A Missionary Christmas

Wow! What a long week.

Let me just say, Christmas on the mission is the BEST. Mainly because you get to focus on Christ, and the reason for the season, and over the last month, I have learned SO much about Him, and what He's done for the world.

Sometimes you look at people, and you think of the trials and the mistakes they've gone through, and you wonder how they'll ever make it to the Celestial Kingdom, and it's because of our Savior that they will. He Atoned for them. period. end of discussion. and they can choose to accept that whether it be in this life, or the next. Ultimately we would want to choose it in this life, so that we can be happy, but some won't. But those who are supposed to make it to the Celestial Kingdom WILL make it, because of our Savior. Because I have learned this, I have been able to develop so much charity in my heart for the people here in WV who have it way worse than I do.

On Christmas Eve we went to a members house. They're the Hunters, and they are seriously so awesome! Their oldest is 7, and she's so cute! We ate lots of food, and the kids acted out the Nativity. It kinda made me miss home, but I know I'm out here for a reason. The next day, on Christmas, Sister Marsh and I woke up and opened all our presents. I got a bunch of new skirts! YAY Thanks mom! Then we did our studies that morning. After studies we went over to the Drennens, and they had breakfast for us. It was the best, because it reminded me of breakfast my dad would have made. They had Tabasco sauce and everything :) After breakfast we went and Skyped our families! Sister Marsh went first, and it was fun getting to know her family. My family was in Texas this Christmas, so I was able to talk my Grandma and Bubba this year! What a treat! I love my family so much, and I miss 'em like crazy! After we Skyped we ate dinner at a part member family's home, and then that evening we went over to some friends house, and we played some games, and ate Spaghetti.

Essentially Christmas on the mission is the best. I love my family, and most of all, I love my Savior. I'm thankful for this season I've been given to strengthen my relationship with Him, and I love all that I've learned of Him. I invite all of you to prayerfully study the Book of Mormon this year, and to learn all that you can of our Savior.

I can easily say that I'm truly converted to this gospel, and I pray that everyone can one day learn the things that I've been learning. I love this gospel, and I'm so lucky to have parents who have raised me to learn and serve my Savior.

Have a good week!

Love, Sister Kirkby

Merry Christmas!

Hello everyone! It's not been too long since I've shared an email, because last week was transfer week, but I'm so glad I get to stay with Sister Marsh for 6 more week. I've definitely learned a lot from her, and I'm glad the Lord is allowing me to continue to learn from her :)

IT'S THE CHRISTMAS SEASON! Merry Christmas! I hope all of you have had the chance to go to the website christmas.mormon.org The videos on that website are fantastic, and the church hires the very best of the best to make videos that are inspiring and that bring the Spirit so strongly. I've had a goal to testify of Christ in every lesson that we have, and it has really made this Christmas season special, as I remember Him, and focus on why He was born. I know the Savior was sent for all of us to overcome our sadness, our trials, and our weaknesses. Take time this week to focus on the presence of Christ, rather than the presents under the tree, and it will make your Christmas a lot more special.

I know my Savior lives! I know He loves me, and I know He loves you!

Merry Christmas!

Love, Sister Kirkby

Carless, Bedridden, Baptized

Hello!

Transfer news is in and Sister Marsh and I are both STAYING! YES!

This week was the longest week of my whole mission life, but it was also SO good! So, my last email, I had described the sickness that Sister Marsh and I were hit with... well, it didn't get better. On Tuesday, we were so sick that we decided to get rest and not leave the house. The next day we discovered that something was seriously wrong with our car, so we took it in. After they had checked it out, the mechanic told us that "he would not advise us driving it, because it might blow up". It was a little dramatic, but we "ain't gunna risk it". (as the West Virginians would say) so we said they could keep it, and they told us we wouldn't have it back until Monday..... ugh. 

It's a good thing Sister Marsh got super sick the rest of the week, because working without a car is impossible. ;) But seriously, poor Sister Marsh. the best way to describe her was "dead". At one point, I was in another room, and we got a phone call from our district leader. I thought she was asleep, so I didn't bother to go wake her up. I finish my conversation with him, and I hear her calling my name, so I go to her and she says "I would have gotten up to come and talk to him with you, but I'm paralyzed." bless her heart.

She was able to get feeling better for our baptism on Saturday! It was wonderful to see our friend Tommie enter into covenants. The Spirit was so strong, and I feel so blessed to be a tool in the hands of our Father at this time. This work is real. It's the most important work on this earth, and I only have 9 more months to consecrate all of my time and choices to the Lord. I know He is please, and that's all I desire is to please Him. I am so blessed.

Never forget that the Lord is in EVERY SINGLE detail of our lives. He knows what's best for us. That's what I've learned this week :) I would never trade my mission in for ANYTHING. I've learned so much, and I'm glad I get to continue to learn.

Love, Sister Kirkby

the sickness blues

It's been an awesome week, despite Sister Marsh and I being sicker than sick. We don't really know what's wrong with us, but oh boy, are we coughing up a storm. The other night I couldn't sleep AT ALL (probably until about 3:00 was when I fell asleep) and I was coughing so hard. Sister Marsh was out, but apparently I was bothering our neighbor, and she came up and rang our doorbell at about 11:30. Scared the goodness right out of us, and she was just offering cough syrup. I thanked her, and told her that we already had some, as well as apologized. It was still a nice way of her saying "shut up, I'm trying to sleep", though. :)

Every winter I get this nasty cough, and I think it might be Asthma related, but oh well, we'll push through, right? I haven't coughed this hard since i've had walking pneumonia, but we've already been to the doctor, and she said nothing was wrong with me... whatevs.

We had our friend who's ready for baptism at church yesterday, as well as a new friend! They're both really awesome! We should be seeing a baptism this Saturday! Keep her in your prayers, because Satan will be harping on her!

Well, happy December to all! It feels like yesterday that I left the MTC. Time as a missionary is a weird concept.

Love, Sister Kirkby

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy late Thanksgiving, everyone!

Holidays on the mission are literally the best. This Thanksgiving Sister Marsh and I ate three different meals... holy moly it was a lot of food, but a whole lot of fun. We first went to the Sollars home, a part-member family, and we were able to have a lot of non-member exposure. After that, we went to the Hunter's home, and they have THE cutest kids in the world... I love that family, and then that evening, we went to the Marino's home, where we ate a few more bites of deliciousness!

This morning as I was exercising, I was pondering the concept of obedience. I was asking myself if I'd still exercise when I go home, or if I'm just doing it on the mission because it's being obedient. Then I thought "well why is it a rule?" and duh, it's because it helps me take care of my body. All commandments, or guidelines are given to us for a reason, and I love that obedience has been able to really set into my heart on my mission. It is the first law of Heaven, and it's so important. I took it for granted before my mission, and grudged about being obedient sometimes, but now as I've understood the eternal doctrine behind it, I really have a testimony of it.

I'm so thankful for everything the Lord has done for me up to this point in my life. Missionary work would not be easy if it wasn't for the fact that He is in every detail of our lives. I am so thankful for my family, and for the constant support they offer me, and I am so thankful for my companion, and for the people we have to teach, so that I can continuously progress and learn.

tracting and teaching

This week was pretty norm. We were able to pick up three new investigators, and that's always a blast! they seem pretty sincere, and are reading the Book of Mormon, so that's wonderful!

I love the Book of Mormon, and the power that it holds! It has motivating influence to change behavior, and it's a blessing to all those who read it.

Sister Marsh and I laugh so much... basically all the time. We are THE weirdest people when we are together, and if anyone happened to overhear us... they'd be SO confused, because we just don't even make sense. Sometimes I confuse myself... :)

We've been doing a lot of tracting, and I love the concept of teaching immediately, because you can tell who is interested when they open the door, and when they're not. You see hearts soften, and it smacks when they still reject your offer to teach more, but it's all the the Lords timing. My mission has really taught me a lot about that.

It snowed yesterday... not a whole lot.. but it was the first snow of the year. It's getting REAL cold, and I'm in the coldest part of the mission... sometimes I think the Lord has a weird sense of humor. :)

We have a fireside this weekend, all about the Savior, and His life, and we're really excited about it. Kick off to Christmas..

... CAN YOU BELIEVE IT'S THE HOLIDAY SEASON? Feels like yesterday it was March and I was getting ready to leave for West Virginia.

I feel so blessed to be here. I love these people, and I love this place. 

Love, Sister Kirkby

true power, not just form

Hello everyone!

This week was so good! We got to go to Charleston for a few day, and learn from Elder Kopischke, from the 70. He was a mission president in Germany, and had a lot of wonderful things he shared with us.

About agency he said that we can only teach things that we know, and we can only receive knowledge that we're ready to receive. It was really insightful, and helped us better understand why people reject our message, rather than just assuming it happens, because it happens. He talked about how we need to have power behind what we do, not just form. We can't "go through the motions" and it was a wonderful reminder. When we help people understand the how and what of what we ask them to do, we start to teach true doctrine, and true doctrine is what changes behavior. I was taught a lot about compassion, and that's one thing I want to start praying for more in my missionary work.

Our friend who's on date to be baptized is doing well! We're seeing roadblocks, but it's bound to happen! Satan sure is against us....

I saw all my past companions this last week, and it was so fun!

I love missionary work, and I love all of you! Keep making good choices!

Love, Sister Kirkby

PS all the leaves are gone... does that mean it's time for winter?! NOOO