A Week of Miracles

Hola mi familia! Como estan ustedes?

As always, here is a part of my letter to the President:

"This week has been a week of miracles! It has been so inspiring to see the hand of the Lord guiding us. One day we had about 30 minutes that we scheduled to knock. We prayed to know where to go. Hermana Brown drove to some apartments that I have only been to once before. We got out of the car and just started walking. I had no idea where we were going. We came to a fork in the path and I decided to take the right path. As we were walking, an apartment caught my eye. Through the upstairs window I saw a picture of Jesus Christ. I decided this was the house. We climbed the stairs, knocked on the door and held our breath.  At this particular apartment there are not very many Hispanics. Knocking on any random door most likely would not help us find someone to teach in Spanish. Still, we trusted in the Lord. E opened the door. She started speaking Spanish to us...which is a miracle. She listened to us talk.  She then proceed to invite us to come in several times. She told us that Saturdays were her only free days and that during the rest of the week she was so busy. We came at the perfect time. We taught her the Restoration. E had many good questions and she was very nice. It was such a miracle that we were guided by the spirit to go and knock on a door that I had never before seen.

Yesterday we also experienced another miracle, well five miracles. We try to invite our investigators to come to church with us every week. Rarely do we get people that actually come, but we pray that they will. Yesterday we were sitting in Sacrament meeting. The Sacrament had just ended and testimony meeting was about to begin. In walked A, her two daughters, and two friends of one of her daughters. I was shocked and surprised. We have only met with A twice. She was a referral from a member of our Branch. A walked in carrying her Book of Mormon and sat with us. The spirit was so strong during the testimony meeting. The branch members shared their testimonies of the truthfulness of the Gospel, the Book of Mormon, the Prophet Joseph Smith and the blessings of the gospel. After the meeting was over I learned why A had been late. She said that she had locked her keys in her house. She told us that she knew that the devil did not want to her to come to church with us. I am so grateful that she was able to make it to church yesterday and feel the spirit.

Everyday in the mission field is a miracle. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be an instrument in Heavenly Father's hands. I know that if we are willing and worthy He will use us to bring about his work. Moses 1:39. I simply love serving here in Thousand Oaks. I truly love the people here. I love all the things that I am learning. I love the opportunity I have everyday to use the Atonement in my life. Yo se que la Iglesia es verdadera!"

It's so great to hear from you. So I actually didn't go to the Womens conference meeting Saturday. We forgot! We have been so focused on the work that we totally forgot about it. I felt bad about it but then I realized that during our time on Saturday night we taught A and she came to church yesterday! I feel better about missing it knowing that we were able to help A and that she was able to come to church. It really was such a miracle!

This week we had the opportunity to go to the LA temple. It is gorgeous! I absolutely loved it!!!!!!!!!!!! I miss going to the temple weekly but I know that everyday I have the chance to do work for the living and that is equally important.

Yeah, I did get G'ma Betty's letter last week. I haven't got yours. I don't know what is wrong. Transfers are next week so I may or may not be staying in Thousand Oaks. So it is best to send mail to the mission home if at all possible because I could move.

We have kittens!!! And kids!!! How fun! I need pictures!

I did not feel the other earthquake. 

I am SO EXCITED FOR GENERAL CONFERENCE! I'm not sure if we'll be listening in English or Spanish. If we have an investigator come then it will definitely be Spanish but we shall see. I know I would understand more in English. However, if I listen in Spanish I know that I can always read the talks in the Ensign. Perhaps listening in Spanish would help me to know more Spanish. 

I am doing so wonderful! I love being a missionary! I really am learning so much and am having the time of my life. I know that as I missionary I am helping people to learn, grow, and change their lives for the better. The Lord is helping me to do the same. I love this gospel! I love this work! I love the enabling power of the Atonement that I use everyday! I am so grateful for all of you! Thank you for your prayers, love, and support! This gospel is true! It is all true!

Les Queiro Muchisimo!

Hermana Killpack!

Life Keeps Getting Better and Better...

Part of my letter to the President:

"It seems impossible that life just keeps getting better and better, but it does. Not that life gets easier but my understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ has increased. I recently read a talk called The Atonement and the Journey of Mortality by David A. Bednar. This talk changed my life. I know that before my mission I did not really understand the Atonement. I still have much to learn, but reading this talk has enlightened me. The enabling power of the Atonement is real and I have seen it in my own life. It makes me excited for each new day with the opportunity to use the Atonement. I realize that during my short 19 years of life I have not been using the Atonement fully. I am changing that. I know that through Jesus Christ all things are possible.  When we are obedient and use the power of the Atonement miracles happen.

I have seen countless miracles during my short time in this mission. The experiences that I have had on my mission I hold close to my heart. I am truly humbled to be a missionary serving in the California Ventura Mission. I strive to learn all that I can so that I can be obedient to the rules of the mission. I know that obedience brings blessings, but exact obedience brings miracles.

This week we have been weeding our the "tares" and looking for people that are truly ready and prepared to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. At times, it is hard to drop a person because they are not ready. I truly love the people here that we teach. It can be hard when you want something for them (the joy of the gospel) and they don't seem to want it. Although, I am very glad for the gift of agency. I just pray that one day they will accept the gospel.

I have absolutely loved working with Hermana Brown. She is like a sister to me. We get along so well.  I have learned so much through her excellent example to me. She is so patient with my constant questions and she is so helpful."

I am doing so great. I did send you a letter last week but on Tuesday I believe. Maybe it will get there sometime this week. Yes, I would love letters from you! All of you! I know you are busy but it is just so wonderful to here from you. It makes my day.

The triplets [goats] are so cute!!! That is so fun! I remember staying with the goats waiting for them to have their babies! That's fun. :)

Good news, I did find my camera cord! 

Yesterday we sang in sacrament. In the Branch no one knows how to play the piano. Most times another Hermana plays but I've had the chance to play in Relief Society too. I wish that I was better at the piano. Practice now boys (Andrew and Spencer) you never know. You might be the only one that knows piano haha.

The language is coming. It's great practicing with the people. We only teach in Spanish so it tests my knowledge. I still have so much to learn and sometimes when I focus on all that I don't know yet it can be slightly overwhelming. But then I remember that I am on a mission serving the Lord and He will bless me and strengthen me through His Atonement, and then I don't worry any more.

Tell Josh I would love to hear from him and ask him some questions about his mission. Also tell him the Hermana Brown is adorable. She is so fun!  I will try to write a little more before I have to get off hopefully!

I am doing so great! I love my time here! I know that this mission is helping me to be a better person. I LOVE being a missionary. We are always busy working which is wonderful. I wouldn't have it any other way. Please have an excellent week! I will try to write you a letter. But really tell Josh and Em that I need to hear from them. All the other Siblings have emailed me. Tell them they are grounded but I forgive them ;)

La Iglesia es verdadera!

Xoxoxoxo

Hermana Killpack!

:)

Life in the Earthquake Zone

This is part of my weekly letter to President Castro: 

"This week has been wonderful! I love the work here! I am surprised how quickly the time passes every week. This week we had some excellent lessons with some of our investigators. One of our lessons was with a woman named M. She was taught 10 years ago by the missionaries but did not remember a whole lot. We retaught the first lesson. She had excellent questions. She asked how she could know if our message was true. She asked how her life would change if she had the gospel in her life. She was really sincere.

I know the gift of tongues is real. I was able to teach M clearly and talk in a way that she could understand. It really is a humbling experience to be an instrument in the Lords hands. I know that without the Spirit I would not be able to teach. I really loved teaching M. Although it was my first time teaching her, I felt genuine love for her. I have that feeling often. I love the people here that we talk to. I remember a talk given by Thomas S. Monson in the Priesthood Session. I think it was last year or the year before. He talked about seeing others not as they are, but as they may become. It was a powerful talk. Ever since reading this talk I have tried to really focus on seeing others as Heavenly Father sees them. Not as they are, but as they may become. I also know that includes myself. When I try to see myself as I know my Father in Heaven sees me, I am astonished. I know that with Christ all things are possible. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ, which strengthen me.

As a missionary I have many opportunities to become better. I try to act as Christ would. I know that I fall short a lot of the time. Through the power of the Atonement I can be better.

This week we also taught S. I have met with him several times. He knows a lot about the Bible and believes in it strongly. We have been asking him to read the Book of Mormon every time that we met with him. Our last appointment with him we asked if he had read the Book of Mormon. He had not. We decided to read with him during our lesson. The lesson went great. S agreed to read the Book of Mormon. He was so willing and asked if we had a chapter for him to read. I know that through reading the Book of Mormon that S can know that this is the true church. Again I was astonished as I was able to communicate and teach in Spanish.

This week we also had the opportunity to do some service. We were on our way to visit a referral when we saw a lady outside her house digging with a shovel. I went over to the lady and asked if we could help. She is 62 years old and said that she had arthritis in her back which made it hard to work. She told us that a neighbor had complained about her yard and that she was supposed to spruce up her front yard. She mention that she could also lose her house to a foreclosure. In all honesty she had a lot of problems both physically and mentally that I do not understand. But I was there to help her. She asked if we knew where any guys were that could help her but I assured her that I could work just as hard as any boy. I took the shovel from her and got to work digging. I was thrilled. Although I was in a skirt I was able to get some good work done. Even though this woman was not Hispanic I was so grateful for the opportunity to be able to serve her. I know I could not help her with all her problems but perhaps hopefully I could help ease her burden a little.

I truly love this missionary work. This is Christ's Church and this is His work. I am so grateful to be apart of this great mission. I know that through the Atonement of Christ we can become better each day. I am so blessed to be a missionary. Life is beautiful. The Church is true!"

I'm glad you like the Mexican candy. I thought it would be fun for you all to have a taste. It's true that I do have more time to write letters. I will try to write another to you. I loved the last letter I got from you with the paper you wrote about Gma Betty and Papa's baptism. That was so cool. I had Hermana Brown read it too. 

So I lost my camera cord. Hopefully I can find it soon. I have no idea where it is! Whoops!

Yes! I did feel the earthquake this morning. It was just before 6:30. Hma Brown and I were both saying our morning prayers. And during my prayer I felt it. The whole building shook. I thought it was an earthquake but wasn't 100% sure. I figured you'd email me about it if it was an earthquake. And it was! Haha

Yes, I am doing so wonderful! This work is amazing! I love it! I pray for you all the time also! I will try and write another letter today. Love you all so much!

Open Your Mouth and It Shall Be Filled…but not always with the right words

Hey Mom, I'm doing wonderful! So a couple things: First I'm just learned that I'm not supposed to chat back and forth with you on email, dang it. But since I didn't know last time its okay. 

Also THANK YOU for the package. It got here so fast. I was surprised. I got it on Thursday. You did good. The boots fit, the shirts fit. Thanks for the treats and the jumpdrive. They will all be put to good use. The makeup was great. I was so out the day I got it. It was a miracle. 

So sorry I don't have a whole ton of time. We are supposed to spend abt 30 minutes of our time for email writing our letter to our Mission President. Here it part of my letter:

"This week has been wonderful! I truly love being a missionary! I am so glad to be here in Thousand Oaks. This week we were teaching a lesson to a man and his wife. D y B are interested in learning more. I can see that they desire to do what's right. They have some younger kids and so sometimes they are distracted with their children. We try to teach as best we can throughout all the distractions. I try to speak as much Spanish as I can when teaching. I know its not perfect. I still cannot speak a lot but I trust that if I am trying my best, I will learn Spanish. During our lesson I felt that I need to ask D and B to be baptized. Honestly I didn't remember how to ask in Spanish but I felt the Spirit telling me to ask them. So with faith I opened my mouth and asked them to be baptized. They said yes! I know that it is going to take some work, but I truly hope that everything will work out so that they can be baptized. It seems that it can be hard to get people to church sometimes. Especially when so many people here work everyday. I know that if D and B are ready to be baptized that we will find a way.

I feel such love for the people here. I want them to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ because I know how it has blessed my life. I cannot imagine my life without the gospel of Jesus Christ. My grandparents were converts to the Church. I am so grateful for the missionaries that decided to serve a mission and who were able to teach my grandparents. I know that even if people do not accept the gospel now, or aren't baptized now, maybe one day they will. I don't get discouraged when people don't want to listen to us. In Preach my Gospel it says that discouragement weakens faith. I know that some people aren't prepared to receive the Gospel yet in their lives. So I keep trying everyday. I love the work here. I love my companion. I wonder how I am so blessed to be here serving a mission in Thousand Oaks. The people are so very kind. They always want to feed us. I am humbled to be here. It truly is the Great California Ventura Mission. I love learning everyday. I love that the Gospel of Christ is for everyone. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can become better. I think it was David O. McKay that said the Gospel of Jesus Christ makes bad men good, and good men better. (Paraphrasing) But it's true. This gospel is helping me to become better. I am grateful to be a part of this wondrous work. I love being a missionary! "

I'm glad you got my letters. I will try to write more. It seems that I have more time for handwritten letters. I love hearing about everyone at home. Your trip sounds so fun!!! I bet you had a blast. 

I love my time here. And the mistakes I make are pretty funny. Yeah, I don't have any grandchildren.  

(Note from the Mom:  In one of Ashley's recent handwritten letters, she told some people that she has three brothers and three sisters and two grandchildren.  Then she realized her mistake and said nephews!)

Whoops! I'll try to write you another letter today. I would also love receiving letters from anyone and everyone. Well I don't have much time and maybe I'll get to type a little more if I'm fast but I love you all very much and pray for you everyday! Love your fav Hermana ever!

Hermana Killpack

Area #1…Thousand Oaks

Hey Mom, I'm doing great! I am in Thousand Oaks and yes it has been raining! I was wishing for rain boots. You wouldn't believe how much rain we've gotten. It rained on Friday, all day. Saturday, all day. And also part of Sunday. It was crazy! But we still went out in the rain and proselyted. Ideally we would have so many teaching appointments that we wouldn't have time to proselyte but we are not there yet. 

But we had an investigator at church yesterday. That was so amazing. They also asked me to bear my testimony at the Spanish Branch we are in. I did my best but was of course nervous. Many people came up afterwards and told me that my Spanish was pretty good for only having 6 weeks of Spanish. One person even said my accent was better than my companions, Hermana Brown. Hermana Brown is from Orem Utah and she's been out about 8 months. She is so amazing and knows a lot. I love her so much already. She is so helpful. Well I have to also write my letter to the President, so I'll do that real fast and write some more hopefully!

So here are some pictures. We have a pretty nice apartment that only Hermana Brown and I live it. After the MTC I was surprised at home much room I had. 

We have a pretty big closet! Haha 

So they asked us to have you send mail or packages to the mission home just because we change a lot. You have that address right? Only if you're fed exing (I know that's not a word) a package do they want you to send it directly to our apartment because with fedex you cant forward the package. 

Anyways we are in Thousand Oaks. Its pretty nice here. I love the people here already. 

The following is part of what I wrote to my mission president for my weekly letter "Life as a missionary is wonderful! I love it already and can't wait to really get to know the people here. They are so warm and loving it makes me feel welcomed. Hermana Brown is so amazing and patient with me. I already love her and know that we can work together well. I have loved teaching by the Spirit. Even thought I still don't know a lot of Spanish I have been guided as to the things I should say to our investigators. I love the branch here! I am just pleasantly surprised as I have complete strangers come up and hug and kiss me. I know that I still have lots to learn about being a missionary. I try my best to be obedient. I pray to become more Christ-like and I know a mission is a perfect way to follow the example of Christ. I love that we are always working. I love serving others. I feel so blessed to be a representative of Jesus Christ. It truly is a honor and privilege. I have learned the importance of teaching in places that are conducive to the Spirit. As it says in the scriptures, if we don't have the Spirit we cannot teach. I understand that the Spirit is the teacher and we are just instruments in the hands of the Lord. I am still learning how to be a missionary but I truly desire to be the best missionary that I can be. I love the people here. They are wonderful. I want you to know that I am doing great! I am spending my time serving the Lord and I can think of no better way to spend 18 months of my life!"

Also thank you for your package. I LOVED the truffle! Yum! And also your valentine was hilarious about being married to your best friend. I showed Hna Brown and we just laughed. You are SO funny. 

Hmmm so we don't have a Walmart here, which I was kinda counting on. We have a grocery store but Im not really sure what else. Hna Brown says the makeup here is way expensive so well see. I think my debit card is working alright. So far I've only used it to pay for luggage but it should work. Also if you are sending another package you could send Carried away lotion from Bath and Body Works. But maybe that's asking for too much and I would be the spoiled one. Hmmm, I might buy some makeup today but I'm not sure...

Haha so funny story. We have an investigator and he was trying to teach us. He was reading out of Isaiah. Of all places, and it was in Spanish! I don't understand Isaiah in English and there is definitely no way I understand it in Spanish. Haha it was crazy and really funny. Oh the experiences of a missionary! I love them! I'll try to write a letter today. We don't have a lot of email time but there is so much I want to tell you!

I think I have some time to write later today. And guess what? I discovered that there are cockroaches here also. Yay! Haha that's another story. I'll tell you about in my letter.

So Dad went to Detroit?! That's awesome! How did that go? I hope work is going good dad! Are you wearing slacks to work? I hope Andrew's doing okay in English. I remember having frustrations also. I know he can do it. 

Well it is SO great to hear from you. I love it. And I love all of you very much. I love being a missionary and serving the Lord. This truly is the Lords work. We pray for miracles everyday. Obedience brings blessings, but exact obedience brings miracles. I try to be the best I can. Its not always easy but I know its worth it. I love you all very much! have a wonderful week!

Love your favorite Hermana

Hermana Killpack

p.s. I would love to get letters from you!