Bubbles

I miss Temples so much. But I am also spoiled to live in Utah and have a temple within five minutes from my house. The closest temple here is a four hour drive. Still I really really miss it. When we watched "Mountain of the Lord" they showed video of the inside of the Salt Lake Temple and I was going, "I've been there! I remember that!" Then I was sad that it was so far away. Oh well I'll get to go soon. The end of my mission keeps creeping nearer - in two months I will hit the year mark. Crazy no?

Well after I wrote y'all last week we had a lesson with Erin. We have been meeting with Erin a little over a month - she was raised Roman Catholic and was very devout until about 3 years ago. She has some Mormon friends growing up and noticed how happy they were. Before we started meeting with her she made sure we knew that she didn't like commitment and didn't want to embark on anything that would require much from her. We told her if she decided this wasn't for her she was free to go her way. But for someone who doesn't like commitments she sure can keep them. At this point she has read eight chapters out of the Book of Mormon which is quite a feat for only meeting once a week for five weeks. Anyway at our lesson last Monday we decided to let go of some of our fear and ask her what she thought of the Book of Mormon and invite her to church. She said that she was leaning towards believing that it is true. Which is HUGE progress compared to just a few weeks ago. Yet another testimonial that the Book of Mormon has the power to change lives. Erin is from Pittsburgh making her a die hard Steelers fan - we were very pleased to learn that they won the Super Bowl last night, it will put Erin in a fantastic mood for our lesson tonight! Yippie!

Oh yeah I read your talk mom, it was fantastic. (I gave a talk last week in Sacrament Meeting about how I use this blog as a missionary tool - we checked to see who has looked at it). People are reading about little old me in Ireland? I hope it's my husband. Got to keep the blood line! Just kidding - my relationships can only handle one Irish person and that person is me:)

Tuesday I finally met the preacher that comes to campus and tells everyone that they are going to hell. It was so much fun. Sister Short and I stood around the edges and people would come up to us and talk to us and ask us what we thought of his ravings - we kept repeating that Jesus loves all his children no matter what. We got three new investigators that day and gave out five Books of Mormon. It was fun. Furthermore, many of the people we talked to were my kind of people - I have found Buffy fanatics and Browncoats on FSU campus! One of the people we met is Dan aka Sparkles. He is hilarious. He had a stack of "Hello my name is.." stickers and was writing down the sins that Brother Mike called out passing them out to people who had been "Unfairly labeled". Thursday Brother Mike was out again and I got two stickers one said, "Latter Day Sinner", that's what Brother Mike calls us, and the other I requested it said, "Daughter of God". It was my favorite. Also on Thursday Sparkles was recommending people come talk to Sister Short and I 'cause we're really nice and know what's up. We have someone on campus referring us that isn't a member! Woot.

Wednesday someone had filled one of the fountains with bubbles and we played with 'em.

Friday we had a lesson with Farrah and she said the prayer out loud for the first time it was full of sincerity. She was really talking to her Heavenly Father. The spirit was so strong. She gets it! She is working to make herself better and change. Sunday she asked the Elders for a blessing - based on her blessing I think Heavenly Father likes her - a lot. Yeah that was pretty much my week - thank you all for your letters they make it easy to go on day to day. Love y'all!

Kelli

(Mom here - Amanda and Tasha came over for dinner yesterday and Amanda told us Kelli had given her a "Saturday's Warrior" DVD for Christmas - She told her she had to watch it because people in Utah sing the songs. They were going to watch it after dinner). I talked to Amanda a little last night - she said "Saturdays Warrior" was silly, funny, and weird. I think you have to be raised on it to truly appreciate it.

So last week I told you that we were going to play football with the Elders - well we did and once again I have come to the conclusion - I really don't like football. It's not fun to watch, play or have 6 people try and explain the rules to you. Can't I just take the ball and run? Apparently not. But I stayed for a good three hours and ran up and down the field like an idiot to support Sister Short and the Elders - all of whom seem to enjoy it though I have no idea why. It had been rainy last Monday and it was fun to watch people slide through the mud. While talking to the Elders later that night they were teasing me about my dislike for the sport - they paid me a sweet complement, "We all look up to you...with a downward glance." Curse being short - but it's all good.

Tuesday we had Zone Conference. We talked about faith vs fear and how one can't be there in the presence of the other. Alma 58 took on new meaning after that. During my interview with President we both agreed that I'm doing good and that was about it.

The Senior couple that looks at Missonary's apartments visited us on Wednesday. We were taking our lunch break and napping - they sure scared us when they walked in. We'd had five lessons set up that day also, they all fell through. Sad day.

Thursday was spent at TCC and got a few new investigators - typical day.

Friday we met with Farah and had yet another great lesson with her. Spent the day with Kacie, a less active, at the Ronald McDonald house - it was all kinds of fun. Had a lesson with Jerika and Kalee, it was a good lesson. We were about to drop them from our teaching list but then they decided to be interested again so we'll hang on for a little bit longer and see what happens.

Saturday we did some Less Active visits - no one was home, so we planned - it always takes ages to do. Quote of the Day:

"Top of the Temple, Moroni speaking."

We had Ward Conference Sunday. We thought we were getting a new Bishop but alas no. We did get a new secound councilor - hopefully he will inspire some excitement for missionary work in the Bishopric.

That's me. Have a great week. Thank you for you letters! They make me happy.

Peace and Love,

Kelli

Monday January 19, 2009

That Intel thing is fascinating - what a complicated mess all for someones ego. (This is her response to what Michael told her about Intel and HP) Sister Short and I solve the worlds problems on a regular basis and every time we do it boils down to obedience. So if that one person had been loving his neighbor and not trying to get personal gain all your problems would be solved. So once again obedience is the answer! You want world peace? Obedience will get it. I love solving the worlds problems - I'm getting pretty good. All you have to do is do what the Lord says and you'll be fine. Piece of cake, piece of crumb cake. (Name that movie)

Thanks for looking up the stretchy shoes mom, but really I'm fine I just need to whine a little then I'm all better. Tallahassee doesn't have sidewalks every where like most of Utah does - I'm not willing to risk my life on the streets riding my bike just to save my feet a little. And the whole stealing thing is another part of it- yes bike parts will be stolen if I leave it locked up somewhere and don't bother sending stuff to the Mission office, all they do is forward it to me and it all goes in the same mailbox.

As for my week it was awesome! Crazy busy but that's the way I like it. We set a Baptismal Date with Farrah! She is most likely going to be baptized Feb 13. But there is a big Valentines dance that night and she wants to looks snazzy for that and baptisms don't make for easy and fast clean up. Long story short, her baptism might be moved to another date but she is committed to be baptized. Yippee! We had so many lessons this week it makes my head spin to think about it. Teaching is what makes missionary work fun. The people make all the hard stuff worth it.

We were walking home from the Ronald McDonald House last Friday and one of our investigators saw us, flagged us down and gave us a ride home. It was really nice since it was super cold outside. We've been able to do a lot of less active work which involves lots of mapping, planning and praying but we've had several less actives coming to church lately, some of whom want to go over the lessons again and some of whom have friends with questions which I love.

We had two investigators at church on Sunday I think they liked it but they had to go right after it was over so we really didn't get to talk afterward. Ho Hum.

Today we are going to go play football with the Elders and some investigators which will be all kinds of good. Then Sister Short and I are going to watch "Mountain of the Lord" and eat ice cream. We've been craving a good chick flick and that's about as close as we can get.

Yeah that's about it. We didn't do much tracting so no interesting stories - oh wait - not true! We met this kid who's an atheist but he really wanted to talk. He was really nice and I asked him how he survived in the Bible belt - he was almost in tears as he talked about how hard it is. It made me sad, I told him to look for us on campus, we'd be his friends.

Well have a great week! I love you all!

Kelli

Monday, January 12, 2009

Hey Family,

Good to hear from y'all! I spent all week whining about my feet. I thought I had them all broken in but no, apparently even really good calluses can't handle 6+ hours of walking and not turn into bloody messes - poor myself. I think the greatest souvenir that I bring home will be my feet - I will have scars on them for the rest of my life. That is if they ever manage to stay healed long enough to make scars:)

(I asked Kelli for examples of people not letting the missionaries come back because of anti-mormon things they have read on the internet - this is her answer). Yes I've got lots of stories like that. Saturday we were supposed to have a lesson with a girl named Tina, she sent us a text around 10 p.m. Friday and told us she wasn't interested anymore. I can only assume she did some research and found some anti stuff. Amanda, before she got baptized looked up some stuff so that she could know both sides - she had been to church enough to know it wasn't true and was ready to get dunked. Seth the guy that was supposed to get baptized last week - when he went home for Christmas vacation his brother anti-ed him. Kim from PCB did a lot of research before she decided to join - I'm sure she looked up anti as well. Generally people who have been to church don't fall for the anti stuff it's those that have only met with the missionaries that it causes problems with. I hope that helps. There are so many examples its hard to narrow it down.

I talked to Amanda last night she and Tasha were on the 2nd row at the Marriott Center to hear President Monson speak - she said she really liked it. I think I was more excited for her than she was.

Lets see now - I'll tell you about my comings and goings last week. Monday we played Roller Hockey with the Elders, they were nice and sometimes gave us the ball. We got off the rink after two games so they could beat each other up and we weren't in their way.

Tuesday was District meeting. We spent the afternoon on campus and around 7 we got a strange text from the FSU Elders, "We need your medical advice and duct tape." I was more than a little worried we hustled over to their place and they had busted their bedroom window open. They forgot the key and were trying to break into their apartment. Rasmussen got his arm all cut and gross. We helped 'em clean up the glass and watched as the two manly men put up cardboard, canvas and sheets on the hole in the wall with duct tape and push pins - silly boys.

Wednesday we went to FAMU - we are going to go once a week from now on - we got 3 new investigators it was really easy. That is the day my feet threw a fit and decided to blister everywhere.

Thursday we worked on Less Active stuff and had a lesson with a girl named Erin, she is super sweet and wants to learn but is afraid of commitment. We'll have to go slow with her.

Friday was my 9 month mark. I'm 1/2 way through! (It is a tradition to burn a pair of knee highs at your 6 month mark and a shirt half way through - Kelli missed the sock burning so she did both of them at this event). We went to Ronald McDonald House - I carried 20 really heavy bags up 3 flights of stairs and did general cleaning then wrote y'all. The Institute had game night and we got Farrah to go - we stayed with her for a while then left her on her own. She said she had a good time and I love that the ward was so warm and welcoming toward her.

Saturday we planned and went to TCC's baptism. It was kind of a mess. First the water wasn't high enough, the plug had come out or something, then Elder Lewis called her by her boyfriends last name. It wasn't exactly reverent after that.

Sunday was amazing. I have never seen so many people at church! We had lots of less actives there and between the 3 sets of missionaries we had 5 investigators there! It was very cool. After dinner we went tracting and I got to use some of my old tricks and some of dad's tools to talk to a Philosophy major. But the coolest part was when we first said hello he really didn't want to talk to us but I was prompted to ask him about a book he was reading and it lead to a good 20 min conversation. I haven't been able to use really big words in a while I'm a little rusty but the spirit helped and he seemed to really enjoy it. I know I did. He strongly reminded me of myself before the whole, isn't it not not true... so thanks dad! I saw my possible future if you hadn't intervened and I'm grateful that you did!

I love you all and hope all is well! Kelli

Friday, January 9, 2008

Wow, what a mess last p-day was. We went with the Elders to play Roller Hockey, got back mid afternoon and purged our apartment of Christmas decorations and just purged in general. We had to empty out the vacuum twice we picked up so much dirt. We made it to go email around 5 and had an appointment at 6:30 so we went to the closest building on campus that only had a few computers - that saved us 20 minutes. Unfortunately I got the bad computer with a mouse that didn't work. I tried to use the arrows to move stuff around and did ok with that but it took so much more time than it normally should I barley had time to write anyone.

So let me tell you about last week. It's a whopper so here it goes.

Monday the 29th: We watched the Gorden B. Hinckley movie I got while writing thank you letters to people for stuff they sent. I really liked it, it was fun 'cause we were with the Elders and they were doing boy things and they slowly came over and starred mesmerized at the TV as the story progressed. Good times. We thought Seth (the boy that was supposed to get baptized) was back in town so we went to go visit him but no he was still in Lakeland - stinker.

Tuesday the 30th: We got a referral from an Investigator in Crawfordville. We had a lesson with her at 9:30 am right before our District meeting. Her name is Farrah, she is very sweet and I have very high hopes for her.

I had an epiphany on Tuesday - all the missionaries had been discussing our relationship with Heavenly Father, and we all had a different view of Him. But He doesn't change - He just shows different aspects of His Being to each of His individual children and their needs and understanding. Then I thought of President and how every single missionary out here loves President and he loves them. I concluded that the ability to communicate with Gods children with love and understanding is a Christlike attribute. To allow different parts of ones self to shine through with others is not hypocritical you are simply relating to them in a way and level that creates an environment of safety. So I have to work on yet another thing as I go through life.

Wednesday the 31st: We organized the Institute Library in a desperate attempt to have something to do. It looks good. We contacted at stores for many hours and went to a lesson that was HBH (Home but Hiding) - played Phase 10 with Sister Short till 10:35 (yes we're rebels) and went to bed.

Thursday the 1st: Happy New Year! We planned in the morning and went to FAMU to see what tracting opportunities there are up there.

Friday the 2nd: We had a lesson with Farrah or were supposed to anyway but after 20 minutes had passed and she hadn't come we called her - her mom wasn't being supportive - we had many hours of panic about that. But it all worked out 'cause we called her later that night and her mom answered and apologized. She said she didn't know that this was important to Farrah until it was too late and she had never seen her daughter so passionate about anything before and she invited us over to her home so she could hear about it too. How cool is that?

We were at the Ronald McDonald House too - we took down all the Christmas Decorations which was fun. Followed by dinner with members and the TCC Elders. The FSU Elders had an appointment.

Saturday the 3rd: Sister Short has very vivid nightmares - she yells and kicks in her sleep when she dreams and it doesn't make for restful sleep. So Saturday she asked the Elders for a blessing - she also had a cold. And they gave her a really sweet blessing. Elder Rasmussen gave the blessing - he commanded her to, "let go of the past", "be at peace", and to "be healed". He blessed her that the Holy Ghost would be with her at night to protect her mind as she slept. It was amazing. Sister Short said that as Elder Rasmussen said "be healed" she immediately felt fine. I love the Priesthood!

After that we had a lesson with yet another referral - she and her 4 cousins were there giving us 5 new investigators in one day! It was really cool. The referral is Jerika - her parents are taking the discussions in Jacksonville so she decided to try it out too and invited her cousins along as well. Miracle after Miracle! It isn't me and Sister Short doing all this. We couldn't do this alone.

Sunday the 4th: We had a meeting with President it was an experience. He made me District Leader for about 1/2 an hour but then gave it to Rasmussen. I guess I didn't do that well:) A few things that President said that made me really happy, "Never discredit the council of a woman", "If you are always right you are always wrong" and, "It's not worth it to be right." At the end of the meeting he gave almost a dedicatory prayer for our district and the campuses. He told us that when we were in unity we would see great success but if we weren't unified the work would reflect it.

Talked to Tasha and Amanda, listened to Whitney's voice mail and changed the settings on it so that I could "further the Lords work". She testified and promised blessings - I didn't doubt her word so I expect great things to come of that change. (Mom here - While Amanda and Tasha were here last week - Amanda called Kelli to ask her a question - she didn't answer so Whitney left her a message and advised her to change her message)

And Amanda tattled on you! My movies are not in alphabetical order! Shame on you! It will take me at least 20 min to fix that mess. That is a whole 20 min I could be spending time with you but no. I trusted you and you just let me down. Sigh.

Well now you are all caught up and I will write again on Monday!

I love you all so much and hope you have a blessed day! (That's a southern thing) Kelli

Monday, January 5, 2009

(Mom here - we had Amanda and Sister Tasha Benfield for dinner Sunday. Amanda calls Kelli Willie - it was wonderful to have them and hear about Kelli and her adventures - Whitney's roommate Megan came also. Michael was surrounded by estrogen!)

I'm glad you had fun with Amanda and Tasha - I like them lots. I'm really sorry but I do not have time to write a long letter today. So what I'm going to do is go home and hand write a letter and get it in the mail tomorrow so you can know what I've been up to. Sister Short has a blog too - she wrote her family the details of our week and her mom will post it. Her blog address is similar to mine, www.sistershort.blogspot.com.

I'll be at the Ronald McDonald House on Friday and can write then - that will work. I'm so sorry but today kind of got away from us. I love you all very much and am so grateful for all you do!

All my love, Kelli

Monday, December 29, 2008

I didn't think I'd be able to write today 'cause we were supposed to help demolish a house but it didn't happen. I'm a little bummed out about it. Oh well.

Mainly we've been spending time with Amanda, Tash (Sister Benefield), & Heather (Sister Smith) getting them ready to go and packed up. Amanda and Tash are planning on seeing ya'll on Sunday.

Last night we took a generation photo. Heather is the Great Grandmother, Tash - Grandma, Me - Mom, Sister Short - baby. Or another way to look at it is: Sister Smith trained Sister Benfield, Sister Benfield trained Kelli and Kelli trained Sister Short.

Thank you so much for the gifts you sent. It made me feel all special. I figure you haven't gotten what I sent you yet but when it gets there will you let me know? Sorry I didn't get it out sooner, I hope you know that I love you even if it didn't get to you in time!

Ya, that's me. I love you all! Happy New Years! Kelli