Wight to Black {2/24/14}

God never ceases to amaze me. 

Really, though. I don't even know what my life is anymore!

If you haven't heard the latest new yet, let's rewind a little bit. 

I told you last week that I had received a transfer call. Well, I packed up my things (which multiplied again) and said my goodbyes and Tuesday morning we were off to Ohio for the transfer meeting. The roads were terrible and we had to drive for 4 hours but we made it alive. The Elders barely made it alive.. they spun out and went off the road and rolled their car! YIKES. Their car was totaled, their bike was demolished, but they didn't have a scratch on them. Can you say miracle?! The zone leaders came and picked them up and they finished the journey to the transfer! It was crazy.

Anyway, I took my place at the transfer meeting and tried to calm the butterflies in my stomach. Although I was SHOCKED to be leaving Kendallville this transfer I had a really good feeling and knew that it would be a good change. I looked around at the other sisters being transferred and tried to pick out the ones I knew were sister training leaders so I could narrow down who might be my companion and where I might be going. I had heard the day before that Sister Denison in Eastgate had been called to be a Sister Training Leader so I knew there was a tiny possibility I could go there, but I tried not to think about that because it seemed really unlikely. I've already served there and we are both new STLs so there were very slim chances they would place us together. Every time they announced an STL I found myself praying that I wouldn't be their companion-- which probably isn't a good thing to be doing haha. I was trying really, really hard not to think about Eastgate. Finally they got to the Eastgate zone and my heart starts pounding out of my chest. 

"Sister Denison serving as Sister Training Leader in Eastgate will receive a new companion and Sister Training Leader in........................... (I can't breathe right now)

SISTER ROLFE!!!!!!"

the next few minutes are kind of a blur but I know that I screamed and probably cried a little bit and that Sister Denison and I hugged each other harder than the Elders do--which is really saying something. We sat down and hugged like five more times and Sister Denison doesn't even hug people. It was great. I had to keep looking at President and make sure that this was really happening. I just couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that I was going back to Eastgate, moving back in with the Blackhams (my second family), and serving in the same ward as my first cousin once removed. There is no way this is real life!!!!!

Talk about answered prayers!!!!!!!

The rest of this week has been surreal. I can't decide if it feels like I never left or like I'm a new missionary again. Most of the time it just feels like I'm dreaming and I'm going to wake up any day in Indiana! Nothing against IN, I miss the people of Kendallville so much I can hardly stand it!! If I weren't with people I already love so much here I don't know if I would be able to take it!

KEEP PRAYING!!! I'm living proof God hears and answers prayers!!

With all of my love, 

(FROM OHIO)

Sister Kayla Rolfe!

Surprise! {2/17/14}

Lovely People!

Last night I was contemplating what I would write to you all today. I thought, "hmm It's going to be a pretty boring email this week." 

I was wrong!

But, I have to back up a little before I tell you why. So rewind to Wednesday. We spent the day in Ft. Wayne and were interviewed by our wonderful mission president, President Porter. I love him so much! When Elder Perkins of the 70 was here he said he's never met a mission full of missionaries who would literally walk through fire to follow their mission president-- and it's true. Anyway, we had a really good conversation and afterward I had no doubt that I would be staying in Kendallville to finish Sister Wight's training. So I didn't give much thought the upcoming transfer. The rest of the week wasn't too eventful. In fact, things went a little south with a few of our investigators. Honestly, I was feeling a little useless this weekend... like I was backsliding a bit too. And thats never good. Sunday I put all of my focus into the sacrament and committed to make a change. Starting then I would refocus and do all that I could to be an effective missionary. I felt the Spirit strongly and I felt so renewed-- ready to take on Kendallville again :) I love the sacrament. The rest of our day went really well-- we even found a new family to teach!! When we got home I had a very distinct prompting not to go up our stairs just yet--there was someone outside who we needed to talk to. So I stepped around the corner and looked around, but I didn't see anyone. We walked next door to our investigator's shop, but he wasn't inside. Just as we turned to go home, he came out of another shop! We had a WONDERFUL conversation with him!! He's been so busy we have had a really hard time getting a hold of him. I've been feeling strongly for weeks that we needed to give him a Book of Mormon, but we haven't been able to meet. Last night I was able to give him a Book! I am so grateful for promptings and for the sacrament that helped me to realign myself spiritually. 

Anyway, that brings us to this morning. We were on a conference call with our zone when they received transfer calls from the assistants. We all waited in anticipation, but I wasn't too worried about it because nothing was going to happen in Kendallville. WRONG.. "Sister Wight is staying and Sister Rolfe is leaving" wait, WHAT?!?! I was literally in shock. Neither of us saw this coming at all!!! About 45 minutes later we received a call from President Porter telling us that after much fasting and prayer he received revelation that I need to leave and have been called as a Sister Training Leader! 

At this point I'm even more in shock!! I am so excited to see what the transfer meeting tomorrow and this next 6 weeks have in store. It's a big responsibility to be an STL and I think that's why Satan was working on me this week to get down and feel like I don't know what I'm doing. But I do. I know that this is Heavenly Father's work and all I have to do is listen to Him.. just like last night. I hope I will be able to help other sisters to do the same in this new calling. 

We have so many sisters in our mission! And theres 11 more coming out tomorrow.. and only 7 elders.. crazy! Hopefully some nice person in my new ward will text you and tell you where I am!

I love you with all of my heart and can't thank you all enough for the prayers you've been sending my way. I can feel them!

For the last time from Kendallville,

Sister Kayla Rolfe

xoxoxoxo

P.S. our district leader received his VISA and is on his way to Brazil today!!! This past district has seriously become a second family. We had a going away party Saturday night and had a Brazilian feast! 

P.P.S. (is that real?)

I almost forgot to tell you about our chapel tour with Jack this week! (not my dad, unfortunately). We showed him the church house and when we got to the chapel the spirit was so strong. We sat in there and taught him the Restoration and he was just in awe. I recited to first vision to him and all he could say was... Wow. After a minute, he said, "I'm just trying to picture seeing a pillar of light exactly over my head and..." and basically recited it back to me. Wow is right! At the end of our lesson he prayed and asked Heavenly Father that he would be able to be baptized. I just had to share this experience because I almost don't believe it happened-- every missionary's dream lesson!!

Angels Among Us {2/10/14}

Happy Missionary Mail Monday! :)

My dear, dear loved ones. Seeing as this week is Valentine's Day, let me start out by telling you how much I love all of you!! I wish you could understand how my love grows for you every day. Seriously. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. Family, last night we visited a family in our branch preparing to be sealed in the temple (they have 3 children.. it's going to be so special!!) They've been working so hard and we've been able to help them. Well, they backslid a little and last night we had a powerful lesson where I was able to bear my testimony of the temple to them and tell them from personal experience how beautiful it is to be in the temple with your WHOLE family! Of course, I cried. I am so grateful for all of you, for your faithfulness, and for your examples to me. I will never, ever forget going to the temple together and getting a little glimpse into eternity. I can't wait to spend it with you!

Okay, thank you for hanging in there through that, I'm done with the cheesiness for a minute.

Let me share a little missionary wisdom (haha). I'm learning that things don't always work out how you think they will. Actually, they usually don't. Nevertheless, if I'm being obedient and diligent things will work out anyway--even if the outcome isn't what I intended.
For example, this week Sister Wight and I worked incredibly hard to get our investigators to church. We had powerful lessons, had members invite them and offer rides, made breakfast, sent texts and made phone calls, and honestly thought we would have 10 investigators at church. Sacrament meeting started and we had 2. I found myself feeling a little let down--discouraged that our hard work hadn't paid off. But then, as I looked over the congregation (our chorister didn't show up so I was asked to lead the music) I realized that our efforts had indeed brought forth much fruit. 

The 2 investigators who were there are being baptized this weekend! An entire less active family was present as well as two inactives we've been working with (one of whom hasn't been to church in years)! All of our recent converts were attendance and not only was one of them, Brother Landon, present, but he was passing the sacrament!! And our dear, sweet friend Sister Cripe received the gift of the Holy Ghost. What a beautfiul meeting it was! The Lord does answer prayers and reward His righteous servants. I'm so grateful to be a part of the hastening of the work, building up the vineyard in the Kendallville Branch!! We are building Zion :)

This past week was crazy.. we spent 3 days out of town. I got to see the lovely town of Marion, Indiana! Anyway, more trainings, more powerful, spiritual experiences. Our mission baptism goal for the year is 720. That's going to require a LOT of grace, but we can do it! Our stake goal is 70, but president says it's going to need to be changed because we'll meet that early.. and the way things are going it's looking like he's going be right! In 2012 Ft. Wayne had 24 baptisms, in 2013 they had 51 and the goal this year is 70 but is going to be met early..... you can't tell me the Lord isn't hastening His work!!!

Although our meetings and trainings were powerful, let me tell you about my favorite day of the week: Friday. Baptism Day :)

Let's talk about Miss Laura. She is an angel on Earth, seriously one of the strongest women I have ever met, if not the strongest. I will forever be grateful for her example to me and I know without a doubt in my mind that she is one of the reasons I was called to this mission, this area, at this time. Laura has been meeting with missionaries for years and has come to church quite a bit but was never ready to be baptized-- hadn't really had a spiritual conversion yet. Sis. Fox and I started teaching her when we got here, but her boyfriend was always there and would really dominate the lessons. Luckily, she came to church every week and we got to know her a lot better. We started to see her faith grow and well, her boyfriend wasn't progressing with her. So, we started meeting with her on her own and she blossomed! Her testimony was finally able to come forth and she just shone every time we met. She decided she was ready to be baptized!! But, of course, Satan began placing every possible stumbling block in her way. She had to give up smoking and coffee. She had to deal with her boyfriend's abusive words. He did all he could to convince her she was making a mistake. He threw out every piece of Mormon literature in the house (they had quite a bit!) and told her we weren't welcome there anymore. Eventually, she had to move out of her boyfriend's house even though she had nowhere to go and no money-- because of that, her 5 year old son had to stay with her boyfriend. She walks to his house in the freezing cold every day to take care of her son. Nothing was going to stand in Laura's way. And the thing that touched me the most was her attitude and her faith. Amidst all of these trials and afflictions, we never found Laura without a smile on her face. As we cried and mourned for her, she comforted us and reassured us, "things will work out, God hasn't let me down yet."

A few days before her baptism, we visited Laura and received news that turned my world upside down-- Laura was diagnosed with cancer. They aren't sure yet how far it has spread, but she doesn't want to receive treatment. Still with a smile on her face, she told us that God's will be done and she's okay with that. Laura spent the morning of her baptism in the hospital. She came out of the hospital weak and exhausted... and made her way to her baptism with a smile on her face. I was able to play Laura's favorite hymn, "I Am a Child of God" on the violin for her at her baptism. I sang the last verse and through tears, she sang along with me. Then I was able to watch as our dear friend, Elder Martin baptised Laura and she entered into a sacred covenant with her Heavenly Father. It was so beautiful.

I love my Heavenly Father and am so grateful for His plan for my life. I love sharing that plan with my brothers and

sisters. 

I love you all,

Sister Kayla Rolfe

Charity and February! {2/3/14}

Can you believe it's February 2014??

Good Morning! From the freezing tundra of Northern Indiana :) More snow, freezing rain, and below freezing temperatures expected this week. Oh boy!

In better news, LAURA IS GETTING BAPTIZED THIS WEEK!!!!!!!!

Could I be more excited?? I don't think so! Wow. People. This is nothing short of a MIRACLE. She is such a strong, strong woman and I could not be more happy for her or proud of her. I wish I could explain to you what she has been through to get to this point, but just know that she is one of the strongest, most faithful women I know. Ah. She has given up so much for this... things not a lot of people would be willing to give up. But she knows this is the truth and she knows this is God's plan for her and that's all that matters. Isn't that amazing? I hope we can all learn to be a little more like Laura. I sure am trying to be. I'm pretty sure Friday will be one of the best days of my life to this point... or ever. Pictures and details to come!

As for this week, it's been a little crazy, but 5 sons and daughters of God are being baptized next Saturday!!! I'm pretty sure this is going to be the biggest day in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Kendallville. In fact, I'm positive of that. We will be a ward before you know it! :) Oh and speaking of ordinances, Joe was ordained a priest this week!! One faithful month since he was baptized, and he now holds the priesthood. I have seen Joe's entire life change. Seriously, not the same person I met in November. That, my friends, is the pure love of Christ! And that brings me to my next topic of discussion: Charity.

Charity... The pure love of Christ, the highest, noblest, strongest kind of love, a condition of heart, the reason behind everything we do.  Did I already talk about this last week? Probably. But it's important. I've continued to study charity and my testimony of it grows stronger each day. I'm really striving to become more charitable, but I think I got a little too caught up in it and began to question if I've had charity at all. Silly, I know, but that's how the adversary gets ya. Nevertheless (I've been doing a lot of Book of Mormon reading), Heavenly Father is gracious and wouldn't allow me to go on questioning myself like this. A member of our branch asked me to read her testimony for her [in Sacrament] because she had to work. So I accepted and didn't look at it until just before I went up to read it. You'll never guess what it was on. Yep, charity! And how she never fully understood what charity meant until she met me. WOW. Now, I don't really believe this is 100% truth but what an answer to prayer. Talk about being in tune with the Spirit! She had no idea I've been studying charity or having these questions. Although it was pretty awkward bearing someone else's testimony about myself, I am so grateful for this dear sweet Sister listening to a prompting-- and she probably didn't even know she was. I think she was the true example of charity here.

Cherry on top, Joe expressed over and over after his ordination how grateful he is for us sisters and how we've changed his life. Same with Laura during her baptism interview. Our district leader said that she just bore testimony to him the whole time of what she's come to know to be true (talk about true conversion!!) and how it's changed her life. He was even crying (that says a lot for an elder). Then she told him that she's been studying with missionaries for years but it wasn't until sisters came that everything clicked and she actually started to feel it. She finally received her spiritual conversion.

Now, I'm not saying all of this to be boastful. Like Ammon, I do not boast of my own strength, but of the strength of my Lord (Alma 26). None of these miracles or conversions would have been possible without Him. It's His spirit, His gospel, His love that we carry. It's just such a blessing to be a vessel for that love and power. I know, without a doubt, Sister Wight and I are supposed to be serving here in Kendallville at this time. Out of all the places in the hundreds of missions all over the world, God sent me here for a reason and this week has proved that to me. How beautiful.

I love you all so much and wouldn't be here without your love and prayers.

xoxoxo

Sister Kayla Rolfe

2 Nephi 5:27

Let us live after the manner of happiness!