New companion and more miracles

Family and friends,

 

Though I'm still in Peterborough, there have been loads of changes this week. My dear Sister W has left me to Nottingham, but Sister C is now here. She's come straight from Holladay, Utah. Today is only her 5th day, but the past few days have been good. Because I don't have too much time, I'll give a few small details from the week.

 

Small miracle: I absolutely love the fact that Madie and I are serving at the same time. I believe wholeheartedly that we are meant to be in the places we are at this exact time to intereact with certain people. I received a letter from Madie this week telling me she's serving in Sister Grigoryan's (my previous companion's) ward. They've been able to work closely together, and it's absolutely making me trunky (homesickish) that they get to interact. I love them both.

 

Brakes: I secured Sister C a bike before she even got here because I absolutely refuse to take the bus. So within our first 5 minutes of riding on her first day, we have to go down this huge hill. We get down about half way, and I hear this huge scream behind me. I turn around to see Sister C with her legs off the peddles and outstreched on both sides and holding on for dear life onto the handle bars. I stop my bike and just watch helplessly as she flies by me into a curb/bush and nearly topples over. I run over to see if she's alright, and we find very quickly that the brakes decided to go out the moment a new girl, less than a day out in the field, decides to ride it. Just my luck.

 

Big miracle: This week, one of our investigator's mums asked if she could speak to us. We set up a time. I was afraid she would ask us not to see her daughter. Instead, she told us that because her daughter had been investigating the church, she had started to do her own research. We had shared a Book of Mormon with her a few days before. She said she was completely not interested at all, but wanted to see what her daughter was getting herself into. She explained through tears that because of us, her family would be staying together. I cannot for the life of me remember what Sister W and I said that made it possible for her family to stay together, but for some reason, she gave us the credit for it happening. We didn't even know she was having problems with her husband or family. She told us that the things she had been learning about the church had been giving her comfort. She was surprised because she hadn't gone into her research with any sort of intention to change. Now, she has desires to be baptised and has started to keep the commandments on her own without learning them from us. I feel like we should be in an Ensign article or General Conference talk! The cool thing about all of this is that we seriously did not do a thing. We were missionaries. We gave her a book, shared our feelings and testimonies, and the spirit did EVERYTHING else. Everything. I am so blessed.

 

Well, time to wrap up. I'm sorry about my bad grammar and spelling. I see the red lines under some of the words, but I honestly cannot be bothered to fix them. I love you! Jesus loves you. The spirit is real.

 

Sister Katie Kate

Laid up

Fam and friends,

It's so weird to hear about the first batch of sisters coming home already. Time has flown, but I'm so grateful for the time I have left; however, this week was a bit different than others. Last Sunday after church, our Latvian investigator invited us over for a meal. We had some cool Latvian salad thing with a special sauce and some really good meat stuff. Lastly, we had an absolutely heavenly kiwi cake thing. All was well as we biked home and slept for the night. Monday, we woke up feeling great. We e-mailed, played sports at the chapel, etc. As we got into the evening, Sister W started feeling funny. We went out to work anyway. After about 20 minutes of being outside she looked absolutely dreadful, so we got her home and she promptly began puking her guts out. A few hours later, I began to be sick as well and thus began our night of absolutely no sleep. Being sick on a mission is the worst. There is no Facebook, Insta, The Notebook, anything to keep you entertained. Sister and I took turns staring at each other, the wall, and the toilet seat.  Okay, the point of my graphic story starts now. We were really nervous that being sick from Monday evening to Thursday afternoon would really slow down all the exciting things happening here. We had been working hard to keep everything up, and we didn't want it all to fall apart just because of some food poisoning or virus or whatever it was. We had people we needed to see and teach and we had meetings we needed to attend. As our health slowly went up at the end of the week, we began working as normal. We had done nothing up until then, and we determined to try out hardest to teach just as much as we have the other weeks. And you wanna hear something great? We miraculously were still able to see all the people we needed and wanted and even a few more. We were able to attend all the meetings we needed to. We worked hard and had a good time. We actually accomplished more in those few days we had to work than we usually do in other weeks where we have all seven days. 

All this helped me remember that this isn't my work at all. I think for a while, I thought that all the exciting things happening were because of us, that we were the reason for all the success in the area. But at the end of this week, we found that we didn't really do anything. The Lord has carried our area and will continue to do so in the future. 

Church was the crowning event of the week with six of our friends showing up to church. I love the people here. One of our investigators from Zimbabwe came. He'd told us a few days before that he wouldn't be able to come. We were really bummed, but got over it and forgot about it. When we walked into church we see him sitting in the middle of the chapel in a nice suit waiting for the service. I go and sit with him and try to hold in all my excitement as I ask why he decided to come. He said that he'd wanted to surprise us. I smiled the whole meeting. Life is gooood. 

Sorry for the lack of details (and pictures) but I'll be better next week. Do I say that every week? I'm sorry if I do. But oh man, this is all so true. It's so simple. Even those people who attack my beliefs and testimony help to cement it further into my heart. It crazy to think my time is running out. People remind me all the time. I think from now on I'm going to lie and say I've only been out for a few months. Also, by next Monday I'll have a new companion! The adventures of Sister W and Sister Kuykendall have come to a close. I'm going to miss her loads, and to be quite honest I'm super nervous. But all is well. Happy day. Talk to you next time. 

Love,

Sister Kuykendall

Miraculous week (another one :))

Fam and friends,

We had a miraculous week. Seriously, it was amazing. Also, I feel like e-mail time gets shorter and shorter ever week, but I'll try to give as much detail as possible.

This week I was feeling a bit homesick as Jilly was baptised on Saturday. I wanted to see her and hug her and see the change in her and I wanted to be with my family. With all the people that I love and that love me (I hope). I just prayed the whole day that everything would be okay, that Jill would feel the spirit, and that she'd remember the day and know that I love her. After reading my e-mails today about the experience, I realised that I have the best family in the world.

Yesterday was easily one of the top 10 days of my life. We had some amazing people at church, and oh my goodness I love this ward. The love I feel from the people here is unreal. They all love each other so much, and you can feel it emanate from them. I don't know how to describe it without sounding super cheesy.

Because I'm really bad at e-mail time management, I'll just tell the tale of one miracle that happened yesterday at church. We are teaching a Latvian family, and the mom comes to church every week. She's sorta become an eternal investigator, as she doesn't really keep big commitments and isn't really changing, but still comes to church because she loves it. We were struggling this week knowing how to help her progress. We've taught her everything. In Sunday school yesterday, I sat in a chair across from her. The class began as usual. The teacher got up and began talking about conversion and what true conversion entails. A short clip was put on about someone's testimony or conversion or something, but I can't remember. I can only remember looking at this woman's face and seeing a slow but obvious change come about her countenance. I could tell she was feeling the Spirit. That's one of my favourite things to watch. I love when I know that my investigator has recognised the Spirit. After class, she said she knew that she needed to act on all the answers she has received. Though I don't know how or exactly when she'll act, the rest of the day I was totally stoked. I love my life.

I love you guys! I'll be better next week with writing. Forgive me.

Sister Kuykendall

I love the English!

Friends and family,

Though nothing too extravagant happened this week, we're happy campers. We started teaching a deaf guy this week. When we met him, Sister W. was super pumped because she knows some sign language, but we quickly found out that it was useless because American sign language is way different that British. He taught us the BSL alphabet though, and we were able to communicate through that and talking really loud and slow. At the end of our lesson with him, we testified that God would answer his prayers. He didn't know if God was even real, so we said he could even pray and ask if he was there. Then, he looked down all sad and said, "How can God speak to me? I can't hear." My heart melted. We were both so excited as we explained he didn't have to have perfect hearing to receive answers, all he has to do is have an open heart. He's too legit.

Peterborough is insane. I love it here. Here's our list of why we like it:

1. We get fed everyday.

2. Our ward mission leader is a BOSS.

3. Our Bishop is young and fun and involved.

4. We teach investigators in members homes, no problem.

5. Everyone wants to help out.

6. People fellowship any new face that they see at church.

I don't have loads of time this week, but I just wanted to say, if anyone is even considering serving a mission, do it. This is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have laughed harder than ever before, I've loved stronger than I knew I could, and I've met some of my best friends out here. I shudder just thinking about what my life would be like without it. I love you! I love the English.

Sister Kate

Sad week

Friends and family,

I'll be quite honest, this was a really sad week to put it simply. Ha, we had an incredible, uplifting, and motivating week last week, and beginning last Monday everything seemed to deteriorate for both of us. It was a little strange. We both had things from back home, things in our area, and things in the mission all seem to fall through and go wrong. We were trying to work past it and work hard, but with no results. For most of the week, I felt angry. I really shouldn't have been. I have lots of things to be happy for and grateful for, but for some reason, I felt that it wasn't fair that everything seemed to happen at once. At our ward coordination with the ward mission leader this week, we reported a few sad experiences that had happened with some of our solid investigators. We had a few people that we thought for sure were going to progress in some miraculous ways, and had fallen through. As we explained our situation, our ward mission leader listened intently. After we finished he sorta smiled and said, "We must be doing something right!" I was like, seriously? Didn't you listen to my sad saga? He explained that the ward was really excited about missionary work, we were finding and teaching and working hard, but with all of our hard work and unity, that also meant that the devil would be working just as hard as us. And though it's not the most comforting thing to know that as I work hard, so will the devil, it gives me a bit of motivation to continue working. We can't let him win.

By Sunday, we were still a bit discouraged. Our expectations had dropped, and we weren't sure what to expect with people coming church. As we waited in the foyer, we saw our cute little 14 year old investigator walk in with her mom. Her mom said that she wanted to support her daughter, so she'd decided to come see what the church was all about. We were excited for them both, and just hoped and prayed they'd have a good experience. And oh man, the ward was perfect. They greeted them, included them, everyone was able to feel the spirit, and at the end, the girl's mother came up to us with tears in her eyes and said, "I'm coming again next week. And not for my daughter, but for me." This is a woman who didn't seem keen on us at all in the beginning, who'd told us that she didn't want anything to do with the church. But the miracles that come from just having a desire to learn, or even curiosity, are undeniable. 

This Friday also marks one year for me. ONE YEAR. That means a full 365 days, all four seasons, a birthday, a Christmas, etc. It's felt totally unreal. At times in the past year I've definitely felt the lowest I've ever felt in my entire life and the highest as well. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. Sometimes I wonder why decided to come on a mission was ever a hard decision at all. Sometimes I wonder why something so hard and challenging can make me so happy and feel so fulfilled and at peace. Not a day will go by after my mission and into eternity that I won't think about my mission. I have been trying to think of goals to focus on for the last 6 months. I won't go into the details, but overall I want to take each moment at a time. Not even the days or hours, but each moment and try to do my best in each. The first day of my mission, I could only see the next 18 months. I kept thinking that I had to be perfect in everything, or else. However, I need to stop worrying about the people I've past and pretended like I didn't see. I need to forget about the times I got short with my companions or was prideful and insensitive. I've found that it's okay to make mistakes and learn from them. Each moment, I want to do the best I can. If I mess up, or don't like the result of a certain thing that's happened, I'll go back and fix it then. No regrets. Okay, this was all a little cliché and cheesy, but you get the gist?  

Funny: We ate nearly every single last bit of food in the flat by Saturday night. So on Sunday, we had a nice meal of wilting lettuce and only a little bit mouldy rice. I feel like I'm back in college.

Hungarians (a tale from Sister #Wills previous area): Sister W - "So how do you feel the Holy Ghost?" Hungarian investigator - "Because I am one." 

I love being here. I don't want to come home. At least for another six months. I love you! Jesus loves you.

Sister Katie K

We love Peterborough

This has been one of the best weeks ever! This place is booming, and it's been so fun having the ward on board. We taught a referral from our bishop on Friday, and he is golden. Seriously so prepared. He came to church, wants to be baptised, has almost finished 1 Nephi, and is wanting to make changes. It feels like I haven't done a single thing. We taught him the first lesson, and he just listened and nodded and said he'd ride his bike to church. We're so lucky. I love being apart of this process. We're also teaching a girl that is extremely excited to be baptised. As we told her and her mom of the things that baptism entailed and the life as a member of the gospel of Jesus Christ, her mom said to her, "This is quite the sacrifice, are you sure this is what you want?" We all turned to look at her and silently waited for a response. She said, "Well it's true isn't it? I'm willing to make sacrifices if it brings me closer to God." I almost died. 

Funny: On Saturday, Sister W and I walked outside to unlock our bikes. Two six year old chavs (what they call gangster like people over here) were playing with our bike lock combination. They ran off when we came, but stood about ten feet away behind a fence. We sorta just ignored that they had been trying to nick our bikes. I leaned my bike against the side of the fence as I put on my helmet. Right then, one of the kids ran up, jumped on my bike, and tried to bike away. I grabbed the seat and he ended up just staying in the same spot. He got off sheepishly, called me a few naughty things, and walked off. Here are the leaders of the future, everyone.

New best friend: We met a man on Monday that quite frankly was a little scary looking. He's a HUGE guy, on a skateboard, had a Budweiser shirt, a gnarly beard, and tattoos. My first thought was, "He is going to pummel you. Stay clear." And to my horror, I found myself walking in the middle of the sidewalk where he was riding and saying, "Hi! Do you believe in God?" Despite my lack of tact, we got into a way cool conversation. He believes in Oden and Thor and classifies himself as a heathen religiously. He loves beer, his daughter, and airsoft gunning. His nickname is 'Murica. I have honestly never met a more interesting person in my entire life. My dad told me to look for interesting people before I left, and he is the one. We set up an appointment to teach him. The lesson was great, and we all became really good friends, and he was very open and willing to learn and experiment. He gets it! At the end of our lesson we asked him who he'd like to say the prayer. His response, "I don't care, you're both dan* awesome." Legit.

Happy girl: We had zone meeting on Wednesday. I got to see all my old friends from the MTC. I'll send pictures of the groupies. #reunitedatlast

We love Peterborough! I love the English. And the Latvians. And the Africans. Etc.

Love,

Sister Kuykendall (they call me Sister Dolly over here since Kuykendall is too hard)

Transfers!

Family and friends,

I am now in England. I'm serving here. This is for real. After a year in Wales, I'm in an incredible place called Peterborough England which is on the exact opposite end of the mission. This week was full of travelling. On transfer day, I drove from Newcastle Emlyn to Swansea and dropped of the car (you have no idea what a relief that was). Then I took a bus to Cardiff (I was seriously tempted to just walk off there), then from there I bussed to the mission home in Birmingham where I got to see all my favourite people. Then I took a bus from there to Coventry to Leicester and finally met my companion and trained out to Peterborough. Altogether, about 9 hours of travelling. Maybe you didn't want to know all that, but it was quite the day. But I felt so good about the call, and I know that this is where I'm supposed to be. I love the ward, I love our investigators, and people actually attempt to say my name over here.

My new companion is Sister W, and she's the cutest person on the planet and isn't 19. And we like to talk about Café Rio and Smash Burger. We are totally going to kill it this transfer. We both have our minds set on high goals, the ward is on board, and the people here are ready. To give you an idea of what Peterborough is like, most of our area are people from either Lithuania, Latvia, or Africa. I can't remember the last time I saw a white person (slight exaggeration). Anyway, I absolutely love this area. Though it's not as beautiful as Wales, I'm so happy here. 

England: This place is incredible.

Sad: Leaving my friends in Newcastle Emlyn was heart-breaking. I was nearly in tears all of Tuesday as I said goodbye.

Bike: I'M BACK ON A BIKE. And to put it simply, I'm out of shape.

I love you! Jesus loves you.

Sister Kuykendall

Saying goodbye to some of my favorites

Sister Allred and I leaving each other at transfers