Holy Cow.
Oh wait, first I should say Merry Christmas!!!!
How grateful I am for the opportunity to spend this season focused
on my Saviour, Jesus Christ. The miracles that I have seen throughout my
mission, and this past week, would not have been possible if it weren't
for His grace. I know that.
So, this week. Wow! We had our Mission Christmas Party in Muncie on Thursday
and it was one of the best things to ever happen to me on my mission.
We had a talent show where all of us missionaries got to make fools of
ourselves, all in good fun of course. It was so nice to be able to laugh
and have fun together. Usually when we're all together it's pretty
serious and very spiritual--which is wonderful, don't get me wrong! But
every needs to have a little fun every once in a while :) My part in the
craziness was dancing in a reindeer rain dance. Yikes. Be glad you
didn't have to witness that! One of my favorite parts was Elder Chambers
reading a Kentucky redneck version of the Night Before Christmas in his
best hillbilly accent. It was only that much funnier because our
mission covers Kentucky :) Oh and guess who was there! Well, all of the
missionaries I love that I told you about from the last Muncie
conference but also Sister Christianson!!!!!! (I lived with her at the
Blackhams)! It was a joyous reunion!! Our whole district (besides Sis
Parker :( ) was there! Good times. After the talent show we moved into
the chapel for the spiritual part of the program. Missionaries
alternated reading about Christ's life and singing. Sister Farr and I
sang Come Follow Me. I was so nervous! I've never sung a duet in front
of a group of people before, but the Spirit was there so it actually
went pretty well! The Spirit was SO strong throughout the program.
Afterward we shared our testimonies and I never wanted it to end! I've
said it once, I'll say it a million times, being with a group of
missionaries is powerful. I know that we have truly been set apart from
the world by God for this time.
We chatted and caught up afterward (oh and got Christmas cards from
the 1st presidency!) until they kicked us out of the building. Sister
Fox and I drove down with the new senior couple in our district--the
Mcclellans. We love them! They're from Morgan, Utah.. as most of our
mission is :) They took us and the rest of our district out for shakes
after and sent mom a picture :)
Okay, let's fast forward to Sunday. Wait, Saturday night was the branch christmas party and it was great. Okay, Sunday
morning. Sister Fox and I have been working so hard to get our
investigators to church!! The past couple weeks we've had 8 or 9 lined
up but the adversary works on them and one thing or another comes up sunday
morning. This week we were determined not to have that happen. One
particular couple, Dorothy and Rex, have been tryign to come for weeks
but Dorothy's health is terrible. So Saturday
night the elders went over with us and gave her a blessing (I love the
priesthood!). After, she had tears in her eyes and said, "I felt that
all the way down to my toes." Wow. Sunday
morning comes around and she is feeling wonderful!!! She got a full
night of sleep for the first time in over a year!! People, the
priesthood is real!! God has restored it!! If this isn't a testament of
that I don't know what is. Dorothy and Rex were able to come to church
along with SEVEN more of our investigators. Yes, 7!!!!! We had NINE
investigators at church!!! If you don't know, that's HUGE. Talk about a
Christmas miracle!! Oh and we had 96 people at church which is also huge
for our branch. So, let's do a little math. One tenth of the people at
church were investigators! Woot woot!! Sister Fox and I sang in the
choir and Sister Slavin and I performed Joy to the World on our violins
and the whole thing was lovely. Most importantly the Spirit was there
and it was strong. And our investigators felt that. Hallelujah. The
Church is true.
One of our new investigators, Mike, came to the Party and Sacrament
with us. After, we were talking and he told us the past two days he had
had more positive conversations/experiences than he's had all year and
he can't wait to learn more. He has been so prepared for the Gospel.
I honestly cannot think of a better way to spend my Christmas
season than bringing my brothers and sisters closer to their Prince of
Peace (didn't you love that talk in the Christmas devotional?) Jesus
Christ. This truly is a time to celebrate Him!
Okay, one more miracle. Lori and Ian fell off date for baptism this
weekend. Yep, Satan is the worst. BUT, he will not prevail! Because God
is merciful, they were both able to get back on date and we are on for
THREE baptisms this weekend! More than Kendallville has had in 3 years.
It is going to be a white Christmas in Kendallville! :) The work is
Hastening and will not be stopped. God is gathering and preparing His
people. Let us all do our parts in hastening this great work of
salvation and sharing the light that is within us with our brothers and
sisters! And please pray for lori, Ian, and Joe!
I love you all so much and do not know what I would do without your
love and support. I hope you all have the loveliest of holidays and
remember the true meaning of Christmas. If you'd like to do a little
reading to get yourself in the mindset I'd suggest Mosiah 14-16, Alma
33-34.
Also, President Porter encouraged us to read our patriarchal
blessings and make a list of "I Am..." I've been doing in and it's
powerful!
With all of the love in my heart,
Sister Kayla Rolfe
Oh wait I can't go without sharing a funny story! Ian (9) was
sitting next to us at the Christmas dinner. He asked our investigator if
he knew Tom Hanks. So we get to talking about Tom Hanks and Ian leans
over and whispers to me "I'm wearing Toy Story underwear but I don't
think that's appropriate to say in the church. Am I right?" Hahahah :)
Ah, sorry, one more thing. Our mission is doing a social media
split next month. Members will be with us all day taking pictures of us
and posting them on social media sites. I'll be sure to have them tag me
so you can share them!! Woot woot for the gospel being spread through
social media!
Peace and Blessings, ya'll!!
No comments:
Post a Comment