I've said it once, I'll say it a million times....
Time is the craziest thing!!!
I CANNOT believe I have been a missionary for an entire year. As I look back, though, it has without a doubt been the best year for my life. I can't wait to see what the next 6 months have in store! I can't thank you enough for your love and support this past year. My love for every one of you grows every single day!
So to sum up my celebratory mission birthday week, I:
x. Had a dinner date with one of my favorite investigators :) She even sent us home with a bouquet of flowers and a bag of food! Aren't we supposed to be serving her??
x. Softened a families hearts through service! They were a referral, so when we contacted them we asked if there was any service we could do. Most people think we're crazy and turn us away (if only they knew that we were actually willing to do anything for them.. for free!). This man actually accepted our offer and asked us to clean out his rain gutters! We told him we would be back with a ladder the next day :) We asked if we could leave him with a prayer and he was not the least bit interested. The next day Brother B came back with us and cleaned out all of their gutters while we talked with the couple about the Gospel. In the middle of this, it started downpouring! Bro. B is such a saint and we were so grateful for his selfless service. By the end of the night they were asking us if they could go to church with us!! They told us we were two of the most Godly people they had met (haha I don't know about that) and that they were SO impressed they wanted to learn more about the church! Wow! I can't say enough about SERVICE!!! (my theme of the week, you'll see)
x. Had the craziest/ best missionary night of my life.
Tuesday, Foxy and I spent our last 3 hours of the day at the church because we had friends coming to the family history center--woo! We ended up filling up the fhc and not having enough room for everyone!!! The hastening is happening :) Anyway, we ended up getting there early with A so we were able to give her a chapel tour beforehand and she committed to pray about baptism. Then she went and had an AWESOME experience doing family history. Then Al showed up, but there wasn't room for her so she was really depressed. We took her into the chapel to talk and found out her life was basically falling apart. we sang hymns to her an the spirit was so strong. One of her friendshippers came in and literally read my mind by asking Al if she wanted a blessing. She accepted and had one of the most powerful spiritual experiences of her life. She is a very skeptical person, but after the blessing she looked at Bro. P and said, "I have to ask you something. How did you know that I was thinking about not wanting to be alone? Exactly when I thought that, you blessed me that I wouldn't be alone!" He was able to explain to her that he wasn't giving the blessing, Heavenly Father was. Powerful!!! Then to top off the night, a random lady showed up to do family history and we were able to give her a chapel tour and she became a new investigator. Missionary heaven!!
x. SERVING SERVING SERVING my heart out.
Wednesday we had not one but TWO service projects. We mulched a sweet catholic family's yard then we weeded a member's yard. I love to serve!!
x. Had the best interview with President Porter that I have had yet. Interviews actually just happened to fall on my one year mark. Yes, Heavenly Father knows and loves me!! He knew I would being feeling very sentimental/reminiscent/
emotional and blessed me to be able to talk it out with President. He told me Sister Fox and I are magic :) (when we're together). I was also able to read my setting apart blessing and my journal entry from the first day of my mission. I just can't believe that was a year ago, but it was so neat to see how many promised blessings have been fulfilled and HOW MUCH I have learned and grown! I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THIS YEAR.
x. Had a ward party!!! We had a dessert competition and played old fashioned games (for pioneer day). The Eastgate ward is my family!
And.....
dun dun dun dun dun!
CONNIE WAS BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Yes, I am serious. Connie who I have taught since FEBRUARY. Who I have cried over on multiple occasions! Connie is so special and holds such a special place in my heart. She was absolutely glowing at her baptism and it was such a spiritual experience. I am so proud of this beautiful daughter of God! :)
I love you all! I hope you've had just as good of a year as I have :) I've missed you incredibly but I wouldn't trade this year for anything in the world. I am so grateful for the privilege and blessing I have had to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with my brothers and sisters. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is not just a church but the Lord's kingdom and family here on the Earth. Learning to teach and more importantly LIVE the Doctrine of Christ has changed me.
With all of the love in the world,
Sister Kayla Rolfe
xoxoxoxo
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