A Type of Savior

Hello Everyone!

I have just a quick thought for you all today! We got to go to the temple with the Trinidad family this past weekend to do Baptisms for the Dead for their first time. We were blessed to have the Temple President speak to us before. He said something that hit me really hard. He explained that the Savior did the Atonement for each one of us because we could not do it ourself. On a smaller scale, the work we do in the temple makes us a TYPE of Savior because we are doing something for someone that they can't do themselves. Just like we are so incredibly grateful for what the Savior did for us, those in the spirit world are so grateful for our work in the temple. So, if you are able, go to the temple! Do something for someone that they can't do for them self. If you can't go, do what is necessary to be able to.

A quote that a wise seminary teacher once told me "If you are too busy to do things for the Savior (ex: scripture study, prayer, temple attendance  etc. ) then you are far busier than God ever intended you to be. Christ wasn't to busy for those in need, and neither should we be.

Things in Florida are all well and good! The leaves are finally starting to fall......

I hope all is well with each of you! I love you and pray for you!

Thank you for your prayers!

🌴🌊☀️Hermana Kent☀️🌊🌴

Praise to the Man

I really just want to bear my testimony of Prophets. This week in my studies I studied a lot about Joseph Smith and the Restoration. Then as you all know, President Monson passed away. He was such an incredible teacher. I loved his talks and prophetic direction. The night he passed away, my companion and I testified of him in an incredibly spiritual lesson. Then the next day we watched Jospeh Smith: the prophet of the restoration movie with our recent converts.

The cool part is, during the movie Jospeh Smith explains to Brigham Young right before he leaves for Carthage how he will be the next prophet. So we explained to our recent converts how we will still have a Living, modern- day prophet. I am grateful for the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Also, I love that President Monson's last talks were about The Book of Mormon and Charity and love. Just let that sink in for a minute. Both Powerful tools on how we can be true followers of Jesus Christ.

The work continues to move forward here in Buenaventura! It got pretty cold here this week.... I know it's probably colder in Utah, but here in Florida where we aren't used to 30 and 40 degree weather, IT WAS VERY COLD!

🌴🌊☀️Hermana Kent☀️🌊🌴

We bought stuffed animals and they sit in the car with us:)

I can't really explain this... but it was so funny that we
both collapsed on the floor laughing shortly thereafter

THERE WAS FROST IN FLORIDA

It got colder than that, but I got a picture of 42 degrees

Zone Conference!

A Year of Miracles

I could go on and on at how grateful I am for 2017. It truly was a miracle year, because every day of it I spent serving the Lord here in Florida.

This week had its difficulties. I actually legit had two doors slammed in my face and was cussed out by people for trying to talk to them. We had another investigator tell us that she knew everything was true but doesn't want to change. Well that was a punch straight to the throat.  However, despite all of that, I STILL love being a missionary. Hermana Robbins and I pushed through and ended the week with a miracle.

After dinner we felt that we needed to go see Miguel- an investigator we have a hard time getting in contact with. He wasn't available so we were about to leave but HR remembered a guy named Gonzalo who about 2 months ago as we were walking in the complex waved us over and told us he recognized us a missionaries and asked us to visit his family when they got back from Colombia. well it was about the time he said they would be back and sure enough there were! Only come to find out, he was diagnosed with SEVERAL severe forms of cancer about a week ago. We met his daughter named Ingrid who told us that her boss is a "pastor" for the Mormon church. We asked his name and she said Jose Rivera! We couldn't believe it! That's our bishop!  She said that she really wants to meet with the missionaries and come to church. We called bishop after and he told us he's been working on her for a while and how she is prepared. There is no such thing as coincidence. HR and I talked about how the spirit must have spoken to her dad that night telling him that we needed to meet his family because we are going to help them when he goes. There are too many "coincidences" in this. The Lord's fingerprints are all over this miracle.

My goal this year is simple. I want to do tie doing the things I learned to do in 2017. I don't want to regress- only progress. I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday season and that many blessings come to you this year! Through Jesus Christ, we always have a new beginning.

🌴🌊☀️Hermana Kent☀️🌊🌴

Nacimiento de Cristo

Merry Christmas Everyone! I'll just share a little Scripture thought and some pictures.

Alma 7
10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.
11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

I am grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ. I know He lives. He was born for us, He died for us, and He lives again for us.

🌴🌊☀️Hermana Kent☀️🌊🌴

Buena Ventura missionaries go caroling

Christmas Eve

Mission Christmas Devotional

Saying goodbye to Sister Knox at Transfers

Trinidad Family Christmas Sunda

Zone Christmas Breakfast

A White Christmas

This week I saw the hand of the lord and was overwhelmed with love for Him and the infinitive amount of blessings He has poured upon me in the last year.

On Saturday the Trinidad family was baptized. Felix bore his testimony right after and it was amazing. I am just so grateful that I got to know them. They are a beautiful family! Felix jr. Was given a preach my gospel and is so excited to serve a mission!

The other blessing was I got to go back to Windy Ridge (my first area) for the baptism of Francis. She has been through a lot to get to this point. I met her in February and she was so prepared. No words can describe just how happy i was to see her finally be able to be baptized.

I was there a year ago and being there made me reflect on everything

that has happened in the last year. I love this work so much. I love every person whom I have come in contact with. Even those who have rejected me. As I have walked where Christ walked I have seen angels.

Even though it will be 80 degrees Christmas day here in Florida, it will be a white Christmas. It will be white because heaven is white, and Florida is my heaven on earth.

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you! I hope this year is something special. I love you all so much!

🌴🌊☀️Hermana Kent☀️🌊🌴

Buena Ventura Missionaries

District

My family here in Florida!

Francis:)

Paola and Diego!  I haven't seen them since their baptism in May:)

Trinidad Family baptism

A Sacred Time

The Christmas season is such a magical time to be a missionary. We had our ward Christmas party this last weekend and I was so overcome with gratitude and love for the special chance I have to be with each and every person there. Then I had to change my thoughts because my heart got heavy as I thought that it would be my last Christmas as a missionary. I am so grateful that my 18 months spread over 2 Christmases. What better way to celebrate the Lord Jesus Christ and His birth then by doing his sacred work.

The Trinidad Family is getting baptized this coming weekend. They are so awesome! At the ward Christmas party Felix (the dad) was bearing his testimony to everyone how he knew this was the true church. He expressed how he always knew that Christ's true gospel was out there and knew that he would be able to find it. He told of how each time one of his children were born, he would look at them and know that they would follow Christ one day. I love them with my whole heart.  They are so prepared and I feel truly blessed to have known them.

Felix is right, this is Christ's church. I can hardly wait until the day He comes again. I know He lives.

I hope you are all having a Merry Christmas season! Don't forget to keep Lighting the World!

🌴🌊☀️Hermana Kent☀️🌊🌴

Found a note I left on someone's door a few months
ago crumpled up in the dirt.

Florida knows how to Christmas

Ward Christmas party with Mama Davila:) She takes care of us missionaries

Ward Christmas party with the Trinidad's

Ward Christmas party with Hermana Robbins:)

FOM Gets a Taste of Germany

This week was super busy! We had a mission tour on Wednesday and Elder Klebingat from the 70 came. He is from Germany, his wife is from Russia. They were intense. It was so good though! A lot of what he talked about had to do with applying the lessons we learned from the mission to the rest of our lives. The mission goes beyond. I did not go through everything I have been through- both good and bad, just to go back to who I was before. I am changed forever.

The Trinidad family is doing so good! They are such a blessing to teach! They are rapidly progressing! After teaching them about Repentance and how we are cleansed from sin after baptism.  Scarlett said " well, I need to get baptized NOW." That probably doesn't transfer very well over email, but it was really cute. They are so excited to be baptized. That's all they want to talk about and they tell EVERYONE they are getting baptized and becoming members. They are dedicated to this gospel and I love it.

I love being a missionary! I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. I LOVE Florida. It may not have Snow to make it feel like Christmas, but I tell you, Spanish people know how to decorate every inch of their house to make up for it. The Christmas lights here are spectacular! Everyone is feeling the Christmas spirit and lighting the world! I hope you are all doing well! Keep a look out for miracles and tender mercies this week!

🌴🌊☀️Hermana Kent☀️🌊🌴

Making a doughnut run. Really missing Dick's Market Bakery pero esta bien.

My old companion Herman Klein who returns home soon :(

Part of our departing missionary group. Only missing 3 others.

Our Christmas Tree.
Homemade decorations from my mom and grandma.

Princess Santa hats and advent calendars.
Of course my hat is pink;)