Fall in Missouri

Dearest Family,

What a beautiful day! It is officially officially fall here. It is beautiful. There are so many trees, and they are all changing colors. I get to wear jackets again, which I love. Yay to not being hot anymore!

On Saturday was our Gladys Knight event. It was a smashing success. She brought out a huge crowd and a ton of referrals were sent out from it. What a blessing to have that here in our mission.

Missionaries could only go if they had investigators, but we don't really have real investigators yet. We tried and invited a bunch of people up to the last minute, but no one could/would go. So we didn't get to go. Sister Harding was a little disappointed. I was, too. But for the past few days I had had a feeling that not only would we not go, but that we shouldn't go. I let Sister Harding invite a bunch of people over the phone, but I just knew we weren't supposed to go. I still don't know all why, but I think the Lord gave me that so that we could be comforted about not being able to go. We had dinner with a member instead, and she had had bad experiences with the missionaries recently, so I think we needed to go comfort her and help her like us again. Maybe that's why. But we also didn't get any referrals from it. Some of the sisters got up to 14! Again, I just feel peace about it. This event was important, but it wasn't for us.

We did get lost for roughly 2 hours this week. I was really frustrating, especially because we were using up our miles and time--both precious commodities. The elders finally let us borrow their map, so we have a map of our area (if outdated in the boundaries). They also let us borrow their GPS, which has been a life saver. Hopefully things get better from here on out.

Our Ward Mission Leader and his wife have been wonderful. They feed us and buy us groceries and tell us we are great. I don't know what we would do if we didn't have their support. This ward is great.

By now you surely know that Margo Ahnder came to the Visitors' Center. It was Sunday, and I am only at the VC for three hours on Sunday. She came in and I was even the next up to take a group through! I was so happy to see her. They are so sweet. I was able to thank her for teaching me piano, which has been a very useful skill on my mission. It was a real blessing to see them

This Sunday was Stake Conference. I met someone visiting from Logan--Hugie (however you spell it) originally from College Ward. They wondered if they could bring you anything back from me, but I had nothing to send. Sorry! But I do love you!

Stake Conference was so good! Elder Baxter of the Seventy came and spoke. He's amazing. He told us that the MTC is going to cut the length of time missionaries stay there by 1/3. So Willie would have only stayed 2 weeks! Language missionaries staying 9 weeks will now only have 6. The idea is pump more missionaries through, and have them do more in-field training.

We did exchanges yesterday with sister in the Independence 1st Ward. Since I am Sister Leader, we get to do 4 this transfer--one every week. It's a lot, but it is good. It is one of the hardest things the Lord could ask Sister Harding to do, but it is probably the best thing she could do. She did great. She did it and faced her fears. I'm proud of her. Exchanges are interesting to see how everyone does things a little differently. These sisters are great planners and studiers. I am learning a lot from them. It is interesting to see how everyone has different teaching styles, though. I guess my style is a little...more passionate than some other sisters. Depending on the part of the lesson, I can get very animated. I try to have ebbs and flows in the lesson. I guess I am not a stiff missionary. This sister was so sweet, and talked slowly and quietly through the lesson. I am not like that at all. I get excited. I want an interesting discussion. But the work needs all kinds--some people will definitely respond better to her quietness. And some people will need my passion. Just interesting to see the differences in action.

Things are slowing down at the Visitors' Center. All of the major events in the mission (conference, Gladys Knight, History trip) are out of the way, so the schedule is much less stressful. It is making my life much easier. Some of the sisters were really struggling at first, but they seem to be doing better. I really am starting to appreciate all that our mission president does. I wasn't really as aware of it until I had this chance to see all of the details he takes care of, and all of the struggling missionaries he helps. He really is an angel. I am so grateful to be serving with President Keyes. This last week he has taken the time personally to help some of the sisters at the center who were struggling, and it has made a real difference. He loves us. He has given this mission everything. I am so grateful for all that he does.

Well, I'm sorry I don't have cooler stories, but know that I am happy. Life is good here. I can't imagine ever leaving, so I won't.

I love you all!

Love,

Sister Atkin

Another Week in Independence

Dearest Family,

I guess you didn't get the memo, but my Preparation Day is now on Thursdays. We'll usually email before noon. I'm sorry no pictures made it to you last time. I sent them, and right before we left the library I realized that none of my emails had made it to you because they were too big. I will try to send pictures today. I'm just glad I got my email to you last week!

So last Friday we got to go on a history trip. Around general conference time, they take all of the sisters who haven't been before, and show us Liberty Jail, Far West, and Adam-Ondi-Ohman. It was really cool. I am going to be sending a lot of pictures today. There is this cute little bed and breakfast in the middle of nowhere near Adam-Ondi-Ohman that feed the sisters lunch every time we go. It was wonderful and so homey. I don't know how expensive it is, but maybe we will spend a night there someday. Adorable.

General Conference was so good this week. I agree with everything Willie said about conference. Jefery R. Holland's talks are always my favorites. His talk actually was really similar to my Good Friday Sermon I gave. Do you remember that? That was a while ago, but really, I loved his talk. Uchtdorf's was good, too.

About the announcement of age changes, man we were shocked. We were watching at the VC when it was announced, and all of the sisters were like, "WHAT?!!" We were trying to be quiet, but we were really shocked. I will have to reread that session of conference because it was hard to listen after that.

My first reaction was, "Should I feel jipped?" And I thought about it, and I don't regret a thing. I know that if I could have, I would have gone at 19, but the Lord had a plan for me waiting a few more years, or it would have been announced sooner. I needed those experiences I had, so I don't regret it. Still crazy. I agree with all of Willie's conclusions. There are going to be a ton more sister missionaries serving in general. I could train a 19 year-old sister before I go home! Crazy.

Sunday was a long day. General Conference was really good. As a mission we were fasting out of gratitude for the success of the mission. I was glad to do it. The problem is, we had to run from conference to a meeting with our bishop and straight to being on shift at the VC. We were hoping to get dinner then, but the center was very busy because there was a President's Devotional that I was in charge of planning going on. So I was taking a presentation, worrying about how our devotional was going, and starving at the same time. But it all worked out. After accidentally fasting for 26 hours, we got to eat at 8pm. We didn't die. It worked out. We are never doing that again.

Oh, on Saturday, we had dinner with some members. It turns out (and I had found this out at church) that the wife is Claire's sister-in-law (you know, my roommate and best friend Claire?). Her mother had been at church my first Sunday when I bore my testimony, and had recognized me as one of the bridesmaids at her son's wedding. In fact, do you remember how the groom's mother tried to set me up with her nephew? Yep, same person. (we did go on a few dates, but clearly, I am on a mission now). So it was fun to talk about people we knew in common, and she even called Claire right after I left. She ran after the car (still on the phone) to tell me that Claire loved me and had made my pumpkin bread recently. I could hear Claire talking. It was crazy! It is a small world. It was fun to talk to them and see Claire's wedding announcement pinned in a collage on her wall. By the way, Claire is going to have her baby soon. How fun!

This week hasn't been that exciting. We have been able to slowly meet all of the people that the elders and bishop recommended for us to visit. Some of them are really pleased by the idea that we are sisters, so that is good. None of them have really progressed yet, and there are so many names that I will talk more about them as I get to know them better.

Working as a Sister Trainer in the VC has been fun, challenging, and hard. We still haven't found the magic Sunday Schedule that seems to be alluding us (there is no solution that we can find), and I am hearing about some of the things that most sisters had no idea happen in the center. We find out the problems and try to figure it out before anyone else has to know about it. A few the sisters have been very difficult to work with, but we are praying for them. I have found myself praying for all 15 other sisters individually every day, and it has really helped ease my burden and helped me love them even more. I feel like this is great training for the rest of my life serving in the church.

This weekend Gladys Knight and her choir, Saints United Voices, are coming to Independence. The tickets are long gone, and we don't have any real investigators to take, so we probably won't be able to go. It still will help missionary work in the area whether or not I get to hear the beautiful soul music and be in the same room as a famous person. I'm still glad to be here. :)

My life has settled down and is less exciting. I hope all is well at home and I look forward to hearing from you soon. 

I love you!

Love,

Sister Atkin

Changes and Service

Dear Family,

I will try to fit this whole week in this email, but it will be hard to do. I love you!

Okay. So last Monday we had an awesome P-Day with the elders. We played ultimate and I got SO TIRED. We had dinner with a less active, and she told me that I needed to go home because I looked so tired. I guess I shouldn't have played so hard...

Tuesday was a good day. We worked and taught. We taught Brother Thacker, and as usual, he had no problems with it. Right after the lesson I got a phone call from President Keyes. But I will tell you that later so that I can tell you all of the big news at once. That night we were able to visit a woman whose friends are all mormon. She lives in our neighborhood. She had a bunch of questions and was very nice. She joked that the reason she wasn't mormon was because she likes her tea. She'll get baptized someday.

Then transfer calls came full of surprises (well, not in my case):

They opened Iola to sisters! The sisters going there are great. I am very happy for them. For a bunch of reasons I talked to them this week, and they said that the ward has told them all about me saying I was their first sister missionary paving the way for more sisters to come. I think it is great because the elders were emergency transferred for disobedience, so sisters are healing the ward's hurt.

Red Bridge Ward got elders, but one isn't coming for two weeks because he is in the MTC learning ASL, so the sisters might still be double covering for two weeks (which wrecks all of our plans. We got them dinners and everything. Oh, well). The other one is in a trio until then.

And finally, I was transferred to the North Kansas City Ward. When President Keyes took me aside to tell me about it, he informed me that the temple is in my area--we meet in the church that shares a parking lot with the temple, the brand new stake center they held the open house in. Exciting! They already have elders, but the work has exploded there since the temple was dedicated, so they need another set of missionaries. They specifically requested sisters. The ward is very excited to have us. The Zone Leaders are in that area with us. We are in the Liberty Zone. I will be training Sister Karlie Harding from Lehi, Utah. We will also be serving in the Independence Visitors' Center. I also received the calling to be a Sister Trainer at the VC (basically a sister Zone Leader). Wow. I can't think of anything that could be harder. I am training, opening a new area, and acting as a Sister Trainer.

Last week I told you how stressed I was for a couple of days. Well, I asked for a blessing from my Zone Leaders just for strength. I was doing well, but I felt I needed something else to help me with what was ahead. I am so glad I did. It was a beautiful blessing that just said that God and President Keyes are both aware of me and my situation. They are both proud of me and I am training again for a reason. I just need to turn to prayer and the scriptures for help. It was all stuff I already knew, but it brought me a lot of peace. One of the elders giving the blessing cried more than I did. I was glad to give them the chance to serve, too.

Sister Hodson and I ended on a high. The night before I left we stayed out teaching as late as is allowed. It was an awesome way to end. I love her so much. I think we will be friends for life after all that we went through together. It wasn't easy, but I love her SO MUCH. I can't even tell you. She's amazing.

On Thursday were transfers. We left bright and early. I cried when I said good bye to Sister Hodson. I was sad to go. But I was also excited for the new adventure and challenge. I've learned that when the Lord gives me something new and hard to do, it is the best thing ever. I grow so much, and He helps me the whole time. That is when joy happens.

Then I met Sister Harding. She is pretty shy. She hated school, so she has worked for the last few years, and now has felt she needs to be here. Admittedly, when I first met her I was nervous. We seemed to have very little in common. And with no time to do anything, we dropped our stuff off at our apartment (new to both of us) and ran to the VC to be on shift. The other Sister Trainer is Sister Hansen. She was totally overwhelmed and stressed. I felt bad about it, but I had to leave Sister Harding for a long time to go and slave over the VC schedule, which is one of our responsibilities. The center was very slow.

The schedule is crazy. It is a nightmare. We have to consider a bajillion different factors to see who can serve when and make sure we have enough sisters on shift. Excell was our life saver. Sunday is even worse because the center stays open, but everyone has to be able to go to their church meetings. That drained a lot of my time this last weekend. Also, I am becoming aware of a lot of problems that happen in the VC that I was never aware of. I thought there was no drama there, but now it is my job to know about it and stop it. Complicated.

Also, I got to give a training to all of the sisters the day after I arrived. It went well.

Friday night we got a ride back to Overland Park for Jesse's baptism. It was beautiful. It was packed. When I walked in, I was chatting with someone and out of no where Sister Hodson basically tackled me. I didn't see her coming. She was so glad to see me. She seems to be doing well, though. She was smiling. It was a wonderful baptism. President Keyes even came. Everything went perfectly. In a way, I was glad to have that over so I could finally 100% be here now in my new area.

Over the next few days we met with the elders serving in our area a few times. Like I said, they are our Zone Leaders. They told me about the work. They had 4 baptisms the week before we came. One of them was new to the area, so it was one elder filling the rest of us in. It was silly because Sister Harding had no idea what was going on, and his companion didn't know anything yet, so basically Elder Fulmer brain dumped on me while I asked a bajillion questions. I think I intimidate him because he has seemed extra scatterbrained recently. Oops. They are good elders, though, and I am excited to serve with them. It took a few days before we even knew where our area was, and another few days before we had any kind of area book (it is currently an Area Folder).

We also met with the Bishop and Ward Mission Leader first thing. I am so excited to be serving here. They are on FIRE. The bishop is the most fiery, missionary minded bishop I have met in my whole life. Missionary work is his thing. He wants us to text him every night a report of what we did that day so he can put it on a google doc spreadsheet online that the whole ward counsel (which is all of the auxilliaries, their counselors and secretaries) can view all of the time. Wow. He told me (and got emotional saying it) that it was an honor to have me, a trainer in their ward. He said that of all callings, being a trainer is the most honorable. I think President Keyes talked me up to him. No pressure. But I guess as far as I know, I am the only sister to have ever trained three times....that's crazy. I love training, though. I wouldn't mind doing it for the rest of my mission.

On Sunday was Fast and Testimony meeting. The Bishop informed us that all four missionaries were to sit on the stand and be the first ones to bear our testimonies. Oh, and President Keyes would be there, too. No pressure.

Sister Harding was SO nervous. She is a shy person and this kind of thing scares her to death. I was fasting for her, and for our area. Specifically that I would be able to help her and that she would gain confidence. My fast was answered. I went first, and then she bore her testimony. Her voice didn't shake, she didn't break down into tears, and she spoke clearly and with power. She sat down and whispered to me after I told her she did well, "That has never happened in my whole life. I have NEVER spoken in front of people without crying uncontrollably or my voice cracking". It was a miracle and we both recognized it. Then after our part was done, a member got up and bore her testimony of missionary work and gave us--the sisters--a referral over the pulpit. Miracle number two. God is definitely been watching out for us.

Ever since Sister Harding's miracle testimony, her whole attitude has changed. At first she talked a lot about how hard this was for her, and how far out of her comfort zone she was, but now she is on fire. Her attitude is, if it happened once, it will happen again. She is bold and confident (if still awkward sometimes. We all are. Seriously, being a missionary is just awkward). She has changed so much in a matter of days. I really like her. I think we will get along great.

Yesterday we only had twoish hours in our area. But we wanted to hit the ground running. We taught 4 lessons, found 2 new investigators and 1 probably investigator. No one rejected us. It was crazy. I am so excited to be here (I am sure we will face rejection later, but God sure is helping us start out).

We have had some drama at the VC, and I have already had to take someone aside to address some concerns, but I really feel that the Lord has prepared me for this. Everything I have experienced so far has taught me the skills I needed to be a leader here. I still have a lot left to learn, but God has prepared me.

On Saturday we watched the Relief Society General Broadcast. It was so good. As I sat and watched the new presidency get up and share their thoughts, I felt a huge connection to them. I know what they are feeling right now, at least on a lower level. I know how overwhelmed, humbled, grateful, and supported they feel. It is a lot, but they trust God to help them. They are me. I can't even describe what kinship I felt to them. And then President Eyring's talk was meant for me, too. I can't wait to read that one (maybe you could email me the text?). Loved it.

Also, since we have been so busy we came in and had no time to grocery shop and no food. The Overland Park members that drove us home found out, so they dropped us off, went and bought a ton of food and brought it to us. I was SO grateful. I don't know what we would have eaten for the next few days if they hadn't done that. I was overwhelmed with their generosity. Then this week, our Ward Mission Leader's wife has insisted on buying us groceries every week. She always has bought them for the elders and intends on doing it for us, too. We felt really bad. When she demanded a list, we gave her a few things we needed. She thought the list was too short and went all out. We have SO MUCH FOOD. We were so grateful!!! Our fridge and cupboards are full! This has never happened to me ever. We are taken care of.

So that is a rough summary of what has happened in the last 10 days. My life is turned entirely upside down. I can't believe it hasn't been a month.

I am out of time and brains, but I love you. I am very happy here. Miracles are happening right and left. I just have to sprint to keep up.

I love you!

Love,

Sister Atkin

Cliffhanger...........

Dearest Family,

What a week I have had. A good week.

Last Monday we played volleyball all day with the elders, and it was fun. The members were dumb and made us mad, so we played a missionary only game, which was awesome. We have some good elders.

That night we went to contact a less active. Our bishop gave us her record because it just showed up in the ward un-asked for. That happens sometimes. He didn't know where it came from or who she was. So he sent the missionaries. We like that.

So we knocked on her door. When she opened the door she looked so shocked. "How did you find me??!" she asked. She didn't look mad, just shocked, so we kept talking. Turns out, she's a convert of a lot of years. Her whole family joined except her husband, and she filled a lot of big callings. But she was offended, and she went inactive in1990. Since then she has moved 3 or 4 times as an inactive. So how her records made it here is a mystery. But she was happy to see us, and it turns out that her inactive daughter also lives nearby (she was there. We met her, too) and they had been talking recently about going back to church. So we gave them the address and time, and phone numbers for the bishop and relief society president. She was grateful and just still in shock that we found her. It was pretty cool.

Megan is getting her patriarchal blessing this week. That's exciting. :)

On Tuesday we did exchanges with Lawrence. Sister Lewis is there training a new sister. So Sister Hodson and Sister Lewis, my two daughters, got to spend the day together in Overland Park. I got to go with Sister Crick, my grand daughter, in Lawrence. She is a good missionary, and they are doing well there. It was a good day. The best part of doing exchanges with a new missionary is that all you have to do is be a good cheerleader all day. They just need the experience of taking over for a day, drowning a little, and coming off victorious. So all I did was back her up and tell her she was doing great all day. It was fun. I like that.

One miracle from that day: We were out tracting, and met this guy that was not interested. He was rough, had a beard, was bony and old looking, like a life long smoker and hard laborer. We introduced ourselves and he immediately informed us that he wasn't interested and wasn't religious for that matter because he hadn't been brought up that way. I offered to just leave him with a pamphlet, and he said no very rudely and said it would be a waste of paper. I was ready to go when Sister Crick asked "And what is your name again?", which felt very awkward to me after the rejection. He rudely responded, "I didn't give it." and so we left and knocked a few other random doors in the neighborhood that we felt good about (I rarely/never go door to door. I just pick random ones).

When we returned to our car we sat there for a second figuring out where we were going next. The same man walked out of his house and walked towards us. I was worried. I didn't know what he was going to do to us. He looked nervous, though. We greeted him and rolled down the window.

"I just had to come and say I didn't mean to be rude to you ladies. My name is Mark. I know I didn't need to be all rough. I didn't mean it. I'll take a pamphlet." We were surprised, and very happy to give him one. "but I have been watching you and you went to that house, that house, and that house." he gestured to the houses we had knocked. "You weren't going door to door. What made you choose those houses? Why did you pick my house?" His face showed that he just couldn't figure us out, and he was sure that someone had told us to go to those specific houses. He looked very suspicious.
I leaned over Sister Crick to talk through her window and said, "The spirit. We just knock doors we feel good about." in a very matter-of-fact way.

He looked totally stunned (in a manly, hiding his surprise in his beard kind of way). "So you have some sort of intuition?" he grumbled under his breath and halfway turned back to his house. "I guess you all have to do a year mission trip or something..." he mumbled, trying to make an excuse for nice ladies like us knocking on our door (someone made us do it).


I leaned back over. "No, we chose to do this. All of my friends are at home and married." again, very matter of factly.
He kind of humphed, still looking surprised and walked away, holding his pamphlet. We yelled good bye and that we would come back later. He didn't respond.

The spirit had totally worked on him. It reminded me of that one ensign story. I hope something happens with him. It was awesome.

We saw Flower on Wednesday. It was the best lesson we have ever had with her. She found a Book of Mormon app and downloaded it onto her phone, so she listens to the Book of Mormon every day. She loves it and it speeding through the Book of Mormon. Her countenance had totally changed, and she is praying about a baptism date now. Our church is her favorite, and more than anything, she wants her family to come with her.

Dave, the personal trainer is doing great. We can't teach him fast enough. He loved church this Sunday. :)
I ate eel and real sushi (raw tuna) this week with wasabi. It was pretty good. I don't know if I will eat it again soon, though. Sister Hodson didn't like it so much.

So Wednesday was an amazing day. Sister Hodson and I were both so happy. I love her so much! We are like best friends. Thursday was great, too, but more stressful. That night there was a conference call for all of the sisters in the mission. There are 10 new sisters coming out this transfer, which is crazy. The MTC pulled some in early, so we aren't ready for them, and the sisters they are replacing aren't going home yet. There are only 21 sister companionships now, and 7 are already in the training program. So President Keyes either has open areas for only one transfer, or make a buch of trios. He's making a bunch of trios. The call was basically to tell us how great we are and that we need "all hands on deck".

The problem with that call was that the Assistants texted me the wrong phone number so we, and all of the other sisters I am sister leader for, joined late. It announces your name when you join. Then our phone freaked out and we were kicked off. Log back on. Then we lost reception and were kicked off. Log back on a third time. I was stressed and embarrassed to the max, and then it turns out that some of my sisters never made it on the call, and it is kind of my fault. Then I found out that it announces your name when you log off, too, so everyone heard us join and leave three times--late. I was humiliated. The worst part was knowing sisters missed it.

I went to bed stressed which is a bad idea. I had a nightmare about coming home from my mission and being bad at everything I used to be good at and having no friends. Then I woke up more stressed. I was worn out. I felt like I had reached my max, and I had nothing left to give. I had put my whole heart into my mission, area, and companion, and it wasn't enough. I was logically okay, but mentally a wreck.

Then, that afternoon, I got a phone call that I would be training. I knew I wasn't staying here in Overland Park, so I am getting double transferred somewhere and training. And maybe still acting as Sister Leader. I tried, but I couldn't really be excited yet. I have given Sister Hodson all the love I have and this area my whole heart. I didn't feel like I had more to give.

So I have prayed a lot. And I was in the shower (a great place for revelation), and had a thought. In the scriptures, a lot of good people are pushed to the brink--as far as they could go. And then miracles happen. Moses was squished between the red sea and an army before he could split it. Daniel had to be thrown in with lions before he could see the miracle of taming them. Alma and Amulek were in prison before the walls could fall. Other missionaries were in a fiery furnace before they were safe. So if I am at my max and still have faith, the Lord will provide. This stressful place I am at is where miracles happen. I have poured all of my love and heart into Sister Hodson and Overland Park, and somehow the Lord will give me more love and more heart to give to my new area and new companion. He will provide. And I was comforted. (see Alma 17:1-13)

Life is good. I am happy and hopeful. I am empty, but I know I will be filled.

So don't worry about me, but this week I am getting transferred. Just send my mail to the mission office and they will forward it to wherever I am. At our meeting on Saturday, President Keyes took me aside to tell me about the unique situation of my area, so I already know what is going to happen, but I can't tell you until next week. I am glad to know so that I have time to be ready.

I hope this doesn't stress you, because I really am doing well. I am happy and healthy, and I am not that stressed anymore. I am now excited to train and for my new area, but I'm not thinking about it too much before Thursday so that I can just be here.

So there you go. I love you! I am happy! Have a great week!

Love,

Sister Atkin

Happiness

Dearest Family,

I have had another great week. :) I do really love being out here. This is the greatest (hardest, but greatest) thing I have ever done.

Last Monday, after I emailed, we painted for half of the day. It was wonderful and relaxing. I loved it. The Elders have been begging us to come play sports for weeks, so we finally are going today. Hopefully they will play ultimate, and hopefully it will be fun.

But anyway, while we were painting, we got a phone call from one of our members. She sounded nervous, but she gave us a referral of one of our friends. She gave us his phone number and said he was expecting us to call and set up a time to meet with him. We did, and we ended up seeing him the next day. He works as a personal trainer, so he is this big built guy, but he is very religious, and really loves God. We set up to meet him during his break at the gym he works at with the member that referred him to us.

Next door to the gym is a little pottery/coffee shop. So we went in to meet there. The minute we walked in, the owner of the pottery place looked a little surprised, and then was trying to not sob as she tried to pull together a protein shake for our investigator. I wasn't paying attention, but then suddenly something caught my attention in her direction (the spirit). I could see her crying, and I just knew it had something to do with us (again, the spirit), but I didn't know why. So we went over to talk to her, and she just broke down. She is a recent convert, and the elders now live with her and her husband in a nearby ward. Her father is having some real health problems, and the elders have been a great help and given him (a nonmember) a blessing. But she had just received some bad news and the elders weren't home and she didn't know what to do or who to turn to. Then into her shop walked two sister missionaries, wearing a name tag that spoke comfort to her. So we ignored our investigator and member for a moment, held hands with this woman across the counter by the register, and prayed with her, for her, and for her father. It was amazing. I know that the Lord was looking out for her. She knows it, too. Sometimes it's crazy because I know we don't hold the priesthood, but there is still power in our calling. I don't know how it works, but sometimes when we pray for people I can feel the Lord blessing them somehow. This woman couldn't get a priesthood blessing when she needed comfort--no one was there--but sister missionaries could pray for her, and it helped. I love being a missionary.

Then we taught a lesson in her shop. Our new investigator, Dave, is wonderful. We met with him twice last week, and after the first lesson he said, "Is that it? Don't you have more for me?" He feels like we are slowing him down. He reads the Book of Mormon for an hour every night. He's marking it up and taking notes. Awesome! I'm excited for him to hear the plan of salvation tomorrow. :)

This week we had a Zone Meeting, which is really fun. We have those once a month instead of District Meeting. I always learn a lot (and I always play the piano. But that's fine). Anyway, it was great. At the end we were having a zone discussion about our zone goals. We were all kindly voicing our opinions. I thought about it, and voiced my opinion, even though it was a little different from other opinions, but I said it in a nice way. Some people agreed with me. Then one of the elders stepped up and rebuked the opinion that happened to be mostly mine for five minutes. He said I didn't have faith and that I needed to get on my knees and pray and ask the Lord this and this and this and change my heart (well, he didn't say me specifically, but that was pretty clear). Needless to say, I was a little bit mad. And got madder the longer he talked. I almost interrupted him, but I held my tongue and never responded. The Zone Leaders finally pulled it back together and ended the meeting. I was fuming inside, but throwing water on the flames because I knew I wouldn't bring the spirit back if I said anything. And just as much as it wasn't the place of this elder to rebuke me, it wasn't my place to correct him. That is the Zone Leaders' job. And then I got over it. Mom, aren't you proud of me?

haha, anyway, the Zone Leaders apologized later and said they would talk to him later about it, because he shouldn't have said that. That was a nice gesture of them.

The reason I tell you this story, is that sometimes it is really obvious that I am changing. We all know one of my weaknesses is voicing my opinions too quickly, and having a little bit of fire inside when I do, but I am learning to just control it and get over it. I was even able to shake this elder's hand and tell him to have a great day--with good feelings. Life is good. (By the way, that doesn't mean that I am not opinionated anymore. I still like a good discussion. :) but with good feelings. )

The other miracle of the week is that we received some inspiration for some of our investigators. It is a part member family where the parents aren't married. They are wonderful people with good intentions, but a very busy schedule. The dad is the only member. The mom prefers Spanish (but does speak English) so we gave them to the Spanish elders for a while, but that didn't work (for scheduling reasons) so they are our investigators again. We were trying to figure out what to do for them, when we had the thought that even though the parents are too busy to go to church, the kids aren't. So with the mom's permission (and approval--she's excited about it) we got two of their three boys to church this last Sunday. They really liked it. The parents almost came because they felt so guilty, but they had lost the address, so maybe next week. This was the best idea we had. We are going to focus for a bit on getting the oldest son baptized, and work on the mom later. She is open, but I think watching it work for her son will make a big difference. I feel so good about it. I'm excited. :)

Last night we had two dinners back to back. That was the first time that I thought that I actually might throw up in a dinner appointment. It got to the point that I knew that if I ate another bite, it wouldn't stay down. So I didn't. I hope they weren't offended. Sister Hodson hit the same point. I never want to do that again, but we have another double dinner on Saturday. Blech. The people we don't want to offend are the first dinner this time, which is better. Mom, I never want to eat dessert again in my whole life. And I want to go on a healthy diet when I get home. PLEASE. I hope I don't die before then (we still don't feel like eating).

Well, I love you all. Have a great day. :)

Love,

Sister Atkin

P.P.S. What I learned this week was about the Law of Sacrifice and the Sacrament. Still studying, but I quickly wrote this down during the sacrament yesterday:
The Law of Sacrifice:
sacrifice of animals was replaced by the sacrament (see BD sacrifices)
so originally the priest offered up burnt offerings to cleanse the people of their sins.
Now the priests (same title!) offer up our sacraments on His holy Day (D&C 59:9) to cleanse the people--in remembrance of the ultimate sacrifice.
It is still the same law of sacrifice.
So to live the law of sacrifice, I need to worthily and meaningfully take the sacrament weekly. (that is how I offer my broken heart and contrite spirit or my whole soul as an offering, which other scriptures reference as our sacrifice.)
It's comforting to know that I know understand how to live that law.

A Surprise That Starts With I

Dear family,

I have so much to tell you about this week!!!

First of all, I have to tell you that I have refound myself this week. It is a cycle every missionary goes through (and every person). It's just part of life. But I am very very happy. Mom, we do keep learning. Can a person who has been alive as long as you still learn new things? (that isn't an age joke) But really, I don't think I'll ever finish learning. I'll tell you some things I learned in with my stories of the week. :)

Okay, I can't wait. The big surprise of the week is that I went to Iola. :)

This has been in the works for a while now, but I didn't want to tell you until after it happened. A few weeks ago, we were in the home of the Stake Relief Society President. She mentioned that she was going out to visit Iola that week (Iola Ward is in our stake, the Olathe Stake). I got excited and told her and her husband that Iola is a very special place. They looked surprised, because it really is a little town. I told them the story. They got excited and said, "Well, we have to get you down there!"

I knew that it wasn't likely to happen, because it is about 2 hours away from where we live. It would be difficult to get permission from President Keyes to go, and I didn't really want to ask him for it. Last transfer, the elders there were disobedient and emergency transferred out. When I heard that there was no missionaries there anymore, I told President Keyes that I would love to serve there and told him the story. It didn't happen. He said my story was nice and moved on.

So I didn't really have hope of going there. But then the Crumrines got excited, and decided they could do something about it. So they called the bishop of the Iola ward and told him my story. He got excited and agreed that they had to get me down there somehow. He said it would be great if I would come speak in Sacrament Meeting there. When they told me that, I had no hope. I would have to miss our own church, which missionaries DON'T DO.
But it turns out that President Keyes owed the Iola bishop a favor. The bishop called President Keyes and specifically requested that I come down and speak in their ward. Then I recieved a phone call from President Keyes.
"Sister Atkin, I hear that you have been invited to speak in the Iola ward."
"Yes, President"
"Well that is so nice. I give you my full permission to go. You can tell them the story of your grandmother. Just don't make a day of it."
"Okay, President. Thank you!"
I can't believe he would let me go!

So they scheduled for me to speak in their ward (which I am sure they were grateful for anyway. Their ward is very small, so I am sure they hear from each other a lot) and asked Sister Crumrine to speak with me, which she was not excited about. So on Sunday, we left bright and early and it was a beautiful day. It took us about an hour and a half (he is a little bit of a scary driver). They have their own building out there, just for their little ward. Some people drive an hour to go to church. Everyone was so kind and welcoming and right away saw the new faces. The ward was made up of a lot of old, single women, some older couples, and two young families. And that was it.
I sat on the stand and just was so happy to look out over the faces of the small, close knit congregation. To imagine that there used to be no members here at all. It was a beautiful sight.
Here is a rough outline of my talk (obviously I filled it in more and added details and thoughts):

Introduced myself
The reason I am here today started about a hundred years ago when my ancestors moved to the area of Iola Kansas
But the real story begins in 1937 when my great grandfather (Leo Moss Renner) was on a business trip and had a stop in SLC. He toured temple square and received a Book of Mormon.
Ten years later, two elders topped on a street corner to pray to be led where to go
Next house--our house. She told them to come back that evening.
On May 23, 1948 Seven of the family were baptized, including my grandmother, who was 10.
(show picture) elder steed
They were the only members in Iola, so they moved to SLC
Sealed Oct 24, 1949
Lessons to be learned:
Know where you come from. The Lord did all of this for you!
Sometimes it takes time--10 years! It is in the Lord's time.
But the main lesson to be learned is the Ripple effect. Elder Steed--His only baptisms on his mission. One Family.
Family reunion about 10 years ago we met him. He was the happiest old man I have ever seen. From the one family of his whole mission he baptized, over 30 missionaries have gone out. The ripple effect continues. D&C 18:15-16
Missionary work is worth it!
It reminds me of the story of Abinadi and Alma, his one convert. But that grew. Mosiah 18:30 How beautiful Iola is to me!
The actions of one person is the difference
In 1820, there was a young boy... (I told the first vision story slowly and with detail and recited the first vision.)
What happened here in Iola changed my family. It has changed my life.
A while ago there was a poster in the ensign with a picture of the sacred grove. The caption read, "What happened here changed the world. Let it change your life." Let the ripple effect continue and change you.
Testimony

(Sorry that is so rough. That is basically word for word my notes). I looked out and everyone was looking at me and listening. Many people were crying. It was so powerful. I was filled with such clarity. It was amazing.
Afterwards most of the ward approached me to thank me. Many people shared their stories with me. One woman was balling saying that her story was almost the same--except they stayed. Her father was a post man in Iola, just like my great grandfather, but in the 1950's. She was so touched that she got my address so that we could stay in touch. I gave her both my mission and home addresses, so you might hear from her. I don't even remember her name, but she was so sweet.

Annie told me that she had found out their address of where they lived in Iola. 201 Elm Street. I don't know if it is true, and there is a N Elm St, S Elm St. and E Elm St., but we decided to try to find it. It wasn't on N Elm St., so we tried S Elm Street. And there it was. I don't know if it was the right house, but it looked old enough when we looked at the foundation (it has had siding put on it, though). So I got a picture with it (no one was home). It could be a random house, or it could be the right one. You'll have to ask grandma
.
We ate lunch, and headed home. It was a beautiful day. I was so grateful to get to go. It was neat because I felt so much peace about the whole thing. I got to go there. I feel like I fulfilled something that needed to happen. But going there, I also knew that it wasn't my calling to serve in that area. My mission is elsewhere. But now I will not have any regrets--I've seen it, and I know that I did all that I needed to.

Last week as I was preparing my talk, I was having a rough day. Sister Hodson and I weren't getting along. I had been fighting the lingering feeling that I wasn't doing enough and that God was disappointed with me. I felt like I wasn't living up to the potential that I had, and it was eating me up. So I prayed. And the first thing that came to my mind was our family story (which I had just been studying). It was almost as if God was telling me, "If I didn't love you, I wouldn't have done all of this for you to receive the gospel. I did all of this for you. For all of your family, but for you." I felt such peace. He knows where I am, He knows I am not perfect, and he still loves me. Ever since then, this week has been wonderful. :)

The other big news is that President Keyes has decided to split our area. The work has grown enough recently that he has decided to put a set of missionaries in each ward so we won't be double covering anymore. He called on Friday to tell me the news, and asked me which ward we had more connections with. My mind raced through all of the good and bad things about each ward. I told him we were more connected to the Stanley Ward. Just like that, he said, "Okay, that is where you will stay. I will put the new set of missionaries in the Red Bridge Ward." After he hung up, my mind raced through all of the factors and I kept second guessing my decision. I hadn't even asked Sister Hodson! Honestly, the Red Bridge Ward is the easier ward. Tracting actually works there. Stanley ward is the wealthy one. We talked it through, and I feel like I made the right decision. I am excited for both wards to have missionaries. Red Bridge Ward has so much potential that we haven't been able to tap yet. Elders would be able to tract hard there, and do a lot of good work. I think the ward is ready for elders again, too.

Stanley Ward requested sisters for years. They need more relationship building and referrals from members. The members love us, and everyone is missionary minded. They will help the missionaries more.

I am happy that the work has grown to the point where this can happen. I've done something good here! President Keyes at first implied that he wanted me to stay for another transfer (4 transfers with Sister Hodson!), but then he heard how long I've been here. I probably am getting moved next transfer. All of the changes will happen then.

Side note, Gladys Knight is doing a missionary devotional in Independence that surrounding missionaries get to invite investigators to. She's bringing her choir with her. I hope that I am transferred close enough to get to go!

Last Wednesday, I was driving, and sitting at the front of a left turn lane of a big intersection. Right in front of me, a teenage girl turned left into another car, causing an accident. Everyone was fine, but we stuck around to be witnesses. We got to talk to some people about what missionaries do while we were waiting.

On Saturday, we dropped by an teenage investigator's house in the hopes of getting to teach him. He saw us, and we all sat down in the living room. It turned out that we taught his pastor dad, who only speaks Spanish. The kids were translating for him. It was clear that he was a very intelligent man. He was very nice to us, and we had a good discussion. He said he would read the Book of Mormon. It was pretty intense. We'll see how that goes when we see them next. He gave us tickets to a huge celebration of the Independence day of Mexico in downtown Kansas City. The flyer was all in Spanish and had some hard core looking rappers on the front. I don't think we're allowed to go. But, he said someone from our church should go and hand out flyers. That is what his church is doing. So maybe we'll send someone.

A funny story of the week: We were tracting, which honestly is always awkward at first. We were trying to build a conversation with this 50ish year old man who was Lutheran. I felt that I had some spider web on me, so I looked down and brushed it off and said, "Sorry, I just have spider web on me..." so that I didn't look silly waving at the air.
Then Sister Hodson looked down (while my back was turned). Suddenly I heard, "Get it off of me! Sister Atkin, there is a spider on me! Do you see it? Do you see it? Get it!!!!" Panicked, she was hugging herself and staring down with wide eyes at the spider hanging from her clothes. It actually was pretty big--light brown with red stripes.

I picked up the man's newspaper (he was still looking on) and waved it around to get the spider on the ground and then madly hit at it with his newspaper, thoroughly killing it. I gently set the newspaper down, stepped on the spider for good measure, and the looked up at the man who had been silently watching.

"Um...Do you like geneology?" I asked. I quickly explained the Family History Card I pulled out of my bag and we left. When we walked away and his door closed, I just laughed and laughed. Sister Hodson was still hyperventilating. It was soooo awkward and sooooo funny.

On a different note, this week I have been studying the Law of Sacrifice. My perspective of is has entirely changed recently. Reading in the Bible Dictionary about Sacrifices and then reading Oak's talk from last conference helped. I am learning what it actually means. I find it very interesting. 

Mom, I love your question. About 6 months ago in the VC I asked the very same question. What does the doctrine of the priesthood mean? I came to the conclusion that it is the knowledge of how to use and magnify that power in more and more righteous ways. When a man has virtuous thoughts, he will be more able to see ways he can use his priesthood to bless others. I know that it also works for women, and we can see more ways that the priesthood can bless us and how we can work under the direction and order of the priesthood (like in Relief Society) to bless others. The temple does help understanding. What do you think?

I do need more medicine (honestly I only have enough to last through tomorrow).
I am running out of time, but I love you all! I'm excited for this next week!
Also, I love Sister Hodson. We are great friends. You will have to meet her someday. :)

Love,

Sister Atkin

Uplifting Week

Dear Family,

This has been a wonderful week. I don't have very much time to type today, but I thought I would drop a line and give you a few updates (two days late).

We ended up only having one person at church. Everyone bailed. By Sunday morning we had in narrowed down to three, and then two didn't show. Yay for Jesse, who is brought by his active member foster parents. He doesn't have a choice but to come to church.

We got to go to the temple this last week with Megan to do baptisms. It was a wonderful day. The Kansas City temple is beautiful. She loved it. Then we stayed to do a session with our favorite members. I loved it. I felt like I was going through for the first time again. I felt so much peace and I felt more relaxed than I have in weeks.

Last Wednesday was our day of miracles. We taught 6 lessons in one day, which is unheard of in this area. We had a guy we met on the street call us to tell us he had been reading the Book of Mormon, and could we come over tonight to answer some of his questions? Why yes, we can. We ended up teaching his parents, too (he was 20), and it was wonderful. 

We had Zone Conference this last week, too, and it went wonderfully. Halfway to Topeka we realized that there were sisters in Lawrence (which is half way to Topeka) that we could car pool with. So I ended up driving only 2 hours that day instead of 4 (and we had left over miles at the end of the month!)

It rained and rained on Friday, which was wonderful and very needed. I love the rain.

We went to Independence this last Sunday. It was great. We heard the testimony of a man who had been a drug dealer and was in and out of prison for years before he turned his life around. A lot of miracles happened while he was still in prison to help him know that this was the true church. He felt the spirit testify to him just from looking at the church's name on a pass along Bible (no footnotes or index) and he knew it was the right church. Crazy! He was baptized and is married to a member. They are going to be sealed next year. Turns out his experience in selling drugs actually has made him a great salesman and business man ("I had skills, they just weren't right."). The Atonement can reach anyone.

Yesterday I did an exchange to the Kaw River Ward, which is downtown KC, KS. It was an amazing day. Neither of us spoke Spanish (which is a problem), but we went to the black areas and made it work. We got a flat tire, so I got filthy laying on the ground to find a place to jack up the car. It turned out to be a miracle because we were right next to a less active's house that is good at that kind of thing, and happened to be sister to a lady we were trying to contact. It was a great day. They have cockroaches in their apartment, and it was SO HOT. But it was a great day. :) People actually talked to us! We saw miracles!

So anyway, I love you all, family. Sorry that this isn't longer. Next week's email will be much longer. We have some plans in the works that are going to be good. ;)

Love,

Sister Atkin

P.S. President Keyes is thinking about giving each ward their own missionaries. Wouldn't that be crazy?