Planting Seeds

From the letter to the mission president:

"This week has been one of the best! We had a goal as a companionship to teach 40 lessons this week. We were able to reach this goal! It was wonderful to see the hand of the Lord in the work. We were definitely blessed with a myriad of miracles every single day! Every day we got back to our apartment tired from a full days work. I would not have it any other way! It definitely strengthened my faith as I relied on the Lord for His help. Se que con Dios, todo es posible!

We have seen so many miracles! I know that as we continue to work hard each day we will continue to see many more miracles.  This week we had the opportunity to teach G. He was struggling a bit. He felt like God had not been answering his prayers. He was getting discouraged. We felt like he was giving up which broke my heart. We read Enos 1 together. G was able to see the faith of Enos. He said, "That's why I haven't had my prayers answered. I need to have more faith." We have been working with him and things have been going so great, much better! He has a baptismal date for the 7 of June and hopefully we can keep this date. Of all the people that I have taught he seems to have the most potential for progressing towards baptism. He likes coming to church but he just got a job where he works on Sundays. He is hoping to find a new job so that he can come to church on Sundays.

We also met with A this week. It had been a while since we had met with her and we were a little worried. The last lesson we had taught with her was the Word of Wisdom. We went to see her but she was not home. We then tried a referral that we had gotten. It was a person that lived in the apartment just above A. We found T. T listened to our message and told us that she has family members that are Mormon. She told us that there are a lot of things about the Catholic religion that she does not like. But she is scared to change her religion. She was very nice and open to listening to us and learning more. We have a return appointment with her. I am excited to help her learn more. We had a great lesson with T and then we left. That's when we saw yet another miracle. Just as we were walking away we heard a car horn honk at us. We looked and it was A in her car. She was waving excitingly at us. She motioned for us to come and talk to her. We talked with her and she invited us into her house. She was so happy to see us. She thought that she had missed us because her daughter at home had texted her that we had stopped by.  It was such a relief to see that she was still interested in learning more. 

A came to church with her 13 year old daughter C. C has down syndrome so at times it was hard for her to sit still. However they stayed for all 3 hours of church. It was very exciting!

We also ran into a woman that we had given a Jesus card to. When we first talked with her, she was not interested in listening to us at all. This second time that we saw her, she stopped us and started talking to us. We were able to teach her a lesson and help her with some of the things that she is going through right now. It was so amazing to see that she was really willing to listen to us the second time that we met her. I know that as missionaries, there are lots of people that are not willing to listen to our message. If they do not want to listen it does not discourage me. I know  that sometimes we are just planting those seeds that will open their hearts. One day, because of these planted seeds, they may be more likely to listen to missionaries in the future. It was so great to see the difference in this woman. 

We also have a fantastic investigator named P. P is so sincere in his desire to learn more. He reads the Book of Mormon every week and also has so many great questions about everything. It is really helping me to learn more as I study the scriptures to find answers to his questions. We taught P the 10 commandments and he was saying that now that he knows about them he feels more responsible. He feels more responsible that he has to live them now that he knows. He is an investigator that I feel really understands. Teaching P is always a joy!

This week has been so full of countless miracles! I could type all day and still not cover half of all the many miracles that we are being blessed with. I am so blessed to be a missionary in the Great California Ventura Mission! I love being a representative of the Lord. I love this gospel and I know that it is true! It is all true!"

This week has been phenomenal! Yes I got your other email! I think that my seminary scriptures are in one of my two boxes in the storage room where I put all my things. The boxes I think are duct taped because I did not want the boys reading my journals haha. Yes, I'll see if I can send them home. They are pretty sad. We super glued them but I do not think they will hold us. 

Thanks for ordering scripture covers also. I'm really excited for them. I'm sure they are super cute!

Oh also, this week was HOT! I have never been in 111 degree weather before. That was fun. I wish I had some more short sleeved cute shirts. Also I sweat so much. Haha it's always fun! 

Also guess what else? The church building where we go has it's own stop light. They just named the road you turn off to get to the church. Mormon Way! Haha!

Also, would you keep an eye on my debt card. We were giving service the other day and we left our purses on a chair. When we came back my purse was unzipped and Hermana Brown was missing a 2 dollar bill. I think the lady that was looking through our purses did not have time to look through mine before we came back. In my purse was a camera, a GPS, $50 in cash, and my debt card. I don't think that she got any information but please keep an eye on things. It was really weird. Obviously I had more to steal than Hermana Brown so I feel lucky that she didn't get to mine (hopefully) It's just ironic because we were giving service to her. Weird, right?! I will be more wise where I take and put my purse in the future. 

I did get your card for Mother's Day. Thank you so much! That was so cute! I am glad you got my letter! I'm sure Aubrey did great! I wish I could have seen it! It sounds like all is going well with you.

Oh guess what!? I'm staying in Thousand Oaks! I am so excited! With Hermana Brown too! Yes, this transfer will only be 5 weeks and I know that it will fly. The time is going by way too fast as it is! 

That's is SO cool about the scholarship that grandpa is doing! Did he think up that himself or did someone suggest it? 

Hope you have fun in California! Tell Grandma Betty that I love and miss her!

Thank you so much for your love and support and your prayers! It really makes the world of difference! I love you all so much! Please have the best week of your life! I know I will! 

Con mucho amor!

Hermana Killpack 

This is P! He is the coolest ever! He is so nice and always give us food! He is the best! 

Haha have a great week! Love you lots!!! :)

More Mission Miracles

From the letter to the mission president:

"This week has been so wonderful!  We have seen so many miracles! Yesterday we were on our way to church when we saw a man walking with his wife and son. We passed them only to realize that it was one of our investigators. We have only met with him once before.  I don't believe that he has a car. I was touched to see his desire to attend church.  A lot of time people will come up with a whole list of excuses why they cannot come to church. However, I know, if they truly have a desire they will find a way to come. That is what our investigator did. His son is three years old and demands a lot of attention. We sat by them during sacrament meeting. We tried to entertain their son so that they could listen to the talks. He was full of energy, jumping up and down, climbing on the sacrament pews, and everything in between.  I know that at times they felt a little embarrassed trying to calm their child, but I hope that they were able to feel of the love and spirit at church. I think they did. They said they are planning on coming next Sunday. 

We also have been working with our investigator G1. He has a desire to learn more and change his life. It has been so great meeting with him because he is so humble. He wants something better out of life. We are helping him to find it. He has a baptismal date of June 7th and we hope that all works out so that he can be baptized on this day.

Another miracle happened this week. We have an investigator named D. Every time that we have gone to teach him he has not read the Book of Mormon. We talked about the importance of it again and again. We promised blessings, bore testimony, and read with him from the Book of Mormon. Still, he did not read. He gave us excuses saying that he is also so busy with work and never has any time to read. I showed him that I truly was devastated that he had not read the Book of Mormon. Then I thought of an idea to get him to read. I told him that everyday we would stop by his apartment and put a sticky note on his door. On the note we would write down one verse, giving him the page number and reference. After trying this experiment we went back for our following appointment with D. Not only had he read the verse but he had read the entire chapter. What a miracle from someone who had never read the Book of Mormon at all. 

People will never accept big commitments if they are not willing to do the small and simple things. That is why it is important to start out simple and then build up.

We also the had opportunity to meet with a very sweet lady R. She has cancer and has now lost her hair. She is recovering but the chemotherapy treatments are so very hard on her. She has absolutely no strength but she still smiles and puts her faith and trust in God. She truly is an example to me and everyone that knows her. I want to be able to develop the faith that she has. She is always positive. In her thoughts, actions, and words, she is always positive. It is a privilege to be able to share some time with her and bring her the peace of comfort that comes with the message of the gospel. 

We also had a very great lesson with our investigator named G2. We taught him about the 10 commandments, about the Book of Mormon, and about the Plan of Salvation all in one lesson. It was a lot of material but we were able to explain it clearly to him. We also stressed the importance of repentance. I felt prompted by the spirit to testify to him that there is nothing that we have done that we cannot be forgiven off. He really liked hearing that. It was so amazing to be teaching G2, and actually at the same time, to be taught by the Spirit. I know when we teach by the Spirit the learner and the teacher are both edified.

I am so grateful for my time here in Thousand Oaks. I truly have developed a love for the people here. I love being a missionary! I love sharing the happiness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that Christ died for us, but also that He lives for us. I am eternally grateful for the choice I made to serve a mission. I love every moment of it. I know that this work is so important. Life is beautiful! The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true!"

It was so great talking to you! The time passed by way too quickly! Yes, I measure my scriptures and those were the dimensions. If I could get two cases, one for my bom and one for my bible that would be great. My scriptures are leather bound. Also my English quad is breaking. Like the binding is coming off the pages. Maybe I just need some really good super glue? So the tan shirt I was talking about has the brand bella bird not sure where you got that. Oh I was thinking maybe some lifesaver mints. I probably like those better than mentos but I love both of them. 

Haha do you want to learn the gospel?! Good one. Maybe I need that picture ;)

The picture at the temple is really embarrassing... I never got a good one. My companion did though. I need it. The poor elder that took this one said, "Um... I think we need to take another one" I did not know that my skirt had done this until I saw the picture. Haha sorry Elder.

I hope that you all have a wonderful week! It was truly wonderful to talk to all of you! I hope and pray all is well. Also please send me Amber's address I have been meaning to send a belated Bday card. 

Love you all lots and lots!

Con Amor,

Tu Hermana favorita!

Hermana Killpack :) 

Also one more thing, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! I love you so much! I wish I could be with you to celebrate!!!!!!! No one will believe that you are turning 50! Thank you so much for being the best mom in the world! You really are! Hopefully you will get my card today. Don't worry! I did not forget your birthday! If you'd ask Hermana Brown she would tell you that I have been talking about you a lot! Thank you so much for all your love and support! I truly hope today is the BEST day ever! 

You don't know how much I love you! :) Happy Birthday MOM! :) 

You. Are. My. Hero. :)

Another Phenomenal Week

Part of the Letter to the Mission President:

"This week has been phenomenal! We were able to find some new people to teach. Yesterday we had two investigators at church, A and G. The branch members here are always so welcoming to our investigators.  It really helps when we work together with the members.  They are starting to get more involved in the missionary work which is wonderful! 

We had a lesson this past week with A and a member. We taught her the Word of Wisdom. It was so helpful to have the member there to add her own comments and testimony. She was able to explain to A why coffee and tea are harmful to us and share her own conversion story of when she stopped drinking coffee. I know that when we have members present during our lessons that we are able to help the investigator see the importance of the message that we are teaching. Members who teach and testify are such a help and a blessing to us missionaries.

Our other investigator G was a referral from the English Elders. We were able to meet with him on Monday and Thursday. He said that he liked church and is planning on coming to our Mothers Day Activity this Saturday. We have a lesson with him tomorrow. He also said that he would come to church next week. It makes me so excited to see his desire to go to church. Last Sunday he did not come to church because he was doing his laundry. I think the weekends are the only time that he has to wash his laundry. Yesterday he told us that he had woken up at 6:00 to do his laundry so that he could make it to church with us this Sunday. It strengthens my faith to see his.

We also had the opportunity to teach the son of a less active. Her son is 11 years old and is not baptized. It was so fun teaching the Restoration. Normally we teach to an older age group so teaching on this level of understanding was new. He was so sincere about learning more. It was so fun!

We also had the opportunity this past week to visit another less active and invite her to church. In my 10 weeks being here in Thousand Oaks I had never seen her at church. We were able to get to know her a little bit and invite her to church. She came yesterday with her two daughters. I was thrilled to see her when she walked into the chapel yesterday. I think that she thoroughly enjoyed church and that she will continue to come.

It is amazing to see how the Lord is constantly putting people in our path that we can talk to.  Sometimes we have an appointment with a person and they are not there. We can't get back into the car until we have shared with someone a restored truth and invited them to do something.  So we keep walking or knocking until we find someone.  The Lord is helping us to find those that are prepared and ready to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Yesterday we were able to teach a lesson to a woman named T. She is so sincere in her desire to follow Jesus Christ and try to become like Him.  It is so helpful when people already have this foundation and faith in Jesus Christ.  Even though a person may have grown up in another religion, the teachings from their religion can help them come to accept the truth of ours. It is so marvelous how the Lord works.

This week my testimony of following up with our investigators has been strengthened. It is so important that we invite, follow-up, and invite again. Sometimes I feel it's like telling a child to do their homework. Sometimes they don't listen the first time. I know that as we continue to invite and follow-up on our invitations we are more likely to see improvement. 

This transfer I have realized the Lord has been answering my prayers time and time again. What may at first seem to be a trial is actually a blessing in disguise. The Lord has been so merciful to me blessing me with exactly what I need exactly when I need it. I am so grateful to be a missionary! I am so grateful to be serving in Thousand Oaks in California. I strive to better myself each day and I pray to become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Yo se que yo tengo muchos debilidades. Pero tambien se que cuando somos humildes Padre Celestial va a ayudarnos a mejorar cada dia. Yo se que esta iglesia es verdadera con todo mi corazon!"

Mom! Yes I will call you from our cell phone next Sunday. I am planning on calling you on your cell phone at 4:30 pm our time. So 5:30 your time I believe? Yes I got your package! Thank you so much! That was definitely a surprise! It felt like Christmas! Thank you so much for the CDs, food, cookies, lotion, adorable necklace, and everything else! It was great to get it! Oh also those songs on the CD, was that the song you used to sing at night?! It sounds so familiar I think it is. But I think it's prettier when you sang it. I have fond memories of falling asleep listening to you sing.

It sounds like you and dad had a fun couple of days! That's awesome! Did you just take a trip for fun? Are you doing anything for your birthday this Monday?! You are dad look so young, no one will believe that you are turning 50 that's for sure.

So another funny story! I have been talking in my sleep like normal. But the other night Hermana Brown said that I was talking and laughing like usual and then I got quiet and said, "I really have to go to the bathroom." Haha and then I woke up and went. Haha Hermana Brown is thinking about recording me sometime so that I can hear myself talk. That would be funny!

Yes, I am so excited to talk to you all this Sunday. I do only have 40 minutes so make sure and write down your questions if you have any :) I love you all so much and I love this work with all my heart. I love being a missionary! And yes, It is going way too fast already! Please have an excellent week! Love you all!

Con Amor

Hermana Killpack! :)  

Oh p.s. this week it got up to 100 degrees! I'm not in Idaho anymore! 

Oh also sorry this is a really bad picture but I was so grateful for my rain boots when it was raining! Thank you so much for your love and support. It really means the world to me! I am so grateful for all that you do! Love you lots! Talk to you on Sunday!!! :)