Firm Foundation

Welcome to a new week! You’re welcome for being the highlight of your Monday. I know I am, JK. But I'm glad you're here and I have a lot to say so we'll jump right in! (actually read my spiritual thought btw this one's good)

We had a zone conference with Elder Corbett! He really emphasized goal setting. It was an ok meeting (however it was definitely long and sleep inducing.) Sister Steven’s however, gave us an incredible message. She talked about her granddaughter and made us all cry. So that was an incredible thing to witness. The spirit was SO strong, I just love the Steven's so much!

We had a really good lesson with our friend named Al! He has a lot of religious knowledge and is just a cool guy. We taught him about the sacrament and he thinks it's so cool that we get to partake of it every week.

We met the cutest 92 year old named Lily Mae and prayed with her and taught her about The Book of Mormon. Then her daughter and her daughters' husband (Kimberly and Reggie) walked in. So we taught them about The Book of Mormon too and cleared up some misconceptions that they had about the church. Craziest thing is that Reggie had actually read The Book of Mormon for a religious class in college. Mind blown! We also shared a song with them from the tabernacle choir since Kimberly is a singer. She loved it and even added it to her playlist! Craziest seed planted for real. We also plan to go back and visit Lily which I'm excited about. They were all just the cutest!

We also had a lesson with a very stubborn friend of ours on Thursday. His name is Tommy and he's in his late 70s. He's been taught on and off for a year without making any real progress. So in this lesson I was finally like,  “Tommy, you've been taught all the lessons and you believe in the church don't you? You know that baptism is an essential ordinance to be received into heaven don't you? Tommy, you're aging. In the scriptures it says not to procrastinate the day of your repentance. We know baptism is the ultimate form of repentance so I wouldn't wait too long if I were you.  And you have to go to church if you want to be baptized so we better see you on Sunday.”  Some people need it told to ‘em straight you know. He actually took it quite well but didn't pull up..

Sister Kenny and Sister Paulsen are saving the turtles one turtle at a time.  On that same note I accomplished my mission goal of catching a frog!! (See google photos)

We had a delicious shrimp dinner with the Baldwins and as Sister Paulsen puts it - with a side of “unexpected dissertation about Anti concepts." Honestly though, Pres. Baldwin has some very interesting things to say.  And if you know my story then you can guess that I was intrigued. 

A cool fact of the week is that I've had 3 people tell me I have a nice smile or nice teeth or something along those lines this week. That might just be because half of the population here doesn't have teeth! But hey, I'll take what I can get!

And to throw it back to last Monday, I was able to experience a mission miracle! My insulin hasn't been working properly. We think some of the vials may have gone bad when I traveled here. So, on Pday I went to pick up some new insulin at the pharmacy. The coupon I used to be able to purchase it with was expired which would have made it like $800. I called my mom to set up a new one.  I figured it probably wouldn't get resolved this week and I'd have to wait. But when I went back to the pharmacy to attempt to show them a different expired card, they said that I was good to go with no charge!!! It had gone through our insurance! So they handed it over and I asked no questions. Our insurance has never covered it before so this was wild! I know that this was the hand of God in my life and definitely a miracle! God takes care of His people, especially His missionaries.

Highlights: 

   –Hearing from Sister Steven's at ZC!

   –Finally got in contact with our media referral Vicky! She is so sweet!

    –Cool lessons and finding this week!

    –2 mini exchanges to Zebulon with Sister Williams!

    –Our new members, I love them.

Lowlights: 

   –Pam broke up with us.

   –Was lowkey disappointed by the Zone Conference and the fact that the young missionary leaders and senior missionaries got an apostolic blessing and the rest of us just got a lecture like you would get taking a college course.

Spiritual thought: 

2 Nephi 33

3 But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry. 

4 And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal.

I love how these scriptures state the purpose of the writings in The Book of Mormon and show Nephi's love for his people. As missionaries we come to love the people we're teaching and they truly become our friends and we want the best for them. It's so hard when they turn their backs on the gospel that we know could bless them so much. However, I know that as Nephi said that as we pray for them the Lord hears our cries and will bless those we're praying for. And I also know that the words written for our gain in The Book of Mormon are the Keystone of our faith and a fundamental means of conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It's what converted my heart after all. 

On Thursday this week our friend Pam chose to not be baptized, to stop meeting with us, and said that she would be looking for another church to attend. This was hard information to receive. We were able to have a final lesson with her that was already set up.  And we were able to emphasize Jesus Christ as the cornerstone of our religion and The Book of Mormon as the keystone. We mentioned how the rest of the elements of the gospel represent the walls, the roof, and the furnishings of our testimonies. What's most important is having our foundations built on Jesus Christ with The Book of Mormon as the keystone of the structure (or in other words the backbone/cohesive source of support and stability) of our faith. Ezra Taft Benson once said “The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion—the keystone of our testimony, the keystone of our doctrine, and the keystone in the witness of our Lord and Savior."

From my research I've learned that a cornerstone as well as referring to the corners that meet in a foundation also refers to “a stone in the exterior of a large and important building; usually carved with a date and laid with appropriate ceremonies" (Or in the case of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints the stone plaque found on each of our church buildings with an engraving of the name of the church as a constant reminder that Jesus Christ is our cornerstone). 

I have seen so many blessings from structuring my testimony after this manner and I know that each and every one of you can as well. As I shared with Pam, I may only have a foundation and a little bit of framing completed at this point.  But I know that as I continue with faith in Jesus Christ and put in the work, that I will one day have a beautiful building (testimony). And It may look messy at times.  And there may be setbacks along the way.  But as I continue to trust in my Savior it will all work out in the end and beauty will come of it. I plead with you all to build your foundation on your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and never cease to read and abide by the council of The Book of Mormon, the Keystone of Jesus Christ's living church here on the earth. I know as you do so you will be blessed immensely and receive the great gift of eternal life. As His representative I write this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

UPDATE: After a super powerful sacrament meeting on Sunday (Pam was there to watch Sister Rodebaugh speak) She said she really enjoyed it and wants to meet with us again! This battle is not over yet. The power of sacrament meeting is real. (And I like to think we helped too)

I sincerely love you all, have a fabulous week and thanks for sticking around for my testimony meeting. Lol

Peace and Love,

Sister Kendrick

Pictures:
"Finding" with Sidewalk Chalk
Wake Forest Zone Conference
Sister Paulsen and Sister Kendrick right behind President and Sister Stevens
Found Sis Jones at ZC  
NC Raleigh MIssion  
Turtle Savin'  Sister Paulsen  
Frog Catchin' Sister Kenny    
Wake Forest meetings













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