Vegetarian homophobes or homophobic vegetarians?

So, we have two baptisms planned for Saturday, and I am so excited! Keep our investigators in your prayers, because they need it! Satan is throwing EVERYTHING he's got at them.. Hate that guy.

This week was good... one of our investigators almost dropped us because he thought we hated gay people and didn't eat meat, but we were able to clarify, and it's all good now.

Our investigators Sister R, who is SUPER awesome, and way elect finally came to church yesterday.... with like, 8 grand kids... it was awesome. She texted us the night before and said "well, I got a bunch of kids with me, but I've put this off for far too long, so we'll all be coming tomorrow morning!" and she made it! So proud of her, and I know the Lord will bless her. She's on date for September 10, and she's doing really well with living the word of wisdom.. .we just gotta get the law of chastity down, and she'll be good. :)

Since seeing Brother P and Brother S grow and change, and prepare for baptism this Saturday, I've been thinking about the power of the Atonement, and what it can do in ones life. Both of these men come from very different backgrounds. One is already very firm in his faith, and has now strengthened his rock in the Savior, and one started at square one when we first started meeting with him... no matter where these two were in their spirituality, the gospel changed both of them tremendously, and it can do the same for us... whether we're the relief society president, the bishop, a non member, or your average member, the Atonement can work miracles in your life. There's a quote from Preach My Gospel that I came accross this morning that I love

"Repentance and change will help people conquer challenges, rid themselves of shame and guilt, and experience the peace and joy of God’s forgiveness."

We ALL deserve these promised blessings, so don't forget to repent and change!

Love, Sister Kirkby

#MartinsvilleStake

wait, it's Monday? Already? Why does the week fly by SO FAST?

It was a good week.
Our investigator Brother P has truly shown some amazing changes in his life. When we first brought him to church, our members were SUPER skeptical of him, but now, because of the physical, and even spiritual changes he's made in his life, they are so friendly and nice to him. He has changed so much, and I love that the gospel can truly improve the quality of ones life.

Brother S is also doing well. He's the one that's wife is a member. He is CRUISING through the Book of Mormon, and we were racing to see who could finish it first, me or him, but he is totally beating me. He can't get enough of the word, and he's so excited to go to the temple soon!

all of our other investigators are trekking along slowly but surely. I feel eternally blessed to be serving here in Martinsville where SO MUCH is happening.. I can't even describe in words how I feel about this area.... it has my heart, and I want to see it continue to grow, and expand. #MartinsvilleStake #MartinsvilleTemple #oneday

This week I've been thinking a lot about Idleness
Alma 38:12
"Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness."
This scripture touched my heart SO MUCH as I was reading it this last week... as we bridle all of our passions, and dedicate our time to serving the Lord, refraining from all idleness, we will know what complete joy is. I have definitely learned this on my mission.

well, I hope everyone has a great week! Stay cool, and be good!
Love, Sister Kirkby

SUPER strong prompting

Wow, this week flew by, and I don't even know what to say.

Brother P and Brother S are both scheduled to have an interview for baptism on Aug 13th! their baptism will be on Aug 20th starting at 11am! and the ward council is already planning a temple trip for them, and all the other recent converts! What a blessing.

Last night, after traveling home from a fireside we had, I got this SUPER strong prompting to go and try this recent referral that we had been given from church headquarters. We were both STARVING, and super ready to eat some dinner..... It seriously was the last thing I wanted to do... all I wanted to do was go home, eat some food, plan, and then fall right into bed, but I knew that if I ignored that prompting, that I'd regret it later. Well, sure enough, we drive to her house, knock on her door, and she is home. We taught her the restoration, and she was asking a lot of really good questions about it. We committed her to read for the Book of Mormon, and she was really eager to... what a blessing. Thing is, we had tried her earlier in the day, and she hadn't been home, so I know it was the Lord helping us know when she would be home, and we were able to sacrifice our dinner, so that we could help her find ways to strengthen her faith in Christ.

Yesterday in gospel principles, we talked about the law of sacrifice. The Gospel Principles manual says "Sacrifice means giving to the Lord whatever He requires of our time, our earthly possessions, and our energies to further His work. The Lord commanded, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Our willingness to sacrifice is an indication of our devotion to God. People have always been tried and tested to see if they will put the things of God first in their lives." The pioneers are the perfect example of the law of sacrifice, and we can learn a lot from their stories. In honor of pioneer day last week, don't forget those who gave everything for their faith!

What are you willing to sacrifice to help the kingdom of the Lord grow?

Have a great week!

Love, Sister Kirkby

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