Happy Thanksgiving from Indiana! {11/25/13}

Happy Thanksgiving Week!!! I cannot believe Thanksgiving in four days. I just can't. But, I do have a LOT to be thankful for! Wow, where to start. This week has been a whirlwind, but it's been another amazing week. It is such a blessing to see the Lord's hand in my life and in the lives of so many around me every single day. This weekend in particular!

It all started Friday with the annual Kendallville Branch Thanksgiving Dinner that the branch, for some reason beyond me, thought it would be appropriate to put Sister Fox and I in charge of. The Thanksgiving dinner is Kendallville's event of the year that everyone comes out to. It is not to be taken lightly. So, we were a little stressed. But, the Lord was on our side (and the Hoovers family) and it turned out smashingly. Yep. The decorations were lovely, the food was delicious, and the company was great. They were right, everyone comes out to the Thanksgiving dinner! I was so happy. I love our little branch so much. I really feel like a part of the family. One nice thing about having a branch is that you know everyone! I love it. AND Laura and Lori, two our investigators, came!! Laura brought her son Isaiah and Lori brought her mother in law and aunt! Wow! And one of the Elders investigators came! It was so great.

The next morning Foxy and I woke up to snow! Yikes. By the time we headed to our first lesson it was sticking to the ground. We drove out to the country and gathered around Rex and Dorothy's kitchen table in their warm country cottage and talked about the Restoration of the Gospel with their family. It warmed my soul! Rex, Dorothy, Colleen, and April have been so prepared for this message! They eat it up. They've all been reading the Book of Mormon above and beyond what we ask. They just can't get enough of it! As we talked the Spirit was so strong and I could just feel Heavenly Father's love for this precious family. I could also feel Rex's anticipation. He knew the baptism invitation was coming and he was so eager and ready for it! We got on the topic of the power of music and Foxy and I sang I Need Thee Every Hour for them. The Spirit was practically tangible. Then, we invited them to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the priesthood authority and they ALL said yes!!! Even Dorothy who has had issues with the authority because she's already been baptized. It all just clicked today and they knew that this is the true Gospel. I was practically in tears!!! When we left, we had to walk through a blizzard (basically) to get to our car. Rex came running out after us and said "Sisters! I really am ready to be baptized! I don't know about the others (haha) but I am so prepared!!!" We were beaming. We assured him that we knew and that, yes, he definitely was. It's going to be a white Christmas in Kendallville in more ways than one! How blessed I am to watch a family enter the waters of baptism this Christmas and enter the gate to becoming an eternal family.

That evening was the adult session of conference in Ft. Wayne. It was all about the hastening of the work. Our stake president read the letter from the first presidency that I'm sure you all heard in your conferences and as soon as he read the line "called to serve" all of us full time missionaries marched into the chapel from the foyer singing Called To Serve! It was so powerful!!! Actually, it was a little awkward for us missionaries haha but SO powerful it didn't even matter! There are 24 full time missionaries serving in the Ft. Wayne stake in case you were wondering. Everyone was crying and the spirit of missionary work was just so strong. President and Sister Porter talked and were wonderful, as always. Our stake president followed and talked about us missionaries love for president Porter. He said we would follow him through a fire. I thought about that and I think we really would. We are so blessed to have such a powerful leader (and wife!!!). I love the Porters with all my heart.

Throughout conference I felt such an urgency for the work. We truly are living in the last days and cannot put off sharing the Gospel!

The next morning Lori, our investigator, came to conference with us and brought a friend. She's such a good little missionary already! I absolutely love Lori. We sat in the back with a million kids around us and it was mostly about the temple (we haven't gotten that far with her yet), BUT the spirit was there and she felt it.

Conference Notes

President and Sister Porter spoke again as well as the Chicago temple president and his wife and the stake presidency. It was SO good! A few of my favorite things were about the temple. It was said that no work is of more protection, more spiritually refining, or gives us more power than temple work. And there will never be a time we need spiritual protection more than now! We ARE living in the last days! We will be better wives, mothers, fathers, husbands, missionaries when we go to the temple. For it is there that we call down the powers of heaven to become (I love this because I've been obsessed with the talk the Challenge to Become by Elder Oaks on my mission). It is in the temple that we find our "real" selves. We should be comfortable in our spiritual skin! We spend too much time not realizing that there is one simple lesson to learn in becoming perfected: kindness. And according the the temple president, that is what we learn in the temple. We personally can't convert anyone, that's the Spirit's job, but we can provide situations for people to feel the Spirit. We don't have to share planned out Gospel lessons-- our family can be our message. And our homes can be the spiritual environment where we share that message. We need to have a speace of peace and joy in our homes. The spirit will leave as soon as there is contention and any decisions we make will not be influenced by the Spirit. We will suffer serious consequences for those decisions.

The last talk was all about marriage and although I'm a missionary and my heart is locked I loved it. I'm saving it for a couple years down the road. For you married folk-- don't miss the opportunities to do the little things because in the end they are not the little things at all! A lie is never a white lie. Your spouse should be the most important person in your life and they should know it (actions speak louder than words). Show it; talk is cheap. It isn't just a temple marriage; it's an eternal marriage.

Okay, my rant is over. As you can tell stake conference was a spiritual feast. Even better than the feast we'll have this week for Thanksgiving in my opinion!

I am so grateful to be serving the Lord in Kendallville, Indiana! I love this gospel with all of my heart. And I am so very blessed to have all of you praying for and supporting me. I pray for you all every day! Enjoy your turkeys.

All my love,

xoxo

Sister Kayla Rolfe

Oh, and transfers are tomorrow! Someone will have to write me and tell me where Sister Ryan is sent because I won't be there! Hooray for Thanksgiving and Christmas in K Ville with Miss Foxy!! BOTH of our elders are leaving though! CRAZY!!

The lovely Thanksgiving dinner set up before the madness!

Volunteering at the Library and getting things ready for the Hunger Games premier!! The library ladies love us and we love them. One of them came in and asked "are you the sisters?!!" "yep!" "You're just as cute as they said!!!"

Our branch found out I have some violin experience. There isn't much musical ability here so there are never musical numbers. So, I've been nominated to play in the Christmas program! YIKES! Please pray for me!!

We're not in Utah anymore {11/18/13}

I'm alive!

If you haven't heard, there was a tornado warning up here yesterday. Holy cow! It was windy.

At church everyone was telling us to be careful because there was a tornado watch so we were a little freaked out. We hadn't heard anything from the mission though so we went about our work. By the time we got to Sister Cox's house we couldn't even get out of the car it was raining SO hard!! It was insane. Finally, it let up the slightest bit so we ran inside and she gave us blankets she had quilted (she's a sweetheart!). We waited it out there for a while until things seemed to have calmed down. We went on our way to the next house out in the country-- literally in the middle of nowhere. It was crazy windy again and we couldn't find the persons house! The best way I can describe what it was like is the beginning of the Wizard of Oz. Seriously. We checked our phone and found a text from our zone leaders saying: ZONE TAKE SHELTER!!! Get to a members house NOW and get in their basement!!!

And of course we are in the middle of NOWHERE! So we're freaking out. And I'm trying to stay calm and keept it together but I'm really about to have a panic attack. What do we do? What do you think we did? Yep, you're right. We prayed!! We prayed hard and took a few deep breaths and headed to the closest members house. Within a couple minutes though the storm had totally died down and we got another call saying we were fine to be out and about just be careful. Wow. Talk about a roller coaster of emotions. We spent the rest of the night at teaching appointments we already had set up and got home safe and sound.

Got to love living in Indiana!!

 

In spiritual news, Sister Fox and I continued to be blessed by the hand of the Lord!! Seriously, He has big plans for Kendallville and I am feeling pretty blessed to be a small part of it. I feel like there is so much more I can be doing and I am so grateful that because of His grace there is still a mighty work coming forth--despite my shortcomings. All I can do is try a little harder to be a little better and keep relying on Him. Our sacrament attendence has continued to go up!! 2 weeks ago it was 80 which was really good for K Ville. Last week it was 99 which was phenomenal and drum roll please.........

This week we had 104 people at sacrament!!!!! That is nothing short of a miracle!! Sister Fox and I couldn't contain our excitement! Seriuosly, we were giddy. The Elders too.

2 of our investigators were there-- Laura and Lori (just a little bit confusing). And let me tell you the miracle story of Miss Lori...

We've been trying to contact an inactive family who lives on our street since we got here but haven't been able to. The other day we were walking up to their house when a lady pulls up and parks. So, we ask her if she lives there and she says yes!! We start talking and come to find out she doesn't actually live there, she was confused about we had asked her or something. Anyway, she's going to see her friend Becky--- who we're teaching! What?! She gives us all her information, tells us she's always wanted to be a sister, and drives off.

What just happened? We don't even know.

A couple days later we get a call from her. Yes, we get a call from her. Yes, it's usually the other way around. We chat and set up an appointment for the next day. The next day (saturday) we visit her and invite her to church Sunday. She says yes! And on Sunday she was actually there!! Woohoo! This is one of those miracle once in a mission stories. Oh and she's bringing like 5 people to our Thanksgiving dinner this week. Wow. I still don't even know how all of this happened. Well, yeah I do. God is great.

One more miracle of the week: Rex and Dorothy. I think I told you about how we miraculously met them last week. Well, we had a lesson with them Tuesday and find out that some random lady in Utah sent Rex a book of Mormon like 20 years ago. He doesn't even know her! But, she sent him a B o M with her picture and testimony inside and he's tried to read it multiple times but doesn't really understand what it is. Well, that's what we're here for! We talked about the restoration and told Rex how we got the Book and how it enriches and complements the Bible and he was just beaming. He kept telling us "This makes so much sense! You wouldn't have to be dumb to not see how they go together!" I agree, Rex. Why can't all of our investigators be like you?

Moral of the story: Missionary work works. Even if you never see the impact you have. Plant those seeds!! This lady sent a Book of Mormon to a stranger across the country and here we are teaching him the gospel 20 years later. Coincidence? I think not. Actually, I know not because I don't believe in coincidences. God is in all the details! Trust Him and He will provide you with missionary oppoprtunities. I promise.

I love you all dearly!

xoxo

Sister Rolfe

 

P.S. I just need to testify real quick of the power of fasting. I don't really know how it works, but it works. Sometimes I wish I could fast every day of my mission (without dying of course) because so many miracles happen. Okay love you bye!

 

Missionary thought of the week:

 

"You and I, today and always, are to bless all peoples in all the nations of the earth. You and I, today and always, are to bear witness of Jesus Christ and declare the message of the Restoration. You and I, today and always, are to invite all to receive the ordinances of salvation. Proclaiming the gospel is not a part-time priesthood obligation. It is not simply an activity in which we engage for a limited time or an assignment we must complete as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Rather, missionary work is a manifestation of our spiritual identity and heritage. We were foreordained in the premortal existence and born into mortality to fulfill the covenant and promise God made to Abraham. We are here upon the earth at this time to magnify the priesthood and to preach the gospel. That is who we are, and that is why we are here—today and always."

-David A. Bednar

Kendallville Branch Relief Society Christmas Picture!

Quilts dear Grandma Effie made Sis Fox and I when we got caught in a storm at her house

I had another exchange with Sister Widdison this week!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas {11/11/13}

I'm sorry if this letter isn't long. My fingers are still thawing.

It snowed last night! Yikes. That means it's way too cold! Other than that, it's been a miraculous week in Kendallville! And in Ohio, actually. Last week I had the privilege of attending a leadership training in Ohio (home sweet home)! Here's what went down...

Monday night I got a call that I was invited to a mission leadership meeting Wednesday. Tuesday we headed to Fort Wayne to exchange companions. Sister Fox stayed in Fort Wayne with another Sister and I headed to another part of Indiana with my sister training leader, Sister Widdison. We had a slumber party with 5 other sisters going to the meeting. We woke up at 4:30 and headed down to Ohio! The drive was long and kind of crazy. Instead of taking a freeway we had to take a bunch of back roads and actually a few dirt roads. It was fun to drive through all of the little towns though! And when we got there we were sure in for a treat. All of the zone leaders and sister training leaders were there and a few other missionaries who will apparently be in future leadership positions of the mission (I have no idea what this means for me!). So, I got to see all of my past leaders including.... SISTER PARKER!!! I may or may not have cried. Okay fine I definitely cried. It was so weird, it felt like we had been apart for months. What a joyous reunion!!! Anyway, the meeting. President Porter talked to us and two leaders from missionary headquarters. It was so powerful and definitely changed how I will do missionary work! They talked a lot about understanding our purpose as missionaries (to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored Gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. yes I recite that every day). I would tell you more about it but it was pretty specifically for our mission.

Here is what I will share with you: The Missionary Next Door. It's a talk by Diana something or other. Go find it and listen to it!! It will change your life. Seriously, so good.

(Here it is!) (or link here)

<iframe width="960" height="720" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/HHDwoxU6bE0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Back to my story, we drove and drove and drove and eventually I was reunited with Foxy (hooray!!) and we didn't get home until 10:45!! It was a very long couple of days but oh so worth it!

Now, it's miracle time. The time you've all been waiting for, I know.

The other day we went to an appointment with a new investigator, Julie. Her husband was there and they had invited a friend over for the discussion! (what?! Let me tell you, that never happens!) We had a great lesson about the restoration and the two men became new investigators. Woohoo!! Richard, Julies husband, is actually a minister. What is up with Sister Fox and I teaching all of these ministers?!

Later that evening, after having dinner with a family in Avilla (a small town outside of Kendallville) neither of us felt good about our plans to see other members in the area. We discussed our options and couldn't come to a conclusion of where we needed to be. So, we prayed. After our prayer we decided to look through our former investigator binder (we had luckily brought with us!) and one woman was sticking out to us. We headed to her house, that ended up being in the middle of nowhere, without much time in the evening left! It was black as night and her house honestly looked a little deserted. But, we took up our courage and knocked on the door. Long story short, we were let it, invited to sit around the kitchen table, and left the house 30 minutes later with 3 more new investigators!

WOW! Miracle of all miracles!

Sister Fox and I have been so blessed. The Lord has some big plans up his sleeve for Kendallville and I feel very humbled just to play a small part in helping them come to pass.

Random story time!

Foxy and I meet the most random people. Kendallville is very eclectic. This week we've met people who raise horses, make stained glass, make ceramics, crochet out of plastic bags, and have mastered a Pilipino boxing technique. One of my favorite things about being a missionary is all of the people we meet every day! Everyone has a unique story. It's really amazing if you thing about it.

This is all for now. I love you dearly!

xoxo

Sister Kayla Rolfe

Scripture of the week: Alma 37: 44-46 Do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way!

From Amish Country to Farmville {11/4/13}

The worst thing about writing letters is knowing where to start. This is me, not knowing! Too many things to talk about this week!

So let's start with miracles because they are probably our number one priority here.

Last Monday Sister Fox and I were honestly feeling a little down. We have had a really hard time finding investigators here. Granted, we've only been in this area for a couple of weeks. But it was our mission wide conference call and everyone was sharing their miracles and well..... we wanted miracles!! So we did the only thing we know how to do-- prayed and fasted. The next day as we fasted of course a million opportunities arose to eat sweets! We had to bake cookies and cupcakes and we made goodie bags at the library for the Halloween party. Heavens it was hard! However, we held strong! We were determined to step into the realm of the miraculous-- as president says.

So, we typed in the address of a potential investigator in our GPS and when we pulled up to her house it was in the same neighborhood we'd been in that morning--and not had any success. We knocked and no answer. We knocked a few doors around her place and nothing. Where are the people?! Where are our miracles?! We headed back to the car and noticed that there was now a car in her driveway. Hallelujah! This could be our miracle! We knock-she answers (!) and we find out we're at the wrong house. Really? BUT, she said we could come back. Woot Woot we at least now have a potential. Then we realize we're on the wrong street! The GPS for some unknown
reason took us to meet this other lady instead. Hmm.. coincidence? I think not. The miracles are starting to happen, people. We head over to the real address and guess what? She's home! And she can't remember the Elders but she lets us right in anyway! And we teach her a lesson and get a return appointment and.... NEW INVESTIGATOR!! We're just basically ecstatic at this point. But wait, there's more. We decide to head over to another potential and when we get there we read her record and discover she doesn't speak English. This could be awkward. We knock her door anyway. Why not? It's a day of miracles right? Well...... no one's home. There's a good feeling at this complex though so we knock around meet a few people and then we meet Kenny (not my brother, unfortunately). And he's awesome and.... ANOTHER new investigator! Holy cow!! If I didn't have a testimony of fasting before, I do now. It was truly a miraculous day. It gets better yet-- if that's even possible. We have a little extra time and randomly decide to stop by the Frye's. They're a couple in our branch but the wife has health problems so we haven't met her yet. Well, we get to talking and find out it was their 2 year anniversary of being baptized! That day!! They told us their conversion story.. they had been one of those "let's just knock one more door" miracles. I cried as we talked and knew in that moment that there are Frye families waiting for Sister Fox and I right here in Kendallville. At the end of the day I could once again say.. I love missionary work!! The rest of my week continued similarly--filled with those experiences. We had zone conference on Halloween and an exchange with our sister training leader 2 days later so how could it not have, really? Man, am I blessed.

Oh guess what else we did this week! We spent some quality time in Amish Country. Actually, 7 miles from Shipshewana where I've been multiple times. So crazy! We got to drive through Amish communities (horse and buggies, clothes lines, bonnets, beards, the whole 9 years) and really enjoyed ourselves. We actually had lunch with a family in our ward who lives up there at an Amish buffet and got to see a bit of a horse auction. Since you all know me, you know that I was loving life. My favorite part, though, was probably the scenery! My word! It was definitely some of the most beautiful country I've seen. The trees were basically on fire and there are random lakes all over the places! Beautiful!!

More exciting news. We have two progressing investigators! Yep, 2! One of them, Laura, came to church with us Sunday. After, she told us she wants to come to church with us every week! I wish I had a picture of Sister Fox's and my face. Then, we had a lesson with her and her husband. You see, her husband used to be a minister for another church so he's a little intimidating to teach. Just a little though, because Sister Fox and I have been called of God and our authority is above that of Kings of the Earth (sorry, missionary humor). Anyway, he has been doing his studying. And I mean hard core studying. And... he's come to the conclusion that the church is (mostly) true!! This is HUGE For him! Well, for anyone, but especially for him. We definitely have a ways to come with a few particular teachings, but he is finding truths and accepting them and we are thrilled. Pray for Robert and Laura!!

 

Here are a couple funny stories of the week:

A couple of the kids at church found out my name is Kayla. Now they all call me Kayla! Oops! Yesterday one of them told me she had  a picture to show me. Next thing I know I'm looking at my

Facebook profile picture on her mom's Ipad! Haha it was so weird.

After church, we had lunch at our branch president's house. We were talking about home teaching less active members and he said. "I'm pretty sure they're on Facebook. Invite them to play Farmville!!" I think these were probably you had to be there moments. Sorry.

 

Things are great in Kendallville, Indiana! And cold! My mailbox is pretty cute and I love getting mail in it. Wink wink ;)

I LOVE YOU!!

xoxo

Sister Kayla Rolfe