We Are a Family!

Hello Family and Friends!

     This week has been another great week.  It’s starting to get pretty cold here but don't worry, today I was finally able to buy a warm coat and some boots so I should be set for a while.  It even started to snow today, it wasn't for very long and it didn't stick but there was definitely white stuff falling from the sky!

     Moving on to the good stuff.  This week I was able to go on an exchange in Elm Creek with Sister Hudson.  It was a good exchange and we were able to learn a lot from each other.  We were very blessed and were able to teach a lot of people.

     Eric: He was not into the lesson one bit the only reason that he was staying to listen to us was because he had to finish his cigarette.  He had this huge black crazy dog who was jumping all over me.  I'm not kidding he was huge!  He was bigger than me.  So the whole lesson I was trying to be a good teacher but this mutt was running all over me, jumping on top of me and started biting my shoes while it was doing absolutely nothing to Sister Hudson... I am not a fan of big dogs.  I think they can sense it.  It wasn't my best lesson.

In Elm Creek with Sister Hudson (we found Utah Ave)

Theresa: Before we could even knock on her door, she opened it and invited us in and then offered us some water.  Then we started talking about Christ and I told her that she was a very Christlike person because she didn't hesitate to invite us in and give us water.  She then told us that she is really strong in her faith and that she loves her church because it is like her family.  Then she told us more about her faith and what it is that she personally believes, we were able to realize that she has a lot of the same standards that we also have.  She has kept the Law of Chastity and also the Word of Wisdom.  We were able to talk to her a little bit about the Word of Wisdom and how it is a health code that Joseph Smith received through God.  She really liked that and thought that it was really interesting.  Then we were able to lead into the restoration.  We taught her the full restoration and she loved it.  She said that it all made sense to her, then as we told her the first vision all she could say was "wow."  Then I asked her how she felt and again she said "Wow! I am speechless."  It was amazing to watch the spirit teach her.  She then said that she wanted her own Book of Mormon so she could read it and then pray.  She is a seeker of truth and I know that she was able to feel that this is true.  Now she gets to go pray and get that answer for herself.  I think she even went to church this week.  It is amazing how this really is the Lord's work and that the Lord is aware of everyone and is able to lead us to those people who truly are prepared to hear the gospel.

     Bud and Sami: After the exchange I came back to my homeland, Shingle Creek.  I really do love my area!  We had dinner with a part member family.  They are the greatest old couple Sami is the sweetest lady, she is a member and then there is Bud.  I love him!  He loves the outdoors and golfing.  He really is a nice guy and such a sweetheart, but he is so stubborn about the gospel.  He says we can try but it is never going to happen.  He also thinks its funny to slip in the S word when we are around.  That little stinker!  Sami wants him to join so bad but all she can do it pray.  Sister Ballif and I think that we can maybe crack him.  He really does like us.  I was telling him how I don't have a coat yet.  He ran to his closet and pulled out his XL coat and put it on me and then gave me some coat tips. He even pulled up the hood and pulled it up to my face then said, "Something like this will keep you warm." He has such a tender heart and is really supportive with Sami going to church but for some reason he doesn't want any part of it.  So keep him in your prayers and so will we.  We are meeting with him this week! :)

     Beauty and Jane: These two are the funniest African ladies that you will ever meet.  They call us their daughters.  This week we brought them some potato soup because we owed them a dinner and they LOVED IT!  They kept telling us how much they love to eat and that we are good cooks.  Beauty was baptized last month and now we are teaching Jane.  Jane has too work every Sunday so we are going to fast with her next week so she will be able to get another job.  We were also able to help her with her resume.  She is soo funny.  We love when we get to go see them.

Mary, Beauty, Sister Curtis and Jane

This really was the best lesson ever!

Lovi's daughter

     Lovi:  She is a African woman from Kongo.  She can understand English but can only speak French.  I don't remember if I already told you guys about her but we were able to go and visit her this week.  We were able to go with another African woman who can also speak French. It was a really good lesson and we were able to hear some of her thoughts.  We then watched the Restoration movie in French and it was really cool to watch it with her in her own language.  She said that she knows that it is true but she doesn't know if her husband will let her go.  Hopefully we will be able to teach them both and then we can get them to church.  Also, she probably has the cutest kids I have ever seen!!

     Esther: Amazing! This was the best lesson I have ever been apart of.  She is from Nigeria.  We taught her the Restoration lesson and she was floored.  She couldn't believe that she had never heard this before.  Then she asked us what about all those people who haven't heard this before.  How will they hear this?  I just pointed to our tags and told her about our job.  I love when people are able to recognize the truth!

     Last of all this week we were able to go to the Presidents Fireside. That is where we get to go down to Bloomington to hear from some recent converts and listen to their testimonies.  It was a really good experience and there is truly nothing better then listening to a conversion story.  At the end, our Mission Presidents wife, Sister Clements got up and talked a little bit. She said that she loved to get up and look all around at all of the Brothers and Sisters because that is what we all are.  She then said "We are a Family."  

     Right when she said that it made me think of my mom.  One day when we were gathering together for family prayer my mom said, "Everyone guess what? We are a family." We all made fun of her a little but we all new that it was true. “We are a family”, and we are so blessed to have each other.  Now on a mission I have a new perspective. As I look around at everyone I pass I look at them as Children of God and God is our Heavenly Father, so guess what.  "We are a family!"  Look around and look for ways that we can help our family.  My  challenge for this week is the same as the last.  Pray for mission experiences, pray for ways that you can help your family.  I know that as you do this God will bless you.  Because... 

Mosiah 2:17

“And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”

Kema (11) Samie (5) Denise (3) Total guesses on their ages

     I love you all so much and I am so grateful for the amazing family that I have been blessed with.  Without a doubt, I know that this church is true.  My testimony has grown so much as I have been here and I still have so much to learn but I love this learning process.  I love Minnesota! 

ADIOS AMIGO! (That's what I say to all the Hispanics that I pass!) :)

Love, Sister Kendra Curtis

Look at the Wild Turkeys

Brueshabers Dog had puppies

This Gnome picture is for you mom!

Got my huuurrr did!  (this is not a typo this is how my little girl talks sometimes)