"G" Was Baptized!

From the letter to the Mission President:

"This week has been one of the best weeks of my life! Words cannot describe the gratitude I feel in my heart for the many miracles I have witnessed. G's baptism was a miracle! If he is the only baptism I see on my mission I will consider my mission a complete success! 

I am so humbled to have been a part of his conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Although I cannot accept any credit. It was through the power of the Holy Ghost and the Atonement of Jesus Christ that G was able to change. I was merely an instrument in the hands of the Lord. Oh how I love being a disciple of Jesus Christ! I echo the words of your sweet wife: "This is the work of the Lord!" I have no doubt that the Lord is preparing His sons and daughters to receive the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the work of the Lord to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of men. I am so grateful that I can witness the power of the Lord every single day!

The greatest part about being a missionary is seeing the change that comes into a person's life when they learn about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I remember the first day I met G. He seemed sad, hopeless, and lost. Yesterday, the G I saw was confident, happy, smiling, radiant, sure, and loving. He was transformed through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Although I have grown up in the church, I hope to be changed as well through the Atonement. 

This whole week was wonderful! We have been finding so many great new people to teach. On Thursday we were walking around some apartments trying to figure out where we needed to go. These particular apartments are mostly English but we knew there were some Spanish also. We weren't sure where to go but I just said let's try number 31. We went and found the number and knocked. The door opened to reveal a Spanish woman. We were able to talk with her and have a great lesson. She loves reading and was interested in reading the Book of Mormon. We are meeting again with her this Thursday. I have such a testimony of the power of the Holy Ghost. Some may say that it was a coincidence that the door we knocked was Spanish. But I know better. If we are worthy, the Holy Ghost will work through us to help us find those that are ready to listen to the gospel. I was once again humbled by this opportunity to have the Spirit of the Lord work through me. 

Yesterday we were also able to meet a woman named L. She said that she has talked to missionaries in the past. She told us that they gave her a DVD and told her that Hermana's would be coming. In that time that I have been here in Thousand Oaks, we have never received a referral to visit this apartment. I feel like we were inspired to try her apartment and I am excited to teach her. 

We were also able to teach E this week about the Word of Wisdom. I was not sure how she would receive it because I know that she drinks coffee, but she received it really well. She realized that her coffee is an addiction. She told us that she would think about some goals about how to stop and let us know. I love teaching E because she is always so willing to learn. She is humble enough to accept that she does not know everything and ask us for help. We are always excited to teach her.

Yesterday we were able to meet with A. She was not able to make it to church. We shared Alma 26:12 and testified that with God we can do all things. We talked with her about how she feels about baptism. She said that she feels more sure now. We moved her baptismal date to the 21 of June. Previously she was having trouble living the Word of Wisdom. We asked her how it was going yesterday and she said that she is living the Word of Wisdom. We are so excited for her!

I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary. I do not know how, but life just keeps getting better and better! I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ can bring more joy than anything else in this life. When we live according to the commandments of God we will see miracles. My mission has been a miracle! I absolutely love being a missionary! I would not trade the experiences that I am having for anything in the world!"

From the letter to the Mom:

G GOT BAPTIZED YESTERDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

It really was a miracle! I'll have to write you a letter to tell you more about his conversion.

 We were SO excited! This truly is the work of the Lord!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I got your package. Thank you SO much! I loved the shirts! They are so cute! And I am wearing the fingernail polish and headband right now. Hna Brown also loves the fingernail polish! It looks great on us both, thanks! The skirt was super adorable but too small, darn. I shall have to send it back. So about the scriptures, could they not just reglue them with some special scripture glue. Scripture power? haha I would love to be able to keep my scriptures. I can send them home to be fixed maybe?

Whoa...Tyler's farewell and Weston is coming home?! Where does the time go? So Haylee was telling me that she was able to read my blog and that has helped her to decide to serve a mission! I am so excited for her. I was thinking that it would be great for lots of people to read it.  I am not really sure all that you put on there haha but I know that you are doing a wonderful job! Thanks so much! 

Oh I should let you know that we are not allowed to send or receive videos. I just learned this last week. I think it may be a new rule, darn. Amber was going to send me a video of Owen which I would have loved to see! Would you let her know that I can't receive videos but I would absolutely LOVE to see it when I get back? Thanks!

Also don't worry about me eating cereal! I really only eat it for breakfast and even then I usually have a banana or strawberries in it. Last week I had fish 2 nights in a row for dinner. We have dinner with members almost every single night. I buy fruits every single week however I could be better about buying vegetables haha. 

This week we had President's interviews! It was a little different this time around because he interviewed us as a companionship. We had a great interview with him. Something he said to me was, "When you came into the mission you were really really prepared." Coming out I did not think I was prepared. I did not have very many scriptures memorized, I could not speak Spanish, I did not know the lessons. However it really is the small and simple things that prepare us. Reading the scriptures everyday, having family and personal prayer, striving to be faithful and live the commandments of God. When we do these things we will be prepared! I have such a testimony that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass. 

Thank you SO much for your love, prayers, and support! It really makes the world of difference! I love being a missionary! I love life! And I love all of you! Have the best week ever! :)

Con mucho amor! :) XOXO

Hermana Killpack

P.S. President Castro was able to make it to the baptism yesterday! It was so great! Really such a miracle!!! :)

[Note from the Mom...as per Hermana Killpack's request, we will be making her blog "unprivate" again, so be sure to stop by to read how each week just keeps getting better and better!]

Wonderfully Crazy!

From the Letter to the President:

"This week has been wonderfully crazy! Full of so many miracles! We have had a week of much learning and growing! It has been so fun! As we have tried helping our investigators with their needs and doubts, we have been growing too!

We were able to meet with G several times this week. We taught him about him about the 10 commandments and focused on the Sabbath day. We also taught him about obedience and explained the blessings that come when we are obedient. We taught him another day this week about tithing. He said that he did not have any problem with paying tithing. We were uncertain how he would receive this lesson because he does not have a lot of money. 

In my experience it is easier to teach those that come from more humble backgrounds. They want to change their lives for the better. G texted us once more telling us that he was not sure that Thomas S. Monson was a prophet. He wanted us to send him some scriptures so that he could learn more about prophets. We sent him some in the Bible and Book of Mormon. We also told him that he could search on lds.org. After reading and researching he told us that he does believe that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet. We have been working so hard with G trying to prepare him for his baptism. We have fasted and prayed for him. Yesterday he was not able to come to church. He told us that he was not feeling well. We asked him when we could schedule a baptismal interview and he said he doesn't know. He told us that he has some doubts and that he doesn't feel ready to be baptized this next Sunday. 

We have been trying to help G with his doubts but he won't tell us what they are. He has always asked us questions about things he did not understand. Or he has asked us for scriptures or material to read that can clear up his doubts. We are not sure what he is struggling with at this time. However, we are determined not to give up and keep working hard with him. We know that when people are preparing for baptism, Satan is working so hard. He does not want them to get baptized and he will do everything he can to prevent them from entering the waters of baptism. 

Through this roller coaster week with G we have been exercising our faith and putting our trust in the Lord. I know that God has a plan for G. We are excited to keep working with him and prepare him to be baptized. 

We also had the privilege to teach A about prophets. We read with her from the scriptures and explained the importance and need of prophets in our day. She said that she believed that we do have a prophet today. She was able to watch a session of General Conference so I think that helped her to understand a little better. A is progressing slowly, but surely. It has been so fun to her faith grow.

We were able to have a wonderful unplanned lesson yesterday with a man named C. He was outside working when we stopped by. He stopped his work and brought out some chairs for us to have a lesson. His wife is Catholic but he was telling us that he does not belong to any religion. He told us that there are so many churches in the world that it is hard to know which is the true church. He did not think it was possible to know. We taught him about the restoration of the Church. We emphasized the power of prayer. We taught him that prayer in powerful. We can pray to God, and God knows everything. He was so happy to meet us. He listened very intently and I can tell that he is very sincere about learning more. 

We were able to teach E on Saturday. We focused on obedience and studying the scriptures. We testified of the importance of being obedient. We also talked about how we can use the scriptures in our everyday lives. We also invited her to come to church again. She says that she can't come because she is always running her son around town on Sunday. But that when school is out in 2 weeks that he (her son) will be less busy. We sang a hymn for her and she loved it. She really wants to come to church now. I know that power of music is very real. It is a sure way to bring the spirit. We were able to have an excellent lesson with her. 

When have continued teaching P. He is also slowing progressing. He always has so many questions that we love answering. He explained why he has so many questions. His family are catholic and they ask why he meets with us. He tells them that he wants to learn more about God. He then goes on to explain and teach them the things that we have taught him. He really has so many good questions. It is always a delight to teach P. 

We were able to meet with Pr. again this week. She really likes reading the For Strength of Youth pamphlet that we gave her. We also taught her about prophets. She was not able to come to church this Sunday but I know she really wants to. She is always so willing of what we have to teach her. She has such great potential. We will keep working with her to get her to church. 

This week has been a week of miracles. We have been so blessed to see the hand of the Lord in this work! Some things did not turned out as we planned. However I know that the Lord has a better plan for us. He knows what we need when we need it. I am so grateful that He has a plan for me. I have absolutely loved serving in Thousand Oaks with Hermana Brown this week. I truly love being a disciple of Jesus Christ. I try to be like Him. I know I am far from perfect but I love using the Atonement in my life to become a little better. I am so grateful to be serving here in the Great California Ventura Mission. I know this Church is true!"

Mom I was not able to get your package. I will go to the post office today and check on it. I will write you a letter and tell you what I find out. I was looking forward to getting your package. I would be sad if someone stole it. But maybe they are reading the scriptures and will get baptized! ;) 

Don't worry! I am NOT teaching J anymore! Hahah and I am thinking that I might get transferred next transfer because I have been in Thousand Oaks for 3 transfers. That's kinda the trend here. I've been in this area for 3 transfers so we will see what happens.

I can't believe that Steph is engaged. Well actually I can. But it is CRAZY! Who is this guy! I'm glad that I have her address because I need to talk to her. This is crazy! Any other news I should know about?

It sounds like you had fun at Grandma's.

That's so fun about the sister missionaries! Haha I know that I make a lot of mistakes [in the language] too! I actually bore my testimony in church yesterday. It was a simple testimony but it was good. It's fun talking in Spanish. I just always wish I knew more. Pero poco a poco.

Andrew and Spence are going to love trek! I am so exciting for them! I can't believe that Spence is already old enough to go!

So a chick-fil-a opened in this area. I was so excited! We still haven't gone yet but the day before it opened there were people camped out. 

I'm not sure what was quite going on but if I wasn't on a mission I would have been camped out with them. (Kidding of course, kinda haha)

This week has been so great! Kinda crazy, but great! I really do love being a missionary! I love learning more everyday and trying to become more Christ-like. I am so grateful that I decided to serve a missionary! I know this decision has not only affected my future but my eternity!

Thank you so much for all that you do! Thanks for your package, hopefully I'll find it or something. I hope all is well with you! Love you more than you know! 

Con mucho amor!

Hermana Killpack :) 

Oh p.s So if the package was stolen, do you get money back? Hopefully so! Have a great week! Also I wasn't sure how to spell chickfila so don't judge. Haha love you lots!

Cansado vs Casado...the difference an "N" makes

Letter to the Mission President:

"This week has gone by so fast as we have seen so many miracles! We were able to have some really great lessons with our investigators. We have two investigators that are progressing towards baptism right now. We are working hard to prepare them for their scheduled dates. Our investigator G has a baptismal date of June 7th. Our investigator A has a baptismal date of June 14th.  It is so exciting to see their faith and testimony's grow. As they have come to church and have continued meeting with us I have seen a change in both of them.

We were able to teach A this week about the law of chastity. We talked about the importance of living this commandment of God and commit her to live it.  We were able to bring a member from the branch, C. C actually referred us to A. At our previous lesson with A and C we taught the Word of Wisdom. I think this was hard for A because she drinks coffee everyday. In our last lesson C brought A a substitute drink that she could have instead of coffee. It is so amazing to see the difference in our lessons when we have a member present. Members are able to build that friendship and trust with the investigator. As missionaries we will only be in an area for a time. However members will be here, much longer than we are, to be a friend and a strength to that person. 

We were also able to teach G about the law of chastity. He said that he would try to live it. We have been working with him and I think that he will live it. I have really seen a change in G since the first time we met him. It is amazing to see the change that comes into people's lives when they learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

We are teaching a young girl and her mom. D and P are so fun to teach. They have been meeting with the missionaries for a time now. P really has some great potential. It is hard for her to come to church because she does not have a car and her mother works. We have offered to find her a ride or to walk with her to church but I feel like she lacks motivation. However she reads from the Book of Mormon and she knows that it is true. I could really see P getting baptized in the future. Our last lesson with P we taught her about the For Strength of Youth pamphlet. We read about modesty with her and she really liked it. She was excited to read through the rest of the book and learn more. P likes reading scriptures and praying. She always asks if she can read a verse or say the prayer. It is so fun to teach someone who is so excited to learn more. We haven't been able to meet with D for some time because she works a lot. However we did see her yesterday and have a lesson scheduled for Wednesday. 

This week has been so fun as we have truly thought about the needs of our investigators. We taught a lesson to E on Saturday. We had planned on teaching her the 10 commandments but somehow it did not feel right. We got into our lesson and totally changed our plans. We taught her about prayer and the importance of praying together as a family. She told us that she felt weird praying with her family but that she was going to do it. I love listening to the whispering of the Spirit. He knows what our investigators need to hear. We only but instruments in the Lords hands. I love relying on the Lord and the Holy Ghost for guidance. 

I simply love serving with Hermana Brown in Thousand Oaks in this Great California Ventura Mission. We have been able to learn so much from each other. It has been so fun! I am glad that we were both able to stay in Thousand Oaks. I felt like we both needed to stay here. I am excited as I see the progression of our investigators. It really is such a joy in my life to be a part of this great work. I love every single day! I never have a bad day! I truly am so blessed and eternally grateful that I am serving a mission! I could not imagine doing anything else. I know that the Lord truly is hastening His work. I know that He is preparing He sons and daughters to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. As missionaries we just have to find those that are prepared. I love the learning and growing that I have had on my mission. I have only been out for 4 months, but they have been the best 4 months of my life. I know that this church is true. I know that Jesus Christ truly is our brother, our Savior, our Redeemer, and Friend. I know that as members of His church the most important duty that we have is to preach His gospel, and that is exactly what I will do!"

Hey mom! I did get the scripture covers thanks so much! I have yet to receive your package but I am looking forward to it. Thanks for all that you do! I definitely am a spoiled missionary!!! This week has been so great! And the time passes by so quickly! No, don't cancel my card. I don't think the lady got into my purse. I think that it should be okay. 

So crazy story for today. I got proposed to yesterday. Here is the story. We were in a lesson with a person named J. We had met with him before but he moved and we didn't know where he moved to. We were walked around some apartments yesterday when we heard something. We turned around and there he was standing outside of his door. We were excited to see him because we taught him before but then we had lost him. So we went back to go teach him. He knows the rule that we can't enter his house (apt) unless there is another woman there. So he got us chairs and we started teaching him outside his door. We were teaching our lesson when suddenly he asked me (in Spanish of course) "Are you married?" He said the word "Casado" which means married but I thought he said "Cansado" which means tired. But I wasn't sure. 

So I said "what?" 

He said "Are you married" again. 

"No." 

"You don't have a husband?" 

"No...why?" 

"Because you are beautiful!" 

"Um...thanks..." 

"I'm going to ask your parents for your hand." 

Internally in my head "WHAT?!?!?!!?!??!?!?"  I really was shocked at this point.

 Him: "How old are you?" 

Me: 19 

Him: I'm 20  

Him again: I'm going to ask your parents for your hand. 

Me: No....... 

Him: where do they live? 

Me: Idaho.  

Me again: But no. 

Him: why? 

Me: um because I am a missionary and I need to do missionary work....

It was so CRAZY! I could not believed that I just got proposed to by this 5 ft J who does not even know my first name. Hahahahaha weird!!!!!!!!!! I really did not know what to say. I have never been proposed to before. And Hermana Brown was just sitting right next to me. Oh yesterday was crazy haha! The experiences we have as missionaries!

But not to worry. I did not accept. Still a single sister missionary! Hahaha but really soooooo weird. 

Oh also, our investigator G has two sons. He told us that his 15 year old son said that I am very beautiful! Hahaha it all just makes me laugh, a lot, like really hard. Yes, being a missionary is fun!

I hope that you are enjoying California! To bad Andrew didn't come. That would have been fun. Thank you so much for your love prayers and support.  I love you all SO much and don't know what I would do with out you! 

Hermana Hardy and I! She is also so funny in her pictures. 

Oh this is another sign that you can guess that the apt is hispanic, Catholic, or both! 

 Love you all so much!