I LOVE Being a Missionary!!!

This week was straight fuego. (Fire). I apologize in advance because this letter is long but seriously,  I freaking love being a missionary. Our investigators are doing so well! Well, almost all of them. Fatima was supposed to be baptized Sunday but she called us on Wednesday and told us she didn't want to get baptized and she didn't want us coming over anymore either. My heart broke. I love Fatima and continue to pray that her heart will soften.

Samuel is doing so good though! When we went to teach him he was sitting outside studying his gospel principles book, Book of Mormon, and bible. Like, what investigator does that?! He is so excited for his baptism in May!   He has a really difficult life, but he is extremely humble and has incredible faith!

Henry is a solid rock! We told him that in order to be baptized he needs to come to church. He was sad because he works on Sundays. Now, I don't recommend trying what we did next. The spirit prompted us to ask him to show his faith and quit his job and look for one that gives him Sundays off. I know it sounds insane, but the spirit was THICK! Without even thinking he said Ok, I will be at church tomorrow. He has faith like the brother of Jared. Guess who came to church. Henry. A miracle occurred next. A brother in our ward is looking for someone to hire. Boom. Henry already has a new job that allows him to have Sundays off. Seriously, this church is true.

Now there is Paola and Diego. We asked Paola to be baptized a while ago and she said yes, but then she had a baby and we lost contact for a few weeks. This week we saw her again and she talked about how she wanted to be baptized. We met her husband Diego a few days later and he told us how Paola has been talking about us, our message, and her baptism. We taught him the restoration and invited him to be baptized with his wife. He said yes! So as of right now we have 4 solid people on date to be baptized May 14. They are all so humble and crazy prepared!

Now. Sunday was an amazing day!!! I may not have had a convert baptized but Patricia and Douglas blessed baby Alejandro. I LOVE the Moleros so much. Seeing how far they have come since finding them in December amazes me. Again, I may not have technically baptized them, but I know they are some of the people I came here to Florida to find and to bring (or bring back) to Christ.

We also had a huge baptism for our ward. The elders baptized a family of 3 (Rodney, Claudia, and Jesus) and the Portuguese elders baptized a man named Marcio. Hermana Guerrero and I actually found Marico walking on the street. We contacted him, got his information and passed it off the the Portuguese Elders. We had no idea he was as prepared as he was.  Anyway, there were tons of people there! To be honest, it was the most fun baptism I have ever gone to. Don't worry, it was very spiritual, but after, it became a legit latino fiesta! Spanish wards know how to celebrate big events.

I seriously love being a missionary. I have EXACTLY 1 year left of this amazing work. 6 months are already gone. I'm not going to lie, I'm freaking out. Time is going way to fast. This work is amazing. There is nothing that can compare to the pure joy of bringing lost souls back to Christ. I love being a missionary. I think that is the third time I have said that, but I want to make it clear. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the one and only true church on the Earth. It is truly the Church of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon is true. I can testify that you can find answers to ANY question, trial, or problem. READ YOUR SCRIPTURES AND DON'T FORGET TO PRAY!

I love you all so much and I hope that you are all doing well. I guess I will see y'all in a year! Maybe, I might not come home. I will probably have to be dragged out of here. Haha.

Love,
Hermana Kent

Paola and Diego's daughter Dulce maria. We are best friends 

 We had dinner with Patrica and Douglas and Armando was swimming in the pool

no distribution of Pamphlets........

Baby Alejandro's baby blessing 

Ward baptism. There were tons more people, but they left before the picture. 

n

Armando ❤

Got to see my best friends Elder Hatch and Elder Vastbinder

Marcio 

Sunglasses selfie

We played basketball with these boys for a minute while tracting,
then shared the Easter video. Got a new investigator out of it. 

Happy Easter!

Well. I am back in a trio. Growing up in a trio and serving a mission in a trio have some similarities and differences. It is super weird.  Hermana Mull is awesome though! She has brought some truly amazing things into our companionship. She came out the transfer before I did. And Guess what, she is from Sparks Nevada! For those that don't know, that is where my dad is from. Super cool. 

Well Tuesday consisted of rearranging our entire apartment to fit 3 people. Let me put it this way, we are VERY close. It is a lot of fun though. 

We had some pretty bomb lessons this week. We got another investigator on date so we are up to 9 people. Fatima is getting baptized this Sunday. We are having a MEGA baptism. There are 5 people. We have Fatima , the Elders have 3, and the Portuguese elders have 1. Super sick. 

Okay, so I just want to spend a minute talking about the Sabbath. Yesterday was Easter right? Well I haven't taken the sacrament in 2 weeks because of General Conference and Stake conference. So when it came time for the sacrament I was pretty emotional. I was thinking a lot about just what Easter means. It is the day we remember our Savior Jesus Christ and His Atoning sacrifice, His death, and most importantly, His resurrection. Sound familiar? That is the same thing we do when we take the sacrament. So, how wonderful is it to take the sacrament on Easter? I love my savior Jesus Christ. I have come to know and understand His atonement and the blessing of repentance. I am so grateful that he died for me, and even more grateful that he LIVES for me. This transfer I set a few goals. I want to read the New Testament and work on the Christ-like attribute of Obedience. Reading the New Testament has been a testimony builder. I love my savior! It's a lot easier to understand than I thought it would be. I still love the Book of Mormon more, but I am enjoying my reading. While reading I ponder on Christ's example of obedience. I have a lot to improve on, but like I said, repentance is real. 

I hope you all had a wonderful and spiritually filled Easter! I love you all so much!!!

Hermana Kent

See my mom, Hermana Brown during transfers

Selfie before we became a trio

The new TRIO!

A member taught us a Mexican Dance.
It took me back to my tap dancing days:)

Last weeks service project

Last weeks service project

Last weeks service project

He Got Up! (April 10, 2017)

This week was full of service and miracles. 

The beginning of the week was pretty normal. Teaching, temple service, food bank service,  English classes, more teaching, and doing missionary work. Friday we did some finding in an apartment complex in a far part of our area, but it was worth it! We talked to so many SPANISH people and taught some amazing lessons after sharing the Easter video (if you haven't seen it, look it up.) We decided to contact an old potential named Samuel. This man is the sweetest, most humble man ever. He has a serious heart condition and has had a recent heart surgery. He is pretty sad and feels lonely. He has met with missionaries in the past and said that he has been wanting them to come back and help bring something more into his life. He came to church on Sunday and LOVED it!!! He's going to get baptized, i know it. Haha. 

Saturday we did a huge service project and the Camping World Stadium/Citrus Bowl. There is a church in Orlando that has organized the last two years an event called He got UP! It's an event for the less fortunate, struggling, and even homeless people in the community. And believe me, there are A LOT! They have showers in trailers, tons and tons of donated clothes, shoes, house supplies you name it! They also brought in about 300 barbers to cut heads of hair. There is food for people to take and the best thing is everything is free. It is all donated time and supplies.  People can come get whatever they need. It is amazing! They were expecting about 15,000 people to come. You should look it up on Facebook. It was a really cool event. We helped set up and sort the clothes for people to get after they shower. The event was Sunday so I didn't actually see how it turned out but it was pretty amazing to see how many things they had. They also had lawyers going to be there to help people obtain license and other legal documents and work out any fines they had. Companies were coming and offering jobs to people! Seriously so neat. 

Our stake had stake conference this weekend. It was so cool! Elder Parker from the 70 presided. He is amazing. If you have seen Meet the Mormons he was the stake president in the story about the Bishop. He is the one who competes who's BBQ is better. He was a very good speaker. He gave such a bold invitation to be baptized to all the investigators in the congregation that literally, an investigator of one of the elders in the zone turned to them and said, I want to be baptized today. And they were. The missionaries made arrangements and the gator was baptized 7:00 that night.  The church is true. I know it! I am truly grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It is comforting to know that there is someone who knows EXACTLY what I am going through. One of my favorite quotes from Elder Holland is "Because He walked a path so utterly alone, we do not have to." We are not alone. The main message of the He got Up event is " He got up, and so can you". Through Jesus Christ all can be made whole. Through Jesus Christ, all that is unfair about life can be made just. He is the Prince of Peace, our redeemer, or friend, our confidant, our healer, our brother, and the way back to our Heavenly Father.  The atonement is a living thing, and it works for all who seek it. I love this church and I love my savior Jesus Christ. 

I hope you all have a great Easter week.  Remember the reason of the season! This week begins a new transfer in the great FOM! Hermana Guerrero and I are staying in Windy Ridge, but Hermana Mull is coming to trio with us! I am super excited! I was blessed to grow up in a trio so I think i have figured out how to handle it. Haha. The work moves forward! I love you all so much! Thanks for your prayers and your support!

Love

Hermana Kent

Zone Picture

Helping a less-active get ready for Prom



He got up service project. More pictures to come next week.

I got a super awesome Mormon helping hands shirt. :)

A Spiritual Feast (April 3, 2017)

This week was a spiritual feast!! On Friday we got to go to the temple! I have MISSED the temple! Being away from it for so long made me appreciate it that much more. After the Temple we visited this less-active family that I have been working with since I got here. The dad has been in-active for 20 years. His heart was so hard that whenever we would visit, he would leave and wait outside until we left. He did not like his family going to church despite their desire to go. They did what they could, but it has been hard on them. Well over the last several months his heart has been softening little by little. He spends just a few minutes longer talking with the missionaries each time. This weekend after a long talk he admitted that there was something missing in his life. He misses the spirit in his life and they joy that he used to feel. He has decided it is time to come back to church! He has begun reading his scriptures, praying, and even watched General Conference! What a miracle it has been to see such a mighty change of heart come upon this man.  I love this family so much and am so happy to see them coming closer together. 

Wasn't General conference amazing?! I will admit, this was the first conference where I did not fall asleep and paid deep attention to every talk. It was amazing! I love conference as a missionary! I learned so much and was so spiritually uplifted. Nothing got me more pumped to preach the gospel. I loved. Presiden''t Monson's simple yet profound testimony of the Book of Mormon.  I want to echo his words. READ IT! It is the only way to gain a strong testimony of this AMAZING church. I can't wait to study all the talks further. 

I love being a missionary! Thank you all for your love and support. I know this church is true with all of my heart and soul! 

Love

Hermana Kent

 

No one came to English class, so we just took selfies

Sleepover's with the STL's the night before
the TEMPLE TRIP

The STL's 9 year old convert. We got to teach her when I went on
exchanges with Sister Larsen

TEMPLE TRIP. Oh how I love the Temple!

The Farinacci Family

Zone Service at a food bank

 

What? 5 months?!

This week we did a lot of working with members. Our stake president has asked all the missionaries in the stake to deliver a Book of Mormon to each member and help them to think of a way to give it to someone. It has been really cool hearing testimonies of the Book of Mormon and helping the members share something so special to us with their friends.

Tuesday there was some misunderstanding with our dinner appointment and we ended up showing up an hour and half earlier than they had planned. The member went into a panic and was really upset. We immediately went and began helping her cook dinner and clean her house. It actually ended up being a really cool dinner. Her husband is not a member and does not like the missionaries. But he was impressed with how kind and helpful we were that they actually started talking with us. By the end of the dinner he was asking when we were coming back. This member said that she does not like feeding missionaries because it always stresses her out, but we were able to completely change her perspective and relationship with missionaries.

Friday was so amazing! We went to contact a referral named Wally. He was in the parking lot when we got there and immediately recognized us. He told us, "I don't know how I did because you were too far away to see the name tag but as soon as I saw you, I knew you were here to bring me the truth. You have something different about you. I don't know what it is, but I want it." He is seriously so cool. He has heard of the Book of Mormon his entire life, but never seen one. When we gave him one he just hugged it to his chest. He is the most humble man. He, his wife, and darling Disney obsessed daughter moved here from Puerto Rico a few years ago. After our lesson with Mario we did some tracting in his complex. After a little bit of that we saw a Blood donation bus and Hermana Guerrero and I thought, What the heck, all of our service projects got canceled this week. So we checked the white handbook and then gave blood. It was actually really cool. We all the people donating were Spanish speaking so we shared messages about Jesus Christ while we were laying giving blood. We saved lives and souls. Boom. Missionary work. After our blood adventure we went to a members house for a Pizza/movie night. Okay don't freak out. It is not what you think. Her nonmember cousin is in town from Peru and the member really wanted us to show her the movie "How rare a Possesion".

It is a movie about the Book of Mormon and shares the story of Parley P. Pratt' conversion as well as an Italian man whose name I really can't spell so I am not even going to try. Haha. We then talked to her about the Book of Mormon and told her that she too can have an experience like these men did if she reads with a sincere heart. It was really cool.

Okay, the final miracle. This one made my mouth drop to the Floor. My first day here in Florida i met this amazing woman named Fatima.

Hermana Brown and I taught her and invited her to be baptized several times. She would tell us each time, that she loved this church, the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, and everything we taught her, but she didn't want to be baptized just yet. So we kept teaching her. A month and a half ago We stopped being able to meet with her. She kinda dropped off the face of the earth. So sadly and with a broken heart, we dropped her from our teaching pool. Then a a week or so ago we got a random text from her asking how we were and if we would come visit her again. So Hermana Guerrero and I went visited her a few times.

Saturday after a solid lesson on repentance we asked her for the third time to be baptized. This time she said yes!!!!! She said she finally feels ready. She is on-date for April 22. I am so happy! This was a testimony builder that all things happen in the Lord's time. NOT ours.

It is definitely warming up here. The humidity is getting worse as are my tan lines. Haha. My hair is whiter than its been since I was 6.

Haha But I LOVE Florida. I love this work with all my heart. I know this Church is true and I know it can bless and change lives. My testimony of Repentance has grown so much. I am so grateful for a Savior who atoned for me and all the many stupid imperfections  I have. Don't underestimate the power of Repentance. Pray to God with all the energy of heart. I love you all so much! I hope you are all doing well. I hope you all have an amazing Conference Weekend and that your prayers are answered.

Love,

Hermana Kent

Armando got new church clothes.  Haha.  Such a stud!

A cute little girl in our ward.  She is obsessed with selfies.

Post blood donation.

New "Gators" and Real Gators

This week was amazing! We started off with Zone conference on Tuesday. One of my favorite things that was said was about the Book of Mormon and how important it is to read it. A sister said, "The man who saw God (Joseph Smith) came to KNOW him by reading the Book of Mormon. I can add my testimony to that. There is so much power behind it. I know I talk about the Book of Mormon every week, but I have such a love for it and a testimony that it is true. 

So after our spiritual feast at Zone conference we had a physical feast. 4 dinners back to back. Before our 3rd dinner we literally prayed that we could make it through this dinner. So. Much. Food. The next day we literally did not eat. We felt too sick. 

Thursday I saw my first alligator! Don't get your hopes up. It was at a restaurant in an enclosure. But I still saw it! We had some time in between appointments so we just walked International Drive (a big tourist street with all the hotels and restaurants) and passed out cards. We talked to so many people from all over the world. We met two guys from Scotland and England. Pretty much my day was made. We met people from Greece, Latvia, Jordan, Tunisia, Brazil, Columbia, and Great Britain. 

Friday we contacted two referrals from other missionaries. The first was Paola from Columbia. She is amazing! First lesson and she is already on date to be Baptized in April. It was such a spiritual lesson. She said that she desires to follow God but is confused by all the different churches. Sound like anyone you know? The other person is Henry. Also from Columbia. He is living in a hotel right now with his wife until they find a place to live. We literally were knocking doors at this very rundown hotel trying to find him because we got an incomplete room number. So yeah. I have knocked doors at a hotel. We found him (miracle) and he is incredible. He was taught by missionaries in Columbia and wants to b baptized as soon as he is settled into a place to live. 

We had to move Francis' baptism date. :( Venezuela is not letting her have some of her paperwork in order to get her marriage license so they can get married. She has incredible faith and knows it will all work out the way it is supposed to. I love her. 

The work is moving here in Windy Ridge. I love being a missionary. It has its hardships but the miracles far out weigh them. I love you all so much! I hope you are all getting pumped for conference! I know I am! 

Love, 

Hermana Kent 

In between dinners 3 & 4.  Feeling like we're going to explode

British friends on International Blvd

Sunday night dessert with a Brazilian family in our ward and the
Portuguese elders.

Ward BBQ

My first Gator!

Life South of the Turnpike

Hola!!! Como estan?!
Life is busy as ever here. Hermana Guerrero and I have been busy this
week teaching and finding.

Francis is ready for Baptsim next week! She is so prepared it's
ridiculous. She just soaks up everything. She gave us 3 referrals of
her friends to teach because she wants everyone to hear this message.
Seriously I love her.

Our district leader challenged us to read the entire Book of Mormon
this transfer. I love it! I am already almost finished with Mosiah. I
highly recommend reading the Book of Mormon cover to cover. There is
nothing more amazing than the Book of Mormon. I was especially struck
with the Story of Abinidi this week. As a missionary, we see a very
small portion of the impact of our efforts. Here was Abinidi who died
preaching and bearing testimony of Jesus Christ. To his knowledge,
nothing came of it. He had converted himself completely to the Lord
and done everything he could to help others do the same. What he
didn't know, was that he converted one man who would in-turn bring
thousands unto Christ. Often times we focus so much on the outward
success that we loose sight of other blessings that come. As long as
we are bearing witness of Jesus Christ we are planting seeds. Always
stand as a witness. Never forget who we represent as members of the
church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints. I love this Gospel with
my whole heart. I KNOW that God lives. I KNOW that Jesus is the
Christ.

I love you all so much! Until Next week!

Hermana Kent

Hermana Olsen (one of my favorite sisters) twinning at ZTM

Hermana Shelley, a former missionary of FOM came
to visit Windy Ridge.

Temple service with a less active member

Construction. Prime tracting for future missionaries!

Dinner with a family from Deltona (Hermana Guerrero's last area)

Ice cream on International Drive

Orlando South Zone after ZTM