your email! Sorry, I have run out of time! See you on Wednesday! Love you muchismo!

Con amor,

Hermana Killpack :)

I had a surprise yesterday! 

(Friends from Santa Barbara came to say goodbye)

Oh I love the Bumstead's! I am really going to miss them too! 

Oh California...

This is why I smile! :)

I am going to miss sweet C. She finally came to church yesterday!!!

Working Like Crazy This Week

July 6, 2015

From the Letter to the Mission President:

My family is doing wonderfully! My brother leaves the MTC tomorrow and I know he will be an amazing missionary in Irvine! We are all excited for him!

This week we have been finding so many new investigators! This week we had 16! We have been focusing on sharing the Book of Mormon with everyone. It has really strengthened my testimony sharing the Book of Mormon every day!

Hermana Bennion and I have been working like crazy this week! The only time to stop and rest is at the end of the day when we are going to bed. I absolutely love it! I am always amazed and humbled by the strength that we receive through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that it is through His Atonement that we are able to keep going throughout the day.

We have been working with E to help prepare her for baptism. Her dad came from Mexico this week and we are planning on going over to talk with him. E's mom has already signed the permission slip for her daughter to get baptism, but she wants E to wait a bit before getting baptized. E's mom doesn't want E to just join the church now, and then later fall away. We know that E is ready. E knows that she is ready. We are just working with the parents. We are hoping, praying, and fasting that E's parents let her be baptized soon!

We also found a new family this week. We were able to have a lesson with the parents and their two girls. Everyone sat down for the lesson and turned off their "distractions." It was awesome! They all had really great questions. They were receptive to what we had to say. It was so great to teach such a humble family!  I just absolutely love teaching families! :)

Working with Hermana Bennion is such a joy. This morning we did a companionship activity in Preach My Gospel. It is about Christ-like attributes. We "rated" ourselves on how we think we are doing. The areas where we feel are a little lacking, we are going to study together during companionship study. We are planning on studying Charity and Love, Patience, and Humility this week. I love Hermana Bennion and how she is always striving to improve. It inspires me to do the same. :)

As I have reflected on this past week and past transfer, I have come to realize how the Lord has blessed me. Heavenly Father knows me perfectly! He has given me companions, areas, and experiences tailored perfectly to meet my own personal needs for my own personal growth. I have been thrown out of my comfort zone so much on my mission. I have been stretched, tried, and tested. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows me so well to know my potential. I am eternally grateful for all of the experiences that I have had on my mission. I am looking forward to another semana llena de milagros!

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MOM! Yes, I got your package! What a delightful surprise! Thank you, thank you! :) 

Fireworks in Santa Maria were crazy! They were everywhere! And the big ones too! I'll have to show you a video later :)

Hmmmm kinda reminds me of Idaho...

So beautiful! 

I love this family so much! La familia L! :)

No, we didn't have any baptisms on the 4th. We are still working with some investigators. Some situations are a little complicated, but we will keep praying and doing all that we can so that one day, these people can enter the waters of baptism.

Yesterday, we were looking for a less-active member. We must have been given the wrong address, because when we went to the door an old woman that only spoke Mixteco opened the door. It was really funny, because at first I thought she was speaking a little Spanish. She put her hand up to her ear to show us that she was deaf. So there I was practically screaming to her in Spanish only to have her respond in pure Mixteco. I'll admit, it was quite amusing. We sang her a song in Spanish. Soy un hijo de Dios. She liked it and continued to talk to us in Mixteco, all the while knowing that we weren't understanding anything. She pointed up to the sky and then pointed at herself, and Hermana Bennion and I. I'd like to think that she was saying, "One day, when we get up there, we will understand each other." We gave her pamphlet with Christ on it holding a lamb. It was very sweet as she pointed to the lamb that Christ was holding and then pointed to herself. We didn't understand anything at all that she said, but we did feel her love, and I hope that she felt ours.

As I walked away for this experience, I was amazed. At the beginning of my mission, I understood as much Spanish as I do now understand Mixteco. AKA, I didn't understand anything. I couldn't really even say anything. I remember being so frustrated and upset at myself for not being able to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with my brothers and sisters whom I so dearly loved. I remember just trying so hard to understand. I remember praying so fervently to be blessed with the gift of tongues so that I could be an instrument in the Lord's Hands. Oh how eternally grateful I am that He answers prayers. I still don't know Spanish perfectly. There is a lot more to learn and apply. I am just so grateful that the Lord was able to bless me to be able to communicate with His children. What a blessing it is!

Well sorry, I have to go. You are all the BEST! Have the best week ever! :) I love you all muchismo! La verdad! Gracias por ser la mejor familia en todo el mundo.

Los quiero mucho!

Cuidense!

Con amor,

Hermana Killpack :)

The Lord's Timing

June 29, 2015

From the Letter to the Mission President:

This week has been full of so many miracles! Time does not permit me to write to you all of the miracles that we have seen this past week.

My family is doing well! They dropped my brother off at the MTC last Wednesday! I'm sure that Elder Killpack is doing well. :)

We had exchanges with the Hermanas in Morro Bay. I was privileged to have worked with Hermana Ricks. It was so much fun! :) We were able to see some huge miracles! We were planning on meeting a member referral. About 2 hours before our appointment, the person called to cancel the appointment. We were looking at our planners and the people that we had scheduled the night before just didn't seem right. We were trying to decide what to do when I saw a paper in the car. The paper was a list of members who had recently moved into the area. I suggested to Hermana Ricks that we go and meet some of the members. She agreed. We both looked at the paper and each chose a name of a person to go visit. Instantly my eyes were drawn to a name, and I knew that we had to go see this person. We discovered that this person lived in Cambria. Hermana Ricks told me that she had never been there before. We decided to go.

We started driving to discover that Cambria was a bit farther than we expected. It was about a 30 minute drive. Perhaps, that is why she hadn't been out there before. We were using a map to find the address. We took a couple wrong turns, but eventually arrived at the man's house. Looking back on our experience, the timing of everything is so important. We arrived at the house. As we were pulling up we saw a car about ready to pull out of the driveway. We jumped out of the car to go talk to the woman that was leaving. We went up to her and inquired to know if the man that we were looking for lived there. She told us that he did not. When then asked her if she had recently moved in. She then told us that she had been living there for a couple years. We thanked her and returned back to our car. As she pulled away, I felt an impression that we needed to get out of the car and go and knock on the door. I also felt a sense of urgency that we needed to be fast. I told Hermana Ricks and we left for the door. 

We knocked on the door and a man answered. We inquired of him if a "W" lived there. He said that was him. I said, "It's great to meet you." I put forth my hand to shake his. "I'm not sure about that..." he said hesitantly, making no effort to shake my hand. I put my hand back down to my side, and we began talking. We found out that he was baptized when he was a teenager, but hadn't been to church in a while. It was evident that he didn't really want us there and didn't really trust us. We were trying to be polite and ask him questions about himself. He assumed that some church members had sent us to find him. I told him honestly that I had seen his name on a list and felt impressed to go see him. No one had told us to visit him. As we continued talking, he mentioned that he was in the army and I asked him, "What did you do in the Army?" He said, "I killed people." I was a bit taken aback by his answer, but then what really surprised me was my response. (I truly do honor and admire the people that have served, or our serving our country, but I usually don't get emotionally when I talk about it.) I started to cry (to my surprise) I couldn't talk for a minute. Then through my tears I looked up at him and said, "Thank you for serving our country." I then mentioned how my grandpa had served and just told him how grateful I was. He was a bit surprised. It was then that he began to open up to us. He told us that he had two granddaughters serving missions somewhere in South America. He didn't know where. 

It was amazing to see his whole countenance change. I even noticed that he started smiling. This man had completely changed. We were able to have a great conversation with this man. We were able to talk with him about his life and show him that we cared. After a couple minutes of conversation W looked beyond us to the road. As we turned around, we saw the woman who had left minutes earlier pulling back into the driveway. We knew it was time to leave. 

W looked at us and said, "You had better leave now. My wife hates Mormons." We thanked W for his time, shook his hand, and then started walking to our car. The woman came out from the garage and told us, "Don't come back. The next time you come, I'm calling the police." We politely apologized and then left to our car. 

As Hermana Ricks and I reflected upon our experience we realized a couple things. First, W's wife was sure to storm into the house telling him, "I told those girls that you didn't live here," which, would in fact, manifest to him, that we were led by the Spirit, and by Heavenly Father himself to talk with him that day. Hermana Ricks and I were amazed! We don't know why where were supposed to go to W's house that day. The plans that had fallen through earlier made it so that we would arrive at W's house at just the right time. Had we come any earlier, there would have been no possible chance of a conversation, as W's wife would have been there. 

This experience strengthened my testimony so much of our Heavenly Father's love. He is always reaching out to His children, inviting them to come back!

We were able to have many more miracles on exchanges. However, there is not enough time to tell you all of them!

This week, we were able to pick up a couple new investigators. As we have been striving to work more with our less-active members, we really have been finding so many people with great potential.

Hermana Bennion is wonderful! She is so great at teaching families! We are teaching a couple of families! I love how she teaches the children. She has a way with captivated the attention of all members of the family. No matter the age! She is so great! 

I finished the Book of Mormon this week! I was surprised as I looked back and reflected on all that I have learned. Every single time I read the Book of Mormon, it makes more and more sense. I have already started de nuevo to read the Book of Mormon. I plan to read it everyday, everyday, everyday!

Truly the Lord is hastening His work. It has been such a delight being a missionary this week. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be an instrument in the Lord's Hands. I know that He loves His children. He truly wants that all His children have all the blessings that He has!

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Mom! 

Exchanges with Hermana Ricks! She is from Idaho Falls! :) 

A very sweet older man that we met on exchanges! :)

It was M's birthday yesterday! We brought over cookies, balloons, flowers, and party hats! :)

Preaching in Paradise! :)

Love you! Don't have much time! Hopefully I can write you a letter! You are all the best! 

Being a Missionary has become my Life

June 22, 2015

From the Letter to the Mission President:

We have had a marvelous week this week with two exchanges and a zone conference with Elder C. Scott Grow! It has been such an enlightening week! I have loved it! :)

My family is doing well! There are leaving to Provo tomorrow to take my brother to the MTC!!! I know that he will be a fantastic missionary! :)

We found a new investigator this week named S. She is so sweet! She is a very humble woman. She has two daughters and works very hard in "la fresa" to provide for her family. We were able to share with her what it is that we do as missionaries, and she is excited to learn more. S lives in an apartment building with a lot of other people. She didn't have any chairs so we sat down on the floor and had a lesson. She lives a humble life which I know has prepared her to accept the gospel. 

Yesterday we were able to have a lesson with an investigator named S and his whole family! It was amazing! There were probably about 8 or 9 people there. We shared a message about fathers and eternal families. Even though we differed in beliefs, they loved having us in their home and told us that we are more than welcome to come back. We sang for them "Families can be together forever." The spirit was so strong!

Exchanges this week with Hermana Green and Hermana Zarate were so much fun! I feel like I was able to learn from the examples of these Hermanas! I love them both so much! I feel like I am always able to learn something new from each Hermana that I exchange with.

Working with Hermana Bennion is fantastic! She is a wonderful teacher! She truly enjoys life and enjoys sharing the gospel. She always has a smile on her face and we love laughing together! :)

It was such a special experience to have Elder Grow with us this past week. I loved how he took time to get to know each and every one of us! As I listened to him speak I felt that we truly have no time to waste as we help prepare our brothers and sisters to enter into the waters of baptism. I am so excited for the people that we are currently teaching. We have several investigators that have been taught all the lessons and have come to church more than three times. We are working out their questions and concerns. We have faith that they will progress towards baptism.

I have absolutely loved this past week! I don't feel like I am on a mission. I feel that being a missionary has become my life. I am excited that I can always be a missionary no matter where I am! This gospel truly is wonderful, and as members of this church, we have a responsibility to share it!

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MOM! I bet you've had a crazy week! Andrew is off this week huh? I can't believe that! I'm so excited for him! Is he excited? What was his farewell talk about? Also, do I have a topic for my homecoming talk? I bet the Spanish classes are hard. I've been planning to come home and really study Spanish books. Sometimes we don't even have time for language study. I know there is a lot that I still don't know and need to learn. I guess I could wait to take a Spanish class, but I do want to take one. I promised myself that I wouldn't lose my Spanish. Hmmm what do you think?

Super sweet members in Lompoc. He was telling us that he and his family were the first to be baptized in Tijuana!

Exchanges with Hermana Zarate!

S! She is awesome! I already love her! :)

I made some Mexican rice this week! :)

Exchanges with Hermana Green! :)

So cute! (Referring to a photo we sent.) Amber has such cute earrings! Oh wait... yes I remember, they are mine! Haha her hair looks really good too! When I get home, I need a lot of help with my clothes, hair, and life. I'm glad that you all are capable of helping me in that department. I was realizing that most of my clothes that I have been wearing for a year and a half are soooo not my style. It will be nice to dress in my style again. 

Good luck with helping Andrew! He will do great! Love you all!

Have the best week ever! 

Con mucho amor,

Hermana Killpack

P.S. If you have time, could you send me a picture of me when I got baptized. I was thinking that I could use it in a lesson with an investigator. That would be great! Love you lots! :)

Gracias! :)

P.S. again: I don't know if I have told you this or not, but I hear that C is doing really well. He is teaching gospel principles and he received his patriarchal blessings a couple weeks ago. I'm glad that he is doing well!

P.P.S. les quiero!

Mid-June, and Four Weeks to Go!

June 15, 2015

From the Letter to the Mission President:

My family is doing wonderful! My younger brother is giving his farewell talk this upcoming Sunday. I am thrilled for him! :)

What a marvelous week it has been! We loved MLC! As a companionship, we have been striving to become more consecrated servants of Jesus Christ.

Yesterday we had an amazing lesson. Our investigator, N, had commented to us that he hadn't seen F (a less-active member) at church for some time. Yesterday we took N with us to have a lesson with F. N told F that it's been a while since we've seen him at church. N was also able to bear testimony of the Book of Mormon and the power of prayer. It has been so fun teaching N these past couple of weeks. We have really seen his faith grow. I have been able to notice that he has more light, that he is more confident, and that he is more happy. It is so wonderful! :)

Yesterday, we were visiting people before church to invite them to come when I had a thought that we should go visit a member, A. We had had a lesson with her daughter the day before and they said that they were coming to church. When we got to A's house we saw that she wasn't dressed to go to church. She told us that she couldn't make it because she was cooking pasole for a party for a sister in the evening. We told A that we could come over after church and help her cook food, but she declined. She kept on finding excuses as to why she couldn't come to church. We kept on coming up with solutions. She finally opened up to us and told us that she had some doubts about the gospel. She said that she didn't want to feel like a hypocrite coming to church. We explained to her why she needed to come to church. She listened to us and told us that she would come to church. She came! We are planning on going over to their house tonight to have a family home evening. 

I am grateful for the spirit that was able to guide us to A's house. I am grateful that Heavenly Father knows and loves His children perfectly. We now know what we need to teach A to help strengthen her and her family. 

We had an amazing lesson this week with E. We brought R, a 16 year old member along with us. We taught E the 10 commandments and it was a good refresher for R too. I love member present lesson, because I feel that we all are edified together. E really looks up to R, and R is a wonderful example. During our lesson, both E and R said that they want to serve missions! :)

Yesterday, we went to visit some investigators that weren't home. As we approached the door we heard some people yelling loudly at each other. (Other people live in the same house) We knocked on the door and a woman named T answered. We have met T once before and she is very nice. As we entered the home it became apparent that T had been fighting with her 13 year old daughter. T told us that the people we were looking for weren't home and that her daughter was being a brat. We asked if we could sing for T and her daughter. She agreed. We sang Families can be Together Forever. As we sang, the spirit entered the room. Afterwards we talked about our families, and that although we might not always get along, we do want to be with them forever. We were able to say a prayer with T and her daughter and when we left the house they were both smiling. It is so wonderful to me to see the love that Heavenly Father has for each of His children. He knew that His daughters needed to feel His love at this time, so He guided us there. 

Working with Hermana Bennion is so much fun! We are able to laugh with each other so much every day! It truly is a joy serving the Lord when you do it with those you love.

I love the focus that we have as a mission to be more consecrated. As I have thought about that everyday, I have been able to have more focused thoughts and studies. I know that consecrating is more than doing, it's about becoming. I am trying to become someone better everyday. Although I fall short, I know that through the Atonement of Christ I can change my very nature. This will not only be my focus for this transfer, but for a lifetime!

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MOM!

We have been doing awesome. Hmmm hopefully I don't need to send anything else home. I will weigh my bags in a couple weeks. We'll see. I also do love getting letter from you. Sorry I haven't written you lately. Busy as always!

So there is a member here (from an English ward that is serving here in the Spanish Branch) that reminds me of you a lot. She is very witty, smart, and funny. We take her with us to a lot of our lesson, and she always has really good ideas. Sometimes, she even texts us scriptures that she thinks would be good to share with certain investigators. I was thanking her one day for all her work that she does with us and she hugged me and kissed me. I almost started crying because it was just like being hugged by you. Although it wasn't you, it was very sweet to receive this motherly hug. I was grateful for the small tender mercy from the Lord. You do give the best hugs! :)

We haven't set any more baptisms for the 4th. We are working to keep the ones that we have set for that date. Something always comes us. As of right now, we don't have anyone 100% for sure for the 4th, but we will keep working. 

That sounds like so much fun for Amber? Where is she staying? That means she'll be there for when I get home! That's exciting! :)

Well keep me updated about everything going on! Hopefully I get Andrew's emails too when he leaves! I am way excited for him! Time truly is flying so fast. This week we have 2 exchanges with the Hermanas in Santa Barbara and Lompoc. 

Oh guess what, last Saturday we went down to SB to see A get baptized. She is one of the 3 little girls that I had been teaching while I was in SB. It was so fun to see her! 

We got some beautiful flowers from our investigators O and C. They are so sweet! :) And... we made them cookies!  :)

Mom! I'm doing wonderful! Quick question. Did you by chance sign me up for a Spanish class? I would really love to have a Spanish class! Or I guess I can just go live in Peru or Mexico or Guatemala for a couple months. I would be okay with that too!

"And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that are still publishing peace!"

Mosiah 15:16

Thanks mom for your love, prayers, and support. You are one of my greatest heroes and best friends. I love you all so much! 

Cuidense! Les quiero mucho! 

Con amor,

Hermana Killpack :)

One more thing. I was thinking about this. What blessings do you think our family has received from having a missionary out on a mission? Thanks! Love you! :)

Working Hard, Witnessing Blessings and Miracles

June 8, 2015

From the Letter to the President:

Hemos tenido mucho exito en esta semana! No puedo creer la misericordia del Senor! Hay muchos milagros cuando estamos en el servicio de Dios!

This past week was so successful! Hermana Bennion and I have been working hard. We have already been able to witness so many blessings and miracles!

This past week we set three of our investigators with baptismal dates! E, Y, and C! E said that her mom finally told her that she could be baptized! E told us that she had been praying that her mom's heart would be softened. E also invited her friend Y to start meeting with us also. She also accepted baptism. Y is 14 years old and very sweet. It was so tender to see the desire of these girls to follow Jesus Christ. 

Two weeks ago the Elders had a baptism. We had invited some of our investigators to come and O and C came! We had a lesson with them this past week. I had never had a lesson with them before. We had tried setting up several appointments, but they had always fallen through. C told us at the beginning of the lesson that she was attending a Christian church. She then went on to tell us that she loved coming to our church. She told us that she truly felt the spirit in our church, something that she doesn't feel in her Christian church. She told us that she hadn't even told her husband how she felt. It was so amazing, because the baptism that they came to was in English, and they don't know English. I know that she was really able to feel the spirit. 

O was telling us how much he loves the Book of Mormon. I don't think I have ever had an investigator who has loved the Book of Mormon so much! It was thrilling! He was telling us that it made so much sense! He was testifying to us of its truthfulness. It was amazing! :)

We taught O and C the Restoration and they loved it! C's favorite part was the Apostasy, because it made sense to her. O had to leave our lesson early, but we committed C to think and pray about being baptized on July 4th. She said that she would.

Last night, we had another lesson with O y C about the Word of Wisdom and they were so accepting. They agreed to live it! They are so wonderful! They want us to start teaching their kids as well! We are so happy and astonished by how prepared they have been by the Lord.

We also still have been working with N. We taught him about the 10 commandments and told him that baptism is also a commandment. We committed him to pray and fast about  being baptized on July 4th. We were able to fast with him yesterday.  He is doing well.

This week truly has been a wonderful and successful one! I love working with Hermana Bennion! She definitely teaches when she finds, and finds when she teaches. She is always serving me and I truly love her!

I love the joy that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings! We have been so blessed this week to be able find people that really are willing and ready to hear the gospel. That is such a tender mercy for us. I know that Heavenly Father has prepared many of His children here in Santa Maria to receive and accept the gospel. 

This week has been a blast! At times I am talking and I can't remember some words in English, so I just say them in Spanish. :) I'm so glad that my companion understands me! :)

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MOM! It's so great to hear from you! It sounds like you've all been busy! I'm so excited for Andrew! I pray for him all the time! I know that he will be a fantastic missionary! :) 

These Elders are so awesome! The funniest Zone leaders. Haha always awkward pictures as a missionary! :)

Awww my Hermana Costilla! I'm going to miss her! :)

Hahah I just noticed Elder Robinson in the background!

Hahaha I wasn't ready for this picture! I just think it looks so funny.

And also in the background is Hermana Bennion. She is wearing a pink skirt and holding a green bag.

We were waiting for some people to fix our tiwi. (A device in our car that helps us to drive safely) It was so funny, because this piano was randomly in the middle of the room. So I played it! :)

Happy National Doughnut Day! Glad we didn't miss that one! :)

This was last night! Preaching in Paradise! :)

I'm excited about the classes I will be taking. It's kinda really crazy to think I will be studying something other than the gospel. Haha I feel like I've forgotten all the secular knowledge I used to know! But I'm not worried. I know that the Lord will help me.

Sorry, I don't have much time! Emails are always crazy! Tomorrow we have MLC in Ventura! That should be fun! Good luck with Andrew and everything else! I love you all dearly! You are the best! :)

Have the best week ever! Con amor

Hermana Killpack :)

P.s. According to my calendar, I have 5,465,451,423 days left. See you then! ;)

Last Transfer of the Mission!

June 1, 2015

From the Letter to the Mission President:

What a wonderful transfer it has been! I have absolutely loved every single day! I am excited to be starting a new transfer with Hermana Bennion! I love her already! :) 

My family is doing wonderfully! My younger brother leaves on his mission in just a couple weeks and he is excited for that. This past week, he went through the temple! :)

We have definitely felt the influence of the spirit leading and guiding us this week. We had an amazing experience! We went to go visit a less-active member that was in our plans for the day. She was about to head out to work, so we just talked with her for a couple minutes. We were about to leave, when I felt the impression to ask her if she knew anyone that had recently had a baby, or a family that had experienced a death in the family. To our surprise, she answered yes. She told us that the great-grandpa of her kids had recently passed away. She told us that we could go and visit la Familia L. 

We asked her if she knew where this family lived. She told us that she did not, but that we could find them at the mortuary that day and ask them. We had a couple minutes before our next lesson, so we decided to go check it out. We figured the family would be at the funeral home filling out information for the funeral. We arrived at the mortuary and entered. To our surprise the viewing was going on right then. At first, we were unsure what we should do. We decided to talk to some of the men that were sitting outside of the main room talking. One of the men was able to help us. He went and got Hermana L. She came out and greeted us. She was so nice to us. We told her about the member that had sent us and we asked if there was anything that we could do. She told us that just us being there was enough. We found out that the person who has passed away was her father. She took us to go see her dad. She cried a little as she told us about her dad. We were able to briefly, but powerfully share what we know about the Plan of Salvation. It really made her happy to hear the things that we were saying. As we talked, more hope filled her eyes. 

Hermana Costilla asked her if we could sing a song. I have never seen people sing at a viewing before, but I know that my companion's idea was led by the spirit. Hermana L excitedly agreed and told all the people in the room that we would sing a song. We opened up our hymn books and started singing "Las familias pueden ser eternas." "Families can be together forever." There were about 15-20 people in the room. As we sang, more people from the hallway entered the room to listen to us sing. The spirit was so strong in the room. The wife of the man who passed away was nodding her head, agreeing with the words that we were singing. It was so beautiful! It was unlike anything I have ever experienced before. We were able to share our beliefs with a room of strangers. Strangers whom I immediately loved as we sang. Many people thanked us for singing as we walked out of the room. We were able to talk with Hermana L afterward. She thanked us so much for coming and told us that we had helped her to feel at peace. 

I am so grateful for the promptings of the spirit. I am humbled to be an instrument in the Lord's Hands. It truly is a privilege.

This week has been full of so many miracles! On Saturday we were able to find a 16 year old boy named J. J was so open to listening to us. His father passed away 2 years ago, and we were able to teach him about the Plan of Salvation as well. He listened intently and had some good questions. He told us that we can come back anytime to teach him more. 

I know that many times trials are blessings in disguise. I am so grateful for the trials that I have had in my own life. 

Working with Hermana Costilla has been indescribably amazing! I love her like a sister! I am excited for her to begin a new chapter in her life. Although I will miss her, I am confident that she will be just as amazing of a missionary in Utah! :)

Asombro me da el amor que me da Jesus. This song has been running through my mind a lot this week. I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me. I have felt Christ's and Heavenly Father's love so abundantly this week. It has been manifest to me through peace, through love from others, and through the spirit. I am so grateful for their perfect love! I am striving to love more perfectly as they love me.

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MOM! The cake you made is beautiful! Hermana Costilla says that she wants you to make her wedding cake :) 

Hermana Costilla is "dying" 

(Note from the Mom...this means she is going home from her mission!)

We went on a hike last week with our district! :) It was so much fun!

Yes, I did get your letter! The one with pictures of grandpa and grandma! They were so cute! I was delighted to get it! I am excited to hear about Andrew! Yes, the temple is so wonderful! I am excited to be able to continue to go to the temple, and help prepare the work that is done there!

Grandpa's party sounded like it was fun! Wish I could've been there! I'm glad that he had fun! :)

Yes, my new companion is Hermana Bennion. She is an STL (Sister Training Leader) and has been out for almost a year now. I hear her Spanish is really good. I think I heard that she lived in a foreign country (maybe Guatemala) a couple years growing up, so it's probably about perfect. I'm excited to learn more from her!

Yes, I am staying in Santa Maria. I knew that I would "die" here. (Again, that means she will be going home from this area.) I also knew that Hermana Bennion was going to be my last companion. I don't know how I knew, but I just did. 

Sounds like you have some fun plans for the next couple of weeks! In how many weeks does Andrew leave? 2 or 3?

Yes, Aubrey's hair looks good! I think she is started to look older. She kinda looks like Emily! Well, there is never enough time to say everything. I have a couple of funny stories that I want to tell you, but those might have to wait until I get home. I am doing great! Still learning lots everyday!

Oh question. Is Heather still cutting hair in Firth? I just really wanted her to cut my hair, because I know she knows what she is doing, and she knows how I like it. Just wondering. Also, I just want to tell her all about the gospel. :) haha 

Well I love you all so dearly! Thanks for your love and prayers! I absolutely love getting letters from you. It makes my day! Thanks so much for being the best family ever! I love you all! Have the best week ever!

Con amor,

Hermana Killpack :)