He is always beside us

Family and friends,

We did quite a bit of travelling this week as we had zone conference on Thursday, and have gone to the outer edges of our area for finding and other purposes. To start off, zone conference was in Rhiwbina! I almost cried when I found out, and I wanted to stay forever. But it was such a neat experience where we got to learn from a general authority. Sister Allred and I are loving each other, and I love the fact that I have someone who understands American humour and sarcasm. We were also lucky enough this week to go to places in our area I'd never heard of. We were asked to contact some people by some members in the ward, and they happened to be in some of the prettiest places I've ever seen. There are too many pictures! I'll include some -the rest I'll show you when I get back.

Since coming on my mission, I've really loved looking for promises in the scriptures and from the prophets. Usually I have to look for them or make a couple connections. As I was reading the talk "We Never Walk Alone" by President Thomas S. Monson from the General Relief Society meeting at this last general conference, I came across this direct statement, "I promise you that you will one day stand aside and look at your difficult times, and you will realize that He was always there beside you." I've found this extremely comforting. It's helped me to see the people I talk to in a new light. Only the Saviour knows what the people I meet have gone through. He loves them perfectly. And even when the people I speak with tell me they've been abandoned by God, I remember this: He is always beside us. He is always beside you.

I love you!

Sister Kuykendall

A little chapel we found. The graveyard outside it looks like it hasn't been touched in years. And we don't know why there isn't a roof. But isn't it cute a little?

Transfers

Friends and Family,

Transfers have come and gone, and I have a new companion! Her name is Sister Allred, and she's from Provo. We love each other thus far, and we're really excited about this upcoming transfer. She's from my MTC group, and she was one of the first people I saw past security in the Salt Lake airport, so we have something in common already. Transfers took up most of our week though. Sister Grigoryan and I made the four and a half hour drive to Birmingham on Monday night right after our preparation day. I dropped her off at the mission home, and I got to serve in a place called Coventry for a day and a half until Sister Allred came from her old area and off we went on our four and a half hour journey back home. I think we'll really get along.

I love what I'm doing. Seriously, nothing has made me more happy in my life. It's so hard, but for some reason, I want to work harder and harder and talk to more and more people. This gospel brings peace. There are many things that I don't know, but even when things are hard there is one truth that I cannot deny: that God lives, and so does His Son. I encounter hostile opposition every day. Those that know me know I hate rejection. Simply put, I could not do this if I did not know this was true. It gives me comfort. No one can take this from me.

Anyway, this place is gorgeous. Honestly, it's the prettiest part of the world. I love you!

Sister Kate Kuykendall

                                              "Pictures don't do this place justice"

                            "My new companion, we don't have a picture together yet"

                                                           "All my best friends"

                            "A graveyard right across from our flat. The youngest person in here died in 1905."

                              "The inside of a cathedral in Coventry England that was bombed in WW ll"

Madie

Friends and family,

Words cannot express how incredibly proud I am of Madie. Literally (used correctly) every e-mail I got today spoke of her maturity and the power of her farewell talk. Let me just talk to her for a second.

Madie, through the years, you and I have "got" each other like no one else has. Though our interests are different, I have no doubt that we were put in the same family for a divine purpose. It kills me that I wasn't able to see your farewell or see you off, but I will be the first to hug you when you return. There was a time in my junior year of college that I was feeling overwhelmed and alone. You lived in the flat below me. I called to see if I could come over, only to find that you were at work. I sat in my room, wanting to talk to someone, but all my roommates were gone. A few minutes later, you walked in. You had left work early to come be with me. I even found out later that you'd ditched a date to spend time with a poor pathetic sister. You probably don't remember this, but I do. I love you, girl. You have a great capacity to love. You have an incredible desire to serve. You are stronger than any girl (or boy) I know. You are my best friend. You will never understand the impact that you have made on my life. I am proud of you. A mission will be hard, and you will feel alone. But I know you can do it, because I've seen you overcome hard things. Don't give up, okay? We're in this together! A success for you is a success for me. Work hard and be obedient. You're going to the second best mission (next to mine) in the world. Though each day brings its own challenges, for some reason happiness always prevails. Let the Lord be the centre of your mission! Pray harder than you ever have. You are never going to have some of these feelings again, so make sure you write them down so I can read them later. Remember that your sister in the middle of nowhere in Wales is rooting for you and thinking of you.  

Wassermellon.

Anyway, I had a really good week. We're working on finding new people to teach, and have been involved in quite a few service projects. I'm really loving the area, though it's still not the same as Cardiff. The people I've met and associated with are incredible. I am so lucky to have the opportunity to go out and talk to these people every day about something that makes me undeniably happy. I love you!

Sister Kate

Alma 36:27

H2O

This week was filled with lots of finding, service, and water. So much water. There is a huge piece of farmland next to our flat that literally looks like a lake with a few tree tops poking out of it. It's insane. Luckily our flat has been just fine, but some of the people in our area aren't so lucky. So we're involved in lots of service at the moment. There's not much we can do to help, but for the most part we organize the rubbish and make sure everyone is happy.

Because of all the rain, our finding efforts have been hindered a bit, but we had an exchange on Saturday with some other Sisters in our zone. Sister Miller and I worked in the rain for a couple hours, and we came across an incredible tender mercy.

Though most of our clothes are constantly damp, I still love the rain. Perhaps by the end of my mission I'll be sick of it. Though I don't like the area as much as Cardiff quite yet, it's growing on me. It is seriously breath-taking over here. Absolutely beautiful. As I've come further into my mission, I honestly can't see myself anywhere else. I don't know why this was ever a hard decision for me to serve. Thinking about Madie serving with me as well makes me that much more excited. Anyone who is worthy to serve yet decides not to is out of their mind. Just kidding. There are other good things to do. But coming on a mission has been perfect for me.

I'd like everyone to know that I know that my Saviour lives. I have a loving Heavenly Father who has become my best friend the past few months. He loves you too, and wants to hear from you. I know that miracles are real. I love this gospel. I love what I'm doing. Jesus loves you!

Special K  

                                                                    Beautiful coastline of West Wales  

                                                                                   

                                                                        The accidental coordination

                                

                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                             

                                    

Prayer

Friends and family,

This past month has brought the largest amount of rain in the history of this area. So we've been racking our brains quite a bit to try to come up with an idea of how we can work effectively in an area that for the most part is flooded. For the most part, we've done quite a bit of service for families in the area whose homes have been flooded or need repair.

This place is absolutely incredible. I think I said that before, but it really is. It constantly smells like pine, and the greenery and hills make me feel like I'm in a fairy tale movie.

In other news, in this area there are many people who speak Welsh as a first language, or speak only Welsh. So my companion and I have been assigned to learn Welsh. I now have language study. This should be quite interesting, as many of the words don't have vowels, but I'll give it a go.

This last week, we had a lesson with a woman who was brought up Catholic. As we explained prayer, she started to tear up. She said that she always wanted to pray directly to her Father in heaven, but felt like she had to go through someone else. She loved that she didn't need to have an appointment or set wording. This last week, I have thought about this and found that I've really taken this knowledge for granted. I love being able to pray in the middle of the night, early in the morning, any time and know that I am heard.

I love you all! Jesus loves you. Sorry there won't be any pictures, as I left my cord at the flat.

Love,

Sister K

New Area: Newcastle Emlyn, Wales

Family and friends,

Transfers were this last Wednesday, and I have been sent to west Wales (my prayers to stay in Wales didn't quite go how I hoped). I am serving in the Newcastle Emlyn ward, and I live in a tiny little village (of about 15 houses) called Llandysul. This place is absolutely amazing. There are more sheep and cows than people, but that's okay. We can even see every single star at night. So here's how transfers went:

TRANSFER DODGE NIGHT

District Leader: "Sister Kuykendall, you'll be leaving Cardiff for Newcastle Emlyn!"

Sister Kuykendall: "....."

District Leader: "I don't know where that is. But good luck!"

TRANSFER DAY

As we're waiting in Cardiff for the coach to take us to the mission home and then to our new area...

Zone Leader: "Sister Kuykendall, your ride is here."

Sister Kuykendall: "My ride? I thought I was taking the coach."

Zone Leader: "Did no one tell you? You're in a car area. Also, your companion is from Armenia and doesn't have a drivers license, so you'll be driving. Here's the keys. You should probably start driving home now as it's starting to get dark."

Panic starts to set in as I realized I have to figure out how to get to an area in the middle of no where, drive on the left side of the road, in the dark. Right now my nana might be panicking, but no need to fear. I was just fine. And my driving skills improve each and every day.

Also, my companion's name is Sister Grigoryan. She's from Armenia (yaya Madie!). She's super bold and fearless and likes to give me compliments. She's about half my size and likes to cook Armenian food for me. Which includes lots of meats and spices.

I went to my first Sacrament in my new ward yesterday, and as we were saying hello and greeting all the members, I started to get super homesick for Rhiwbina. I miss my family there. If I ever come back to Wales, I'll be going to Cardiff. However, I must say that where I am now is the prettiest place I've ever been in my entire life. No exaggeration. It seems like a place that Dad would like. In short, I miss Cardiff. But I'm SUPER glad that I get to stay in Wales. I'll most likely be spending most of my mission in Wales, as my mission president said he might want me to get a UK driver's license. If I do, I'd mostly likely be driving for the rest of my mission. And 3 of the 4 car areas for sisters are in Wales.

This past week I've received an incredible amount of support from friends and family. I wish I could be home to hug each one of you and thank you. I've really been looked after and have had some really comforting and personal experiences that remind me that I'm not alone. Though sometimes it may feel like it out here when you knock about 4 doors and have to drive a half hour to the next 4 doors. I love you! Jesus loves you.

Sister Kuykendall

Sad to be leaving Sister Heikki

Leaving for her new area

"Forget yourself and go to work!"

Family and friends,

Though this week felt a little long, it was filled with miracles (one in the form of a baptism!). At the beginning of the week, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to work as hard as I knew I needed to. I remembered the letter that President Hinckley's dad sent him during his mission saying "forget yourself and get to work." I decided to try that. Sister Heikki and I worked hard, and in turn we forgot about our worries. I especially found that the promises I've been given of peace and comfort through prayer are real. I love my mission. I love this area. I wouldn't change anything about about it thus far, as each direct or indirect experiece has helped me to grow. I love you all a whole bunch, and can feel your love and prayers!

Sister Kuykendall