Pictures!

More pictures from Sister Kayla Rolfe. :)

Ask the Missionaries {5.27.14}

SURPRISE!

Hopefully you were all devastated when you didn't hear from me yesterday so this email will be a really exciting surprise :)

I hope you all had a lovely Memorial Day! I sure did. Let me tell you about it....

We got going early so we could spend the morning at the Cincinnati Zoo with a part member family. They are such a cute family! Their little boy who is 2 was adorable and knew all of the animal noises. He reminded me of my cute little nephews!! My favorite part of the zoo was a monkey family. The mama was taking care of her new baby and the dad and son were wrestling/chasing/teasing each other. They seemed so human! I just think it's pretty amazing that God created animals in families just like us humans.

After the zoo we went to our ward picnic at a BEAUTIFUL park. We may or may not have gotten lost multiple times trying to find it, but it was definitely worth it when we got there. I love our ward so much!!!! I can't even explain to you how much I love these people. Almost as much as I love the my GV 4th family ;) That's a lot!

Next was possibly my favorite part. All of the East Cherry missionaries (7 companionships) met at the park and drew a HUGE plan of salvation on the asphalt with chalk. We walked around the park for hours and literally talked to everyone about the Gospel. I'm telling you, they could have made a Mormon message about us! Foxy and I got 5 new investigators!!! Our zone had a grand total of 46 new investigators yesterday!!!!! Let me put that into perspective a little bit. So, president decided to make today P Day instead of yesterday because holidays are basically the best time to find people at home with their families (or at the park). Yesterday we had a mission wide finding challenge! NOW, let me put things in perspective.

When our mission opened we were finding about 200 investigators a week mission wide-- which was actually really good for North America North East at the time.

Last week we set a new record for 480 new investigators in 1 week.

Yesterday we had a mission wide goal of 100 new investigators in 1 day.

Yesterday our mission found 234 new investigators!!!
Our zone was the winning zone with 47!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woah Baby!

Our mission is on fire. And it's ALL because of the grace of our Heavenly Father. Seriously, we could not be having this success on our own. We call down grace every day as we are exactly obedient and WORK HARD. Heavenly Father is real and He knows the needs of all of His children. Miracles have not ceased, only man's faith to witness them.

After our finding challenge we had a BBQ in the Blackham's backyard :) It was a wonderful Memorial Day!

Now, backtracking a little.

This week Sister Fox and I went on an exchange with the Spanish Elders. Yes, you read that right. Let me clarify!
The Spanish Elders in Dayton are probably the best finders in the world. So, president decided that all of leadership (zone leaders and sister training leaders) would go on talk to everyone exchanges with them so we can become more like them. Foxy and I were nervous out of our minds!! It ended up being one of my favortie days yet on my mission. We rode the bus around Dayton and literally talked to every person. We all split up and talked with whomever we were sitting by. The challenge was to relate your converstaion as quickly as possible to the gospel because you never know what bus stop they're going to get off the bus! Exciting stuff, right? We met so many people and I finally broke down a barrier I think I had without even realizing it. I've actually been thinking about this talk to everyone concept for a while now-- wanting to be better at it. It doesn't sound that difficult-- but you try it! It can be pretty intimidating/awkward. The elders made it so natural and effortless-- at least it seemed that way. It really opened my eyes and I learned so much. Now, Sister Fox and I are much more successful at talking to everyone!

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY.

Even though it's hard.

“a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has the power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation.”

-Joseph Smith

I love you.
xoxo

Sister Kayla Rolfe

PS.. I think I can officially consider myself a professional mulcher/ weed puller. I love service!

"Ask the missionaries-- they can help you!" :)

The Power of Everyday Missionaries. {5.19.14}

Another week has FLOWN by! Actually, mother's day feels like FOREVER ago. Time is so strange that way!

Let me start by telling you about transfers. THEY WERE CRAZY. Or so I've heard.. I wasn't actually there (thank goodness).

So, Sister Ryan is now in a lovely little place called Westchester.

Our new sister is Sister Low from... SCOTLAND! Yep. Foxy's and my other new sisters in our zone are Sister Shaw, Sister Lewis, and Sister Fausett (who Sister Fox trained!!!!!!!!). 

Our new zone leader is Elder Beckman, who is from Elder Price's (his companion) ward!

Our new district leader is Elder Seegmiller, who came out with Foxy.

We got 2 new assistants! Elder Fivas, who was the SPANISH elder in eastgate when I first got here (now he's obviously english, wierd) and Elder Martin, who was my first zone leader and my zone leader in Kendallville!!

Also, Sister Parker got a new companion, Sister Christiansen who lived with us at the Blackhams!!!

TOO CRAZY.

As for my week.We have been doing a ton of service. I LOVE IT. Sorry I think I'm in a caps lock mood today. If you have anything you need to get done... ask the missionaries! They will help you! And they will be SO HAPPY you actually asked them. I promise! You can repay them by teaching with them :) Not by feeding them really delicious things that make their skirts too tight!

I'll share one of my favorite service projects form the week in case any of you lovely ladies are ever called to be relief society president. It was called a visiting teaching tune up. Here's what went down: Women from the ward would pull into the church parking lot and fill out a VT questionnaire while us sister missionaries washed their windows. Then, a member of the RS pres would hop in with them and interview them. Then, on their way out they got a water bottle, a "warranty" and a home baked muffin! It was so successful! We have such crafty ladies here in Eastgate. I'm learning a lot from them. 

Miracle of the week: 

Leaving another of our many service projects (cleaning a less active's house because she had surgery) we walked past a lady walking her dog. Her dog was adorable and I'm me so I of course had to stop and oogle over this dog. We start talking and the conversation turns to none other than the Gospel! AND she became a new investigator! We've gone back a couple times since and she is going through so much. No human should have to go through the things this woman has been through, but she is so strong and so prepared for the Gospel. She even recognized that she was prompted to walk her dog when she ran into us! I have such a strong testimony that the Light of Christ truly can brighten the darkest room. I love being that light for others. That is what keeps me going when I'm feeling like a lousy missionary-- I know that my attitude affects every other person, member and nonmember, around me and I want to leave everyone I talk to better than I found them.

Have I inspired you to be a misisonary? Okay, probably not, but I'm going to give you a pep talk anyway.

The Power of Everyday Missionaries by Clayton Christensen

Go buy it now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seriously.
It is the best book I've ever read. Our ward is stellar and is creating a member missionary initiative using this book so we received special permission to read it. I could not put it down!! Please, my dear family, read this book and talk to me about it! I will be following up!

Oh and do you remember that conference talk that talked about reading PMG and talking to your missionary child about it? Are you doing that? Let's talk about it!

Found it!

Brothers and sisters, can you imagine the impact if family and friends included things they are learning from their personalstudy of Preach My Gospel in their letters and emails to their full-time missionaries? Can you picture the blessings thatwill come to families when they know and understand better what their sons and daughters will be studying and teachingon their missions? Can you even begin to fathom the extraordinary outpouring of atoning grace that will be ours,individually and collectively, according to the Savior’s promise to all who bear testimony in the process of inviting souls tocome unto Him—and then following up on those invitations?

check it out:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/following-up?lang=eng

Well, I love you dearly.

Have an extraordinary week!!
xoxoxo
Sister Rolfe

PS.. Foxy and I have now lived in our new apartment for 2 weeks and have not received a single letter. Ouch. Repentance is real....

6403 Clough Pike #5

Cincinnati, OH
45244

MORE! {5.12.14}

More pictures since my email was teeny! Yay pictures are the best part anyway!

xoxox

Oh and I hope you all watched the mothers day video.. if not, watch it now!

http://motherhood.mormon.org/?cid=HPTH050814094

My Mind is Frazzled {5.12.14}

Hola!

My beautiful family! I can't put into words how good it was to see all of you yesterday. I couldn't even sleep last night because I was just picturing all of your beautiful faces! Ah! I'm sorry we couldn't all talk for longer, but I am SO grateful for the few moments we did get.

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH.

So, transfer calls.

Sister Fox and I....................

ARE STAYING IN EASTGATE TOGETHER!!!! Whew. (insert sigh of relief). I have been stressing about transfers all week and was a nervous wreck this morning. But, we are staying so I can breathe again! President actually called and told us how much work we have to do here in this stake because of their HUGE goals, but we are the missionaries to do it! No pressure. So, it will definitely be another crazy, fly by transfer but I cannot wait. There is nothing better than serving with your best friend!!

In other news, Sister Ryan is leaving :( I'm so sad to see her go, but I can't wait for her to go light another area on fire! There are four sisters leaving our zone, so Foxy and I are getting four new sisters to mother!

I don't even know what to tell you about the past week. It was insane.

Let me tell you about it:

Monday: Finished moving into our new apartment

Tuesday: Mission leadership council at the mission home and Mason came home! Yes, we met him the night he came home.

Wednesday: Spent all day planning zone meeting with the zone leaders

Thursday: Zone meeting (taught by foxy and I and the zone leaders)

Friday: Exchange with the Cherry Grove Sisters!

Saturday: Social media split!

Sunday: Mothers Day!!

Here is my take away for the week: God is easy to please, but hard to satisfy. Talk about a lightbulb moment! God is so pleased with us and all of the good we are doing, but he always expects more because he knows our divine potential. That is why we are here after all-- to learn and grow! Heavenly Father isn't interested in our comfort zone; he wants to stretch us to the limits so that we can become like Him! Just remember, He isn't stretching you because you aren't good enough; he's stretching you so you can go from good to GREAT.

I am honestly at a loss. I'm sorry. My mind is kind of swimming from everything! Send me questions to answer next week and I'll love you forever. Oh and if you're planning on sending me something this week you should probably just send it to the blackham's because we don't have a mail key.

Mom, please still send me pioneer stories!

I LOVE YOU

xoxoxoxo

Sister Rolfe

Pictures {5.5.14}

I Love My Mom {5.5.14}

Italian phrase of the week:

oggi è una bella giornata!

Family, today is a beautiful day! :) And this is a beautiful life we live because of the glorious restoration of the Gospel. My testimony continues to grow daily and to be tested daily-- got to love opposition in all things! I definitely stand with Elder Holland; we must defend our faith!

This week we had interviews with President Porter. Here are a few highlights I'll throw in for no extra charge:

-Sister Fox and I wouldn't have been companions again if it were up to President because we get along WAY too well and don't have to work on our relationship. Luckily, President listens to and acts on revelation. Heavenly Father must love us a lot!

- President asked me what I'm learning from our companionship and I told him, among other things, I'm preparing for marriage. He laughed and told me if I find an eternal companion I get along with as well as Sister Fox he will be SHOCKED. Oh boy. 

-Our bishop told President that we are the most dynamic companionship in the church.. wow!

-And here is some of the golden advice that I will remember for the rest of my life....

"We have to get over our pursuit of the mythical state of balance. We have to learn to govern ourselves by covenant priority."
This is something I'm sure I will be working on for the rest of my life... there is no such thing as balance and when it comes to certain things, like missionary work, you can't really prioritize either. You just have to do it all! But, as long as I'm putting God first (covenant priority) everything else will fall into place!

After my interview, I had to evaluate the other missionaries teaching with the Zone Leaders and the Assisstants.. no pressure! It was pretty intense. Sometimes I forget that I am a leader and all of the responsibilities that come with it, but it's good. I'm learning SO much.

To reward ourselves for our hard work (5 hours of evaluating!!) Foxy and I went to Cheesecake Factory for lunch!! I thought I was in Heaven. It's times like these that I am so grateful to be a stateside missionary.

Okay, now let me get to my miracle. 

A while ago we were walking through the parking lot at an apartment complex when we were prompted to talk to a guy arguing with his wife. Awkward, right? Well, we did it anyway and nothing really came of the conversation. We left him our card and went on our way. As we pulled out, we got a call from him making sure he had the right number! He asked us to come back and teach his family!!!

Long story short, we couldn't get a hold of him again until I was on an exchange Friday night. We had a little time after dinner and I felt impressed to stop by his apartment. So we did and there was no answer. As we walked to the car feeling a little discouraged (I'm really trying to work on recognizing promptings and acting on them) we heard someone yelling to us. We looked up and there he was leaning over his balcony! He told us to come up, so we ran up 5 flights of stairs to meet him. Out of breath and excited out of our minds, we talked to him in the hallway of his apartment for almost an hour! Turns out he was baptized 20 years ago in Micronesia..... WHAT?! HE IS MORMON!!

He hasn't been active in almost that long though. But, he's ready to turn his life around, come back to church, and have his children baptized. Wow. I had the most overwhelming confirmation from the Spirit that this is one of the families I am on my mission for. 

If I could tell you all of the details your minds would be even more boggled. Just you wait.

MIRACLES TO COME.

In other news, we moved out of the Blackham's this weekend. Sad day! Our new apartment is pretty nice... we like it!

My new address is:

4306 Clough Pike #5

Cincinnati, OH
45244

write me!
 

One more thing for all you mothers out there,
Mothers, we acknowledge and esteem your faith in every footstep. Please know that it is worth it then, now, and forever.

-Jeffrey R. Holland

Happy Mothers Day to all of you wonderful mothers I love so much!

With love from one half of the most dynamic companionship in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,
xoxoxoxoxo

Sister Kayla Rolfe

P.S.

I GET TO SKYPE ON MOTHERS DAY!!!!!!

P.P.S.

Saturday is another #socialmediasplit  check it out!

Quote of the week:

Would you like to have emblazoned on your soul an undeniable witness that the SAvior descended beneath your sins and the there is no sin, no mortal plight outside the merciful reacho f His atonement that for eacho f your struggles he has a remedy of superior healing power?

Then, READ THE BOOK OF MORMON.