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
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| Kendallville Branch Relief Society Christmas Picture! |
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| Quilts dear Grandma Effie made Sis Fox and I when we got caught in a storm at her house |
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| I had another exchange with Sister Widdison this week! |
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