Dear Family and Friends,
This week has been ups and downs, as usual. We have Alfina on date and she came to church again but she feels that because the Christians wanted her to study for a really long time she needs to do the same with us. What she doesn't understand is that we have the Holy Ghost with us and will teach her the way to understand all truth. Anyway, Erelio is still old and forgetful but I love him. We hope to baptize him here pretty quick. We didn't get to put him on date this week but we resolved his concern about tithing. We taught Maria and Leo but they still haven't come to church this transfer and even part of last transfer. I don't know why. It doesn't make sense to me. She has desire to be baptized but she doesn't come? Any ideas how to help her? Those are our main focuses right now, our finding is going slow but I guess there was someone who needed us on those streets because that's where we were led!
Monday we had a lesson with Alfina, which is when we put her on date and then we tried to have a lesson with Erelio but he wasn't there...again. So Hermana Flores took us out to McDonald's which was nice because I had never talked to her in my three transfers here. She is really nice and I am so glad to have gotten to know her! Tuesday was my mission birthday and we celebrated it by teaching an awesome lesson to Erelio! We didn't put him on date but we helped him out a ton, once again, he tried to give us a ton of food...no me gusta. Wednesday was Christmas Eve and I had my doctors appointment. No bigs, only have three diseases but with all three of them I can stay out on my mission! Whoop! After that we had district meeting which was a testimony meeting on Jesus Christ, there are some powerful missionaries in my district, let me tell you that. After that we went to Denny's for district lunch, or brunch because we all had breakfast food. Hermana Jennings and I had unlimited pancakes but only ended up eating two...but in our defense, those things were huge. She goes home next Wednesday and it breaks my heart! She is amazing. Thursday was Christmas, and also my first skyping date with my family. Apparently we can't three way Skype on mobile devices but we were able to hold my parents phone to the computer so my brother and I could see each other. He had his first Skype date too, I'm so proud of him for serving the lord in Washington. After that, Hermana Klivans and I enjoyed a gourmet dinner at our local McDonald's! Talk about a Christmas dinner! We had dinner plans but then Hermano Flores got sick at the last minute and they had to postpone. Which was okay by us, we just wanted to desperately leave our house. Friday was a normal Proselyting day except was forever and a day long because we normally have planning that day. Anyway, we walk a lot in our area and if you don't believe me, let me tell you this story and maybe you will have a change of mind. So Hermana Klivans and I are walking down Addison Ave. and we are walking across the entrance of a car wash, well a woman, whom we have never met, rolls down her window and asks us if we need a ride because she sees us walking all the time and always feels really bad. We said no (We were practically at the place we wanted to go to) and thanked her for the offer. What a nice lady, we should teach her. Then after that we went to visit a member who is fellowshipping one of our investigators and we found out a lot of good information that helped us rethink about the way we teach her. Saturday was awesome because on the same street, some of our members saw us and gave us a ride which was awesome! We had a long, long lesson with Evelyn a new investigator. Sunday was awesome because Alfina came to church and little Anita took a bunch of selfies with me! Now I have a fear that I'll be transferred this week...please pray for me to stay! But nevertheless the Lords work will be done.
Okay well this week I've been focusing a lot on the men I have in my life. Don't freak out just yet, my focus is still on the Lord's work which was actually why I was thinking about them. I have a hard time being friends with most girls, I guess we are just very different, but I have a lot of friends who are men, I guess boys turning into men, who are serving missions right now. They are such examples to me. You may not know them but Austin, Wyatt, Jemini, Parker, Nathan, Colton, Eric, Kameron, Chase, Sawyer, Ryan, Tyler, and Dane all have had a specific and distinct impact on my decision to serve a mission. They, through their friendship, have helped me become who I am today and be where I am today. They have shown me the importance of the gospel in every situation of life and what it means to be a disciple of Christ. I am forever grateful for each of their decisions to serve a mission. It takes courage to go on a mission because we know how hard it will be going in, but they all made that choice in the beginning.
I have amazing teachers and an amazing bishop who have helped me and guided me on my way to becoming a missionary. Each of those men have helped me understand the gospel a little bit more and have given me the courage to put my fears aside and serve the lord with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. I have learned how to apply the atonement in my life from these men and I'm grateful for that knowledge as I begin to teach people daily about it.
I have a wonderful, powerful mission president, whom I believe was prepared just for me. His testimony of the prophet Joseph speaks to me in a way that drives me heavenward every day. He is bold but not overbearing and wants the best for me. He leads by example, just like our savior does.
I also have a brother who has decided to serve a mission, he is 22 months younger than I am, but he is an amazing example to me and his experiences and faith grows my testimony every day. His hard work inspires me everyday to work harder. His desire to bless the people of Washington with the priesthood gives me the desire to help others in Illinois be sealed together for all of time and eternity by the same power. I also have a 14 year old brother who is preparing to serve a mission by serving others. His selflessness and his willingness to serve is something that helps me have a continued desire to push through the refiners fire.
I have my father, who cannot be described by merely amazing. He is an example to me of what it looks like to live the gospel. To apply the principles in life and to put our trust in God. He has shown me how to conquer my fears and my trials through my faith and has demonstrated to me time and time again how faithfulness pays off. He is a man of many weaknesses but he will be the first to admit it, he is also one who taught me to have my weaknesses made into strengths through the atoning sacrifice of our savior. He is one who always lives worthily of the companionship of the Holy Ghost and one who makes sacrifices for his family. He knows who's son he is and he has helped me understand who's daughter I am. He is an amazing man and he continues to shine as an example to me even as he starts going grey. Maybe the grayness makes his example shine even brighter!
I have the prophet Joseph Smith in my life. He may not be writing me letters every week or speaking to me at a zone conference, but he is such a powerful influence in my life. While in liberty jail, he taught me how to bear with my afflictions. He taught me that all of my afflictions and adversities will be for my gain, though they may be brutal. While he was being persecuted for seeing God the father and Jesus Christ he taught me to stand up for what's right no matter the cost. He taught me to be true to the savior not only in public but in heart. When he was martyred he taught me that this gospel is so much more than this life. This gospel allows us to be eternal, living in the presence of God. His life has taught me that the heavens are open and that God communicates with his children. The priesthood power has been restored and through that power our families can be sealed together. He, through the power and will of God, has given me the tool to receive revelation and guidance, the Book of Mormon.
Most importantly, I have the Savior in my life. He has blessed my life in every way, daily. He has lifted my burdens, wiped my tears, comforted me, strengthened me, and everything in between. He has heard and answered my prayers. He has continually taught me. He has been patient with me and my faults and weaknesses and he continually stretches forth his arm of mercy unto me. He has been my "support through the wilderness" of missionary life and life in general and He has been "the light of [my] world" leading me and guiding me along day by day. He has suffered all things for me and truly "hath descended below them all" for my benefit. I know my Savior, Jesus Christ, is in fact the son of God. I know He lives. I see His hand in my life every day and in the lives of those I teach. To say I love the Savior is probably the biggest understatement of the century. Jesus Christ is my all, He is my everything, without Him I am nothing, with Him I can be anything.
I was extremely grateful to be confined to my apartment this Christmas season because it gave me time to ponder the influence of these men in my life, especially that of my savior. This life is not easy. Everyday we have yet another challenge placed before us. But as I sat and pondered, all of these opportunities are here to give us the chance to "choose this day" whom we serve. I have resolved it in my heart to follow my savior, to serve my savior. It would not be so were it not for the other men in my life who have helped me get to where I am today. This gospel is true, the power of the priesthood is real, and the gospel saves souls. I am forever grateful for the opportunity I have to be a missionary and come to know my savior in such a special way and more importantly, see who my savior needs me to become. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed that I need to be that person right now or tomorrow, but the atonement is helping me find comfort and realize that everything comes "line upon line".
So yeah, sometimes the numbers weigh me down when I focus too much on them, sometimes I get frustrated because I can't work as hard as I want to because my shoulder isn't agreeing with me, and sometimes having investigators get scared or fail to keep their commitments breaks my heart, but I feel the spirit and I know that means I am a successful missionary. It won't come all today, tomorrow, or even next week, but it's coming. I know because I'm praying for it, and I'm praying for it with the faith to put it into action. Thank you for all of the support! I love being a missionary and I am so thankful for the opportunity I have to do it! Have a great week and feel free to dive into the Isaiah chapters this week! Maybe take a break from school ;)
Hermana Rebekka Kunz
Illinois Chicago West Mission
July 2014 - January 2016
This week has been ups and downs, as usual. We have Alfina on date and she came to church again but she feels that because the Christians wanted her to study for a really long time she needs to do the same with us. What she doesn't understand is that we have the Holy Ghost with us and will teach her the way to understand all truth. Anyway, Erelio is still old and forgetful but I love him. We hope to baptize him here pretty quick. We didn't get to put him on date this week but we resolved his concern about tithing. We taught Maria and Leo but they still haven't come to church this transfer and even part of last transfer. I don't know why. It doesn't make sense to me. She has desire to be baptized but she doesn't come? Any ideas how to help her? Those are our main focuses right now, our finding is going slow but I guess there was someone who needed us on those streets because that's where we were led!
Monday we had a lesson with Alfina, which is when we put her on date and then we tried to have a lesson with Erelio but he wasn't there...again. So Hermana Flores took us out to McDonald's which was nice because I had never talked to her in my three transfers here. She is really nice and I am so glad to have gotten to know her! Tuesday was my mission birthday and we celebrated it by teaching an awesome lesson to Erelio! We didn't put him on date but we helped him out a ton, once again, he tried to give us a ton of food...no me gusta. Wednesday was Christmas Eve and I had my doctors appointment. No bigs, only have three diseases but with all three of them I can stay out on my mission! Whoop! After that we had district meeting which was a testimony meeting on Jesus Christ, there are some powerful missionaries in my district, let me tell you that. After that we went to Denny's for district lunch, or brunch because we all had breakfast food. Hermana Jennings and I had unlimited pancakes but only ended up eating two...but in our defense, those things were huge. She goes home next Wednesday and it breaks my heart! She is amazing. Thursday was Christmas, and also my first skyping date with my family. Apparently we can't three way Skype on mobile devices but we were able to hold my parents phone to the computer so my brother and I could see each other. He had his first Skype date too, I'm so proud of him for serving the lord in Washington. After that, Hermana Klivans and I enjoyed a gourmet dinner at our local McDonald's! Talk about a Christmas dinner! We had dinner plans but then Hermano Flores got sick at the last minute and they had to postpone. Which was okay by us, we just wanted to desperately leave our house. Friday was a normal Proselyting day except was forever and a day long because we normally have planning that day. Anyway, we walk a lot in our area and if you don't believe me, let me tell you this story and maybe you will have a change of mind. So Hermana Klivans and I are walking down Addison Ave. and we are walking across the entrance of a car wash, well a woman, whom we have never met, rolls down her window and asks us if we need a ride because she sees us walking all the time and always feels really bad. We said no (We were practically at the place we wanted to go to) and thanked her for the offer. What a nice lady, we should teach her. Then after that we went to visit a member who is fellowshipping one of our investigators and we found out a lot of good information that helped us rethink about the way we teach her. Saturday was awesome because on the same street, some of our members saw us and gave us a ride which was awesome! We had a long, long lesson with Evelyn a new investigator. Sunday was awesome because Alfina came to church and little Anita took a bunch of selfies with me! Now I have a fear that I'll be transferred this week...please pray for me to stay! But nevertheless the Lords work will be done.
Okay well this week I've been focusing a lot on the men I have in my life. Don't freak out just yet, my focus is still on the Lord's work which was actually why I was thinking about them. I have a hard time being friends with most girls, I guess we are just very different, but I have a lot of friends who are men, I guess boys turning into men, who are serving missions right now. They are such examples to me. You may not know them but Austin, Wyatt, Jemini, Parker, Nathan, Colton, Eric, Kameron, Chase, Sawyer, Ryan, Tyler, and Dane all have had a specific and distinct impact on my decision to serve a mission. They, through their friendship, have helped me become who I am today and be where I am today. They have shown me the importance of the gospel in every situation of life and what it means to be a disciple of Christ. I am forever grateful for each of their decisions to serve a mission. It takes courage to go on a mission because we know how hard it will be going in, but they all made that choice in the beginning.
I have amazing teachers and an amazing bishop who have helped me and guided me on my way to becoming a missionary. Each of those men have helped me understand the gospel a little bit more and have given me the courage to put my fears aside and serve the lord with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. I have learned how to apply the atonement in my life from these men and I'm grateful for that knowledge as I begin to teach people daily about it.
I have a wonderful, powerful mission president, whom I believe was prepared just for me. His testimony of the prophet Joseph speaks to me in a way that drives me heavenward every day. He is bold but not overbearing and wants the best for me. He leads by example, just like our savior does.
I also have a brother who has decided to serve a mission, he is 22 months younger than I am, but he is an amazing example to me and his experiences and faith grows my testimony every day. His hard work inspires me everyday to work harder. His desire to bless the people of Washington with the priesthood gives me the desire to help others in Illinois be sealed together for all of time and eternity by the same power. I also have a 14 year old brother who is preparing to serve a mission by serving others. His selflessness and his willingness to serve is something that helps me have a continued desire to push through the refiners fire.
I have my father, who cannot be described by merely amazing. He is an example to me of what it looks like to live the gospel. To apply the principles in life and to put our trust in God. He has shown me how to conquer my fears and my trials through my faith and has demonstrated to me time and time again how faithfulness pays off. He is a man of many weaknesses but he will be the first to admit it, he is also one who taught me to have my weaknesses made into strengths through the atoning sacrifice of our savior. He is one who always lives worthily of the companionship of the Holy Ghost and one who makes sacrifices for his family. He knows who's son he is and he has helped me understand who's daughter I am. He is an amazing man and he continues to shine as an example to me even as he starts going grey. Maybe the grayness makes his example shine even brighter!
I have the prophet Joseph Smith in my life. He may not be writing me letters every week or speaking to me at a zone conference, but he is such a powerful influence in my life. While in liberty jail, he taught me how to bear with my afflictions. He taught me that all of my afflictions and adversities will be for my gain, though they may be brutal. While he was being persecuted for seeing God the father and Jesus Christ he taught me to stand up for what's right no matter the cost. He taught me to be true to the savior not only in public but in heart. When he was martyred he taught me that this gospel is so much more than this life. This gospel allows us to be eternal, living in the presence of God. His life has taught me that the heavens are open and that God communicates with his children. The priesthood power has been restored and through that power our families can be sealed together. He, through the power and will of God, has given me the tool to receive revelation and guidance, the Book of Mormon.
Most importantly, I have the Savior in my life. He has blessed my life in every way, daily. He has lifted my burdens, wiped my tears, comforted me, strengthened me, and everything in between. He has heard and answered my prayers. He has continually taught me. He has been patient with me and my faults and weaknesses and he continually stretches forth his arm of mercy unto me. He has been my "support through the wilderness" of missionary life and life in general and He has been "the light of [my] world" leading me and guiding me along day by day. He has suffered all things for me and truly "hath descended below them all" for my benefit. I know my Savior, Jesus Christ, is in fact the son of God. I know He lives. I see His hand in my life every day and in the lives of those I teach. To say I love the Savior is probably the biggest understatement of the century. Jesus Christ is my all, He is my everything, without Him I am nothing, with Him I can be anything.
I was extremely grateful to be confined to my apartment this Christmas season because it gave me time to ponder the influence of these men in my life, especially that of my savior. This life is not easy. Everyday we have yet another challenge placed before us. But as I sat and pondered, all of these opportunities are here to give us the chance to "choose this day" whom we serve. I have resolved it in my heart to follow my savior, to serve my savior. It would not be so were it not for the other men in my life who have helped me get to where I am today. This gospel is true, the power of the priesthood is real, and the gospel saves souls. I am forever grateful for the opportunity I have to be a missionary and come to know my savior in such a special way and more importantly, see who my savior needs me to become. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed that I need to be that person right now or tomorrow, but the atonement is helping me find comfort and realize that everything comes "line upon line".
So yeah, sometimes the numbers weigh me down when I focus too much on them, sometimes I get frustrated because I can't work as hard as I want to because my shoulder isn't agreeing with me, and sometimes having investigators get scared or fail to keep their commitments breaks my heart, but I feel the spirit and I know that means I am a successful missionary. It won't come all today, tomorrow, or even next week, but it's coming. I know because I'm praying for it, and I'm praying for it with the faith to put it into action. Thank you for all of the support! I love being a missionary and I am so thankful for the opportunity I have to do it! Have a great week and feel free to dive into the Isaiah chapters this week! Maybe take a break from school ;)
Hermana Rebekka Kunz
Illinois Chicago West Mission
July 2014 - January 2016