It all takes time!

Hey y'all! 

Another week, come and gone! Can't believe how fast time flies.

Miracles are still happening! We had seven investigators at church yesterday, and it was AWESOME. Our ward members really stepped it up, and made sure that they felt very welcomed. What a blessing.

Brother S is still moving forward with his baptism on Aug 20th. His wife, who's a member, is so excited, and was telling everyone at church yesterday. :)

Brother P has been smoke free since Wednesday! What a great guy... he truly loves the Lord, and he has changed SO much since when we first starting meeting with him. He's always anxious for Sunday to roll around, and he is eager for baptism.

everyone else is doing really well... I don't really know what to report about them. They all have their struggles, and we're helping them along. It all takes time!

Sister Stettler is doing really great, and it's like she already knew how to be a missionary. She is become a better teacher day by day, and I am so proud of her!

Yesterday we sang in sacrament meeting, (very last minute planning... kinda was nerve wracking) but we sang "Lord I Would Follow Thee"

"Savior, may I love my brother

As I know thou lovest me,

Find in thee my strength, my beacon,

For thy servant I would be.

Savior, may I love my brother--

Lord, I would follow Thee"

Sister Stettler and I have been focusing a lot on charity lately, and this verse really was powerful yesterday as we were singing it..... it's a lot easier to share the gospel with people when you actually have charity for them. In Moroni 7, it talks about how we gain charity by praying for it, so I want to challenge you all to pray for charity for those around you..... and then follow the promptings that come when the Spirit says to share the gospel... it's scary at first, but it's worth it!

anyways..... God bless! Have a good week!

Love, Sister Kirkby

TRULY the Lord's work

TWO MORE TRANSFERS LEFT... and I get to train such an awesome new missionary through it all. #soblessed. Her name is Sister Stettler, and she's from Boise Idaho. She graduated in 2015, and she went to LDS Buisness College for interior design. She likes to run, and she's just so cute. She also reminds me a WHOLE lot of my old trainee, Sister Miller... like it's actually really creepy. I keep thinking to myself "wow, I feel like I've done this before.." oh man, I love it though.

The missionary work here in Martinsville is moving along swimmingly. We had six investigators at church yesterday (SIX!) and it was such a blessing.

Brother P has committed to live the word of wisdom, and we're doing our best to help him to quit smoking. Curse those addictions!

Brother S is really excited for his baptism, and him and his wife are already talking about getting sealed in the temple! I'll for sure be back in a year to enjoy that experience with them.

Sister H is driving the struggle bus. She needs to get out of her home life situation, but it's really hard for her. She knows she needs to be baptized, and I know that one day she will... she just has to find hope in such a dark world that she lives in. She probably studies the most I've ever seen someone study. She is so awesome, and I love her so much.

We are teaching a lot more people, and they are all progressing within their own timing, and I've learned a lot lately about trusting fully in the Lords promises. We do what we can, and then we HAVE to put it in the Lords hands, and we can't worry about it anymore. Once it's in his hands, we just keep going, and do our best. As I've been able to do that, I've seen the ward step it up, and I've seen our investigators progress faster than I ever have on my mission. This TRULY is the Lords work... it ain't ours, and as we turn it over to him, and humble ourselves, I see more miracles than I ever have before.

(did you like my southern "ain't"?... it's becoming a part of my everyday vocabulary.. haha)

well, I hope y'all have a good week! Don't forget to be a missionary to those around you!

Love, Sister Kirkby

Some days are harder than others...

Wowza! What a great way to end the transfer. I'll really really really really really really miss Sister Sorensen (She's going home in two days), but I'm really excited to be training the last two transfers of my mission... can you believe that?! TWO MORE TRANSFERS... wow.

well, anyways, this last week and a half was so so awesome! We're teaching so many people that are just on their way to being baptized.

First off, on Sunday, we had 5 investigators at church! It was so awesome, and the lessons and talks all throughout the day were just what our investigators needed!

Bro S (part member family) is on his way to baptism! He's been fasting and praying to know truth, and he knows the Book of Mormon is the Word of God. What a great individual. His wife (the member) is such a great support to him, and I'm excited to continue to work with them.

We taught Bro P the Word of Wisdom yesterday, and he took it like a champ! He has/had all problems, and right now he's struggle with cigarettes and alcohol. He's committed to live it, so that he can be worthy for baptism on Aug 20th.

Brother L told us that he was coming closer and closer to the conclusion that the Book of Mormon was the word of God.

and people are just getting their prayers answered left and right. It's such a blessing, and I love the Spirit that has been leading us in lessons.

I don't have much time to write today (aka I didn't take much time to write today.. some days are harder than others to put thoughts into words) but know that God loves you, He knows exactly what you're going through, and He will NEVER leave you alone.

Have a great week, and don't forget to read!

Love, Sister Kirkby

Yay Martinsville!

Happy 4th! Freedom is great, ain't it?

We've had another really awesome week. We had heaps of people to teach, and it's such a good problem to have! I wish there were more hours in a day.

We committed HEAPS of people to come to church on Sunday, and only one of the heaps that we committed came. arg! So frustrating! I know the Lord has a plan, and we just gotta do a better job at helping all of our investigators make it! We have lots of people on date for baptism, and I'm excited to see how everything plays out. We have such great opportunities here in Martinsville, and I truly love it with all of my heart.

Sis Sorensen goes home next week, and it feels weird, because I swear the transfer just started! Time is so precious, and it's basically all we have. That and our choices, and the ultimate choice is what we're going to do with our time. I know that our purpose in this life is to serve God, and to repent daily. As we consecrate out time and choices to the Lord, we WILL be blessed in the eternal perspective of things, even if it's hard right now... and honestly, life isn't as hard as we make it out to be.

(https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/reflections-on-a-consecrated-life?lang=eng)

Well, it's a short email today, but I love y'all so much! Keep doing what you're supposed to be doing, and read the Book of Mormon today, if you haven't already! haha

Love, Sister Kirkby