Bring Others To Christ. Find the One

Hello :) 

**Sorry if this is a little jumbled; I wrote it throughout the week***

I wish I had exciting news to share with you for Monday, but it was pretty normal. Although, we did meet a sweet lady while checking on potentials with a member! We started talking to her and she asked, "What sets you apart from other denominations?" As we told her our belief about a modern day prophet, she seemed so genuinely interested and asked if we had a card that she could take. She is married with a baby and one on the way, so we would have to pass her, but we felt blessed to be able to introduce her to the truth :) 

Tuesday was my first ever sisters conference!! :) we had lunch and then listened to some sisters speak, as well as sister and president Riggs. The theme seemed to be, "don't be so hard on yourself, you're doing a great job, perfection is good to strive for but don't be a nazi and over do it to the point where you're feeling like a failure..." Etc. it was great :) I saw sister Lewis :) always a good time :) I also got like 7 compliments on my hair! I just curled it. No big deal, but it made me feel good :) sisters are the best when it comes to building each other up :) 

We passed our Spanish friend later that evening. We had the Spanish speaking elders teach and it was SO COOL to see him be fully engaged in the lesson because he understood it! He had so many questions, and just by observing, he seemed happy and intrigued! I love this gospel!! Being a missionary is the coolest :) 

During my studies this week I was reading over the notes I took from the Sisters Conference. One thing that really stood out to me was the phrase, 

"Our purpose, even after a mission, is to bring others closer to Christ". 

Even if you didn't serve a mission, or haven't yet, this is your purpose; especially as a Latter-Day Saint. 

Do your words, actions, thoughts, and desires bring others closer to Christ? Do they bring you closer to Christ? 

After hearing that phrase, I pondered on the things I did before my mission, and decided that I did a decent job! I feel that I tried in all I did to be christ-like, although I am mortal, so there are definitely areas I could have improved ;) Even now, as a full time servant of the Lord, I still have moments where my words or deeds or thoughts don't bring myself or others closer to Christ.

Secrets out. I'm human.

But repentance is REAL and we can always try a little harder to be a little better on a daily basis :)
Another thing I've learned recently is that God GAVE me weaknesses. Sometimes I forget that, and wonder why I'm not perfect yet ;) just kidding. But not, at the same time :) I think we can be so hard on ourselves and try to do everything the best we know how, even when sometimes the expectation for the best we know how isn't always within reach. This goes back to the theme of the sisters conference; don't be so hard on yourself, perfection isn't attainable in this life but patience in trying is. We have weaknesses so that they can become strengths as we seek help from our father in heaven. It's okay to fall short :) we are supposed to :) That's the whole purpose of the Atonement/Plan of Happiness! 

Wednesday was pretty good! We had district meeting in the morning and after that we went to AFAC with the sisters we live with for a couple hours to help out over there. Then we had dinner with a member and checked on a few people. It was a good night! 

 
Thursday wasn't too exciting, although at dinner we had cutie oranges, and later I saw this tiny, skinny, green stem looking thing moving around on my plate. Um. Worm?? Yep! That would happen to me. It's fine :) we threw him away :) 

Friday was weekly planning which went so great! I am full of gratitude and charity towards my companion. It's been a good couple months :) We had a lesson scheduled in the afternoon but it fell through, so we just planned, and then in the evening we checked on a couple people before we had a member lesson. 

Side Note:: Can you believe it's MAY already?!? What?! I'm pretty sure sister Lewis and I just got done celebrating New Years like... Yesterday! Time is cruising, I swear. In 2 months I'll be half way done with my mission, and that's going to FLY!! I love my mission though, and I'm SO grateful for the experience that it is :) I almost don't even want to ever leave :)

Saturday Sister Morris was able to go do Baptisms for the dead with her recent convert and the companion she taught him with! 

So I was with Sister Rossi for the afternoon which was SO FUN! :) We have a TON in common, and got a lot done :) She's also a dancer, and told me that their apartment complex has a studio with a ballet bar and everything!? Pretty much I died and remembered how much I love to dance :( oh well. The things we do for the God we love ;) 

We swapped back around 4pm and went to stake conference that night. The theme was on how ward council can help with retaining new members, reactivating less actives, and fellowshipping. They had multiple sets of "new member and ward council member" as well as "returning member and ward council member" sharing their stories of how the two roles worked together. It was neat to hear conversion stories, and how the ward council did their part. I love that as Latter Day Saints, we truly strive to live what we believe.

There was a video clip shared of Elder Bednar talking about an experiment he did while he was President at BYU-Idaho. About 250 students came to a devotional one day out of 1,200. President Eyring was going to be speaking the next week, and Elder Bednar knew that if the students prepared themselves spiritually and showed up in their best Sunday best, President Eyring would speak by the power of the Holy Ghost those things that they needed to hear. But he knew most of the student body would be there, and only 250 heard the promises. So he challenged the students to tell 5 people, who would then tell 4, who would then tell 3, and so on. That way the word would get out. By the time the next devotional came around, he said there were about 6 students who didn't know what was going on and went home to change because everyone else was dressed so nice for devotional :) President Eyring asked, "What is this??" Elder Bednar told him, "This is for you! We are ready to receive revelation". 

Elder Bednar continued to talk about "the one". Go and get the one, who will get the one, who will get the one, etc. 

Doctrine and Covenants 18:15 tells us, 

"And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!" 

As Latter Day Saints it is our duty to reach out to the one. We promised we would when we were baptized, and how great are the blessings from doing so :) 

Sunday was really good. We had stake conference and I am just so spiritually filled! Heavenly Father is so good to me. We fasted as a mission on Sunday for strength and consecration for something big coming up on Tuesday, and it was the easiest, most peaceful fast I've ever had. My heart is full! I am so grateful for this gospel in my life and for the happiness that it brings me. Not a lot of teaching happened this week; a lot of lessons canceled, but we did all we could, and my personal prayers were answered every day. I see the lords hand in my every day life, especially the tender mercies, and my love for my father in heaven is gigantic :) everyone needs this gospel!! And that is why I am here :) Thanks for everything :)

Love you!!
Sister Kailey 

I literally made a paper chain to count down to Mother's Day :) I'm SO excited!! :)

My awkward, "I can't believe it's already May, is this real life??" Picture :)

Week 26: Because He Lives

Happy late Easter! :)

'Tis great to be a missionary :) 

My email this week is quite lengthy, so you might want to grab a snack or something ;) But is filled with experiences that have strengthened my testimony a great deal throughout the past 7 days.

It began with your usual P-day, which was so great! We got our laundry, grocery shopping, and cleaning done before we emailed. Then it was time to go to dinner with a member. It was so weird how everything panned out that night; it was like Heavenly Father knew what was going to happen (of course He did) and pushed all of our plans back a little bit... 

...When we went to dinner we had to park in the parking garage, and on the way out we had to pay in a machine before we could leave. So sister Morris put her credit card in the machine like it said, and it sucked it right up! The machine stole her card. We laughed so hard, and luckily we had time to kill to press the button for help and wait for a kind man to come break open the machine and get her card out :) 

...We had a member lesson planned next, but she said she was going to be a little late so we waited in the car and practice taught inspired questions. The member ended up being way late though so we had to reschedule and go home. It wasn't time wasted though; we had a really good spiritual conversation that I think we both needed :) I love my companion :) 

Tuesday was really productive! We took another required survey for the iPads, and had to put in all the people from the paper area book into the iPad area book. That will take a few days! Our plans for the night all fell through and because we had been inside all afternoon, we hadn't talked to anybody, and I was going stir crazy!

We checked on potentials and formers. One man happened to live on the street we were currently on, so we rang his doorbell. In the cold rain. Dedicated ;) Anyway, nobody answered so we went back to the car. 

On the way to the car I glanced back and there was this old man in a bright neon orange jacket and shorts shorter than old men should wear. Or any man for that matter. He was just standing off in the distance in the rain, staring at us, and frankly creeped me out a lot, so I talked to him :) hahah The person we were looking for wasn't home, so we left and called the number we had. So weird.

We needed gas so we stopped to get some on the way home. Sister Morris was filling the tank while I sat in the car. I saw a lady at a different pump and had a constant nagging feeling from the spirit like, "go talk to her". So finally I couldn't take it anymore! I got out of the car and ran to this woman not knowing what I was going to say. The conversation went a little something like this:

"Hi! Can I show you a short video really quick?! It's about Christ in preparation for Easter! :)"

*Lady squinting at my name tag* 

"Oh, I'm a missionary! I talk about Christ all the time :)" 

The lady, "right now??.... Shauna do you wanna watch a video real quick?" 

Lady's friend, "nah I gotta go to DC right now!" 

Me, "okay! That's okay! I'll give you a card (yay for pass along cards) and you can look it up on this website! :)" 

Who knows what will come of that, if anything, but I felt soooo much better after I got back in the car. Also, I realize that I could have explained who I was and what I do a lot better, but they were in a rush and that's what came out :) hahah I love being a missionary!!! :) 

Wednesday morning we went to district meeting which was so great. Very spiritually filling :) 

In the afternoon we put stickers on water bottles that we handed out on Friday at the metro. 

Afterwards we threw some pants on and went to AFAC, the food bank place, to help out for an hour or so. Busy day! 

The rest of the day was spent with members :) We continued to share the new Easter video this week, and each time we ask people what stood out to them. I love asking this because nobody has the same answer!! I learn so much from the people we teach :)

{ April Fools Anyone?}
We came home to find our bedroom completely swapped! Our beds were switched, along with the decor on the walls, our dresser was moved to the other side of the room... Almost as if everything was a mirrored version of what it originally was. Even the clothes in our closet were switched! The sisters we live with did a pretty impressive job of making everything look exactly the same, just on the other side of the room :) We forgot it was April fools :) 

SO. We played their game and did the same thing but to their desks that they study at. The sisters we live with are nuts :) we love them, but they're so weird :) hahah they have an imaginary friend named Susan, and they blame everything on her. So on the outside of the door we taped a sign that said, "it was Susan..." Nothing crazy, but it was fun :)

Thursday was weekly planning because the rest of the weekend was jam packed! It was our last weekly planning sesh together! Sad. But life just keeps moving whether we like it or not! :/

Also, sister Morris was going to cut her hair all by herself because she was tired of her long hair, so I offered to cut it for her!! We chopped 10 inches upon her request. 

Dinner that night was with a member and her roommates! One of them is eloping with a man from Syria! We talked with him and learned about his culture; I'm grateful to live in America. But it was so fun! :) 

Afterwards we went to check on a former who had soooo many questions! He doesn't know how having Christ in his life can help him. I was bursting with love and boldness as we taught him the importance of Jesus Christ. Such a good lesson on that doorstep :) 

I had so much energy, I wanted to talk to every single person we passed. We do that anyway, but it was different that night because I was on fire! :) I love this gospel!! :) 

Friday was a blast! Let me tell you why :) 

We woke up before the sun did so we could be out the door by 6am to pick up the elders in our district. We then headed to the church to pick up huge cases of water bottles to take to the metro station where we then spread out to give people pass along cards and water bottles advertising "Because He Lives". 

Sister Morris and I went down under the ground where people came on and off the metro to give people these cards. One lady said, "why don't you give this to someone who hasn't been saved already". Another woman seemed really interested and after taking a couple steps away, she came back and asked if I was Mormon. Then she gave the card back. Lame sauce. One man who didn't seem like he was in a rush, approached me asking, "you seem extra happy on this gloomy day! How come??" I explained that I am always happy because I know my savior lives! He then pointed to his tie that had "God" written all over it. He took my pass along card and was excited to watch the video :) another man said in passing, "nope I'm too hungover for that!" Well thank you for your honesty sir 

For some reason I find that I am more drawn to the people with head phones in, avoiding eye contact, walking fast, or on the phone. They clearly don't want to talk to me, but it makes me want to talk to them even more! So I do :) 

After an hour we switched with the elders and went up to the top to find a lot of rain, and a lot of humidity. We also found a man named Tony who was handing out news papers! Tony is the coolest :) I was offered some cigarettes by a homeless man. After politely declining he said, "oh sorry, I thought you smoked"... I've never been told that before... Odd experience. 

I sat on a bench by a lady waiting for the bus. I showed her the video and we started talking about life. She said, "It's funny you came to me because I was just listening to the radio talking about how we need to slow down and be in the moment". She's right! Sometimes we need to slow down and remember what really matters; family, Heavenly Father, sunsets, and Ben and Jerry :) 

By the time we were done my hair appeared equivalent to Simba's from The Lion King (when he is full grown)

I was sticky, cold, wet, and didn't even care :) The best part was, we got to do it again later that night! :) My entire zone did this at multiple different metro stations that day during the busiest times of the day. So much fun :) Also, we definitely lost our car in a parking garage for a good 20 minutes. Virginia is so confusing. 

We ended the night at a lesson with an investigator by sharing that Easter video and it was SO powerful! The spirit was so strong; it was a great way to top off the day :) Also, our ward is putting together a 5K on Saturday and that investigator wants to run it. So I'm running it with her :) im STOKED! :) 

Saturday morning we went back to the metro! There I met Edwin. Edwin is super sweet! He has a mental illness that I can't spell to save my life, and is so genuine :) After a while of talking about missionary work and the gospel, he confessed his love for me. I asked if he wanted missionaries to come teach him and he said, "noooo I just like you!" hahah :) He also told me that God called him to be a prophet! It reminded me of conference so we talked about that, too. People are so great :)

The weather was nicer! Sunny and warm...ish... The wind was insanely strong though! I felt like I was forcing every step forward against the cold rush of air. However, no complaints; it makes for great stories :) Afterward, sister Morris and I went home to study and spiritually prepare ourselves to hear the word of God through the mouths of His chosen servants :)

General Conference is probably the 

coolest experience on a mission. 

Revelation flows so smoothly, questions seem to be answered in one way or another, and it's like the spirit on steroids. I absolutely LOVE how the talks are so bold lately. Partially because that's how I function, but also because sometimes we just need to hear it like it is.

We spent the first session with a member, and the second with a different member :) I hope you thought of me when Elder Wilford Andersen of the 70 talked about those people you see dancing in the car ;) I am happy to say that I ALWAYS hear the music :)

Then we had dinner with another member! 'Twas a good day :)

The Primary Children in the Stake made us Easter baskets. Mine is Harry Potter.

{ E A S T E R }... was special this year because the meaning behind it meant a little bit more than it usually does; to me.

Elder Holland, specifically, gave a profound talk on the meaning of Easter. It opened my eyes to realize the significance of the Atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and how it applies to me every single day. I love how he stated that Easter is a "celebration of victory" over death by one man who was full of love. This was the plan from the very beginning. 

A common subject I found was the explanation of the Plan of Happiness; Gods plan for His children. The gospel of Jesus Christ makes so much sense! When truly pondered and understood, it makes perfect sense. 

I am grateful to have the knowledge and receive a witness by the power of the Holy Ghost that there is a living prophet on the earth this very day. He is called of God, as are 12 living apostles whom I fully sustain, and will continue to stand firm in supporting. Their words are words of warning and council from on high! 

Why did I ever fall asleep during conference before my mission?! Their words are of great importance!! Sister Morris and I sat on the edge of our seats with a pen in hand, eager to write the things the spirit would teach. I am beyond thankful for the messages they delivered :) 

I hope everyone had a spiritually filled Easter Sunday, and has set goals and plans to improve according to the council you've received. I can't wait to get started on mine :)

Today is Monday! Sister Morris and I think this is our last Monday together, so we are gonna go play in DC :) 

When we went grocery shopping this morning, on our way to the car a guy stopped us and said, "excuse me can I ask you a question? You said hi to me earlier... I was just wondering who you work for? Like... Why?" 

We smiled and explained that we were missionaries and teach about Gods plan for us. We asked if he wanted to learn and he said yes! He lives in DC, so we will have to refer him over there, but it was a neat experience :) 

I hope everyone has such a great week full of joy and sunshine :) it's supposed to be beautiful over here; it is today so cross your fingers!! :) 

Love you!!
Sister Kailey

Find Him

I've watched the new Mormon message for Easter about 10 times now, and what sticks out most to me are the last 3 sentences.

I realize that we often discuss the Atonement and focus on the fact that Christ died for us, but how often do we ponder the fact that He LIVES for us. 

"He rose from the dead on the third day. 

He lives today. 

Find Him". 

Did you get goosebumps? :)

BECAUSE Jesus Christ lives we, too can be resurrected. [ Helaman 14:15,17 ] We can cry out during the high and low points in our lives and He is always there. Above my bed I have a ton of quotes that I read often, and one of them is found in the scriptures (D&C 38:7). It says, 

"I am in your midst. 

Mine eyes are upon you". 

Whether we feel Him or not, He's always there. I find great comfort in this knowledge! 

A while ago I did a post on Facebook about my best friend, Katy. I can tell you everything she likes, dislikes, enjoys doing in her spare time, what she's good at, what she isn't good at, etc. I know Katy because I've spent enough time with her, even if that meant going to her house just to sit on the floor and talk about nothing :) 

So what can we do to find our Savior? 

Why do we need to find our Savior? 

How even is a relationship like that with the Savior going to benefit our lives? 

I have some answers, but I'll let you ponder the thought and see what you can do this week to truly find your Savior. He's there, we just have to DO what we can to come unto Him. 

A member of the bishopric yesterday shared a thought provoking statement, "it's better to have someone tell you 'well done' than 'well said'". I hope I get a "well done" after this life :) 

I'm so thankful for a Savior who LIVES for ME. And you too :) 

Week 25: Another Week in Alexandria

Friends and family,

Sharing the gospel without saying a thing to anyone by putting a Book of Mormon (or 5) in our apartment complex library :) 

P-Day was busy! 

We went grocery shopping with the sisters we live with because we were still without a car, and then after emailing we went bowling with our zone. Let's just say I'm basically a pro at holding a consistent score ;) 

Right after we got home, sister Morris and I grabbed our jackets and walked to dinner with a member! Then we walked to another member lesson. By the time that was over we needed to head home so we street contacted on the way.

Tuesday morning after studies I wasn't feeling good at all, so I slept for an hour and a half before we went to pick up our car! It looks so good! :) 

Then we made brownies to take to our members because the sisters in our apartment helped eat the cookies... haha :) Thank-you-goodies are a hit! Who doesn't love brownies?! Crazy people. That's who. And even though we had our car back, we walked because we like it that much :) 

After dinner we had a lesson with a recent convert, and then checked on potentials! 'Twas a decent day :) 

On Wednesday we had a lesson on prayer during district meeting. It was cool to see how prayer works with every aspect of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For example, we discussed how prayer works with faith, how prayer and repentance work together, prayer and baptism, prayer and the Holy Ghost, as well as prayer and enduring to the end. We also got the new Easter video, "Because He Lives" so we were showing people during lessons before it officially came out on Saturday :) 

We did a lot of phone calls to formers and potentials and even set up a couple lessons! Our evening was busy. 

We had dinner with a member, then taught 8-11 yr. old girls all about missionary life :) it was fun. They wrote us letters at the end, and during the lesson we asked why they thought we taught about temples. One girl said, "Because missionaries get married sometimes!" :) haha 

Afterward we got a text from a member saying she was free to come out with us if we needed her, and we did! So we picked her up and went to a lesson with K from Ghana :) he is a former, and was really glad we came, so that lesson went swell :) 

Thursday morning I ran 3 miles and it felt sooo good! I'm determined to be skinny again by Mother's Day ;) For lunch we went to Chipotle with a member and shared the new video, then went to a lesson with a recent convert. We talked about temples because he hasn't been to do baptisms for the dead yet! 

**For those of you who don't know what, "Baptisms for the dead" are, I'm happy to explain :) 

Some people think we baptize dead human beings. This is false. And disgusting. We believe that baptism by immersion, by someone holding the proper authority from God, is an essential act in returning to live with our Father in Heaven again. Some people, however, have passed on without being baptized by this authority (the priesthood) so we perform the baptism in proxy for that person. We believe they have the agency (choice) to accept or decline the ordinance in their behalf. But this way they at least have the opportunity.** 

 So K wants to go! :) 

After dinner we decided to go street contacting because it was in the 70's, and people were everywhere outside! It was fun :) and humid. But it's supposed to be cold and rainy for the rest of the month :/ where is spring?!? 

On Friday after studies we began planning for the week! We had such a good weekly planning session! It was super productive, and we are so sad the transfer is coming to an end :( we have a week and a half left together, and are going to work extra hard to top off the successes we've had all transfer :) Sister Morris is my tender mercy transfer. It has been so easy, and so fun working with her. She has taught me so many things! Our companionship inventory was loaded with compliments and goals :) 

Our evening was so much fun! We had an appointment with an investigator and even brought a member, but when we got there we found an alcohol party instead... So we decided not to attend ;) we street contacted and checked on potentials the rest of the night with that member we brought. It was a blast :) 

On Saturday sister Morris and I helped our new neighbors across the hall move in!! That was unplanned but super fun :) then we did a survey that takes forever but is required. And spiritually uplifting :) In the afternoon we had a lesson with a recent convert, and this coming conference will be his first!!! We are so excited :) 

In the evening we went to the stake center for a light dinner and such a wonderful broadcast of the General Woman's Conference! I received so much revelation I don't even know what to do with myself! God is so good :) 

Church on Sunday was super great! We had a combined third hour and we talked about some of our favorite conference talks and why. It was really good! I love the ward I'm in :) we finished the night with member lessons. 

I know that this work is hastening, and I'm honored to be apart of it. 

I know I have a loving Father in Heaven who wants the best for me, so He sent His son. 

I know that families can be sealed together forever!! I love my family! 

Gods plan truly IS happiness :) I know that we have the gift of agency and repentance is real! We bring condemnation upon ourselves; we are given the opportunity to repent an endless amount of times because of Jesus Christ, and as we read the scriptures we can see how often we truly are warned. 

The church is true folks! I will stand as a witness of that forever. 

Have a fantastically stupendous week! Enjoy the weather over there; its crummy where I am :( 

Love,
Sister Kailey :)

Week 21: Starbucks, Ice Skating, & Testimonies

Dear Everyone,

'Twas a pretty busy week this week! Sister Morris and I decided to be so fully committed to the work and the Lord this transfer; we WILL see miracles within the next 6 weeks!! :)

Pday was pretty fun! We did the usual studies, emails, wrote letters, grocery shopping, and then we went to a street downtown Alexandria that has a bunch of little shops on it. We taught some members and then an investigator later in the evening. The sweetest lady that we taught was so worried about our salvation. She was so genuinely concerned about us and made my heart sad that she was so closed off, but we did what we could! 

Tuesday was awesome :) we had interviews with President Riggs just to see how we are doing, and then we spent the afternoon clearing out our iPads because we were going to get new ones on Wednesday. We ended up not getting them... but that's for the next paragraph :) later in the evening we taught E, our recent convert, at Starbucks! We taught about the atonement and keeping sabbath day holy. It was a super great lesson.

Remember the waitress last week that said she could see a light in our eyes?? Well sister Morris and I needed hot chocolate at Starbucks. Yes. Needed. And while we ordered, the cashier said the same thing!! I love being a servant of the lord!!! :) It makes us feel good knowing people can physically see the light of Christ through our eyes :)

We then taught some members and after that met with K! She's so funny :) we knocked on her door and as she opened it she goes, "oh my gosh this is so embarrassing, ya'll just caught me smoking". haha she said sorry like 20 times after that :) K struggles with the word of wisdom but she's trying to overcome all of her addictions, so if you could keep her in your prayers that would be lovely :)

N came over at the end of the lesson. He confessed his love for us, and said he's really only interested because we are pretty, so he dropped us :/ 

On Wednesday we went to Centreville again for a whole mission conference. (4.5 hours long) A couple people from the 70 came to teach us about what the church's plan is for social media proselyting. This is so cool!! So they're going to start teaching youth how to effectively share their beliefs on social media, and then when they get their mission call, they will receive a more in depth training. Once they hit the mtc the training for online proselyting will be wicked! (In the good way) The kids will already be somewhat prepared for the training there, and will receive/be trained on their own iPads. As soon as they get to the field they have 12 weeks of more training on how to do this! Basically the future generation of missionaries will be stellar at online/ social media proselyting :)
BUT!! It doesn't stop there!! The last 6 weeks of a mission will be partially spent doing normal missionary things, and partially spent figuring out what to do when you go home. We get to take the iPads home after our missions!! Coolest thing ever. We get our new ones in a week or so. I love the church, and the gospel, and being on a mission :) I received a load of revelation/inspiration for how to be a better missionary!!

Missionary meetings are my FAVORITE!! :) oh. Also, sister Lewis was there!! Obviously, because the whole rest of the mission was there, but it was so great! :) you'd think we haven't seen each other for years by the way we react when we see each other hahah I love that woman!! We even went out to lunch together with our companions after the meeting :) tender mercy :)

In the evening we had some more member lessons! Sister Morris and I have a goal to work with the members really hard this transfer! So far it's been so good :)

(Also, on a completely unrelated note, our bathroom light switch stopped working. So we had to take a flashlight in with us every time, until someone had the bright idea of putting a lamp in the bathroom:) hahah seriously I just love serving a mission!! :) )

So Thursday rolled around and we woke up to a text saying we weren't allowed to drive again because it had snowed pretty bad over night. After we got home from the gym, we looked outside to find it STILL snowing! But luckily it stopped eventually and then melted somewhat by the time we needed to go to our appointments and received the okay to drive again. Most of the members in our ward have served a mission, so we got to hear some neat experiences this week about different missions :)

The evening was awesome!! On Sunday a random girl in the ward came up to us and said she had just gotten home from her mission two months ago, and was willing to go out to lessons with us whenever we needed her. So nice! So we grabbed her on Thursday to come to a lesson with us. It was with a less active around my age who just needs good friends :) we ate dinner with her and then her aunt took us out to ice cream. DQ blizzards to be exact :) heaven!! And then our next lesson was with a member who fed us brownies and ice cream!! Two of my most favorite desserts back to back! I definitely ran hard Friday morning.

After studies on Friday we had weekly planning. That took all afternoon! Once we were out the door for the evening we met with more members!! Woohoo! :) earlier though, when we were planning, I felt strongly that we needed to teach humility with a certain member. Not because she seems prideful :) the spirit just said that's what she needed, so in the middle of planning a lesson on the atonement I was like, "sister Morris I really feel like we need to teach humility tonight". I'm grateful for a companion who trusts me and my gut because when we taught that member she started crying and told us to pause so she could run and grab a paper to take notes! What?! Always listen to the spirit :)
Saturday morning we went out to breakfast with a member at a super yummy... Breakfast place? haha it was good:) I think it's called, "Best Buns Bakery"?

Anyway, then we did our studies and had a couple Skype lessons with people from England!! One girl was so excited to hear my accent :) I thought that was funny because clearly she's the one with the accent ;) haha the evening was spent checking on potentials and former investigators. I love Alexandria!! There are so many people to see! We are always busy and I love it!! We have a couple return appointments so that's good.

Fast Sunday is always a spiritual experience on a mission :) I bore my testimony on Sunday and introduced myself a bit. Singles ward is AWESOME! I never want to not serve in a singles ward! :) Later in relief society a sister sitting next to me asked if I was related to her seminary teacher from Nampa- uncle rick. Small world! She even knew some people I know! Way cool :)

During church it rained frozen rain, and continued to do so for the rest of the day, so once again we weren't allowed to drive. (I attached a picture of it frozen to the trees) We had our member come pick us up for dinner, and as soon as I stepped out of the car I had to ice skate my way to the door. It was a thick sheet of ice on everything the rain touched! It felt super cool, but it was way super dangerous at the same time haha we were sliding everywhere :)

After our member dropped us off we spent the rest of the night mapping out potentials and investigators who have fallen off of the radar. Our plan is to pin them on the map so we can just contact everyone that lives near each other at one time vs. driving all over Virginia, back and forth. Smart, right? ;) but it will take a few days to map it out because there are loads of people in our area book! Which is so good! :) once we have that done it will make the work more productive and organized :) it was a good way to spend the evening considering we couldn't really go out.

I'm really grateful to be a tool in the lords hands. I am beyond thankful to have been raised with the fullness of the gospel, and to have the standards that I do. I often wonder if I'm doing all I can to submit my will to Gods, and how I can go about doing that without changing who I am completely.

Elder Ballard stated it beautifully when he said,

"That's the way it is when Jesus Christ becomes a reality in your life. It isn't that he somehow makes you do things that you wouldn't do otherwise. Rather, you find yourself wanting to do what He would do and respond as He would respond in an effort to bring your life into harmony with His, and an interesting thing happens whenever you attempt to put your feet in Christ's footsteps. If you really concentrate on trying to walk the way He walked- loving, caring, serving, and obeying each step of the way- one day you'll look up and discover that His path has led you directly to the throne of God. For that is, and ever has been, His great purpose and mission; to lead us to our Heavenly Father so we can dwell with Him in His Heavenly Home." 

Christ is the perfect example; He has showed us the way, and as we strive to live as He did, we don't become someone we aren't. We become our best selves; who we really are :) through the gospel of Jesus Christ this can happen. I know this to be true, and I love my Father in Heaven like I love my father on earth for helping me through this journey of life :) God is good and I love being a missionary :)

La la la loooovvveee,
Sister Chandler

Week 20: 'ello

Family and friends,

What a productive week I had! :)

On Monday after we emailed, I was with sister Davis and sister Morris so we went to lunch at 5 guys, then played basketball with our sister training leaders and wrote letters. We totally got stuck in snowy traffic for 2 hours when originally it's a 20 min. drive! 'Twas great bonding time though :) during that drive, we got a text saying nobody was allowed to drive that night so we had to cancel our appointments and call it a snow day. The roads get crazy icy here when it snows, so that was fun! We got pizza on the way home :)

Tuesday morning we had district meeting, and then it snowed again!! :) that night we had a dinner at a buffet with a recent convert. Coolest/ sweetest thing EVER happened. We were talking about the priesthood more in depth with the recent convert, and after a while our waitress stopped to read our tags. After telling her who we were and what we did she said, "I knew it! I knew it because there's something in your eyes!" :) is that not the most awesome thing ever?! We talked to her for a bit but she lives outside of our mission, so we gave her a restoration pamphlet :) 

I definitely impressed the recent convert with what Spanish I do know, so that was fun! We taught sister Morris (who is from England) how to roll her "R's" but she couldn't :) later that night we taught an investigator and then her friend happened to knock on the door in the middle of our lesson. When she answered the door she was like, "come in! Come listen to this! This is the real deal here, no foolin around with this one! It's the real thing". :) so he came in and we taught him, too! He's from Africa :) 

Wednesday wasn't so busy because Thursday was transfers, so we just packed and cleaned . Then in the evening we checked on less actives.

Thursday: Transfers (in Centreville!! Yay!!) So we basically didn't have a clue where I would go or who I would be with. We heard I would stay with sister Davis because I was on the list in her district, but my area book was synced with the Potomac ward with sister Waldron. So it was a big guessing game, and transfers were exciting because I ended up being companions with Sister Morris!! This is too funny because sister Osmond (Donny Osmond's niece) trained sister Lewis, and then trained Sister Morris! So that's cool. I'm in a singles ward now which is way fun! Different, but fun :)
Later that night we had dinner with a member who gave us like 4 referrals! Ya, what?! Singles ward RM's are the BEST! It's like they never left their mission! Then we had a lesson with a member. It was FREEZING COLD that night!

Side note*** we are getting new iPads on Wednesday and having a 4 hour Facebook training-- president Riggs says we won't have facebook for a couple months :/ not sure how that will work out because a lot of us have investigators online... We'll see! 

On Friday we cleaned and reorganized the apartment because the spirit cannot dwell in unclean areas and it needed to be done! So after that we got to weekly planning, then checked on potentials and referrals. I met the ward mission leader, and then we checked on those referrals. One guy answered the door saying, "I grew up in salt lake. I'm very happy with my episcopalian church and I got my wine right here!" :) haha and another guy at a different house said, "you're mormon and I know that because of your tags that say sister. I was almost a brother but I'm Jewish and I think I'll stay that way". I love tracting! The stories are so great! :)

Saturday was fun! We were doing our progress report when a random lady in the library warned us about the weather :) so sweet :) 

THEN on Saturday our stake did a mini mission for the youth! So our zone and one other zone got to pretend to be normal people (because we definitely aren't normal anyway) that the youth would have to street contact. They were taught how to share the gospel through media, showed what a district meeting was like, knocked doors (in the church), and had a companion that they spent the day with. It ended with a testimony meeting which we were going to stay for, until we saw that it had snowed a few more inches. Our car is awful in this weather (I strongly vote against a Ford Fusion in the winter, but am so grateful to have a car!:) ) so we had to leave early in order to be home for a lesson on time. That night we weren't allowed to drive again, and we couldn't find a ride to our lessons, so we had Skype lessons! 

Remember the man from Africa I mentioned earlier? We had a Skype lesson with him on the plan of salvation! He so badly wants to come to church, so he is going to ask for work off this Sunday; pray for him! He's awesome. I love Africans :)

Sunday morning was spent digging our car out of our parking space for 40 minutes, in a dress, with a window scraper. So fun :) Church was good! The members are so willing to come to lessons with us, and it makes me so excited for the work!! Members are my favorite :) then in the evening we just checked on potentials/less actives :) 

This week I've really felt a change of heart! To strive harder to be my best self, and exactly obedient in the work. It's super easy to be relaxed on simple rules, but the blessings and miracles that you see from being exactly obedient are amazing. It's not worth it to shrug off something that seems simple, and okay to be relaxed with. 

I'm grateful for the atonement in my life!! Seriously Jesus Christ is my best friend. I am so grateful for Him! This gospel is true people!! You can only know for yourself when you search with real intent, truly desiring to know if this mormon stuff is the real deal or not. I PROMISE that when you do this, you WILL receive an answer that it is true. I can only testify of this because I've done the searching :) 

"Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it SHALL be opened unto you..." Shall! That's an absolute. 'Tis a promise, and God doesn't break His promises when we do what He says :)
I love being a missionary! I love this work, and I love you!! 

Have a most awesome week!! 

Sister Kailey 

Ps. Tomorrow is my 5 month mark being a full time missionary. Time is cruising!! :)

Week 18: Blessings, Blessings, Blessings

Hello! :)

I apologize (mostly to my mother) for the lack of words sent home the past couple weeks! I know it's like a drought in a desert, so I'll do my best to quench your thirst today :)

This week was proof that miracles happen when we endure and press forward with faith. It started off with L on Monday. L was the referral from head quarters a little over a month ago who asked for a bible. This was with sister Lewis, and we were never able to catch her at a good time. We would set up appointments but something would come up. Nevertheless, we persisted!! :) 

Finally, we brought a member with us and the appointment followed through. L is a mother of 4 or 5 little kids with a military husband who won't be home until summer. She has been through a lot of terrible things... You name it, she's experienced it. SHE NEEDS THIS GOSPEL!! Everyone does, but she REALLY does. 

She said she got so desperate for help that she heard a guy on the radio say he would pray for her, so she payed him X amount of money for him to pray for her per month. My heart broke. THEN she
said that someone told her that God is too busy to hear her problems so she doesn't ask for anything in her prayers!! Dear goodness! I'm pretty much crying inside for this woman! 

Because of her questions and concerns, the lesson didn't follow a super smooth outline. It was choppy on topics but met her needs and the spirit was strong. She accepted the baptismal invite, but doesn't have a date yet because meeting with her is near impossible due to her schedule. We are shooting for the beginning of March though! Please keep her in your prayers! She is depressed and just really needs to have the time to hear the lessons. I know it will bless her life immensely. Also, she is dying to go to church!! But couldn't make it yesterday because a mechanic was working on her car and she had to be home to pay him, but she is trying! Gah I have so much love and compassion towards her! It's a blessing and a curse ;) 

We met with C on Tuesday and her husband had his last interview with the bishop yesterday so we see her tomorrow and hopefully can set a date! :) it's been a looonnnggg process but worth it! She is so ready and anxious to be dunked :)

**When you have a minute, look up this talk on YouTube, "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior" by Todd B. Parker. It's way cool :)

Wednesday and Thursday were FULL of service!! We helped a sister in our ward clean her empty house that she is moving from. So like the baseboards, windows, bathrooms, floors, doors, cupboards, etc. it was fun! :) 

There was only one way to fit in this small space to wash the baseboards.

The weather is like spring here so I didn't even need a jacket most of the week! Even this morning running to and from the gym was pretty warm! :) 

Ohhhh funny story! So the hermanas we live with have had the flu all week, but we made sure to be out of the house as much as possible so we didn't get sick! I decided to fast for an investigator yesterday and felt sort of sick but just thought it was because I hadn't eaten anything all day. Turns out I worked through a fever all day! Whoops! I'm good now though :) 

Sister Liu and I are doing pretty good. We are really good at companion inventory and the weeks have been going a lot smoother than the first couple. I know that I needed her as my companion though because she has taught me so many things, and I have been quite humbled throughout this transfer, which is good :) I do love and appreciate her so much despite the challenges :) transfers are on the 19th of this month, so next week. Just a heads up, and I'm most likely leaving. I'll find out for sure in a week. 

This week we taught a super cool lesson that was definitely inspired! Matthew in chapter 14:24-31 talks about when Peter walked on water. My favorite word EVER in all those verses is, "immediately". Jesus stretched forth His hand IMMEDIATELY. He always does! Now when you think about your testimony and where you are in your conversion (which is a life long process), use this analogy: 

We have Peter in the boat, not really going anywhere. Then there is Peter walking on water, DOING SOMETHING in faith to get to where he wants to go, and finally we have sinking Peter, which we all experience at times. 

In your process of conversion, what area can be strengthened? Which Peter are you? How can you improve? No matter which Peter you are, Christ has his hand reaching towards you with a smile on His face. So reach back and take advantage of His help! I attached a picture that is my all time favorite and represents this really well :) 

I know that having a testimony is so important, and it's by experience that we gain one! A strengthened testimony leads to conversion which is the ultimate goal, yet like I said before, it's a life long process. 

I know my savior loves me, as does my Father in Heaven. I am beyond grateful for His hand in my life and for the knowledge that I have of the gospel. Truly I don't know where I'd be without it! Everyone needs it, even if they don't think they do :) which is why we persist! 

I am so grateful to be on a mission! There is nothing I'd rather be doing with my life at this point in time. The gospel blesses families! I am thankful to know that I get to be with mine forever :)
I hope you had a week as good as mine!! 

Happy Valentines Day (on Saturday) <3
Love you!
Sister Chandler

Week 17: It's Pretty Cold Here

Happy Monday! :)

Unfortunately I have zero time to email. Again. So this will be another short email :/ sorry!

So on Monday we went to DC at the national gallery of art! That was cool :). On the bus ride there, a guy reading a news paper started talking to us and said, "you can knock on my door any time"..... hahaha :)

Tuesday I went on an exchange with my sister training leader! That means I spent the day in a different area (Ashburn) and the night with my sister training leader. It was fun! She's a dancer, too and we tried to make a dance up because she wanted to (and I didn't complain), but my brain was dead tired, so it didn't get very far :)

On Wednesday we moved in with the Spanish speaking sisters!! Hermana Tate and Meroli. She is Samoan and reminds me a lot of Lupi!! It's SO FUN!!! We laugh a ton and it's so great to have positive support to come home to when you have a hard day :)

Cool story: so on Thursday we went to a man's home who is Taiwanese!! Fate!! He said he didn't understand God or the Universe, and I was like, "Well we don't know very much about the universe, but we know a lot about God and would love to help you understand him! Is that something you'd be interested in?" And he said yes. Turns out, he's had 3 different sets of elders talk to him over the years, and he has never accepted an invitation. Sisters are better ;) haha just kidding. Elders are great, too :)

There is also a less active who wants to stop smoking and come back to church, so we are helping her with that!

C is good. Still waiting on her husband but it's all in the lords hands :) we see her this week.

Ah I'm sorry this is so short! :/ time is up though :/

Today, Monday we went bowling and we got to wear jeans!! Woohoo!! So I took a picture in the bathroom.... #selfie :) haha

I know God lives, and that Christ is my savior. I know the Book of Mormon is really the word of God, along side the Bible. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in its fullness and that there is a living prophet on the earth today! I know that God is the same yesterday, today,and forever. How blessed we are to have a Father in Heaven who sends us help and guidelines to make it safely back to Him :)

Have a good week!!
Sister Chandler

Week 14: Snow, Thumbs Up!, and Four Minutes

Happy Monday!! :))   This has been a LONG week!

THUMBS UP FOR THE SNOW!

On Monday sister Lewis and I went to get our nails done because it was our last P-day together and we wanted to. So while we sat there and enjoyed being pampered, we totally shared the gospel! The guy (yes, guy) doing my nails was Vietnamese, and it was hard to understand him, but for the most part I figured it out. I asked, "If I brought you a Book of Mormon would you read it?" I don't actually know what he said because I couldn't understand him, so I just said, "Great!! I'll bring one in your language next week!" :) That's what I'll be doing this week :) 

On Tuesday we ran to the gym like usual except it had SNOWED (for real this time)!! I was so excited!! :) People are hilarious over here when it comes to snow. Sister Lewis and I come from Utah and Idaho. We are used to snow, but people here are from all over the world so not everyone knows how to handle it. As we were cruising down the road, there were so many people going literally 5mph. A couple of cars just stopped and people got out and walked!! hahah

Wednesday was full of saying goodbye to members and packing, because Thursday was transfers. I learned so much from Sister Lewis and we truly became best friends in the mission. I will miss her SO much! But I know I can't progress if I stick with the same person the whole time :)

This lady is one of our investigators whom we love dearly.

<< MY NEW COMPANION >>

Are you ready?? ;) We went from Sister Lewis, to Sister Liu! (Lew) :) She comes from the land of Taiwan where the people are many and the Wendy's fast food restaurants are none. She is 22, and SO AWESOME!! She is such a great missionary and I have already learned a lot from her :) This will be a successful, fun, hard transfer but we are so ready to take it on! :) PS: Yes mother, I am now driving.   

My Asian companion that I'm pretty excited about :)... and I definitely crocheted that scarf!!

On Friday we helped a member pack up her home because she is moving, and I learned how to fold a fitted bed sheet because those are tricky, so that was cool!! We also ran to the gym that morning and found that it was CLOSED!?! Ya. What? So we ran back, and it was closed the next day, too, but it's open now :) We found someone new to teach!! Finally! Sister Liu and I are going to tract on purpose this week because our teaching pool is diminishing :( 

Okay. Now, I'll tell you about one of my favorite talks from conference last year. 

During my studies this week I came across a talk given by Bishop Gary E. Stevenson in conference of April last year. Many of you may remember it! It's entitled, "Your Four Minutes". In this talk he describes three LDS Olympic medalists, of which, I'd like to expand on two. 

• The first one he mentions is Noelle Pikus-Pace who competed in an event called the skeleton. He described the event as athletes building, "momentum as they sprint and then plunge headfirst on a small sled. With their faces inches above the ground, they race down a winding, icy track at speeds that top 90 miles (145 km) an hour". Bishop Stevenson goes on to teach us that Noelle spent an enormous amount of time, years even, to prepare for the four minutes she had to get it right. After the race was over she would have her whole life to look back on that short amount of time that she had to perform her best.

• Torah Bright is an LDS Olympic half pipe snowboarder who won a silver medal after a flawless run. This story sticks out to me because she, "noticed that American snowboarder Kelly Clark, who had a bad first run in her final round, appeared to be nervous about her second run. 'She gave me a hug,' Clark recalls. 'She just held me until I actually calmed down enough and I slowed my breathing. It was good to have a hug from a friend.'” When questioned because of this Christ-like act, Torah responded with, "I am a competitor--I want to do my best--but I want my fellow competitors to do their best, too.”

These two stories reminded me of dance competitions. From November to March we practice, perform, and compete routines to prepare ourselves for the final State competition. Each dance is about a minute and a half, so when we are standing on the sidelines waiting to walk on the floor to compete, all that races through my mind is, "I can do this! We can do this. We have prepared and worked so hard all season for this moment right now". And then there is always that silent prayer that nobody messes up ;)

In my case, I only had a minute and a half to perform to my best ability in hopes of it being enough to take that state banner home. After the music stopped, we would walk off the floor exhausted from giving our all, and now I have forever and a half to look back on that performance. (In case you're wondering, we did take that banner home. Twice! And I'm humble about it ;)) 

Behind the scenes of a dance competition, I always made sure to compliment other teams on their costumes and performance, as well as wishing them luck before they competed. I, like Torah Bright, wanted to do my best, but I wanted my fellow competitors to do their best, too. 

Now is the time. Before we were born on this earth, we lived with our father in heaven. He presented His plan to us and we prepared to come to this life. NOW is our "four minutes" to "perform" to the best of our ability. To be our best selves, to serve others, to strengthen our relationship with Christ, etc. We will have eternity to look back and remember how we did. I don't know about you, but I want to be exhausted from working so hard and giving my all to be my best self by the end of my four minutes. :) 

The post office is close to my apartment
 and at night the trucks are all parked together.
 It was a pretty great sight because
 I LOVE mail!!! :)

• In the Book of Mormon {Alma 12: 24} we read, "... Therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God..." And that's exactly what life is! 

I am beyond grateful to know that I have a literal Father in Heaven who loves me, and who helps me throughout this life so that I am able to live with Him again. He wants ALL of His children to return to Him. I know my savior lives, and loves me. I'm grateful to be a tool in the Lord's hands 24/7! I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God and it's the perfect cheat sheet to "performing" our best during this "four minutes" of life. I invite you to read it. Study it. Pray about it! In that sacred book you will find peace, joy, hope, and comfort :)

{{ I  A M  S O  G R A T E F U L  F O R  T H E  G O S P E L  O F  J E S U S  C H R I S T }}

Thank you X10 for the support, love, and prayers!! 

Love, Sister Kailey Chandler 

Repentance & Pig Noses

HELLO!!! :)) 

Guess what?? 3 more days until Christmas!!! Just thought I'd help you count down :) 

Alright. Now let's get serious :)

Being a servant of the lord 24/7 for 3 months has really expanded my knowledge of the gospel. Duh, right? Even though I wear Jesus Christ's name on my shirt everywhere I go, I am human; I still have reason to repent. Whether it's because I'm lazy, unmotivated, don't follow a prompting, or seriously lack charity for an elder I serve around, I have reason to repent. 

I get to study on my own for an hour every morning, and this week I came across a talk from October 2013 conference by president Boyd k. Packer, The Key to Spiritual Protection. In it he mentioned a short story that I'd like to share :) He said,

"President Joseph F. Smith was five years old when his father, Hyrum, was killed in Carthage Jail. Later, Joseph crossed the plains with his widowed mother.At age 15 he was called on a mission to Hawaii. He felt lost and alone and said: “I was very much oppressed. … I felt as if I was so debased in my condition of poverty, lack of intelligence and knowledge, just a boy, that I hardly dared look [anyone] in the face.

While pondering his plight one night, young Joseph dreamed he was on a journey, rushing as fast as he possibly could. He carried with him a small bundle. Finally, he came to a wonderful mansion, which was his destination. As he approached, he saw a sign which read, “Bath.” He quickly went in and washed himself. He opened his little bundle and found clean white clothing--“a thing,” he said, “I had not seen for a long time.” He put them on and rushed to the door of the mansion.

“I knocked,” he said, “and the door opened, and the man who stood there was the Prophet Joseph Smith. He looked at me a little reprovingly, and the first words he said [were]: ‘Joseph, you are late.’ Yet I took confidence and said:

“‘Yes, but I am clean--I am clean!’"

This made me realize that it's never too late to repent. Better to do it right away, yes, but never too late. I had always known that, but I love that Joseph is confident and joyful because he knows he is clean! Never mind that it took him a little longer than others; he made it, didn't he? 

I am so thankful for a merciful, just, loving father in heaven who gives us a trillion second chances. Despite the disappointment and sorrow He may feel when we mess up, His arm is continuously outstretched and His love is ours to feel if we but come unto Him.

Something about the LDS faith that I love, is the knowledge we have that children, even babies, that die before the age of accountability are safe. In the Book of Mormon, Mosiah chapter 3 verse. 18 tells us, "... And the infant perisheth not that dies in his infancy; but men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children...".

One of my all time favorite scriptures is Mosiah 3:19 which says, 

"For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be forever and ever, UNLESS he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father". 

Repentance simply means change. If God is on the left and you're walking in the opposite direction, turn around. Put off the natural man and come unto your Heavenly Father. If it's not easy, you're doing it right :)

In other news....

This week wasn't all that exciting, although, sister Lewis and I did get matching pajamas. And we also had a little extra time left to ourselves after dinner one day, so we thought we would make pig noses and take pictures... The entertainment you find when you're a missionary... Hahah :) 

We helped a sister clean and organize her home again. That was sweet because she repeatedly expressed her appreciation and love for us :) we love to serve :) 

On Wednesday we learned that one of our investigators fell :( she is 85 years old, so sweet, and definitely very witty. We went to visit her at the hospital and it was fun talking with her. She went home the next day. BUT, while we were there everyone thought sister Lewis and I were sisters or twins!?! Yeah, what?? So weird. Every nurse that we passed or talked to asked us if we were sisters, or twins :) 

C has been struggling a lot because her mom will basically disown her if she gets baptized, but she knows this is what she needs to do, so it's a big emotional battle. She's decided to wait until January so R (her husband) can baptize her, which we think will be better because at this point there is too much stress and contention. She's super strong though, and we still meet with her, so it's just all in the Lords timing :)

Fun fact: Virginia has zero street lights. ZERO. Okay maybe like 2 per neighborhood, but seriously. It's so dark at night!! They really should invest in street lights for idk... Safety!? Sheesh. Also, u-turns are legal pretty much everywhere here, which is new to me because in Idaho they aren't :)

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Email me! Or shoot me a message on my Facebook account; Sister Kailey Chandler.

Did I mention that I LOVE being a missionary?! If anyone is even considering it, I highly recommend putting those papers in :) best decision of my life. 

Thanks for... Everything!! Have a merry Christmas!!! :))
Sister Chandler