Go to the Temple Once a Week

Hey Guys!! :)

     How are you doing?  This week has been such a great week.  So many great things have happened and by the way Minnesota is beautiful in the Fall.  It looks like the Spring of 1820!  Ha Restoration joke.  Also Sister Ballif and I are hilarious. We have way too much fun together!

Little Bryson

     Great news we got transfer calls this morning and I get to stay in Shingle Creek and with Sister Ballif.  I was so relieved and so glad that my prayers were answered.  Then we got a call after personal study from the assistants.  They called and transferred us to President Clements then we found out that Sister Ballif is being called to be the new Sister Training Leader.  I was so excited about this even though Sister Ballif is starting to stress.  This means that we get to go on exchanges quite a bit.  That is going to be awesome because then I get to go experience new areas and new people and I get to  know the other Sisters in my mission.  I am really excited about it.  I know that a lot of awesome things are going to happen this transfer.  I can't wait to see what the future has in store!

Sister Curtis, Greg B, and Sister Ballif at his baptism

     As you all know, Greg B was baptized this week!  It was such a great baptism.  Probably the best one I have been a part of! (That is funny because I have only been part of one... :)) Sister Ballif and I made sure that is was extra special.  I made Rice Krispy treats and Sister Ballif made some chocolate chip cookies.  She claims that they are the best, but as we all know, my cookies (Karen's Recipe) are the BEST!  Just saying. :) Anyways.  We made sure that this would be a special day that Greg, Kristi and the rest of the family would never forget.  Sister Ballif and I got Greg a new tie because he doesn't have any.  I gifted it in one of the Birthday bags that my mom mailed me but I got pretty crafty and turned it into a "Happy Baptism" bag.  I guess you could say that its in my blood. We also got him a journal and we had everyone at the baptism sign it and write their testimony in it.  I know that looking back on that will help him remember the great decision that he has made and how he felt.  We took some pictures together and I am so excited because now you all get to see him. He is the sweetest man.  President Clements is having us do a new structure for the baptismal services. They start out only have one talk about baptism and the Holy Ghost. Then the baptism ordinance, which went great!  He came out of the water so happy.  Then as they were changing out of their wet clothes Sister Ballif and I taught the Restoration to everyone.  Then the new part, they have the new member, Greg, bare his testimony.  I love this change because it gives others the chance to hear their conversion story and how they gained a testimony of this gospel.  Not only did he share it with us but he also shared it with his family who aren't all members.  It was so powerful and I honestly teared up a little bit.  I love this work and I love watching others come closer to Christ!  After the baptism we mingled around and then Greg came up and gave me the best hand shake.  He grabbed my little hand with both of his and just looked into my eyes and said, "Thank You" with the biggest smile and such a great light in his eyes!  He hates the rule that we can't hug but Sister Ballif and I promised that we would give him a big hug at their Sealing!  Ya!!  Sealing!  Sister Ballif and I are already planning our roady to go to the St. Paul Temple and be a part of their Sealing, March 26, 2015!  Great things are happening for this family and I am so blessed that the Lord has let me be a part of it.

The cutest little baby
(can't you just see how much she wants to hold that baby)

     Next we have been teaching this awesome girl named Tamara.  She is 14 years old and she is great.  We knocked on her door a couple of weeks ago.  She told us that her mom told her that she was old enough that she could choose her own church and that she would love to learn more.  We have been able to get her to a baptism last week, church and to Young Women's.  We had an awesome lesson with her in the chapel with the Young Women's leader.  We were able to read the For Strength of Youth pamphlet with her.  We talked about the standards of the church and how they are there to help us and to guide us.  We talked a lot about repentance and read that section.  She had a lot of great questions and wants to keep learning.  After our lesson in the Chapel she then went to Mutual.  She had a great experience there and wants to go again.  As the Young Women's leader was cleaning up she went to go put some things away in the cupboard.  Tamara saw the Young Women's Medallion and asked how she could get her own.  She then told her about the Personal Progress program and then gave her her own book.  Now she is starting to work towards earning her own Medallion.  

     I think that her biggest challenge is that she wants to be accepted because she has Sickle Cell Anemia, her right arm is bent and she kind of has a limp.  She is really good at hiding it but she said that she gets made fun of at school.  So I have a little favor to ask from Megan and Nicole.  Sister Ballif and I were talking and we think that it would be awesome if you both could write her a letter with your testimony.  Talk about how the church has blessed your lives and why you think she should join the church.  Talk about Young Women's and how it has helped you.  I trust you both and I know that you have such great testimonies.  I know that this will really impact her life. :)  She is a great girl and we are excited to help her learn more.

St. Paul Temple

     I was able to go to the St. Paul Temple this week. It took us about 45 minutes to drive there.  It is a really small temple but I am so blessed to have a temple in my area and able to take that time for myself.  Even though I am still helping others, I love going to the temple.  I love the peace that is there and I wish I could go more.  We are only allowed to go once a transfer. That just makes it more special.  I challenge all of you to go to the temple once a week.  I think a lot of us take how close we are to the temples for granted, especially in Utah. We have so many temples and we don't always go as much as we should. I know life gets in the way but try it out, I know that you will be blessed and notice a difference in your life.

Agggh I have to go!  I love you all.  Thanks for all the support!  I know this church is true and I love being on my mission!  Minnesota Baby!

Love, Sister Kendra Curtis

Guess what I got? A Birthday letter from Elise(Kendra's cousin) with
some Finish chocolate!  How sweet is she!  I love her so much!

We planted a little seed!

Hello Dearest Family and Friends! 

     How are you?  I can't believe its been another week. Boy does time go by fast.  I don't know if I have already told you guys this but I love Minnesota!  I love Shingle Creek and I LOVE MY MISSION!  If anyone is questioning if they should go on a mission or not, I highly suggest that you do!  I have already learned so many things that are not only helping me now in the mission field but are going to help me after also, especially with being a mom! 

Willy!  Mary J's little boy!  I love this kid!

     As you all know I am still a new missionary and I am still learning some of the rules and it is a rule that you aren't supposed to write home the last names of your investigators.  So as of now I will be changing that. 

     So Guess What!  This week is Greg B's baptism!  I am so excited!  This is the first baptism that I am going to be a part of!  Greg is awesome.  He has grown so much and has such a strong testimony.  It’s really neat because he already is so Christlike he doesn't really have any huge changes that he has to make.  He just has to keep his commitments and he is.  We told him that these next weeks were going to be really hard because whenever a good thing is about to happen Satan is going to try and tempt you to back out.  This is exactly what happened.  Greg B started doubting himself and his decision to get baptized and almost called off the whole thing.  Then he came to a realization and said,  "This is something that I should be running towards, not away from." Now he is as strong as ever and ready to get baptized September 28!    

Meeting a cute little African girl on the street

     This week we have done a lot of tracting in Gateway Commons, we are usually in the Willows but we have decided to mix things up. (they are apartment complexes) As we were tracting in Gateway Commons we were having no success.  Hardly anyone was answering and those who did didn't have time to talk.  So Sister Ballif and I decided to say a little prayer.  We asked for some success and that we could find someone to teach.  
     Right after the prayer, we went and knocked on a door.  A lady named Lerinda answered the door and we introduced ourselves and told her that we had a unique message to share with her and she instantly invited us in and offered us some water.  We then had an awesome restoration lesson with her she was very interested and asked a lot of great questions.  She then said that we must have a lot of faith to come out here on missions and go door to door trying to share this message.  As she said that it really hit me that she was right.  I really do have a great faith to leave all of my friends and family behind, and to find others to teach.  I know that I have faith and my faith in the Lord helps me everyday.  Just as Lerinda said, "You have to have faith that the Lord will protect you from whoever is behind the door." That also is very true.  Honestly we are in a pretty sketchy area but I know that I will be safe because I have faith and I know that the Lord will protect me as long as I always strive to have the Holy Ghost with me.  She was awesome and very interested she can't wait for us to come back so that she can learn more. 

     Then as we were getting ready to leave she called her friend Kelly who lived in a different building and sent us over there to go talk to her.  She loved what we had to say so much that right then she called her friend. 

     We then went over there and tired to have a lesson with her but she was very resistant because she was a reborn baptist and she wasn't "strong enough" in her faith to listen to us.  We then told her that we were not here to argue with her, we are just here to share with her what we know and how it has blessed our lives. We told her that we don't come to convince but we come to invite others to pray and ask for themselves if what we have to say is true.  She then said that if that was true that she could listen.  We then started teaching her about the restoration and she was loving it and was really feeling the spirit.  Then all the sudden she realized that she felt the spirit and kicked us out.  It’s really funny because we see this a lot.  People get scared of the truth and they don't want to hear it.  We left Kelly with both a Restoration Pamphlet and a Book of Mormon.  She might not join anytime soon but at least we planted a little seed.

     It is amazing to see the power of prayer work in helping us find others.

     This week we also had an African Night.  It was a BBQ for all the African members and investigators.  There wasn't as many people as we had hoped for but there was still a pretty good turn out.  Sister Ballif and I brought Temia, Angel, and Milike. (Mary J’s kids) they loved it and it was really good for them to interact with other people who are members of the church. 

Sister Curtis and Sister Balif

"Roasting"  This is Elder Thomas
(Jake might know him from wrestling)

This is Angel

Temia, Angel, and Milik

     Aggh! I'm out of time! But I love this gospel!  I love how happy it makes me. Being a missionary is the best thing that has ever happened to me.  I love seeing just how much the Lord is in my life.  I know that everything that happens is because of God's will.  I am so grateful for the power of prayer.  It’s so great to know that you can always pray to Heavenly Father.  God is always there and will always listen.  Just make sure that you wait to hear back from him. 

Watch the Mormon Message "Mountains to Climb" This video has helped so many of our investigators in the hard times that they are going through.  Just know that through God anything is possible. 

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-01-003-mountains-to-climb?lang=eng

Everyone this is the true Church! 

I love this Gospel! And I love my Mission!

Love, Sister Kendra Curtis

This is Eva B. she always wears the best outfits to church.  Africans are so colorful.  I love it!

District P-Day where we played basketball (but really Sister Ballif
and I just wrote letter's)  Got to use our time wisely!

This is African food.  Honestly, I am not a fan.
This is all for me. It's called peanut butter soup
...yum... I miss my mom's food!

"Fine I'll go to your Church!"

Hello Family and Friends!

     How are you all doing?  I am doing great!  I love Minnesota so much!  I am getting excited because it is almost fall.  I hear that fall is the most beautiful time of the year, but.... it's really short.  I am getting really nervous for the winters but, if I keep the spirit with me it will warm my soul! :)

Seeing Sister Simpson again

     This week was awesome, so much happened!  First... Sister Ballif and I sunk to a new low this week.... we went tracting in the Walmart parking lot!  It was mostly a fail.  Everyone we talked to was super freaked out as to why two girls were following them, after a lot of rejection we went and talked to a Walmart worker who was waiting for a ride home, his name was Alfred.  He was great and was really interested, but when we got his information we found out that he wasn't in our area.  So we had to refer him to other missionaries, but its okay!  At least he still gets to learn more.

     This week we also had New Missionary Training with the Mission President.  They used to have the meeting in the mission home but now there are so many missionaries that we have to do it in the chapel.  It was really fun because I got to see all the new missionaries from the MTC and the ones who were on the plane with me. 

Sister Curtis and Sister Mansfield

     This week I went on an exchange with the Sister Training Leader.  Her name was Sister Mansfield, she is serving in Eden Prairie.  Her area is Beautiful!  We also taught a ton of awesome people.  We taught a lady Sister Betty and her 18 year old daughter Trinity.  They are African-American women.  The mom is already baptized and the daughter is going to be baptized next week.  We read the For Strength of Youth pamphlet with them and let them choose the topics, it was an awesome lesson and it was cool to see them use the pamphlet.  Then after we said the closing prayer and were getting ready to leave Sister Betty came up to me and told me that I was beautiful and that I brought such a beautiful spirit to their home.  Then she asked if my hair was real and if she could feel it... ha how funny is that?  So hey I let her feel my hair.  Why not? :) 

     The next day we went tracting.  It was very different from Shingle Creek.  In my area everyone is so nice and is willing to listen to what we have to say, but in Eden Prairie, they are rude and slam the door on you.  Ha!  Now I can say that I have experienced that.  Anyway we were tracting and we didn't talk to a single person.  Everyone we met shut the door on us.  We also kind of got lost but just figured we would go knock on this one door because the garage was open so we figured that they would be home.  We knocked on the door and a lady came and answered it.  We introduced ourselves and asked her how she was doing today, she gave us two thumbs up and invited us in.  Then she insisted that she get us some water.  She was so nice we were really surprised!  This was the complete opposite of what we had all day.  Then she started telling us that our church has done so much for her nephew and that he and his wife just got baptized and that they are so happy.  Then she said she was sorry because she wasn't going to convert and that if we were going to try that we would just be waisting our time.  So of course, we decided to stay.  Without her even realizing it she was saying everything that we believe.  She was such a Christlike women. We even taught her most of the restoration and she didn't even realize it.  One thing she said that I really liked was "Rejection is the Lords Protection”.  
     Sister Mansfield then asked her a question, "If God told you that something was true and then put it right in front of you would you except it?" 

     Then she said,  “Well of course”,  and then started rambling.  Then all the sudden she realized what she said and then looked at us and then at our name tags and said, “Fine I'll go to your church!  You talked me into it.  Where is it?”

     Then we said whoa?  We didn't even ask you.  You invited yourself to come to church.

     Then she laughed and said,  "Well, the Lord must really want this for me."  It was such an amazing experience and the spirit was so strong in her house and in that moment I realized that no matter where I go I will always love the people.  I will always want to help them come closer to Christ.  She is now meeting with the Eden Prairie missionaries and I am so jealous, Sue Wonderlick is such an awesome lady.

     After that lesson Sister Mansfield told me that she was really impressed with my teaching and that was such a comfort to me because I wasn't sure if I would be able to teach well with another companion but this exchange really helped me get over that fear.

     While I was on the exchange Brother Brueshaber committed to being baptized on September 28th!  How exciting is that!  We get to meet with them tonight and I am so excited.  This is going to strengthen their family so much and really help them feel unified.
 

How funny that she took a picture?

     Okay now listen to this crazy story!  So I was back with Sister Ballif and we went to go to an appointment but it ended up falling through so as we were getting ready to leave I saw the cutest blue house.  It looked like something that should be on Pinterest.  So I said "Hey! Lets go try that house!" So we did and I was so excited to see who lived there and share the gospel with them. We knocked on the door and this skinny man probably in his 60's with strawberry blonde hair answered the door with a smile.  Then he looked down at our name tags and got so MAD!  It was a complete flip of a switch.  He told us that we were crazy and that we were spreading errant teachings.  We asked him what it was that he didn't agree with and he went on a rant!  A rant I tell you!  He does not like the Mormons.  He thinks that we are crazy because we think that we can all be Gods.  He says that he reads from the Bible.  Then he said that the spirit world is crazy.  As he was going off I was just staring at him with this, “You Have Got To Be Kidding Me Face”.  When all the sudden he stops, looks at me and says, "Sister Curtis I can see now that your are doubting your faith and..." 

     Whoa!  I cut him off real quick!  I said, "Not at all!  I am amazed at how angry you are at us when we haven't said anything to you." 

     Then Sister Ballif said, "She isn’t doubting anything. She is actually really new on her mission and is amazed at how rude you are because she has never seen anyone act like you are.  Let me ask you a question.  How did Christ act when he talked to others who didn't agree with Him?" 

     Then he said, "You’re right He wouldn't be mad at your flesh he would be mad at your spirits because, they are corrupted by Satan!" WHAT!  Who says that? 

     So I said, "You're mad at my spirit?!" Then he threw up his hands and tried to cast the Devil out of us!  (Now I can say that I have have had the  Devil cast out of me).  After he did that Sister Ballif asked if she could say a prayer.  She said the most powerful prayer and it was so kind. Then he didn't have anything to say... We gave him a momron.org card and left.  Wow!  What an experience.  Some people are so angry.

     Well that's all I have time for.  I want to leave you all with a scripture. 2 Nephi 2:5-6

5 But, said he, notwithstanding our afflictions, we have obtained a landof promise, a land which is choice above all other lands; a land which the Lord God hath covenanted with me should be a land for the inheritance of my seed. Yea, the Lord hath covenanted this land unto me, and to my children forever, and also all those who should be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord.

6 Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord.

Denise playing with my necklace

Blowing kisses!!!

Plan of Salvation FHE  

     This is a scripture that the Africans can really relate to.  It helps them to realize that God loves them and that He is helping them.  
     I know that being able to relate to the scriptures and seeing how it applies to you can help you gain a testimony.  I know that is how I gained my testimony.  I always had a hard time reading the scriptures because I felt like I was just reading a story.  When I was able to put myself in the different situations and ask myself what would I do? That was when I really started to understand the Book of Mormon and the power that it has.  I love this gospel and the happiness it brings me.  I know that it is true and I love helping others realize it for themselves.

I love you all so much!

Don't forget to pray and read your scriptures! :)

Love Sister Kendra Curtis

Mexico Independence  Day

I got the Nascar Shirt dad sent me!

Notice the Miracles in Your Life

Hello my dearest family and friends!

Smores and tin foil dinners with Bro and Sis Larsen

     Guess what 2 days ago, September 7, was my month mark!! Can you believe it?? I have been out on a mission for a whole month!  I only have 17 months left!  Time is going by way too fast.  I don't feel like 18 months is enough!  Those boys are so lucky that they get to be out for 2 years!  This transfer ends the first week in October.  I don't like that because that means that I might leave my area, Shingle Creek.  I don't want to leave this area because then I'll have to leave everyone behind.  I want to stay here because I am so close with the people and I am starting to get to know the ward better.  I just think that it’s so sad to think that I might have to leave Shingle Creek behind and move on to something new.  My family can understand this because I hate change.  Once I am comfortable with something and I am happy, I just want things to stay that way (giving up my room to Megan).  For example, I hate having to get a new phone because you already know how the old one works. Then when you have a new phone you have to spend all that time getting familiar with the new phone and how it works.  Thats exactly how I feel about a new area.  I just hate the time it takes to adjust because I don't want to waste time getting to know something new when I am already comfortable with something else. Yet, just like when I get a phone, I know after I spend that time getting to know the new area and how everything works, I will love it just as much if not more!

Kema and Samel ant Church "the cutest girls"

      

Driving to our appointments

This week I am going on my first exchange.  On Wednesday I am going to be on an exchange with the Sister Mansfield the Training Leader.  I am excited to be with her but at the same time I am super nervous.  Its going to be weird teaching with someone else because whenever I teach it is always Sister Ballif and I.  We teach really well together and we are really good at bouncing off of each other. Now I have to try and do it with someone else.  But at the same time, I am excited to learn new things from her and get more feedback about how I can be a more affective missionary. 

     This last week was awesome Sister Ballif and I  work so well together and I really can tell that I am becoming a better missionary.  We have met so many awesome people and I love getting to know them and helping them understand what we believe.  This week we had 14 new investigators at church! We were so happy. It wasn't just Sister Ballif and I, it was also Elder Clark and Elder Wilson (the Elders in our ward) and Elder and Sister Kindred the awesome senior couple in our ward.  We are all working so hard and its so great to see the people we teach keeping their commitments and being able to come to church. Especially in our area, because the Africans are so busy and have to work all the time. So when they come to church you can really see their dedication because they are making it possible by getting work off so they can come and most of them would rather be sleeping because there is no other time.  I know that when they go to church that they will receive so many blessings for making that effort.

Back to School African BBQ

     Brother Brueshaber is progressing so much.  I loving going to their house and being able to teach them.  He has such an amazing testimony.  I love when he shares it.  He has really been reading the scriptures because he really wants to know if this church is true.  He wants to make sure that when he is baptized it is for him and not for anyone else.  He doesn't want to get pressured into it.  He is awesome.  He applies the scriptures to his life in the best ways and he is able to help out his wife by relating things to her from the scriptures.  For example, she is going through a really hard time right now because she keeps trying to fix her family relationships with her step mom and sisters when all it is really doing is hurting her and making her feel horrible.  So what does he do?  He flips to the story about how Nephi had to leave his brothers because they were only bringing him down.  How great is that!  He went to church yesterday by his self because Sister Brueshaber was feeling sick and he still managed to come on his own.  We then met with them yesterday and we asked him again about being baptized when we taught him about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We asked him to pray about September 28th and find out for himself if that is the date that he should be baptized.  As we asked him that it looked like something clicked so I can't wait to meet with him again.  Great things are in his future!

There are squirrels everywhere!

     Then there is the Joloka Family. They are progressing so much.  They went to church yesterday and she loved it.  She says that she loves the feeling that she feels at church.  She says that it is the same feeling that she feels whenever we come over and the kids love it also. They are all feeling the spirit and I can't wait for them to get the Holy Ghost so they can feel it all the time.  They still haven't been able to find a new apartment but she says that for some reason she isn't stressed about it anymore that ever since she has started praying more and reading more that she is more calm and at peace.  She knows that soon everything is going to work out.  I love her kids too.  They love this gospel so much and they are able to see the change that it is making in their family.
     Robert Conway.  I talked a little bit about him last week and about how he  basically dropped us.  Sister Ballif and I  were so sad because we could see how much he needed the gospel in his life.  This week a miracle happened.  Robert called us!  We kept trying to call him because we were genuinely  worried about him, after going straight to voice mail time after time, it was starting to seem hopeless.  Then he called!  When I answered the phone he said that he was so sorry for how he stormed off the other day.  He said that he just needed some time to think and that he didn't mean to be so rude.  Then he said that he hoped that we would forgive him and that the Lord kept telling him that "he needed to call the Sisters."  I was so grateful for that moment and that they Lord is still working on him.  He has so much potential but it is going to take a lot of hard work for him to get there. Hopefully we will get to see him this week!

Flexing with Degari (I don't know how to spell these African names)

     Now I have a challenge for all of you!  I want you to notice all the miracles in your lives.  I promise you that they are all around you. Some times you miss them because you are so caught up in the bad things happening around you. But if you take the time to realize all that the Lord does for you it really will change your outlook on life. My companion and I have been trying to do this and you wouldn't believe all the miracles that we see everyday. The most important thing to remember is that it doesn't matter how big the miracle is, it matters if you are able to recognize it.
     I know that this church is true. My testimony grows everyday. I am so blessed to be on a mission. I have already learned so much.  I can't imagine going through life without it.  This experience helps me realize how blessed I am that I have a loving family, that I have grown up with the church my whole life, that I have the power of the atonement and it can help me through hard times and most of all that I have a loving Heavenly Father who loves me!  I love my mission.  I can't imagine doing anything else!

Love, Sister Kendra Curtis

   

African BBQ with the Johnson Family

Happy Birthday! "Big Old 20"

Hey Family and Friends! 

     How's it going?  I miss you all so much but I am so happy to be here!  I love Minnesota.  I honestly couldn't imagine being anywhere else.  The Lord really does know where to send you and he has a reason for everything.  I know that is so true.  Everyone says that but I truly feel like I am able to touch so many peoples lives.  I love it!  I love the people so much.  I am honestly really stressed right now because I feel like so much has happened and I have so much to talk about with so little time.  But here I go!

     First of all, I love my family.  I am so grateful for the amazing family that I have been blessed with.  Being out on a mission I have really been able to understand just how blessed I really am.  It almost isn't fair.  I just want my mom and dad to know that I am so grateful for them and the amazing examples that they have been to me throughout my whole life.  I know that without them I could never become the person that I am today.  I am so grateful that I was raised in this gospel and that I have always had it in my life.  I can't imagine going through life without it.  I have been able to use so many family examples to testify of the truth of this gospel and how it has changed my life.  So thank you Mom and Dad.  Thank you for raising me in the church so I can share personal experiences to help strengthen others. 

     First story.  The Brueshabers.  We are meeting with this family the Brueshabers.  The mom Kristy, is already a member but her husband Greg and the rest of her family aren't.  She has been trying to get them to meet with the missionaries but none of them would ever join the discussions and if the did they wouldn't talk.  Lately they have been going through some really tough things.  They are really struggling financially and she is going through some rough depression and has been suicidal.  But she always calls us and wants to have us over to help uplift her.  We have been talking to her a lot about faith, hope and God's will.  Her 17 year old son and husband have been present ever since I have been here.  They are both talking a lot too.  They are at such a low point right now. Sister Ballif and I have really been able to uplift them and help them realize that they need God right now.  It’s amazing to see the changes that they have made.  They are keeping commitments reading their scriptures saying nightly prayers as a couple.  I am so proud of them. 

     We met with them Thursday night, we really felt like we needed to talk to them about fasting.  We know that if they are able to show their faith by doing a family fast it will really bless their family.  I know that fasting works and I have so many experiences to share.  As we were giving that lesson the spirit was so strong and I was able to share an experience that I was able to have with my family.  Its funny because I completely forgot about this experience.  I told them that my dad owns his own Plumbing business and that when he gets the checks back from the jobs that he has done, he puts all the checks into a plain white envelope and writes "Deposit" on it. Then that day my mom will take them to the bank.  But this particular day that envelope was put into the mail by accident.  My mom and dad didn't know what to do because we needed that money.  We needed that money for us and our family and we needed that money so my dad could pay his employees.  My mom and dad then got all of us kids together and told us the situation and told us how serious it was.  They then said that we were going to do a family fast.  That we needed to pray to Heavenly Father and by fasting and having faith that we could find that envelope.  I was about 13 at the time and I remember praying so hard because I knew that if I had faith that Heavenly Father would help us find the envelope.  A couple days later my dad got a phone call from someone at the post office in downtown Salt Lake City, they had found the envelope with all the checks.  We then drove down as a family and picked it up.  As I shared that experience with the Brueshabers the spirit was so strong and I was then able to testify that I know that fasting works.  That when you have that faith and you are able to show it to Heavenly Father that he will help you.  Again I am so grateful that my parents were able to include me in that experience because not only did it strengthen my testimony but now it has strengthened theirs.  They then committed to fast on Fast Sunday and Brother Brueshaber even said that he would come to church and he never does.  I love this gospel and I love seeing it change peoples lives.  I can't even explain how happy I am to be here.

     Second story. The Joloka family. Sister Joloka is an amazingly strong woman. She has 4 kids Timea, Angel, Melek, and Willy. She had a baptismal date back in March but didn't follow through because of her boyfriend.  Her boyfriend Emanuel is horrible.  He treats her absolutely terrible.  He is never home and he has cheated on her with her sister and all kinds of crazy things that I don't need to get into now.  Emanuel put in a 2 week notice that he is going to move out of their apartment and didn't tell her so now she is stuck with trying to find a new place to live.  Since she doesn't have a new apartment she isn't able to get her kids registered for school because she doesn't have an address and she has so much going on and is so stressed. She really has so much on her plate and no support from Emanuel.  We had a lesson with her Friday and we talked to her about God's Will and fasting.  I was able to share the same experience and the spirit was so strong.  I think that my experience is perfect for each of their families because typically people share experiences where they have fasted for someone who is sick.  But with mine they are able to see that they can fast for help with finances also,  and that is what both of these families need.  She also committed to fast and come to church with us.  Then yesterday when we came to get her for church opened the door and she was crying.  She said that she wasn't going to go to church today but that she wanted us to come over later today.  We went back to her house and we asked her what was wrong and if she wanted to talk about it.  She then told us that Emanuel was cheating on her with his manager who called her and was saying all kinds of horrible things to her.  She told us that she is going through so much and that she just didn't know what to do. Even though she didn't come to church with us she was still fasting. She needs help and she knows that God will help her.  She then said that her daughter who is 11 came up to her and said that she was still going to fast with her.  When her daughter said that to her it made her so happy to see the faith that her daughter had and that she was willing to help it meant the world to her. 

Kendra reading the Book of Mormon with Willy.
She asked if I would send her the Book of Mormon
Board Book that she read when she was little.

     Then Sister Joloka flipped open the Book of Mormon and started reading in 2 Nephi 31.  As she read that chapter she knew that she needed to get baptized.  That she needed to set that example for her kids and that she needed to get out of this horrible situation.  I was so happy to see Heavenly Father answered her prayer.  He is so aware of everyone and knows what is best for us.  In that moment my companion and I were both teary eyed. This was exactly what Sister Joloka needed to progress in the gospel.  I know that from here on things are going to get better for her.  We get to meet with her tonight and I am so excited to see her and her kids.  Its funny because out here on your mission you really do fall in love with the people.  I am always thinking about them and I pray for them every chance I can.  I love helping them find this happiness.

     Robert Conway.  I don't have time for that story but it seems like he dropped us.  He started to try and stop smoking.  We bought him some grape juice and orange juice because that is supposed to help and he started doing that.  But then we think he started smoking again and now he feels bad so he won't talk to us anymore.  Honestly it feels like a break up.  We are both so sad and just want him to talk to us.  Hopefully we will get to see him this week some time.

Jasmine's Puppy!

     Last story.  This one has to be fast.  We met this awesome family that lives in the same apartment complex as us.  Her name is Jasmine and his name is Jose.  She really wants to start going to church and taking her family and she is open for anything.  She came to church with us yesterday and absolutely loved it.  She brought her 3 kids and they loved it, also. We are going to keep meeting with them and at the rate she is moving,  I am seeing a baptism in the near future. 

     As for August 30th my Birthday!  It was way weird.  The day before Sister Donley, went joint teaching with us and when the Ice Cream truck drove by she bought me a birthday ice cream.  She is the sweetest lady. 

Sister Donely bought ice cream for all of these kids, she is a sweetheart

     Then when I woke up on my birthday morning. Instead of waking up to the "You are special" plate and a  decorated table, I woke up to nothing.  Sister Ballif couldn't surprise me because I am always with her.  So we hung up my birthday banner together and we made my birthday cake together.  But the Hermanas (Spanish Sisters) did sing me a spanish birthday song. (By the way in my apartment it is me Sister Ballif and two spanish sisters, Sister Andrus and Sister Petersen) 

The Hermanas singing a Spanish Birthday song!

     Then Sister Ballif took me to 50s Grill and bought me a Birthday dinner. What a sweetheart. 

     Then we went out just doing regular missionary work.  

Sister Curtis Knocking on doors on her Birthday!

      I was so excited to come home and open up my birthday package but guess what!  No packages.  The mail didn't come.  But I did get to open the card Megan mailed me a couple days ago and the package that Grandma Curtis (thanks Grandma) mailed me when I first got to Minnesota.  So thanks guys. haha...  I still haven't got anything and today is Labor Day so the mail isn't coming today either.  So maybe I'll get something tomorrow.... I guess this will become a Birthday week.  

Big old 20!

This picture was emailed to us on
Sunday night from a ward member.  

     Now last of all, I have a little challenge for you guys. Read 2 Nephi 2:8.  I love this scripture this is the scripture I read when we eat at members houses.  I want you all to share the importance of the gospel to someone you know.  Make it known to all of the earth!  I love this gospel.  I am so happy that I am going to be doing this everyday for the next 17 months.  I am so happy and I love to make others happy.  This church is true I know it with all my heart.

I love you all so much!

Write me letters :)

Love Sister Kendra Curtis     

"Looks like they got bikes!"

Nice Helmet Sister Curtis!

She wrote :  
"This is what we looked like after riding bikes all day!"