This was definitely a Christmas I will never forget! Wow.
Christmas day was wonderful. Sister Fox and I read Luke 2 together and also D&C 76 (read it!) before opening our stockings and presents. I actually really like that tradition and think I'll keep it. We were absolutely spoiled by mom and dad. Holy cow! And by friends and family and branch members! A family in our branch brought us over a gourmet breakfast-- cinnamon rolls, yum!!
Oh and I finally had my first white Christmas!! There was no snow on the ground when we went to bed, but when we woke up everything was covered! It was like a movie!
We drove up to Angola (30 miles north, almost to Michigan) and spent some time with our district at the McClellans (our new senior couple). Their blog isohiomcmission.blogspot.com if you want to check it out. We sang while Sister M played the Uke, took family pictures, and watched a video on youtube-- A Missionary Christmas. Then we headed back to K-Ville to call our families!!! Definitely my favorite part of the day! :) And I'm spoiled and got to talk to my Ohio family, the Blackhams, on our way back! It was SO good to talk to everyone. There's just not even words to describe my happiness. I love my family!!
We spent most of the evening at our branch president's house. We love his family-- the Powell's. They live out in the country about 30 minutest from K Ville. Their daughter Lis is basically our 3rd companion and she is preparing to go to Monterrey in 3 months for her mission! Woot woot! We ate a DELICIOUS dinner (red noodles), had a concert, watched Joy to the World, and of course enjoyed each others company.
The rest of the week was the craziest thing of my life. I don't even know what to say except-- I survived! Seriously, I felt like I was in battle. God's army, right? The adversary was working around the clock on Lori and Sister Fox and I were right there alongside her, facing some pretty ridiculous battles. It's so annoying how well he knows us and our weaknesses. But I won't go into more detail because that's not whats important. What's important is Lori made sacred covenants with Heavenly Father this weekend and became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! Sister Fox and I got to stand inside the font doors and watch and I felt like a proud parent. There is honestly nothing in this world like helping your brothers come into the light of the gospel. I have been able to see the light in Lori's eyes brighten as we've taught her the Gospel and she's made huge changes in her life. Then, we she was baptized by water and fire, she was glowing. I have chills just typing about it!
Joe was also able to be baptized and confirmed this weekend!! What a special way to spend Christmas-- helping others to Come unto Christ. And do you want to know how we find Joe and Lori? Simply by opening our mouths. We opened our mouths and talked to them when they were placed in our path and our mouths were filled. (D&C 33: 8-10)
Sister Fox and I sang Come Thou Fount with Elder Martin and Elder Chambers at Lori's baptism and Nearer My God to Thee at Joe's. We also talked in church and planned/put on a nativity open house at the church last evening. This was the longest/fastest week of my life. At the end of each day Sister Fox and I felt like saying: And the Kendallville Sisters have done it again! Even though it wasn't us at all-- the only way I possibly survived/pulled off this week was through the grace and mercy of Heavenly Father. We did our best and he did the rest! :) We're confident that we can take on anything after the past couple weeks of our lives.
The nativity I mentioned--it was a huge success! We had 6 investigators there who had never been to church before and we got a new investigator!! And our branch members were great and fellowshipped them! What a great end to a great week. Even though I can't even keep up with my own life sometimes anymore, I love it so much. I love Kendallville. I love the people. I love my branch family. I love sister Fox. This has been such a growing experience for me and I don't want it to end yet! (transfers are on the 7th!).
One more miracle story for you!Dorothy went to the hospital for pneumonia this week so we went to visit her and Rex there. We were talking about Lori's baptism and Dorothy said, "I think you better go Rex because I have a feeling we're going to be next." What?! Then Dorothy told us she needed to find peace in the hospital so she read the Book of Mormon-- the whole first book of Nephi-- and was able to sleep through the night for the first time in a hospital. The next day her and Rex started reading together and read through 2 Nephi 13. They've been praying together, too, and Dorothy even prayed out loud!!! (She never has before!!) Rex told us, "I love the Church so much." Holy cow!! God is really working with this amazing couple. I have seen their lives completely change for the better because of the Gospel.
I love the Gospel. I love sharing it. I love you!
xoxoxo
Sister Kayla Rolfe
"Compared to God we are nothing, but to God we are everything"
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