Righteous Fury!

This week was a testimony building week for sure! 

First off transfers were this week. A lot of people in our zone left but luckily Hermana Brown and I are staying together! 

Tuesday we spent the entire day out tracting and finding those who God has prepared. However Tuesday was a really hard day. Our investigator Bexy dropped us because her husband found out about her interest in our religion and got upset. He is not religious and doesn't want her to be either. She was really upset but we told her to keep praying and hopefully her husband will come around.

 

We met the most catholic person ever this week. As we knocked on the apartment door we could see through the window TONS of statues of the Holy Mother, the pope, and Jesus. I thought to my self, " oh man we are going to get yelled at" but to my amazement a 100 year old blind lady opened the door. Haha. She invited us in because she loves talking about Jesus. She told us of a time when she took a picture of the window of a bus and when she developed the film the face of Jesus was there. She gave us a copy of the picture. Haha. She was crazy but I loved her. She loves Jesus and was so excited that we were out teaching people about him, even if we were a different religion. 

This week Hermana Brown and I decided to keep a list of all the crazy reasons people "can't talk to us right now". Here are my favorites:

         "Our dog just died and we need some time to grieve as a family"

          " I'm bleaching my mustache" (said by a woman)

          "I'm busy WAITING for the bus"

I'm always amazed when people are "too busy". As a missionary, we are representatives of Jesus Christ. Like the picture of Christ knocking on the handle-less door, we are always knocking but you have to let us in. Closing the door saying "I'm too busy" is really just saying you don't have time for Jesus. 

I got into my first bible bash this week! I cried......Haha. Even though the man only used his words it felt like he was literally punching me in the chest. He told us how stupid Joseph Smith was and how the Book of Mormon was false. It was all normal bible bash stuff and how all we need is the Bible. He kept saying "if it's not in the Bible it's not true". The part that hurt the most was when he began bashing my family. He told us how the only reason we believe this was because our parents forced us to believe it and brain washed us. This made me so upset. With all of my righteous fury I told him that wasn't true. I told him how I did not believe in the church until I was 14. My parents did not force me to do anything but that I had a sincere desire to know the truth. I prayed and I read the Book of Mormon out of my own free will and gained a testimony on my own. When it was all over and we had walked away I broke down and sobbed. Not because he shook my testimony, but because he had trashed the things I hold sacred. How dare he tell me what I believe and how I came to believe it. On the car ride back we listened to How firm a foundation. I could physically feel my testimony grow.

 

I KNOW this church is true. I KNOW the Book of Mormon is true. I KNOW that Jospeh smith was a prophet of God and that he truly saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. And I Know these things because I asked God, not because my parents or church leaders told me. I know it because the Holy Ghost testified to me that they are true. My testimony is unshakeable. 

How firm a foundation

7. The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose

I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, I’ll never, no never,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake

I love my savior Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for the sacred opportunity and privilege I have to be His representative and to teach people about Him.

I hope you are all doing well! Thank you for your endless support and prayers! We feel them!!!! 

Love,
Hermana Kent 

 

Post Bible Bash



Our picture from Miss Kay, the 100 year old catholic lady.
I think it looks more like Jack Sparrow than Jesus...

An entire day of biking



Soaking our sore feet and eating ice-cream
in the bathtub

 

I Have Been Called to Serve in the Venezuela Mission

This week was pack full of miracles and crazy weird stuff! 

Tuesday we contacted this lady named Bexy at a park and guess what, she's from Venezuela. Every single one of our investigators right now are from Venezuela. Hence my subject. I swear if Venezuela wasn't in such a bad place right now I would have been called to serve there. Anyway, Bexy is super sweet. She has a 4 year old daughter who is the cutest thing ever. She kept telling us how we fell from Heaven because she has been wanting to develop a relationship with God and to pray to Him but she has no idea how.

Also on Tuesday we visited the Farinacci Family. They are less-active but they are honestly my favorite people ever. Grace- the mom, told us how much of a difference we have made in her home and how after we leave they all talk about the spirit that we brought. She told us how for the rest of the day everyone is so much happier and hopeful. This meant the absolute world to me! Sometimes we can't see the difference we are actually making, so to hear her tell us this gave me a major boost! 

 

Wednesday we visited our investigator Fatima and she has been reading the Book of Mormon! She brought up something that I had never thought about before. She pointed out that the Book of Mormon was written on GOLD, not on stone, paper or something else, but precious- valuable gold which must mean that what was written was very important. I felt ashamed that I had never really thought about that before! It's so true though! This week I was reading in Alma chapter 37 which is about Alma passing the plates down to his son and explaining the importance of them. I encourage you to read this chapter because it is amazing! Book of Mormon prophets didn't know why they had to write the things they did, but they were told by the Lord that it was important so they took good care of the plates. 

Patricia had her baby this week! Baby Alejandro Gabriel is the cutest thing ever!!!! We went and saw them on Sunday . Members from the relief society brought baby presents so we went with the relief society president and the ward mission leader to deliver them. Patricia and her husband cried and shocker- I did too. Haha. There is a white handbook rule that missionaries are not allowed to hold babies so it absolutely killed me not to hold baby Alejandro because he is seriously so stink in precious. 

Saturday night The elders who we split the ward with had a baptism. Bianca is the sweetest person ever and her baptism was so spiritual! She was so nervous right before. I talked to her after and asked how she felt and she said beautiful and clean! Don't worry, I cried. Haha. After the baptism we only had a little bit of time before we had to be home. I had the overwhelming feeling that we needed to go see Ali. He has been in Jacksonville all week and so we weren't able to see him. He said he was going to be home Saturday night but not sure exactly when. So relying on our faith that he would be home, we got in our car and went to his apartment. Right as we got to his door he pulled up! It was perfect timing! We were able to have a quick lesson and finally give him a Book of Mormon. The Lords timing is truly perfect. 

I love this church with all my heart. I know that it is true. I am so grateful for the spirit and its guidance- not only in missionary work but in all aspects of life. Florida is my Holy and Sacred land. I love my mission and I love being a missionary! 

Random Florida thought- there are so many squirrels here. I have developed a fear of squirrels because they are like little evil devils and they terrify me.

I love you all so much and hope you are all doing well! 

Love, 

Hermana Kent

Bianca's Baptism

Our district leader Elder Isaccson died

Meeting baby Alejandro!!!

Making wontons! (Don't worry, we made
cream cheese ones too)

Selfie

So there were actually about 10 turtles but
as soon as I went to take a picture they
all started jumping in the water

 

My Vacation to Orlando

This week went by so crazy fast! Oh my goodness.

Monday after P-day we had family home evening with Patricia and her family. It was amazing! We taught the restoration and we were able to get her husband to bear his testimony about parts of the restoration.  It was amazing! It was so cool to see his testimony reignite and shine forth. Patricia started crying as we talked about eternal families. It seriously was amazing. We haven't been able to see them since or at all this week because she's been so sick and she's having her baby this week. We text her everyday and all is still good. :) she's excited for her to be healthy so we can come and visit.

I went on exchanges with the STLs Wednesday night to Thursday night. I went to their area which was a relief because I was scared to lead the Spanish area by myself. However as we were walking we contacted this Spanish lady and without even thinking I slipped into Spanish mode and was able to talk to her and get her information. I was so proud of my self and so grateful for the power of the gift of tongues!!!!

Friday we got a call from this guy who was visiting from Utah. He asked if we could bring him a Spanish Book of Mormon so he could give it to his driver. So we got to go to a hotel in downtown Orlando which was way fun!!!!! This same guy gave us  a total of 3 referrals. Even on vacation he was doing missionary work. :) Mario came to church on Sunday as did one of our less active families!!! I was so happy. We haven't been able to meet with Ali (guy from the bridge) because he got called away on a business trip but we are meeting with him Wednesday. :) It was a pretty good week. 

I can't believe I am almost done with my first transfer in the field. Time is flying!!!! I want to express to you guys how important members are to missionary work. As missionaries it is impossible to do anything without the members help so I want to beg you to please ask your missionaries what you can do to help and then do it! Go with them to lessons, help them fellowship investigators, give them rides, or just anything! Next to the lord, members are our biggest help.

The church is true y'all. I know it. The Book of Mormon is a living testimony of Jesus Christ and I am so grateful for he power and influence it is has in my life.

I love you all!!!!

Hermana Kent

Pday sightseeing at the Artegon Mall.  We literally got
100 free Ron John Surf shop stickers

Our view from an apartment complex
we were at the other night.

Sister Brady was giving haircuts and bleaching
hair, so naturally Elder Coley wanted in ha ha.

Delivering el Libro de Mormon to
someone at a hotel.

Need I say more?

It was in the high 30's but we were freezing while
studying so this is what happened.

2017 Will Be My Year of Miracles!

Happy new year everyone! I hope that you all had a great holiday season and are off to a good start this year. 

This week was insane! We saw so many amazing miracles. If nothing else, read my last paragraph. I saved the best for last. 

Monday 

After P- Day we went tracking and taught 4 lessons all in Spanish! I don't think you understand, that is a miracle to find 4 Spanish speaking people who will listen to you in the same night!!! 

Tuesday  

We decided to go visit Patricia. We met her two weeks ago. She's the person who's husband is a member. She is the sweetest person ever. They just moved here from Venezuela and literally have nothing. They left everything behind to come here and yet, they are the happiest people. We met her husband and he was so excited to meet us! He told us all about his mission. We told them about the temple here and they want to go on a temple tour. We are praying extra hard that we can get Patricia baptized so their family can be sealed. :) 

Wednesday 

Today we went tracting in a place called Peregrine. It's right next to universal studios. We knocked on this door and when this guy answered he looked so familiar. His face lit up when he saw us and he started talking as if he knew us. Then he told us how he'd met us a few weeks ago in a complex at the complete opposite end of our area. He said we gave him a pass a long card. He said he had just moved into this apartment two days before and we knocked. She we taught him the restoration and gave him a Book of Mormon. He was so excited about us being there, about Joseph smith and about the Book of Mormon. Oh yeah, did I mention he's Spanish? Best. Day. Ever. 

Thursday

We had district meeting and interviews with the president today which of course was bomb. After wards we taught Patricia again! She wants to learn English so we taught her some English (she helped me with my Spanish) and then we taught her a spiritual lesson. That night a member took us out to eat at a Chinese restaurant. It was no Joy Luck but it was delicious. I miss Chinese food. Haha. So if you're still reading this, go eat some joy luck for me tonight. 

Friday

We set a goal during weekly planning. My companion hasn't had a baptism and she's almost to her year mark. So we made a goal that February 18 th we would have a baptism. It's the perfect day because it's a Saturday, a very special day to because it's the anniversary of my brothers passing ( and my favorite younger sisters birthday) and it's my companions 1 year mark. So every prayer, legit every. Single. One, we pray to find a person. Once we find our person we will tailor those prayers for specific needs of that investigator. We have faith that we can accomplish this goal. That night after being dropped off at the church following a member present lesson we were using the wifi to update our area book and there was a wedding reception. The grooms parents invited us in to get some food which was super sweet of them. So we crashed a wedding   Haha. 

Saturday

Okay so this email is already an eternity and I apologize but our week ended with the perfect miracle. After knocking literally all day and praying that we will find our  feb. 18th person we decided to knock this last row of apartments. Before heading home for the night. Nothing happened. However there was a bridge so we decided to cross the bridge because it looked super fun. There was nothing on the other side but some picnic tables. And a man sitting with his back to us. So we decided to go talk to him. He spoke Spanish!!! We shared with him the because he lives video. He then showed us what he was doing when we approached him. He had been writing everything he was grateful for I'm 2016 and everything he hoped for in 2017. He said he believed in being positive, optimistic and grateful. He told us how grateful he was for us and how blessed he felt that we found him. From the moment I met him I had the strongest feeling that HE was our person. He is so prepared it's crazy. There is no reason we hold have found him where he was sitting. But when you follow the spirit no one can hide. After praying with him we started to cross the bridge when he came running after us. He was crying. He showed us the lad thing he had written before we stopped him and it said that he hoped he would have a prosperous opportunity. He said he knew that we, and what we had shared with him, was his prosperous opportunity. So I started crying. He told us to please come back and share with his wife and young daughter our message and to teach him more. MIRACLES ARE REAL. 

I can testify that God is aware of his children. I don't know for sure if Ali (guy from the bridge) is our feb 18th person but I have faith and I am going to do everything I can on my side and leave the rest to the Lord. This church is true and there are endless miracles! I know it, and I am here in Florida to share what I know. The Book of Mormon is true and is a powerful testament of Jesus Christ. READ IT. above all, pray to Heavenly Father. He is real, he lives, and he loves you. 

Love

Hermana Kent. 

New Year's Eve pizza sent from my parents:)

Typical bomb sunset in Florida!

Since you all are buried in snow, here is a picture
of us sitting out in the sunshine :) haha

Wedding Crashers