Family! July
7, 2014
Another transfer has gone by and…I only have four more left ...
wow! I feel like it was just yesterday that I came out to Florida. It's
exciting to think back on all the amazing experiences that I have had and
really how much I have grown. Missions are the best!!!!
This past week was super stressful and really tiring so I'm glad
it's over with! haha! Due to the fourth of July holiday, a lot of our
appointments fell through and not many people were receptive to talking to us.
In addition, we had training sessions in Zone Training Meetings, and had to
schedule in all of our exchanges among our already super crazy schedule for
this next transfer... BUT...my District Leader, Elder Forrest is very inspired
and suggested that I read Elder Uchtdorf's talk entitled, “Gratitude in Every
Circumstance” from this past General Conference. I loved it! It was a great
reminder to me that we have so much to be grateful for no matter what trials
and struggles we might be having in the moment. Instead of being grateful for
THINGS ... we will be blessed if we have an "attitude of gratitude" IN OUR CIRCUMSTANCES. Our stresses and sorrows of life will be eased and replaced with
peace, patience and understanding in God's timing. I'm excited for this next week
and for the things that are in store. Please pray that my new companion, Sister
Thompson, and I will have the energy to do it all! We are doing 3 exchanges
alone this week...which means that we will be doing something every night
for exchanges. Ah! It's going to be crazy! But, I know that as I work hard,
have an “attitude of gratitude” for the callings and situations that I am in,
and have faith that the Lord will help us...We will see miracles! I can't wait
to be able to tell you all about how it goes next week!
I was asked to give a training session last week in our Zone
Training Meeting on some changes that have been made in Preach My Gospel! It
was kind of exciting to teach! Missionaries
will now be teaching all FIVE lessons to investigators before they are baptized
and are also in charge of ensuring that those five lessons are taught after
baptism as well. It was kind of funny telling the zone. "Preach My Gospel
is so inspired!! (Except for these few lines that we are now changing!"
hahaha Just kidding.) I am so grateful for continued revelation and that the
Lord knows what’s best for us. I feel excited knowing that this change has been
made so that we can better prepare our investigators for being members. It will
help them see what truly is expected of being a member of the church and what
will help them continue to progress after baptism. It helps them see that
baptism is just the beginning of how we come unto Christ and that there are so
many amazing things beyond baptism and by being a member of Christ's church.
The Lord is really sifting out those that are prepared and who will continue to
help His church and gospel grow. :) So exciting!
For the Fourth of July we were not able to be on top of the
temple to see the fireworks like we did last year so last year was the one year
that we were given the opportunity to do it. I'm counting my lucky stars for
last year and hoping that the zone in this area was able to! This year was just
as great though! We went to the Herzog family’s home. They have an AWESOME view
from their 7th floor apartment overlooking Universal, Disney, Sea World and
TONS of other resorts shooting fireworks off directly across from their
apartment balcony. We were in the best location ever. There were literally
fireworks SURROUNDING every side, in a big circle, around the apartment. Cool
huh? It was fun!!
Funny story that happened that night... so I can't remember if I
told you this already or not... but Elder Mckay Jensen (who went to Woods
Cross) and Elder Forrest are the elders that share the ward with us. They were also
at Herzogs at the 4th of July party. We were all out on the balcony watching
fireworks and someone closed the glass door to the balcony... and Elder Forrest
didn't notice and totally smacked his face on the window trying to walk in. I
think he was a little embarrassed so I didn't laugh too much... but oh man.
Speaking of fellow missionaries that are from Woods Cross... we
have so many that are out here and WILL be out here (Cami Horrocks!!) Sister
Taylor (can't remember her first name) was serving in Australia and just got
reassigned to our mission! She is serving in the Winter Garden ward now so I'll
be with her next week :) She was in the jazz band, if that rings any bells...
So cool!
Anyway, I'm excited for this next week and what it has to offer.
I hope that you are all doing well. Remember... when things get hard, don't let
your “attitude of gratitude” diminish!! Keep it burning bright! You will be so
much happier! :) :) I love you all!!
Love,
Sister Kirkham
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