Cousins
7 years ago
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
Sister Weaver's last post.
Another group of outstanding missionaries are returning home
We love having the opportunity of spending a day with the
missionaries that are returning home after completely a
successful mission. It is a day of excitement, and great
appreciation for the many blessings that have been given
and the opportunity to truly be a disciple of Christ.
missionaries that are returning home after completely a
successful mission. It is a day of excitement, and great
appreciation for the many blessings that have been given
and the opportunity to truly be a disciple of Christ.
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| First thing when we arrived, we needed a picture. |
We love you
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| Thank you for your service. |
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| A little treat for the drive back to the Mission Home |
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| The beautiful Spirit of the Washington Tacoma Mission. We love you. |
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| We had the privilege of returning to the Mission Home for dinner. We then, visited, shared experiences, and bore testimony of the great blessing to serve. |
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| All the companions came to pick up the Outgoing missionaries. It was a sweet experience to share in their excitement. It ended a beautiful day. |
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| The WA-TAC is AWESOME! |
Katee's Mom Last Missionary Email.
Hello everyone,
I don't know how many people read this blog, but it has an email from every week of Katee's mission. I just wanted to thank all of you who have supported her in any way. As a mom, it gives me such great comfort to know how truly loved she is. I know there have been many prayers on her behalf, not only here but also from the wonderful people of Washington. She has made so many life long friends that she will never forget. She went to Washington a scared, shy young girl and is returning with honor as a grown woman with such a strong testimony. It amazes me to see her growth over the past 18 months. It will be a bit of a transition for her to be home, but I know she is excited to be home and start her life. She loves the people of Washington so much and I am sure she will be back to visit. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary mom of two great missionaries. Our family has been so blessed over the last 18 months, it is hard to express those feelings. Thank you all again for the love and support you have given to our family.
Lee and Cindy Balmforth
I don't know how many people read this blog, but it has an email from every week of Katee's mission. I just wanted to thank all of you who have supported her in any way. As a mom, it gives me such great comfort to know how truly loved she is. I know there have been many prayers on her behalf, not only here but also from the wonderful people of Washington. She has made so many life long friends that she will never forget. She went to Washington a scared, shy young girl and is returning with honor as a grown woman with such a strong testimony. It amazes me to see her growth over the past 18 months. It will be a bit of a transition for her to be home, but I know she is excited to be home and start her life. She loves the people of Washington so much and I am sure she will be back to visit. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary mom of two great missionaries. Our family has been so blessed over the last 18 months, it is hard to express those feelings. Thank you all again for the love and support you have given to our family.
Lee and Cindy Balmforth
I Found What I Was Looking For! 05/21/12
Hello everyone!
Wow, I can't even believe this is my last email home. I won't lie as I sit here writing and after I read all your emails I am a complete mess. I was doing soooo good too! I haven't cried in like 24 hours. But anyway... Well I feel like I have so much to say but so little to say because I will see you on Wednesday! So here we go.... On Friday I had an amazing experience. All of the departing missionaries got together in Tacoma to spend the day with President and Sister Weaver. It was amazing. And so my companion had to go on an exchange! So guess who we arranged that with? Thats right... Chronister and Baylon... Pretty much it made my day cuz I got to see Chronister and talk to her. It was great. Then all of the departing missionaries were off to the Temple. As I walked into the chapel the spirit was so strong. I sat down and grabbed the bible. I opened up to Joshua 1:9. This scripture means everything to me... Most of you know that it is the reason I came on a mission. So I opened it up and read it again, and I knew that what it said was STILL true. "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage... be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee, withersoever thou goest." I love this scripture so much. Then we went and did a session. It was so great and just what I needed.
After the session I was the first missionary to walk into the celestial room. I was greeted by Sister Weaver, who took me in her arms and probably hugged me for a straight 30 seconds. Then I was able to sit by myself, and turn my mission over to the Lord. It was hard... I waited for probably 20 minutes because I wasn't ready to do it. But I knew that it was time... I told my Heavenly Father that I had given it everything I could. And I asked him if he would accept the work that I had done. I felt comfort and peace and knew that he had accepted it... Also a few weeks ago I was reading some old letters. One I read was from Heather Gardner that she wrote before I entered the MTC... at the very end of her letter it said, "I hope you find what you are looking for." That statement hit me like a ton of bricks, and as I was sitting in the celestial room, the spirit whispered to me.... "You found what you were looking for." This made me so happy, and I knew that everything that I came to Washington to do was complete. I found what I wanted, and that was happiness. And I am so grateful for that.
After the Temple we got Jamba Juice and saw a little bit of Seattle. Then it was back to the mission home for a nice steak dinner. Then a meeting with Pres, and Sister Weaver... pretty much the marriage and babies talk... And then a great Testimony Meeting... After our companions came back and I got to chill with Chronister for a little bit! It was awesome! T hen we headed back to Silverdale and got home really late.
Sunday was a great day! Matt Leach gave an awesome talk in church! I said the closing prayer and as I walked to the front of the chapel we both got huge grins on our faces... It was way cool to meet him, and he said that Colton is his best friend. We are having dinner with them tomorrow night before I leave Wednesday....
Well everyone... I am so excited to see you on Wednesday.... I want you all to know what I know because I was given the opportunity to serve a mission. Because of my mission I know that The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only true Gospel on the earth today. I know that it is the same church that Christ set up when he was on the earth. I know that Joseph Smith saw our Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ.... I know that he was called to restore the true Gospel back to the earth. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that it truly is another testament of Jesus Christ... I know this because I feel closer to my Savior every time I read it... I know that we have a living prophet today. I know that my Savior Lives and loves me so much. I feel him everyday... I know that He is with me forever and as long as I am worthy he will always be with me... I am sooo grateful to my Heavenly Father for giving me the opportunity to serve him in Washington for the past year and a half. It has changed my life and I will NEVER be the same! I love you all so much! I can't wait to see you! It will be like Heaven! Have a great 2 days! Love you all!
Love always,
Sister Balmforth
Kate
Wow, I can't even believe this is my last email home. I won't lie as I sit here writing and after I read all your emails I am a complete mess. I was doing soooo good too! I haven't cried in like 24 hours. But anyway... Well I feel like I have so much to say but so little to say because I will see you on Wednesday! So here we go.... On Friday I had an amazing experience. All of the departing missionaries got together in Tacoma to spend the day with President and Sister Weaver. It was amazing. And so my companion had to go on an exchange! So guess who we arranged that with? Thats right... Chronister and Baylon... Pretty much it made my day cuz I got to see Chronister and talk to her. It was great. Then all of the departing missionaries were off to the Temple. As I walked into the chapel the spirit was so strong. I sat down and grabbed the bible. I opened up to Joshua 1:9. This scripture means everything to me... Most of you know that it is the reason I came on a mission. So I opened it up and read it again, and I knew that what it said was STILL true. "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage... be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee, withersoever thou goest." I love this scripture so much. Then we went and did a session. It was so great and just what I needed.
After the session I was the first missionary to walk into the celestial room. I was greeted by Sister Weaver, who took me in her arms and probably hugged me for a straight 30 seconds. Then I was able to sit by myself, and turn my mission over to the Lord. It was hard... I waited for probably 20 minutes because I wasn't ready to do it. But I knew that it was time... I told my Heavenly Father that I had given it everything I could. And I asked him if he would accept the work that I had done. I felt comfort and peace and knew that he had accepted it... Also a few weeks ago I was reading some old letters. One I read was from Heather Gardner that she wrote before I entered the MTC... at the very end of her letter it said, "I hope you find what you are looking for." That statement hit me like a ton of bricks, and as I was sitting in the celestial room, the spirit whispered to me.... "You found what you were looking for." This made me so happy, and I knew that everything that I came to Washington to do was complete. I found what I wanted, and that was happiness. And I am so grateful for that.
After the Temple we got Jamba Juice and saw a little bit of Seattle. Then it was back to the mission home for a nice steak dinner. Then a meeting with Pres, and Sister Weaver... pretty much the marriage and babies talk... And then a great Testimony Meeting... After our companions came back and I got to chill with Chronister for a little bit! It was awesome! T hen we headed back to Silverdale and got home really late.
Sunday was a great day! Matt Leach gave an awesome talk in church! I said the closing prayer and as I walked to the front of the chapel we both got huge grins on our faces... It was way cool to meet him, and he said that Colton is his best friend. We are having dinner with them tomorrow night before I leave Wednesday....
Well everyone... I am so excited to see you on Wednesday.... I want you all to know what I know because I was given the opportunity to serve a mission. Because of my mission I know that The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only true Gospel on the earth today. I know that it is the same church that Christ set up when he was on the earth. I know that Joseph Smith saw our Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ.... I know that he was called to restore the true Gospel back to the earth. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that it truly is another testament of Jesus Christ... I know this because I feel closer to my Savior every time I read it... I know that we have a living prophet today. I know that my Savior Lives and loves me so much. I feel him everyday... I know that He is with me forever and as long as I am worthy he will always be with me... I am sooo grateful to my Heavenly Father for giving me the opportunity to serve him in Washington for the past year and a half. It has changed my life and I will NEVER be the same! I love you all so much! I can't wait to see you! It will be like Heaven! Have a great 2 days! Love you all!
Love always,
Sister Balmforth
Kate
Monday, May 14, 2012
The Wonderful World of Technology! 05/14/12
Hello everybody!
Wow it was so good to talk to so many of you yesterday and to see your cute faces! Thank you to modern technology! It was so awesome to be able to talk to Colton. Wow has he grown up. I can't even believe it. He's not a little boy anymore. Its pretty amazing to see how he has changed in such a short period of time. Whoever marries him is one lucky girl!
So this past week has been good. We have been working so hard, and its still so hard because people just keep bailing on us. We found some people to teach a couple of weeks ago and we got a return appointment with them but this past week when we went back they were driving away. It was such a bummer. And I feel really bad for Sister Jensen because she has been in more fruitful areas on her mission. So coming to Silverdale is a big change for her. But we continue to work hard and I know that if we do so the Lord will bless us. While knocking on doors this week we had a funny thing happen. I knocked on the door and all the sudden someone on the other side knocked back. haha. I just started laughing and when he opened the door I just looked at him and said, "well that's never happened to me before." haha. I thought it was pretty funny.
The weather has been so nice the past couple of days. Like it hit 75! We are just loving it and hoping that it lasts for just a couple more days. Lets see... Its hard to know what to write about because I just talked to you guys yesterday. Um...
I have had a lot of mixed emotions over the past couple of days. And especially the night that, that appointment canceled on us. Sister Chronister called me that night to get an address and we were able to talk for a little bit which was really good. I really needed it. So I was telling her all about the day, and it was really weird because I was in tears and I just said, "I have seen so many disappointments and had so many hard days on my mission and I don't wanna leave it." She paused and was like, "did you just hear what you said? No one would ever say that." And I thought about it and I thought... no it is so true... I wouldn't trade any of the past year and a half of my life for the world. I wouldn't trade it for anything because it has changed me for the better, and because of it I have come to know and love my Savior so much! I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to serve my Heavenly Father. It has been the most amazing thing in the world. The feelings that I have felt will never be forgotten. But I also know that it is time for me to move on, and to start on the next thing that the Lord has planned for me. So I am excited to come home and start that. And I know that whatever it is Heavenly Father will help me.
I know that the Gospel is true! I know it with all of my heart. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us and he cares about us. I know that a young boy went into a grove of trees and offered up the most sincere prayer, and he was answered. And I know that he was called of God to restore the true Gospel back to the earth. I know that this is the Church of Jesus Christ. It is His church and how lucky are we that we get to be apart of it? We are so blessed!
Anyway... I think that's about it. Oh President Weaver called me last night, and I have my final interview with him tomorrow morning and then I get to spend the day with them on Friday. So it will be great. We get to go to the Temple and everything. So I'll be at the Temple on Friday... if anyone wants to go too that would be cool. I love you all so much and hope you have an amazing week! Next week will be the last email! :) Love you all!
Love, Kate
Wow it was so good to talk to so many of you yesterday and to see your cute faces! Thank you to modern technology! It was so awesome to be able to talk to Colton. Wow has he grown up. I can't even believe it. He's not a little boy anymore. Its pretty amazing to see how he has changed in such a short period of time. Whoever marries him is one lucky girl!
So this past week has been good. We have been working so hard, and its still so hard because people just keep bailing on us. We found some people to teach a couple of weeks ago and we got a return appointment with them but this past week when we went back they were driving away. It was such a bummer. And I feel really bad for Sister Jensen because she has been in more fruitful areas on her mission. So coming to Silverdale is a big change for her. But we continue to work hard and I know that if we do so the Lord will bless us. While knocking on doors this week we had a funny thing happen. I knocked on the door and all the sudden someone on the other side knocked back. haha. I just started laughing and when he opened the door I just looked at him and said, "well that's never happened to me before." haha. I thought it was pretty funny.
The weather has been so nice the past couple of days. Like it hit 75! We are just loving it and hoping that it lasts for just a couple more days. Lets see... Its hard to know what to write about because I just talked to you guys yesterday. Um...
I have had a lot of mixed emotions over the past couple of days. And especially the night that, that appointment canceled on us. Sister Chronister called me that night to get an address and we were able to talk for a little bit which was really good. I really needed it. So I was telling her all about the day, and it was really weird because I was in tears and I just said, "I have seen so many disappointments and had so many hard days on my mission and I don't wanna leave it." She paused and was like, "did you just hear what you said? No one would ever say that." And I thought about it and I thought... no it is so true... I wouldn't trade any of the past year and a half of my life for the world. I wouldn't trade it for anything because it has changed me for the better, and because of it I have come to know and love my Savior so much! I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to serve my Heavenly Father. It has been the most amazing thing in the world. The feelings that I have felt will never be forgotten. But I also know that it is time for me to move on, and to start on the next thing that the Lord has planned for me. So I am excited to come home and start that. And I know that whatever it is Heavenly Father will help me.
I know that the Gospel is true! I know it with all of my heart. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us and he cares about us. I know that a young boy went into a grove of trees and offered up the most sincere prayer, and he was answered. And I know that he was called of God to restore the true Gospel back to the earth. I know that this is the Church of Jesus Christ. It is His church and how lucky are we that we get to be apart of it? We are so blessed!
Anyway... I think that's about it. Oh President Weaver called me last night, and I have my final interview with him tomorrow morning and then I get to spend the day with them on Friday. So it will be great. We get to go to the Temple and everything. So I'll be at the Temple on Friday... if anyone wants to go too that would be cool. I love you all so much and hope you have an amazing week! Next week will be the last email! :) Love you all!
Love, Kate
Monday, May 7, 2012
Prayers that reach Heaven. 05/07/12
Hello Everybody!
Okay so it is very interesting that Colton emailed a lot today about prayer because that's what I was going to focus on... coincidence? I think not. :) So anyway.... this week has been pretty good. The beginning of the week was great. A sister that I knew... Sister Mills came back to visit the mission, so we got to have dinner with her... that was awesome! She helped prep me for home life, haha. Then Tuesday was probably the best day ever! And the worst haha. So we had a zone conference and SISTER CHRONISTER was there! We had this huge reunion and sat by each other the whole time lol. Yes we are pathetic but we miss each other! So there was a seventy here.. Elder Gavarrett. So honestly it was hard to focus cuz the meeting was almost five hours long and we got one ten minute break. So pretty much I talked to Chronister the whole time, and we caught up and then we just wrote notes haha, yes I know very irreverent but... what do ya do? So that was great! Then we had lunch and then it was time to say good bye again... THAT SUCKED! I won't lie I teared up a little lol. Chronister told me to suck it up haha. I love her.
So this past week I was struggling with my mission coming to an end. And Chronister told me that I needed to tell Heavenly Father. Its funny how we can go out and preach these things to everyone but then we have to be reminded to do it our self. So I did what she said. The other night I went into the bathroom and knelt down, and offered a prayer to my Heavenly Father. Asking him to give me something that would help me. The next day there were three things that Heavenly Father showed me. One was that we had a really good zone meeting and it really lifted my spirits. The second thing was I was talking to Sister Finnegan and she compared going home to going home to our Heavenly home and being reunited with all of our loved ones. She said that getting off that plane will be like Heaven. I thought long about that. And I just cried as she said it. I know that it will be tough to leave my mission but that reunion in two weeks is going to taste like Heaven... and I can't wait to taste it! The third thing that Heavenly Father gave me was one of the YSA girls Anna was at the church and I was able to talk to her for awhile and it was way cool. I have come to love these people so much!
Well in other news... today May 7th is Matt's one year mark! How crazy is that? I can't believe it. Also yesterday in church Mariah who was just baptized got up and bore her testimony and said how much I had helped her... it was way cool. I also bore my testimony cuz it was my last testimony meeting. And then Elder Finnegan gets up and says "I'd like to give a shout out to Sister Balmforth." He then went on to tell me how grateful he was for me and so on... yeah I was in tears all day haha. It was amazing and the spirit was so strong.
I am so grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who hears and answers our prayers. I know with all my heart that he lives and loves all of us. I know that he knows us better than we know ourselves! Isn't that amazing!? I am thankful for my Savior. I know that he loves us and that he has felt everything that we go through. He is our Redeemer and our friend.
I took a present to the Leache's house today cuz they are gonna see colton! I'm so excited! Anyway... I love you all so much! I miss you and can't wait to see you! It will be just like Heaven!
Love always,
Katee
Okay so it is very interesting that Colton emailed a lot today about prayer because that's what I was going to focus on... coincidence? I think not. :) So anyway.... this week has been pretty good. The beginning of the week was great. A sister that I knew... Sister Mills came back to visit the mission, so we got to have dinner with her... that was awesome! She helped prep me for home life, haha. Then Tuesday was probably the best day ever! And the worst haha. So we had a zone conference and SISTER CHRONISTER was there! We had this huge reunion and sat by each other the whole time lol. Yes we are pathetic but we miss each other! So there was a seventy here.. Elder Gavarrett. So honestly it was hard to focus cuz the meeting was almost five hours long and we got one ten minute break. So pretty much I talked to Chronister the whole time, and we caught up and then we just wrote notes haha, yes I know very irreverent but... what do ya do? So that was great! Then we had lunch and then it was time to say good bye again... THAT SUCKED! I won't lie I teared up a little lol. Chronister told me to suck it up haha. I love her.
So this past week I was struggling with my mission coming to an end. And Chronister told me that I needed to tell Heavenly Father. Its funny how we can go out and preach these things to everyone but then we have to be reminded to do it our self. So I did what she said. The other night I went into the bathroom and knelt down, and offered a prayer to my Heavenly Father. Asking him to give me something that would help me. The next day there were three things that Heavenly Father showed me. One was that we had a really good zone meeting and it really lifted my spirits. The second thing was I was talking to Sister Finnegan and she compared going home to going home to our Heavenly home and being reunited with all of our loved ones. She said that getting off that plane will be like Heaven. I thought long about that. And I just cried as she said it. I know that it will be tough to leave my mission but that reunion in two weeks is going to taste like Heaven... and I can't wait to taste it! The third thing that Heavenly Father gave me was one of the YSA girls Anna was at the church and I was able to talk to her for awhile and it was way cool. I have come to love these people so much!
Well in other news... today May 7th is Matt's one year mark! How crazy is that? I can't believe it. Also yesterday in church Mariah who was just baptized got up and bore her testimony and said how much I had helped her... it was way cool. I also bore my testimony cuz it was my last testimony meeting. And then Elder Finnegan gets up and says "I'd like to give a shout out to Sister Balmforth." He then went on to tell me how grateful he was for me and so on... yeah I was in tears all day haha. It was amazing and the spirit was so strong.
I am so grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who hears and answers our prayers. I know with all my heart that he lives and loves all of us. I know that he knows us better than we know ourselves! Isn't that amazing!? I am thankful for my Savior. I know that he loves us and that he has felt everything that we go through. He is our Redeemer and our friend.
I took a present to the Leache's house today cuz they are gonna see colton! I'm so excited! Anyway... I love you all so much! I miss you and can't wait to see you! It will be just like Heaven!
Love always,
Katee
Monday, April 30, 2012
Many Hero's 04/30/12
Hey everybody!
Hows it going? So this week has been pretty good. We are working our butts off trying to find people to teach. It is so hard because I have tracted the whole area almost twice. But we are still working. Last week we placed eight Book of Mormons... so that's good. But no luck finding anyone that wants what we have. If only these people knew how this could change their life. Its so hard. I just wish people could understand.
This transfer is going fast and slow. I have been reading the Book of Mormon and I am now about half way through. It is so amazing to me... this morning I realized that I have sooooo many hero's. Nephi, Abinidi, Alma, Ammulek, Ammon, Aaron and soooo many more! I love the Book of Mormon so much. On my mission it has come to life. I never liked reading... you all know that but now its a part of me. Its like I feel so empty when I don't read from it. I love it so much and I know with all my heart that it is the word of God, and it has been put on this earth for us at this time. This morning I read these versus in Alma 25:3-6 and they really hit me. It says "and this is the blessing that has been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work. Behold thousands of them do rejoice and have been brought into the fold of God. Behold the field was ripe, and blessed are ye, for ye did thrust in the sickle, and did reap with your might, yea, all the day long did ye labor. And behold the number of sheaves! And they shall be gathered into the garners, that they are not wasted." Isn't that so cool! It meant a lot to me. Especially when it says thousands of them do rejoice! There are so many people in the world who could have the opportunity to rejoice but they don't want to change! I love the Gospel so much and how it changes lives forever!
This past week has been good and I am looking forward to the coming week. We have a zone conference tomorrow and there is a member of the seventy coming so it should be great! I am soooooooo excited cuz Sister Chronister will be there! I can't wait! That will probably be the highlight of my week haha.
Today for p day we went to point no point light house so that was pretty cool. The Elders have been taking us to cool places. So yeah I don't have much else to say.
Colton, I am really sorry to hear about your comps grandpa but I want you to know that you are with him for a reason. Heavenly Father is pretty smart huh?
Oh yeah and another cool thing that happened this week. We have been working with a less active named Megan forever! She is the one that is sooo close to me and Sister Chronisters hearts! The other day she tore up her pack of cigarettes that she had just bought and she gave me her lighter haha it was so awesome! She is amazing and the spirit is helping her so much!
I am so grateful for the Gospel and the affect that it has to change us. Where would we be without it!? I know my Savior lives and loves us. I know that he knows me personally and that he suffered for me personally. I have had so many mixed emotions this past week. I am really struggling with leaving my mission. It will probably be the hardest thing that I will ever have to do! And I am so grateful that heavenly father loves me enough to let me serve his children. I love you all so much! Brad and Celeste congrats!!!! I love you guys!
Love always,
Kate
Hows it going? So this week has been pretty good. We are working our butts off trying to find people to teach. It is so hard because I have tracted the whole area almost twice. But we are still working. Last week we placed eight Book of Mormons... so that's good. But no luck finding anyone that wants what we have. If only these people knew how this could change their life. Its so hard. I just wish people could understand.
This transfer is going fast and slow. I have been reading the Book of Mormon and I am now about half way through. It is so amazing to me... this morning I realized that I have sooooo many hero's. Nephi, Abinidi, Alma, Ammulek, Ammon, Aaron and soooo many more! I love the Book of Mormon so much. On my mission it has come to life. I never liked reading... you all know that but now its a part of me. Its like I feel so empty when I don't read from it. I love it so much and I know with all my heart that it is the word of God, and it has been put on this earth for us at this time. This morning I read these versus in Alma 25:3-6 and they really hit me. It says "and this is the blessing that has been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work. Behold thousands of them do rejoice and have been brought into the fold of God. Behold the field was ripe, and blessed are ye, for ye did thrust in the sickle, and did reap with your might, yea, all the day long did ye labor. And behold the number of sheaves! And they shall be gathered into the garners, that they are not wasted." Isn't that so cool! It meant a lot to me. Especially when it says thousands of them do rejoice! There are so many people in the world who could have the opportunity to rejoice but they don't want to change! I love the Gospel so much and how it changes lives forever!
This past week has been good and I am looking forward to the coming week. We have a zone conference tomorrow and there is a member of the seventy coming so it should be great! I am soooooooo excited cuz Sister Chronister will be there! I can't wait! That will probably be the highlight of my week haha.
Today for p day we went to point no point light house so that was pretty cool. The Elders have been taking us to cool places. So yeah I don't have much else to say.
Colton, I am really sorry to hear about your comps grandpa but I want you to know that you are with him for a reason. Heavenly Father is pretty smart huh?
Oh yeah and another cool thing that happened this week. We have been working with a less active named Megan forever! She is the one that is sooo close to me and Sister Chronisters hearts! The other day she tore up her pack of cigarettes that she had just bought and she gave me her lighter haha it was so awesome! She is amazing and the spirit is helping her so much!
I am so grateful for the Gospel and the affect that it has to change us. Where would we be without it!? I know my Savior lives and loves us. I know that he knows me personally and that he suffered for me personally. I have had so many mixed emotions this past week. I am really struggling with leaving my mission. It will probably be the hardest thing that I will ever have to do! And I am so grateful that heavenly father loves me enough to let me serve his children. I love you all so much! Brad and Celeste congrats!!!! I love you guys!
Love always,
Kate
Monday, April 23, 2012
Go Climb That Mountain! 04/23/12
Hello everyone,
Well this weeks title probably looks a little familiar. I don't remember if its a title that I used or one that Sister Chronister used but anyhow... this week its mine. So It is this title for a few reasons... the reason I'm emailing so late is because the dang Elders just took us to climb a mountain and it took FOREVER! I'm really sorry to freak you out mom haha. So yeah, it was a good hike, I'm now exhausted and don't want to move but yeah. The other reason for the title... hmm.... well that was about it.
This week has been pretty good. We've been working hard. The other day we tracted for over two hours and it was awesome cuz it was SUNNY! That's right people! I even got a little pink... It was a huge miracle. And we also placed a couple of Book of Mormons... so that was good. Then later that day we worked our butts off and taught seven lessons. That's a ton for one day. S o that was great. They were all less actives or recent converts, and I wasn't going to eat dinner until we hit seven. So after we hit seven lessons we raced over to Wendy's cuz we hadn't eaten all day. I was so hungry! I ate a burger , fries, and nuggets. It still takes me a little bit to eat cuz my neck is dumb but it was great!
This past week a funny thing that happened was we were at a members house and they have like a seven year old named Gill and she is really cute. It was like 8:30 at night so by this time I'm just wiped out. And Gill comes over to me and says, "Sister Balmforth.... are you tired?" I said, "yeah Gill I'm pretty tired." then she said. " you look tired.... you have bags under your eyes." haha it was funny.... there's nothing like having a seven year old tell you that you look like crap. It was funny. I think it was a combination of me being way tired and of me being on a mission for so long haha.
Also this week we were knocking on doors and I got a pretty good sliver.... it took like 20 minutes to get out... that was fun.
This week I also realized how much I love the people on my mission. Matt and Emily came to church yesterday in Silverdale just to see me. It was so awesome! Then we were visiting some people here and I just sat and realized that I will never get this experience back. It won't be the same ever again. And at that moment I just wanted to hang on to my mission as long as possible. It is so hard that it is coming to an end so soon but I do know that the lord has other plans for me. And that my mission is supposed to come to an end sometime. I am so grateful for the amazing opportunity that he has given me to serve. This has been the best year and a half of my life. I am grateful for a Savior who knows me and knows the things that I need. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that it truly is HIS gospel. I love you all so much and hope you have a great week!
Love, Kate
Well this weeks title probably looks a little familiar. I don't remember if its a title that I used or one that Sister Chronister used but anyhow... this week its mine. So It is this title for a few reasons... the reason I'm emailing so late is because the dang Elders just took us to climb a mountain and it took FOREVER! I'm really sorry to freak you out mom haha. So yeah, it was a good hike, I'm now exhausted and don't want to move but yeah. The other reason for the title... hmm.... well that was about it.
This week has been pretty good. We've been working hard. The other day we tracted for over two hours and it was awesome cuz it was SUNNY! That's right people! I even got a little pink... It was a huge miracle. And we also placed a couple of Book of Mormons... so that was good. Then later that day we worked our butts off and taught seven lessons. That's a ton for one day. S o that was great. They were all less actives or recent converts, and I wasn't going to eat dinner until we hit seven. So after we hit seven lessons we raced over to Wendy's cuz we hadn't eaten all day. I was so hungry! I ate a burger , fries, and nuggets. It still takes me a little bit to eat cuz my neck is dumb but it was great!
This past week a funny thing that happened was we were at a members house and they have like a seven year old named Gill and she is really cute. It was like 8:30 at night so by this time I'm just wiped out. And Gill comes over to me and says, "Sister Balmforth.... are you tired?" I said, "yeah Gill I'm pretty tired." then she said. " you look tired.... you have bags under your eyes." haha it was funny.... there's nothing like having a seven year old tell you that you look like crap. It was funny. I think it was a combination of me being way tired and of me being on a mission for so long haha.
Also this week we were knocking on doors and I got a pretty good sliver.... it took like 20 minutes to get out... that was fun.
This week I also realized how much I love the people on my mission. Matt and Emily came to church yesterday in Silverdale just to see me. It was so awesome! Then we were visiting some people here and I just sat and realized that I will never get this experience back. It won't be the same ever again. And at that moment I just wanted to hang on to my mission as long as possible. It is so hard that it is coming to an end so soon but I do know that the lord has other plans for me. And that my mission is supposed to come to an end sometime. I am so grateful for the amazing opportunity that he has given me to serve. This has been the best year and a half of my life. I am grateful for a Savior who knows me and knows the things that I need. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that it truly is HIS gospel. I love you all so much and hope you have a great week!
Love, Kate
Monday, April 16, 2012
Sleepless in Silverdale! 04/16/12
Hey everyone,
So this week has been..... weird.... I don't really know how to explain it. Monday and Tuesday me and Sister Chronister were busy saying bye to everyone... then we had no time to pack so I won't lie we were up late packing Tuesday night... We drank Coke to keep us awake haha. Dang that sounds horrible. And we both just cried for like three days. I have a pic of us and we look horrible. But oh well. So then on Wednesday we headed to Tacoma. I've pretty much just been an emotional wreck lately. Partly because I was losing my favorite companion and partially because I'm freakin out about this being my last transfer. At transfer meeting I just sat and cried. Haha. Its horrible. But I'm doing good. Me and Sister Jensen are good. She is from Hooper Utah... I guess its near Ogden. Who knew? This week has been good! We hit our goal of 20 lessons and we placed 6 Books of Mormon! Miracle! We also got into some homes of people who NEVER let us in. So that was good. It will be a good last transfer... I just need to work hard and keep focused. It will be good because I just need to train Sister Jensen on the area and then that will be it. So we will see how it goes. I don't really know of much else to say for this week. It has been emotionally hard. But oh well. I'll get over it and I know that this is where me and Sister Chronister are supposed to be, so we will make it work. I know that with Heavenly Fathers help we can do anything.
This last transfer I have made it a goal to read the entire Book of Mormon. I'm excited! Sister Chronister is doing it with me and we are going to read Moroni 10 together on the day I leave, so it will be pretty cool. We are reading 14 pages a day to make it. You really only have to read 12 and a half pages but we all know that I am OCD and have to round up and I hate the number 13 haha so we are reading 14. It has been really good for me, and it has helped me a lot. I am excited to finish it again right before I come home.
I've been thinking a lot... and its going to be a difficult thing for me... to leave my mission. It means so much to me! I can't even explain it. But I know that Heavenly Father understands... and he will help me. I know he will because he has many times. Especially in the last year and a half. I am so grateful for the power of the Atonement in my life. My Savior means everything to me, and I know that he knows how I feel. I love you all so much. Sorry this is a short email. I don't have much else to say. I love you all and I'm sorry I suck at letters! Pray for me! Love you!
Love,
Kate
So this week has been..... weird.... I don't really know how to explain it. Monday and Tuesday me and Sister Chronister were busy saying bye to everyone... then we had no time to pack so I won't lie we were up late packing Tuesday night... We drank Coke to keep us awake haha. Dang that sounds horrible. And we both just cried for like three days. I have a pic of us and we look horrible. But oh well. So then on Wednesday we headed to Tacoma. I've pretty much just been an emotional wreck lately. Partly because I was losing my favorite companion and partially because I'm freakin out about this being my last transfer. At transfer meeting I just sat and cried. Haha. Its horrible. But I'm doing good. Me and Sister Jensen are good. She is from Hooper Utah... I guess its near Ogden. Who knew? This week has been good! We hit our goal of 20 lessons and we placed 6 Books of Mormon! Miracle! We also got into some homes of people who NEVER let us in. So that was good. It will be a good last transfer... I just need to work hard and keep focused. It will be good because I just need to train Sister Jensen on the area and then that will be it. So we will see how it goes. I don't really know of much else to say for this week. It has been emotionally hard. But oh well. I'll get over it and I know that this is where me and Sister Chronister are supposed to be, so we will make it work. I know that with Heavenly Fathers help we can do anything.
This last transfer I have made it a goal to read the entire Book of Mormon. I'm excited! Sister Chronister is doing it with me and we are going to read Moroni 10 together on the day I leave, so it will be pretty cool. We are reading 14 pages a day to make it. You really only have to read 12 and a half pages but we all know that I am OCD and have to round up and I hate the number 13 haha so we are reading 14. It has been really good for me, and it has helped me a lot. I am excited to finish it again right before I come home.
I've been thinking a lot... and its going to be a difficult thing for me... to leave my mission. It means so much to me! I can't even explain it. But I know that Heavenly Father understands... and he will help me. I know he will because he has many times. Especially in the last year and a half. I am so grateful for the power of the Atonement in my life. My Savior means everything to me, and I know that he knows how I feel. I love you all so much. Sorry this is a short email. I don't have much else to say. I love you all and I'm sorry I suck at letters! Pray for me! Love you!
Love,
Kate
Monday, April 9, 2012
Sad Day in Silverdale:( 04/09/12
Hello everybody...
How are you all doing? I am doing pretty good. Well as good as I can be I guess. I'm happy don't worry. I'm just pretty bummed. We got our Transfer call the other night and I will be finishing my mission in Silverdale! So I am way stoked about that because I will get to meet Matt Leach, Colton's trainer, four days before I come home. So that is way exciting. But I'm way sad because my baby Sister Chronister is getting transferred to Steilacoom. She is going to do amazing there but I won't lie I'm really struggling. This will probably be the hardest transfer for me to have to say good bye to her. Uh.... but it will all be okay. We figured it was coming so we prepared ourselves. This past week I took up Coke haha kind of... At the beginning of the week Sister Chronister had an upset stomach, so Sister Finnegan went and got her a coke and I drank half of it and then went and got me some more the next day lol. I know its bad and so not like me but it was good and it made me think of my Grandpa...
(I'm trying to be good like Sis. Chronister and separate my paragraphs so this email is easier to read haha)
So anyway... my new companion will be Sister Jensen.... I will pick her up on Wednesday. She has been on her mission I think for like seven months now. It was pretty funny when President called he was like..."well I'm sending you sister Jensen... I hear she plays basketball too." I have heard that she does play bball too but I guess we will see ha ha. I think President Weaver was just trying to make me feel better. So needless to say I have been an emotional wreck for the past two days. I just look over at Sister Chronister and just start crying haha. Its horrible. But that's what happens I guess. You would think that the whole transfer thing would get easier but it doesn't. In fact I think it gets harder. So the other night... we were just chillin sitting on the couch and all the sudden I looked up, and I saw my empty pan from my mac and cheese sitting on the counter. All the sudden I just lost it and started crying haha, Sister Chronister was like "dude whats wrong?" and I said, "no one makes me mac and cheese like you do!" Oh gosh at that moment I realized how needy I have been lately lol. Mostly back when I wasn't feeling too good but I am really going to miss her. She has become such an amazing friend. But she is going to continue to be an amazing missionary wherever she goes and she is going to love people unconditionally. I know that she will do great things here in the WA-TAC.
As for me... it is really weird coming up on my last transfer as a missionary. I don't really know what to do. I won't lie, I have been freakin out a little this past week, trying to think about everything that I have to do, and all of the stuff that I have to worry about coming home. But I realized that everything is going to work out and be okay. Heavenly Father will bless me if I do what he asks. So I have mixed emotions about this last transfer. It is going to be good. I'm going to work as hard as I can and show Heavenly Father that I care... and I know that he will bless me for that when I come home. It won't be easy. Leaving Washington scares me so bad. Its my second home and I have come to love it so much. I never knew I could love anyone or anything like I love my mission. It has changed me forever and it has made me the person that I want to be and the person that my Heavenly Father needs me to be. I am excited for the future. Whatever it brings................
I hope you all had an amazing Easter... we sure did! Sister Chronister is AMAZING! She taught herself how to play the piano, and she found this song called "Redeemer" by Paul Cardall. And she has been practicing it for me because she is going to play it at the transfer meeting when I go home. She has never played in front of a crowd before... yeah that's how much she loves me :) So anyway... someone from the YSA Ward heard her practicing and asked her to play it in Sacrament for Easter! She agreed! It was amazing!!!! She went up and played and I just sat and cried! Oh how I love this girl. There have been so many spiritual experiences that we have had over the past four and a half months, and I know that is why we are such good friends. It is amazing how the spirit works. I am so grateful for her!
I love this Gospel with all of my heart. I know with a surety that it is the Gospel of my Savior Jesus Christ. I know that it is the only true and everlasting Gospel on the face of the earth. I know that Joseph Smith was the Lord's mouth piece in bringing forth the Restoration. I know that he is and was a Prophet of God sent for us in this day. I know that by the power of Heavenly Father he translated the Book of Mormon. I didn't have a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon before my mission. I just knew it was good and that I liked it. But now I can for sure say that it is true. Because every morning I read it, it makes me happy. And the things written are just for me. I know that my Savior lives and that he loves me. I know that he died for me, and for all of you so that we can one day return to live with him and with our families forever. I know that Thomas S. Monson is God's mouth piece on the earth today and that he receives revelation for us. I know all of these things because I have been able to serve my Heavenly Father and he has blessed me with this knowledge. I LOVE the Gospel of Jesus Christ and its simplicity. I love all of you soooo much. You all have helped me receive this knowledge! And I will be forever grateful for that!
Emery, Emily, and Brayden I hope you all have great Birthdays this week. I still suck at letters! I'm sorry... things have been so busy. But I will try soon. Please pray for me and Sister Chronister... Especially around 11 o clock on Wednesday. I love you all! Have a great week! See you soon.
Love, Kate
How are you all doing? I am doing pretty good. Well as good as I can be I guess. I'm happy don't worry. I'm just pretty bummed. We got our Transfer call the other night and I will be finishing my mission in Silverdale! So I am way stoked about that because I will get to meet Matt Leach, Colton's trainer, four days before I come home. So that is way exciting. But I'm way sad because my baby Sister Chronister is getting transferred to Steilacoom. She is going to do amazing there but I won't lie I'm really struggling. This will probably be the hardest transfer for me to have to say good bye to her. Uh.... but it will all be okay. We figured it was coming so we prepared ourselves. This past week I took up Coke haha kind of... At the beginning of the week Sister Chronister had an upset stomach, so Sister Finnegan went and got her a coke and I drank half of it and then went and got me some more the next day lol. I know its bad and so not like me but it was good and it made me think of my Grandpa...
(I'm trying to be good like Sis. Chronister and separate my paragraphs so this email is easier to read haha)
So anyway... my new companion will be Sister Jensen.... I will pick her up on Wednesday. She has been on her mission I think for like seven months now. It was pretty funny when President called he was like..."well I'm sending you sister Jensen... I hear she plays basketball too." I have heard that she does play bball too but I guess we will see ha ha. I think President Weaver was just trying to make me feel better. So needless to say I have been an emotional wreck for the past two days. I just look over at Sister Chronister and just start crying haha. Its horrible. But that's what happens I guess. You would think that the whole transfer thing would get easier but it doesn't. In fact I think it gets harder. So the other night... we were just chillin sitting on the couch and all the sudden I looked up, and I saw my empty pan from my mac and cheese sitting on the counter. All the sudden I just lost it and started crying haha, Sister Chronister was like "dude whats wrong?" and I said, "no one makes me mac and cheese like you do!" Oh gosh at that moment I realized how needy I have been lately lol. Mostly back when I wasn't feeling too good but I am really going to miss her. She has become such an amazing friend. But she is going to continue to be an amazing missionary wherever she goes and she is going to love people unconditionally. I know that she will do great things here in the WA-TAC.
As for me... it is really weird coming up on my last transfer as a missionary. I don't really know what to do. I won't lie, I have been freakin out a little this past week, trying to think about everything that I have to do, and all of the stuff that I have to worry about coming home. But I realized that everything is going to work out and be okay. Heavenly Father will bless me if I do what he asks. So I have mixed emotions about this last transfer. It is going to be good. I'm going to work as hard as I can and show Heavenly Father that I care... and I know that he will bless me for that when I come home. It won't be easy. Leaving Washington scares me so bad. Its my second home and I have come to love it so much. I never knew I could love anyone or anything like I love my mission. It has changed me forever and it has made me the person that I want to be and the person that my Heavenly Father needs me to be. I am excited for the future. Whatever it brings................
I hope you all had an amazing Easter... we sure did! Sister Chronister is AMAZING! She taught herself how to play the piano, and she found this song called "Redeemer" by Paul Cardall. And she has been practicing it for me because she is going to play it at the transfer meeting when I go home. She has never played in front of a crowd before... yeah that's how much she loves me :) So anyway... someone from the YSA Ward heard her practicing and asked her to play it in Sacrament for Easter! She agreed! It was amazing!!!! She went up and played and I just sat and cried! Oh how I love this girl. There have been so many spiritual experiences that we have had over the past four and a half months, and I know that is why we are such good friends. It is amazing how the spirit works. I am so grateful for her!
I love this Gospel with all of my heart. I know with a surety that it is the Gospel of my Savior Jesus Christ. I know that it is the only true and everlasting Gospel on the face of the earth. I know that Joseph Smith was the Lord's mouth piece in bringing forth the Restoration. I know that he is and was a Prophet of God sent for us in this day. I know that by the power of Heavenly Father he translated the Book of Mormon. I didn't have a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon before my mission. I just knew it was good and that I liked it. But now I can for sure say that it is true. Because every morning I read it, it makes me happy. And the things written are just for me. I know that my Savior lives and that he loves me. I know that he died for me, and for all of you so that we can one day return to live with him and with our families forever. I know that Thomas S. Monson is God's mouth piece on the earth today and that he receives revelation for us. I know all of these things because I have been able to serve my Heavenly Father and he has blessed me with this knowledge. I LOVE the Gospel of Jesus Christ and its simplicity. I love all of you soooo much. You all have helped me receive this knowledge! And I will be forever grateful for that!
Emery, Emily, and Brayden I hope you all have great Birthdays this week. I still suck at letters! I'm sorry... things have been so busy. But I will try soon. Please pray for me and Sister Chronister... Especially around 11 o clock on Wednesday. I love you all! Have a great week! See you soon.
Love, Kate
Monday, April 2, 2012
Text Book Delivery! 04/02/2012
Hello everybody!
Okay so this week I am so happy to report that I am feeling sooooo much better!! KNOCK ON WOOD! Please pray that whatever awful thing was wrong doesn't come back haha. My neck and back muscles are still tight but I don't even care. As long as I can eat whatever I want I am happy. I lost like ten pounds though so I was glad about that haha. I just wish I didn't have to lose it the way I did but I guess it was a blessing in disguise. So I even played a little bball today...(Its been like six weeks since I have) So that was fun. And it may be the last time I get to play with Sis. Chronister so I sucked it up and played! This past week was amazing! I was like a little kid on Christmas waiting for Conference! I LOVED conference so much. I prayed right before and said "Heavenly Father I don't really know what it is that I need help with so please help me recognize what I need today in conference." Yeah pretty much all of conference was just for Sister Balmforth I swear! It was so amazing! One of my favorite talks was by Elder Andersen... He said something that I thought was way cool. "Being a Disciple of Jesus Christ in these days will be a badge of honor throughout the Eternities." Isn't that flippin amazing! It hit me like a ton of bricks... pretty much all of conference was that way. Then when Pres. Monson got up to speak at the very end... my eyes filled with tears as he said, "my heart is full... " mine was too. Then he said something like conference always goes to quickly, and tears began to fall down my face as I realized this was my last conference as a missionary. Then I began to realize that I won't be a missionary for much longer. Pretty sure Sis. Chron knew what was goin on cuz my emotions just overcame me... and I'm usually not a big cryer haha. So needless to say conference was amazing! This past week we also found a new investigator named Brian! He will be in the YSA ward! He was a referral from a member and he is soooo solid. We gave him a church tour and then two nights later we shared the message of the Restoration with him. Oh how I love to share the first vision with people. It makes me so happy! Then last night we text him to see if he could meet and he said yes. He was just getting off duty (he is a cook in the navy) Sister Chronister started the lesson. We planned to teach him the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sis. Chron is way good at that lesson. So we talk about Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the end. He was great with all of it. So we finished the lesson and I asked Brian where he thought he was on all of these steps, and he looked up and said "hmm... probably between Repentance and Baptism!" My jaw dropped. S o I just looked up and said "well do you want to get baptized?" haha text book delivery I know. But he said "yes I do." So we were way excited. Brian is on leave today and for the next two weeks so when he gets back we will finish teaching him and he will be baptized! It was such an amazing way to end the week. I told Sis. Chron that I was getting lazy in my invitations haha but it was how Brian needed it I guess so it was good. We also met with a less active yesterday... she has overcome so much in her life and she is amazing. She is close to our hearts because she is one of the first people that Sis. Chron and Ii started teaching when Sis. Chron came to Silverdale. And this week has been hard because we are just expecting Sis. Chron to leave in a week and it is so sad to think about. So we left the less actives house last night and it was really quiet in the car... (sadness). So I asked Sister Chronister what she was thinking, and she said " I learned how to love in Silverdale." That moment was priceless for me. I know it sounds really dumb and cheesy, but I know that she has learned what she needed to here, and she is going to find so many more people in other areas that need her and she will be able to love them. I love her so much! I suck at letters. I'm sorry... Lynette thank you so much for the package, and everyone else for the letters! You rock! I will try to write soon! I love this gospel! I know it is true! I love serving and I am so grateful for my savior! I hope you all have a great week!
Love,
Kate
Okay so this week I am so happy to report that I am feeling sooooo much better!! KNOCK ON WOOD! Please pray that whatever awful thing was wrong doesn't come back haha. My neck and back muscles are still tight but I don't even care. As long as I can eat whatever I want I am happy. I lost like ten pounds though so I was glad about that haha. I just wish I didn't have to lose it the way I did but I guess it was a blessing in disguise. So I even played a little bball today...(Its been like six weeks since I have) So that was fun. And it may be the last time I get to play with Sis. Chronister so I sucked it up and played! This past week was amazing! I was like a little kid on Christmas waiting for Conference! I LOVED conference so much. I prayed right before and said "Heavenly Father I don't really know what it is that I need help with so please help me recognize what I need today in conference." Yeah pretty much all of conference was just for Sister Balmforth I swear! It was so amazing! One of my favorite talks was by Elder Andersen... He said something that I thought was way cool. "Being a Disciple of Jesus Christ in these days will be a badge of honor throughout the Eternities." Isn't that flippin amazing! It hit me like a ton of bricks... pretty much all of conference was that way. Then when Pres. Monson got up to speak at the very end... my eyes filled with tears as he said, "my heart is full... " mine was too. Then he said something like conference always goes to quickly, and tears began to fall down my face as I realized this was my last conference as a missionary. Then I began to realize that I won't be a missionary for much longer. Pretty sure Sis. Chron knew what was goin on cuz my emotions just overcame me... and I'm usually not a big cryer haha. So needless to say conference was amazing! This past week we also found a new investigator named Brian! He will be in the YSA ward! He was a referral from a member and he is soooo solid. We gave him a church tour and then two nights later we shared the message of the Restoration with him. Oh how I love to share the first vision with people. It makes me so happy! Then last night we text him to see if he could meet and he said yes. He was just getting off duty (he is a cook in the navy) Sister Chronister started the lesson. We planned to teach him the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sis. Chron is way good at that lesson. So we talk about Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the end. He was great with all of it. So we finished the lesson and I asked Brian where he thought he was on all of these steps, and he looked up and said "hmm... probably between Repentance and Baptism!" My jaw dropped. S o I just looked up and said "well do you want to get baptized?" haha text book delivery I know. But he said "yes I do." So we were way excited. Brian is on leave today and for the next two weeks so when he gets back we will finish teaching him and he will be baptized! It was such an amazing way to end the week. I told Sis. Chron that I was getting lazy in my invitations haha but it was how Brian needed it I guess so it was good. We also met with a less active yesterday... she has overcome so much in her life and she is amazing. She is close to our hearts because she is one of the first people that Sis. Chron and Ii started teaching when Sis. Chron came to Silverdale. And this week has been hard because we are just expecting Sis. Chron to leave in a week and it is so sad to think about. So we left the less actives house last night and it was really quiet in the car... (sadness). So I asked Sister Chronister what she was thinking, and she said " I learned how to love in Silverdale." That moment was priceless for me. I know it sounds really dumb and cheesy, but I know that she has learned what she needed to here, and she is going to find so many more people in other areas that need her and she will be able to love them. I love her so much! I suck at letters. I'm sorry... Lynette thank you so much for the package, and everyone else for the letters! You rock! I will try to write soon! I love this gospel! I know it is true! I love serving and I am so grateful for my savior! I hope you all have a great week!
Love,
Kate
Monday, March 26, 2012
The SUN!!!!! 03/26/12
Hello family and friends!
Okay so this week... hmm... I don't really know what to say about this week. On Wednesday we had interviews with President and Sister Weaver.. they went good. Its not set in stone but it looks like there is a good chance that I will get to finish my mission in Silverdale.... But.... things don't look so good for Sis. Chronister.... I'm way bummed and still in denial about it so no worries there have been no emotional break downs yet... concerning that matter any way. So I have been feeling better lately but still not 100 percent. Its just like weird when I swallow. I don't know... So anyway Sister Weaver asked me how I was and I told her and then I told her that I didn't need to go back to the doctor because I was fine and I had a blessing and the blessing said that it would all go away soon. So she said okay. Then at 9:30 that night I get a call from Sister Weaver saying that she wants me to go back to the doctor! I was like are you serious!!!! We all know how much I love doctors! So the next morning I went and he said I think its your thyroid and its probably just a little swollen. So he took some blood and then called me the next day. The blood came back perfect and everything was great. So Sister Weaver is still way paranoid and I'm pretty sure she convinced the doctor that I needed an ultra sound!!!! In the words of Sister Finnegan "OH FOR PETE'S SAKE!" That's what I said. So then I had to go do that. And wait in a waiting room for 45 minutes! It was dumb. Thank goodness that I have the best companion in the world to keep me calm and not frustrated haha. So the guy there said that my thyroid looks fine. So no need to worry people... I'm totally fine. Just how there is nothing ever wrong with me when I go to the doctor haha. So anyway... I'm fine mom no need to worry :) Hmm... what else happened this week??? We had a sisters conference! That was fun. And because I'm one of the oldest sisters here I got to have a couch haha. It was great and fun to see everyone again. We had dinner at the mission home then we went to the Pudget sound and watched the sunset. It was fun. Then we had a devotional and training the next morning and we all shared our testimony... It was so amazing and the spirit was tangible. I bore my testimony on the two things that I have learned on my mission. The power of my Savior Jesus Christ, and the blessings of Eternal Families. The other sister that goes home in May stood up and said that she was scared to lose the mantle and the "missionary spirit" and the power to teach, and then she said but I know that the Lord will call me to teach again when he calls me to be a mother.... My eyes filled with tears and I knew that, that was so true! I am so thankful for that knowledge and for the things in the future that I have to look forward too because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ... I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father. I am grateful because the sun has been out for the past 3 days, and it makes me happy! I am grateful for the scripture..."many are called, but few are chosen." I'm grateful that Heavenly Father chose me to be his disciple at this time. I love you all! I hope you have an amazing week! Pray hard and leave everything else to the Lord. I love you all!
Love,
Kate
PS... OMA, KIM AND BIG G! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I LOVE YOU!!!
Okay so this week... hmm... I don't really know what to say about this week. On Wednesday we had interviews with President and Sister Weaver.. they went good. Its not set in stone but it looks like there is a good chance that I will get to finish my mission in Silverdale.... But.... things don't look so good for Sis. Chronister.... I'm way bummed and still in denial about it so no worries there have been no emotional break downs yet... concerning that matter any way. So I have been feeling better lately but still not 100 percent. Its just like weird when I swallow. I don't know... So anyway Sister Weaver asked me how I was and I told her and then I told her that I didn't need to go back to the doctor because I was fine and I had a blessing and the blessing said that it would all go away soon. So she said okay. Then at 9:30 that night I get a call from Sister Weaver saying that she wants me to go back to the doctor! I was like are you serious!!!! We all know how much I love doctors! So the next morning I went and he said I think its your thyroid and its probably just a little swollen. So he took some blood and then called me the next day. The blood came back perfect and everything was great. So Sister Weaver is still way paranoid and I'm pretty sure she convinced the doctor that I needed an ultra sound!!!! In the words of Sister Finnegan "OH FOR PETE'S SAKE!" That's what I said. So then I had to go do that. And wait in a waiting room for 45 minutes! It was dumb. Thank goodness that I have the best companion in the world to keep me calm and not frustrated haha. So the guy there said that my thyroid looks fine. So no need to worry people... I'm totally fine. Just how there is nothing ever wrong with me when I go to the doctor haha. So anyway... I'm fine mom no need to worry :) Hmm... what else happened this week??? We had a sisters conference! That was fun. And because I'm one of the oldest sisters here I got to have a couch haha. It was great and fun to see everyone again. We had dinner at the mission home then we went to the Pudget sound and watched the sunset. It was fun. Then we had a devotional and training the next morning and we all shared our testimony... It was so amazing and the spirit was tangible. I bore my testimony on the two things that I have learned on my mission. The power of my Savior Jesus Christ, and the blessings of Eternal Families. The other sister that goes home in May stood up and said that she was scared to lose the mantle and the "missionary spirit" and the power to teach, and then she said but I know that the Lord will call me to teach again when he calls me to be a mother.... My eyes filled with tears and I knew that, that was so true! I am so thankful for that knowledge and for the things in the future that I have to look forward too because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ... I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father. I am grateful because the sun has been out for the past 3 days, and it makes me happy! I am grateful for the scripture..."many are called, but few are chosen." I'm grateful that Heavenly Father chose me to be his disciple at this time. I love you all! I hope you have an amazing week! Pray hard and leave everything else to the Lord. I love you all!
Love,
Kate
PS... OMA, KIM AND BIG G! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I LOVE YOU!!!
Monday, March 19, 2012
"I'm Sorry...I don't have the Priesthood" 03/19/2012
Hello family and friends!
Well this week was a huge miracle. So we have been teaching this girl named Mariah. She is awesome and sooo solid. The other day we went over there and we had planned to teach the plan of salvation. Then we really wanted to put her on date to be baptized. So we go over and we teach the plan and she's all happy and what not and then the thought comes to my head... "this will lead great into the commandments... just teach it all", So we did! haha it was so awesome! Me and Sister Chronister just went in and taught like it was nobody's business. We had barely even planned what we were going to do and we could just read each other so well that it worked great. So after the lesson I just looked at Mariah and said, "so do you want to set a date for your baptism?" She thought for a few minutes and was like "well I don't have a specific date in mind" so I said "well... you can do it this Sunday or next Sunday" haha and she thought and was like "okay how about this Sunday." Me and Sister Chronisters mouths were probably on the nasty floor at this point haha it was so great! So then I said "well who would you like to baptize you?" and she pointed to me and said "you!" hahaha I about peed myself. In my head I thought well we better go over that lesson again haha. So I just looked up and said "I'm sorry I don't have the priesthood" haha. It made me feel really good that she would ask me to do it though. So needless to say we worked our butts off and got everything ready for the baptism, and yesterday Sister Chronister and I were able to witness the baptism of Mariah... It was amazing and the spirit was tangible. Sister Chronister got to give her first missionary talk at a baptism and I was definitely a proud mom haha. Sister Chronister is an amazing teacher and she knows how to bring people into sacred space with the spirit. She is my hero! The beginning of the week was a little tough. I won't lie, after about 15 months of not seeing the sun you start to go a little crazy. So one morning I woke up and I was trying to study and it just wasn't working. I looked at the window and watched wet snow and rain just pour down. And all the sudden for no good reason, I felt my eyes start to water. I look across the table at Sister Chronister and she is looking at me like "dude... what is your problem" haha. Its okay I just had a little breakdown because the sun was gone. No big deal. Later that day I guess Heavenly Father decided to give me a break because the sun finally poked out for a few minutes. I was really grateful for that tender mercy because it was a way for me to see that Heavenly Father really knows me and he knows what I need. And he loves me enough to show me the sun for ten minutes when I need it. This week I was also to have another one of those tender mercy feelings. It was at Mariah's baptism when we sang the song "I feel my Savior's love" oh how I love this song. It brought a tear to my eye as we sang. And I know without a doubt that my Heavenly Father and Savior love me. I know that they know what I need and they know how to fix things for me when I can't do it on my own. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings that peace into people's lives. I know it does because it brings me that peace every single day. I am grateful to share this message with others. It is an honor to wake up every morning and put the name of my Savior on my shirt and go out and work. That is what I want... I want to finish and work so hard because that is what my Savior did and still does for me. I love you all and I hope that you too can recognize some of the little tender mercies that you see from Heavenly Father every day. They may be as small as seeing the sun. I love you all! Have a great week!,
Love,
Katee
Well this week was a huge miracle. So we have been teaching this girl named Mariah. She is awesome and sooo solid. The other day we went over there and we had planned to teach the plan of salvation. Then we really wanted to put her on date to be baptized. So we go over and we teach the plan and she's all happy and what not and then the thought comes to my head... "this will lead great into the commandments... just teach it all", So we did! haha it was so awesome! Me and Sister Chronister just went in and taught like it was nobody's business. We had barely even planned what we were going to do and we could just read each other so well that it worked great. So after the lesson I just looked at Mariah and said, "so do you want to set a date for your baptism?" She thought for a few minutes and was like "well I don't have a specific date in mind" so I said "well... you can do it this Sunday or next Sunday" haha and she thought and was like "okay how about this Sunday." Me and Sister Chronisters mouths were probably on the nasty floor at this point haha it was so great! So then I said "well who would you like to baptize you?" and she pointed to me and said "you!" hahaha I about peed myself. In my head I thought well we better go over that lesson again haha. So I just looked up and said "I'm sorry I don't have the priesthood" haha. It made me feel really good that she would ask me to do it though. So needless to say we worked our butts off and got everything ready for the baptism, and yesterday Sister Chronister and I were able to witness the baptism of Mariah... It was amazing and the spirit was tangible. Sister Chronister got to give her first missionary talk at a baptism and I was definitely a proud mom haha. Sister Chronister is an amazing teacher and she knows how to bring people into sacred space with the spirit. She is my hero! The beginning of the week was a little tough. I won't lie, after about 15 months of not seeing the sun you start to go a little crazy. So one morning I woke up and I was trying to study and it just wasn't working. I looked at the window and watched wet snow and rain just pour down. And all the sudden for no good reason, I felt my eyes start to water. I look across the table at Sister Chronister and she is looking at me like "dude... what is your problem" haha. Its okay I just had a little breakdown because the sun was gone. No big deal. Later that day I guess Heavenly Father decided to give me a break because the sun finally poked out for a few minutes. I was really grateful for that tender mercy because it was a way for me to see that Heavenly Father really knows me and he knows what I need. And he loves me enough to show me the sun for ten minutes when I need it. This week I was also to have another one of those tender mercy feelings. It was at Mariah's baptism when we sang the song "I feel my Savior's love" oh how I love this song. It brought a tear to my eye as we sang. And I know without a doubt that my Heavenly Father and Savior love me. I know that they know what I need and they know how to fix things for me when I can't do it on my own. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings that peace into people's lives. I know it does because it brings me that peace every single day. I am grateful to share this message with others. It is an honor to wake up every morning and put the name of my Savior on my shirt and go out and work. That is what I want... I want to finish and work so hard because that is what my Savior did and still does for me. I love you all and I hope that you too can recognize some of the little tender mercies that you see from Heavenly Father every day. They may be as small as seeing the sun. I love you all! Have a great week!,
Love,
Katee
Monday, March 12, 2012
Teaching Pool 03/12/12
Hello Everybody!
How are you all doing? This week I am doing pretty good. We have had a lot of ups and downs this week. First off... We now have an actual teaching pool!!! yay!!! It's awesome because they are all in the ysa ward. The ysa ward hasn't seen a baptism in over 6 months... so we are pretty excited. We taught our first lesson with Mariah last week and it went well. She is so excited about the gospel and it helps her so much. We asked her what made her want to learn more and she said "I dunno... I can't explain it... it just feels good." So in my head I'm like uh yeah that's called the spirit haha, so it was pretty cool. She is working on a few things and will hopefully be baptized within a couple weeks. Zebediah is doing well he came to church yesterday and enjoyed it. Sister Chronister and I were asked on Wednesday if we would speak in the ysa ward on Sunday. My topic was "doing the right thing at the right time without delay" it was an Oct. 2011 general conference talk. So of course I was a little stressed about it but not too bad. Its so weird before my mission I had to write my talks word for word and now can't do that. Its like impossible. So wrote a few notes down and winged it again.... haha people complimented me on it so guess it went okay. I ended up talking for like 18 minutes haha oops... Sister Chronister also did a great job. This past week we also taught seminary for two days for Sister Leach because she went out of town. It was fun. It was way hard to get my butt out of bed earlier than 6:30. Haha actually Sister Chronister got her butt outta bed and showered and I got outta bed and threw on a skirt and showered when we got back haha hey a girls gotta sleep. I don't think I have had 8 hours of sleep in like 6 months... crazy I know. So anyway that was good, and I have actually thought about being a seminary teacher so I guess we will see. Things in the ysa ward are going great. All the kids love us and it is fun to build friendships with them, and then to see them want to help us is so amazing. This week I am so thankful for faithful members of the church. I am thankful for their willingness to serve and the love that they show to us and to the Savior. I am grateful for an amazing companion! Its funny but we can pretty much finish each others sentences. I love it! I am thankful for my Savior. I know he lives! I'm thankful for the restoration and for the privilege that I have to carry that message to share with others. I love my mission. I can 't believe how fast it is going! I hope you all have a great week! Mom and Laura Ii hope you had a great bday, and grandpa happy bday tomorrow! You guys rock! I suck at letters I will work on that! Love you all.
Love,
Kate
How are you all doing? This week I am doing pretty good. We have had a lot of ups and downs this week. First off... We now have an actual teaching pool!!! yay!!! It's awesome because they are all in the ysa ward. The ysa ward hasn't seen a baptism in over 6 months... so we are pretty excited. We taught our first lesson with Mariah last week and it went well. She is so excited about the gospel and it helps her so much. We asked her what made her want to learn more and she said "I dunno... I can't explain it... it just feels good." So in my head I'm like uh yeah that's called the spirit haha, so it was pretty cool. She is working on a few things and will hopefully be baptized within a couple weeks. Zebediah is doing well he came to church yesterday and enjoyed it. Sister Chronister and I were asked on Wednesday if we would speak in the ysa ward on Sunday. My topic was "doing the right thing at the right time without delay" it was an Oct. 2011 general conference talk. So of course I was a little stressed about it but not too bad. Its so weird before my mission I had to write my talks word for word and now can't do that. Its like impossible. So wrote a few notes down and winged it again.... haha people complimented me on it so guess it went okay. I ended up talking for like 18 minutes haha oops... Sister Chronister also did a great job. This past week we also taught seminary for two days for Sister Leach because she went out of town. It was fun. It was way hard to get my butt out of bed earlier than 6:30. Haha actually Sister Chronister got her butt outta bed and showered and I got outta bed and threw on a skirt and showered when we got back haha hey a girls gotta sleep. I don't think I have had 8 hours of sleep in like 6 months... crazy I know. So anyway that was good, and I have actually thought about being a seminary teacher so I guess we will see. Things in the ysa ward are going great. All the kids love us and it is fun to build friendships with them, and then to see them want to help us is so amazing. This week I am so thankful for faithful members of the church. I am thankful for their willingness to serve and the love that they show to us and to the Savior. I am grateful for an amazing companion! Its funny but we can pretty much finish each others sentences. I love it! I am thankful for my Savior. I know he lives! I'm thankful for the restoration and for the privilege that I have to carry that message to share with others. I love my mission. I can 't believe how fast it is going! I hope you all have a great week! Mom and Laura Ii hope you had a great bday, and grandpa happy bday tomorrow! You guys rock! I suck at letters I will work on that! Love you all.
Love,
Kate
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| Sister Chronister and Sister Balmforth |
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| Sister Chronister making dinner for the sick Sister Balmforth. |
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| Feeding the animals at a members farm. |
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| At the Navel Base, Sister Chronister and Sister Balmforth |
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| With Sister Finnegan |
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| Elder and Sister Finnegan |
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| Looking for Agent Gibbs? |
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| Stealing the Elder's bikes for a little joyride. |
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| Spending the holidays with the Finnegan's family. |
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