I live in a trailer!!!

Hey yuns!

That's what the people here in Livingston say. I think it is like
saying you-ins, but its yuns. I don't know really. Anyway, that
basically describes my week for you. A lot of trying to decipher what
people are saying (not really, but sometimes their accents are so
thick, and their teeth so so bad, that its hard to understand their
words!!), and not really knowing whats going on! But thats how the
first week always goes!!

Ill give you a short play by play, I think that will be easiest.
Monday, I had to leave Goodlettsville, which was so sad. I had to say
goodbye, and it was hard, but it hadn't really hit me yet. The worst
was leaving Kelsey. But its ok because we know we are going to be best
friends. And the good thing is i can still talk to her on facebook,
since she is less active, so i can teach her there and stay caught up
with her life! But I will really miss seeing her. She said she might
drive out here to see me one pday, which would rock!!!!
SO then I stayed up pretty late(for a missionary) to finish packing.
It was hard. And the other Hermana we lived with who was going home
was totally packed, and I was ashamed since she should have had a much
harder time than i did. So somehow we eventually got it all done.

Then we woke up the next morning and headed to transfer meeting, which
was crazy like it always is. All the missionaries who are getting
transferred come, and their companions, so you get to see all the
people you love and know from previous areas and companions, so its
just a lot of happy. and then a lot of sad because some missionaries
are going home, and you are leaving your companion, etc etc. But it
was a good meeting.

So then I hopped in a car with three elders, our branch mission leader
and Sister Hulme, my new companion!! Yep, it was a fun two hour ride,
with our 5 suitcases (because of the Elders) and a guitar and just a
lot of people. Our Branch Mission Leader, named Mickey, had brought us
biscuits and sausage, since you know, its the south :) It was a long
drive, but good. The Elders actually are in a trio, and we work with
them a lot since we are in a branch, and it's so small. So that's fun.
They have called themselves the three stooges, and man it's pretty
accurate. Elder Nalder had been out a month, and was converted to the
church only two years ago! and then Elder Carter is going home at the
end of this transfer, and Elder Leavitt used to be a professional
skate boarder, and is sorta a punk but also really funny.
 Sad story: last night, they knocked on our door and asked to borrow
some laundry detergent. We asked why, and Elder Leavitt told us
because a dog pooped and peed on him. His words were: 'I have had a
crappy day, literally.' We laughed and laughed and laughed for ever,
and the saddest thing was that we were out of detergent. Poor
elder....

Anyway, so then I went and started meeting some of the sweetest and
most down to earth people. Sister Hulme introduced me to as many
people as she could. And it was good to get to know Livingston. It's
pretty small. They have an adorable town square, and it's all
decorated for the holidays. It's like what you would see in a movie,
but it's actually my life....oh man. I love it though. There are a lot
of one way roads too, which is really good to take note of. Not that I
didn't realize that before I turned left onto one.... oh and the speed
limit is always under 30. its the little things :)

So after my first full day here, we decided to do an exchange with the
sisters who serve in the Cookeville ward. Because I didn't know our
area at all, I went to there area with Sister Peyton, who was a
sweetie. She is so cool, and just like me when I was a new missionary.
This is her second month on a mission. We had a really really great
day, and some amazing lessons. The spirit was definitely there when we
were teaching together. I would love to be companions with her one
day! It was good to get to know her. There were three tender mercies
that came from that day together. 1- she lives in an apartment with
Sister Halbeisen, the missionary I trained a few months ago, so I got
to see her again for the first time since august! It was such a
blessing to get to talk to her! 2- Cookeville is like the closest big
city from here, so I was back to the city for a day, and it was soooo
nice. I felt comfortable and like I was able to really be a good
missionary when I was there, so that was a blessing. and then 3- this
was huge. Because sister Peyton is a new missionary, she doesn't drive
the car, even on exchanges when I don't know the area. So it came down
to the time we were supposed to switch back with our companions, and
we were meeting at a dollar general off of a highway. well, do you
have any idea how many dollar Generals there are off of one highway? A
lot, let me tell you!! So, I was trying to navigate back the way we
came, since I had driven from the store to the apartment the night
before. But my memory is awful, so yea right I will be able to find
our way back.... not! I totally was able to remember every turn. it
really was amazing because we had to drive through three different
towns to get to the highway we needed, and I remembered every single
thing I thought about each town the day before, so I was able to know
we were going to the right way. Such a miracle. And good thing too
since sister Peyton was really really stressed about it!!

So then it was back to Livingston, and with Sister Hulme. Sister Hulme
is a beautiful person. She is from Utah, and is an amazing singer. She
actually had recorded multiple cds. Also, she just happens to play the
viola. She took lessons with David Dalton, who is the student of
William Primrose, and is like the major benefactor to the BYU school
of music viola department. He's really famous basically. So that's no
big deal or anything. Here in Livingston, music is a huge part of what
they do, but more bluegrass music basically. SO i am hoping to learn
the mandolin and guitar. Any suggestions would be really really
helpful! The missionaries sing in church all the time and for people
too. We are actually doing a huge stake even in a few weeks, they are
doing a creche exhibit, and they want us to be the music
entertainment. It will be awesome! Sister Hulme's old companion will
actually get to come back for it, so that's really exciting! I love
being with Sister Hulme, she has already taught me a lot about being a
sincere missionary, and how to work with the branch.

Ahhh, the Livingston Branch. So in July of this year, the group that
was here became the Livingston Branch! SO it's really new. And every
one in the Branch is a convert, except for maybe one family. It's
incredible, and quite a sight to see. We meet in what is called the
VFW building, which is the Veterans of Foreign Wars building. We are
actually looking for a new building so we can be in it longer, because
as of right now, we only have sacrament meeting, not all three hours
of church. Crazy right? They used to meet in a car port in the summer,
but it got too cold for that! So every open and abandoned building we
see in town we stop and look into! I had to give a talk on Sunday, and
it was interesting! We have about 50 people coming to our branch, so
it's not a large congregation, but they are devoted members. I didn't
have a ton of time to prepare, so I kinda wrote out some ideas and
spoke from there. It went surprisingly well! Sister Hulme really
impressed on me the importance of having relationships with the people
here, rather than just being a missionary. So, i tried to let my
personality show, but not too much, cause we cant be scaring them off,
ya know? The sweetest thing was probably that the one youth in the
branch came up to me after the meeting and said, "I don't know why,
but I have this really strong feeling that we are going to be really
good friends. I really like you already. When you were talking, I just
really felt a lot of love for you. I know that's kinda weird!" But it
was so just what i needed to hear. Made me think for a second that I
might be able to make it here, haha!

I wish I could tell you all about the awesome people here, but i think
this week i will tell you about Boots.
Yep, that's the name she goes by. It's on her baptismal record. So,
she just got baptized two weeks ago! and she is awesome. She is
fighting cancer, and really doesn't have much longer to live. But, she
is solid in the gospel, and knows its true. she said that after the
first time she went to church, she knew that's where she wanted to be.
And the reason she is called boots is because she only ever wears
boots. She doesn't own any other shoes. She wears the funniest shirts
I have ever seen too. Cracks me up! Sister Hulme's first name is
Adelheid, and when Boots saw it, she called her Airhead instead. And
then she decided I should match, so I go by Pinhead now. She cracks us
up, but we love her so much. She will be going to the temple with us
this weekend, to do baptisms for her dead ancestors. It is so
exciting!!

I know this is super long, but so much is different in my life, it's
hard to even touch the surface. I know you are dying for pics of the
trailer, but I wont take them until we clean it up a little more. I am
still trying to unpack!
Anyway, I am glad to be here, even though its crazy. I love these
people. I am so grateful I chose to serve a mission. Thank you for all
the prayers that are said for me. I really am so excited for the
things I will learn while serving here!

Love yuns,

Sister Penrod

ps Happy Thanksgiving!!

Transfers!

Dear Family and Friends,

So this week I found out I am going to be living in a trailer for at least the next six weeks!! Fun right? Who would have ever thought a year ago that I would be living in a trailer in the middle of Eastern Tennessee? I sure didn't, but you know, God's plans are much greater than ours, right? 

We got the call about transfers on Sunday morning, which was weird because we always get it on Saturday.  We asked what the delay had been and it turns out that President had made all the assignments, and went to pray about it one more time, and he felt like people still needed to change. He also said that I was one of those people that he switched around! So that is kinda crazy. I was going to be sent to the Nashville Stake, which I would have loved. But instead, I am going to Livingston!! Here's what I know about Livingston Branch

1- It became a branch two months ago.

2-I live in a trailer

3- I will be serving with other elders in the branch

4- I am taking place of Sister Hargadon, the same sister whose place I took coming here! Crazy right?

5- it's the sticks.

I am definitely excited, but also so nervous! it will be a whole new adventure, that's the truth.

There was a lot that happened this week, but I don't have time to write about it all, because we are packing me and the Hermana we live with who is going home. its so sad, but so busy. I am scared because I forgot that I only have two suitcases. I have lived here for 6 months, and I really haven't thought about having to pack my life in two suitcases for a while....so its gonna take some time to figure it out!

I'll write some of the highlights for the week really quickly.

Kelsey: my favorite person. we saw her this week and she told us that even though transfers are coming, she knew that we both served our missions so that we could meet her. It was so cool, she talked to us all about how she has changed since we started meeting with her, and how she understands more the path she needs to follow. I felt so blessed to have been part of her life, and to have made a new friend. She will do great things, because she is so determined. I know that I was supposed to be In Tennessee so that I could meet her. A really special thing to feel.

we did two exchanges this week, so I was with Hermana Dansie one day and then in Joelton with Sister Williams the next day. It was a weird feeling! But, I loved both days. I don't know if I have accurately explained Hermana Dansie, but she is hilarious. She says she is 22, but i swear she is 16. She cracks me up and I will totally miss her. She will do great things :)

In Joelton with Sister Williams, we tracted a few doors, and the coolest thing happened. well, it wasn't really the coolest, but it was pretty cool to me. So, we met this lady who told us she was making a pie, so of course we talk to her for a while and eventually find out its a chocolate pie! and then what happens? she offers to make us a chocolate pie!!!! she tells us to come back in a week, and she will give us a fresh chocolate pie. so southern, such hospitality! it was awesome. I won't get to eat it unfortunately, but i know I won't forget the generosity :)

We saw sweet little Cathy again this week, and had another good lesson. As we explained what the Restoration of the Gospel was again, and talked about the priesthood, we tried to help her understand why it was important to be baptized by someone who had that authority given to them by god. It was neat because we simply asked her 'if you could be baptized just like Jesus Christ was, what do you think it would feel like?' and everything she said was exactly what I was trying to explain to her. I felt so grateful that the Spirit helped me know how to help her understand. As humans, its so funny to me that we all communicate in the exact same physical way, but completely differently on a mental level. I might say the words that someone else doesn't understand, and vice versa. It was a very cool teaching experience because it really reminded me that I need to rely on the Spirit in order for anyone I teach to understand the gravity of our message.We invited her to church and really wanted her to come. at the end of the lesson she called me sister pawn shop, because "she's just like a pawn shop. she wont stop until she gets the deal!"....not the best thing I've ever been compared to, but not the worst yet either! too funny :)

We also got to see Crystal again, which was the best. She was able to meet with Bishop this week and have a really good conversation with him. It was so cool because after that meeting, she knew exactly what she needed to do. She talked to us and told us that she is going to quit coffee! which is huge since her husband basically makes fun of her for any part of her beliefs that she lives. so we are so happy for her, because she has decided to be strong, and she also knows the path she has to be on in order to really have the many blessings of the gospel in her life. its always amazing to see people start making changes in their lives. its the blessing of being a missionary. 

So on Saturday we were in a lesson and it was 845 and we got a phone call from the other sister in our ward which was kinda weird. we normally wouldn't answer but as soon as I looked at who it was from I felt like I should answer it. So I do and we find out that the member that the other sisters live with is out of town, but the member's kinda reckless son had come to the house to work on something and was planning to stay the night, which meant they couldn't be there. so they didn't know what to do and they didn't really feel safe. so, I told them to pack their stuff and come over to our apartment as soon as they could, since it was already late and they had a good long drive ahead of them. then, we called president and let him know the situation, and he agreed and okayed them sleeping at our apartment. It was fun! but a little crazy. here's the cool thing about it though!

Earlier in the day we were walking to a bus stop and we have a less active who works at the donut shop right by the stop. so, I persuade sister west to go in the shop, and leave a note for him/buy donuts of course. These are really really good donuts, by the way :) so, we are buying one each, and then I feel like we should buy a few more. We end up with 5 dollars worth of donuts, which is a lot even for me. But then on the bus, we sit next to this adorable little girl who just stares and stares at the bag of donuts. I felt like we needed to give her one, so I asked her mom and we do, and we feel good about doing a good deed right? But then, later that night, I realize that we were bought so many donuts so that the Joelton sisters could come to our apartment and have some! I know it sounds silly, but really I just felt so bad the Joelton sisters were freaked out, and I wanted to somehow make them feel comfortable, and then I remembered the donuts! So really, it was a tender mercy from Heavenly Father of help.

Ok last cool story (I know, those might have been lame thus far. donuts, really?). We had tracted this street and met some neat people, but we hadn't been able to go back and follow up yet. So on Sunday, we walked for 30 minutes to this street, and we followed up with someone who we were pretty sure was just going to be bothered by us coming back again to talk to him, but he had told us to return at that time. So we go, and he was waiting for us! We sit down, and teach him the restoration, and he tells us that he has been to church before, and he has a Book of Mormon, and that from time to time he opens it and reads it. Turns out one of his bosses was a member and had shared it with him! So we talk and talk all about the gospel, and he commits to read the Book of Mormon and says we can return! It was awesome, especially cause it was raining. But really, the best part was that this family  is Nigerian, so of course all they remind me of is Monica Ukah. I told them that I had a friend who was Nigerian, and they ask me to spell her last name and everything, but they didn't know her. It was so fun because he had a daughter who reminded me of her, and he talked just like I remember her parents talking and everything. I just loved meeting him. He seemed really nice, and he even invited us over to Thanksgiving with his family!! It was crazy.

Well that was some of my week. No way to tell you the rest of it all right now. I have a looooot of packing to do. I have loved being here, and it's sad to leave it so quickly, but I am grateful for the opportunity I have to go meet new people and share the gospel with more people. It's crazy this life, but I love it!

Love,

Sister Penrod

Sorry it's so late!

Dear Family and Friends,

This life is CRAZY. It's so funny how another week brings a whole new week of surprises and things that you would never expect to happen to you. You just can't predict life.

So today we ventured into Nashville yet again, to visit the renowned Parthenon. It's an exact replica of the one in Greece. Why? I have no idea. But it was really cool! And it was the last wish of our departing Hermana Cruz, one of the roommates. So that took a large chunk of our day, so I won't be able to write all that happened this week. I'm gonna touch on the biggest things.

So last Monday night, I got sick. It was really lame! I had a sore throat, and eventually it became a fever, because I could not stop shivering! But it really wasn't a big deal, I just was struggling to function. We made it through the night, but basically for the rest of the week I have had on and off fever/cold/ ear infection/ sore throat. You know, the typical stuff. No cough yet so that's awesome, and no one else has gotten sick so I am really happy about that. Did I get my flu shot? You'll never know.... but that's probably why this week feels like such a blur. Sister West has been awesome and has helped out so much by just doing a lot of what I couldn't do, like remember things. I was so grateful!

So on Tuesday, we had Mission Leadership Council, which was amazing. All the leaders of the mission get together and talk about the things we can all do to improve our areas, our zones, and our missionaries. it was fun to get to see Sister Cotton and Sister Hargadon, and to hear ideas form other missionaries. There were a lot of good things talked about and I really took a lot away from it. Again, I can't really remember all that much because I was just trying to keep my eyes open half the time, but I still loved it. 

So after MLC, we always do a Zone Conference, which means we come back to our areas and do a training session with all the missionaries that are in our zone or stake. So that happened the be the very next day, which was really fast! So we didn't have a ton of time to prepare, but it all worked out. I trained on the importance of being dedicated Facebook and iPad missionaries. It was short, and pretty blunt, and it went ok.I have only given trainings a few times on my mission, so I'm still working to figure out the kinks.... I used the violin as an object lesson though. I asked a cowboy from Wyoming to come and play a scale, even though he had never ever played the violin before. Then I asked a sister to come and play a scale, knowing that she had taken lessons for 8 years. I made the analogy that its ok we aren't the best Facebook missionaries yet, but as long we try to do it, we will succeed! (the elder just played the open strings but technically that included four notes in the D major scale, so even though he had no idea what he was doing, he still succeeded because he tried!) too hard to write out, but it made sense in context....i hope :)

So then after zone meeting, we did an exchange, so I went to White house with sister Tagilala. She is awesome, and so sweet. We had a good, busy day. We went out with a member who had a British accent. It was awesome. The little things, right?

Then we had a day to breath before Saturday when i went to.... TRAFFIC SCHOOL!

For that ticket I got a while ago?  It really wasn't that bad. Basically the cop who was teaching just spent three hours telling us how to avoid the law if we ever get caught with drugs or alcohol while driving. It was interesting but I did at least learn that u turns are legal in Tennessee as long as there is no posted sign. That's exciting news because we need to turn around, a lot. It was pretty boring, but I'm just glad its done. Sister west had to sit there with me the whole time too!

So then came the crazy Saturday afternoon. We went to see this sweet sweet lady, Teresa. We have met with her a few times before, and so we knew that she was slightly depressed and had anxiety, and was looking for work since she is older and cant do physical labor anymore. So we go to see her, and she finally opens the door. As she starts talking to us I can tell immediately that something is wrong, either she had taken something or she was reacting to something. Sister West however has absolutely no idea, as sheltered little Sister West wouldn't. So we are singing a few hymns and I finally stop Sister West, as I can't tell Teresa is declining. I start asking her what medication she has taken today, and if we can call an ambulance for her. At this point she was slurring her words so much that we couldn't understand, and she basically fell over and went to sleep. A few minutes earlier I had asked her to follow my finger with her eyes and she could barely do it. Oddly enough, in traffic school, the cop had taught us that if we do that to someone who is drunk, the jerkier their eyes move, the more intoxicated they are. So I started thinking if there was alcohol involved. We decide to call Teresa's good friends, practically family, to see if they can come over. We had asked Teresa if we could call an ambulance but she said no, no, she didn't have insurance. So, we call her friends and they tell us they are on vacation in Florida, and that they were worried about her. Turns out, Teresa was attacked the night before by two men, who broke two of her ribs. Also turns out that Teresa had been a narcotic addict, but was six months sober until that day. Her friend asks us to look around, to see what pills she has taken. Well, they were strewn on the floor, so it wasn't too hard to find. Eventually, we find the number for mobile crisis, and call to let them know what the pills are, and that we found a half empty bottle of whiskey on her counter. They put us on hold as they identify the pills, and then they come back and say "Ok, ma'am? we need you to call an ambulance." Haha, ok! So I hang up and call 911. Not the first time Ive done it on my mission either... weird right? Actually, second time in this area... hmm. :) So we call 911, they come and take her to the hospital. 

We wanted to see her that day, and the next, but we didn't make it over until later that night. They had discharged her, but she called us and told us that she was happy to be alive, and that she still loves us and is definitely not mad at us. So that was definitely a crazy, scary, sad experience. but we will see how the gospel can help her :) I don't know if that's why I got my ticket, or why I have spent hours watching greys anatomy, but i am glad that i knew that something was wrong with her. And I am glad that we figured out what to do. (We had called our mission president to ask about calling 911 or not, but he didn't answer!!!)

So then later that night and the next day was stake conference. It was a really great meeting, I learned a lot from the speakers. It's so funny. people here don't sugar coat things. The first speaker stood up and flat out said- I'm speaking on the law of chastity. If you don't like it, talk to me about it later.- I don't think I've ever heard anyone start out that way! Haha, it was a great conference though, and many things were said that were definitely for those in attendance, including myself. I wish I could write all the details but I just don't have time! We sang in conference actually, the EFY medley, yea my favorite.... But it was really great. The men were a little weak, but when we performed, we all felt like there were others singing with us. The sound was much more than we could have made ourselves. It was a very spiritual experience :)

Man, I wish I could write more, but that's all the time I have. Oh, here is one more awesome thing that happened. So Cathy, our sweet investigator who we have taught for a long time but is so slow going. We saw her this week, on a day that I was definitely barely functioning. We were reading a chapter out of the BoM when I kinda just randomly started asking her about the plan of Salvation. I knew that she had lost her husband a few years ago, but we started to have a conversation about what she believed happened to him when he died, and if she believed she would see him again. It led to us finding out that she loved her Dad so much, and he had passed around the same time. It was so neat to have the opportunity to talk to her about our belief that we will be with our families in heaven, for eternity. We asked her to think of what it would feel like if she could see them again. And she started crying. it was beautiful, she has never shown her emotions to us before, and this was a huge break through. We were so grateful for the spirit we could feel as we met. We asked her to pray about what we taught her, and I am so excited to hear what she has to say, because I have never seen someone get answers to prayers like Cathy does. Anyway, it was a special lesson and moment with her, for sure. And it really made me so grateful to know that my family will be together forever.

Alright, love you all. So glad to be serving a mission, even when its crazy! I will probably be transferred next week, so ill let you know next Monday where i am going!

Love,

Sister Penrod

Halloween!

Dear Everyone!

 This has been a looong week. So much has happened, there's no way to talk about it all unfortunately! But hopefully I can share some of the highlights with you. I'm on a bit of a time crunch since we are going hiking in a little while! It's beautiful here, but a lot colder than I am used to around this time. Pretty soon it will drop into the 30s and stay for a while we hear, so good thing I like scarves and hats!

For the exchange we did this week, I stayed in the area, and Sister West went to Kentucky! Sister Hess got to come here with me, which was really fun since she and I were in the MTC together! We had a great day, and taught some good lessons. It was fun to get to see her again and actually catch up. 

 

Bowling Green is about two hours away, and we actually got a ride from our Bishop and his wife this week. It was such a fun drive, since Bishop Wayment is an awesome guy! I may have been slightly too sarcastic, since he told me I was about to be walking home when we made it to Bowling Green to make the switch. (So you know, exchanges mean that one missionary switches with another for the day, so we have different companions. we are supposed to learn from each other while we do it. But for the Sister Training Leaders, it means that we have to figure our rides every week to all the areas in the stake. That normally wouldn't mean anything, but it's not like California. Here, the boundaries of a stake can cross three states. For our stake, it's about a 1 and half hour drive from one end to the other. So on days that we drive to their area, it can be a long drive there and home. Hope that makes a little more sense). Anyway, we ended the night with Bishop telling me that I shouldn't be surprised if I walk into ward council on Sunday and everyone has their backs turned to me. He explained in detail what 'shunning' meant. Haha, it was fun, and I was slightly worried, but come Sunday, everything was A ok. :) 

We got to see Kelsey again this week, which is always my favorite. i just love her so much! She is working two or three jobs to make ends meet, so she basically doesn't sleep. it's pretty sad/funny because every time we talk we make her cry. Not because we are mean or anything, just because that's how it is. But she loves us :) Today we are going hiking with her! And we are so excited because she definitely needs a break from her life. And sleep, but oh well. She has such a testimony of the blessings of living the gospel, and how Heavenly Father never gives up on us even when we don't do what he wants us too.

Another person that I just love is Sarah! She is 23, and going to school here. Her mom is awesome and I love her so much. But we were extremely blessed because:1-Sarah's mom wanted us to teach her, but we didn't know how to approach it with Sarah because she wasn't really open. 2- its super hard to catch Sarah home ever. so, we were thinking over what to do, and this idea came to us that we should try and teach Sarah, only using the ipad. We had been thinking about how we need to be using it more as a teaching tool, because there are so many resources on it, and we just don't utilize it like we can. So one day, we figured it out! And we happened to stop by on a day that Sarah was home- she works and goes to school so she is always gone. Anyway, it was just a miracle to me that Sarah said we could teach her the lessons, and that we found a way to practice using our ipad, and we were able to help Sarah's mom feel good about it too! (Sarah and her mom live next door to each other, that's why its tricky. her mom didn't want Sarah to know she sent us to her! #sneakymom)

 

Ok, best day ever this week: we had dinner with an adorable family, the Davis family. He is in the bishopric, he's a doctor, her parents actually moved into Hendersonville when i was there and they fed us a wonderful lunch, and we work at the Bishops Storehouse together, etc etc. I think they are just the coolest and nicest people. Anyway, they have an adorable little son named Aidan, who just turned 8. And apparently, he has told his parents over and over that he wants to learn the violin! So they asked me to bring the violin over, so he could see if he really liked it, and so they could kinda gauge his interest in it. It was sorta random, but ended up being the most exciting thing ever. He could not contain his excitement, and he was pretty good too! he was practically bowing straight after ten minutes of playing around with it. It was so cute, especially since the violin was almost as big as he was. his arms could barely hold it. But it was so fun to get to teach him a little about it, and then to play a primary song for him, and sing with their family. it was a wonderful night. And they made pumpkin bars, so always a plus there. I just loved being reminded why I like teaching music. I had forgotten since lately all I have thought about music is that I need to be taught lessons again. Badly.... Anyway, it was very fun!

We got taken to lunch this week by the Hull family, who we love. They are this young couple who are in the Nashville Tribute Band, and they are the most helpful member missionaries ever! They took us out to lunch because unfortunately, they are actually leaving for the next month and a half because the band is touring and releasing their new record. So that's lame, but also awesome, because that means new music for us! It was great to get to see them before they left :)

So Friday was Halloween....man what a weird day. We met some extremely strange people that I honestly don't know how to describe, so ill just leave it at weird. We were waiting at the bus stop for a bus that actually never came, but a miracle happened! April and Clay drove up and talked to us and told us that every Halloween they go to Sonic for the 50 cent corn dogs, and they wanted us to come join them! So they drove there, then turned around and picked us up (it was five minute down the road, but they didn't have room cause of their kids, so Clay and their oldest daughter endured the cold and sat outside while we drove back!) So then she ended up ordering 20 corn dogs and hot chocolates, and we all sat outside and ate delicious food on an extremely blustery day.  It was soo cold, but so fun. I am so grateful for members and miracles like them. It seriously made our day. Also, who knew that sonic did 50 cent corn dogs? random.

So then we were walking home, and we pass Home Depot on the way. i always feel bad for the people in the outdoor department because if i am cold walking, I know they are cold standing. So we went and talked to this lady and it turns out that her son was asking her questions about the Bible and God the day before. It was an awesome miracle, and we got to get her info for the Hermanas, since she was from Guatemala. It was awesome!

On Halloween we were supposed to go inside at 6 pm, and plan for our coming week. (We do this thing called 'weekly planning' every week, and it takes three hours. how, i don't know, but it does.) anyway, so we did some of that, and then made some disgusting cookies- no not because i messed them up, they were just cheap. lesson learned, don't by generic cookie dough, always buy the brand!- and then we danced and made a music video. Not my favorite activity ever, but it's rare that we get to do something 'crazy' like that, so we enjoyed the moment :) Lame, we didn't get one trick or treater! It must have been the picture of Jesus on our door? People here are really confused if we celebrate Halloween or not, it's hilarious. 

Oh! I forgot that earlier in the week, we did carve pumpkins! Well, Hermana Dansie did, but I gave the idea. We were busy with exchanges, so she scooped it all out, and carved it all herself. I was sad I didn't get a chance to do one, since we have always done it as a family. It was actually only her second time, so we were impressed! See the picture :)

So Saturday was also a crazy day. We had the car, so it wasn't cold fortunately, but we had a sleepover! The other sisters who serve in our ward, but in the far away part of it in a land named Joelton and Ashland City, came and stayed the night! They got permission because we had ward council the next day, and they had never been able to attend ward council since they don't have enough miles to do so. They were eating dinner with a member in our area, so after dinner, we went on splits with them- which means one companion switches with another companion, basically an exchange, but staying in the area. It meant we had to double plan our night, and figure out how to do so with only one car. It was tricky but it worked out. i went with Sister brown, who has only been out for a month! It was fun, and quite an adventure. We met Lester, who is just a bucket full of joy. He is basically wanted right now because he has missed his probation hearings, three times. Don't worry, he wasn't dangerous, he didn't commit a crime. Apparently smaller towns really press charges for a lot of things, especially because they are so poor, they need the money. So, we got to teach him a lot about the gospel and about Jesus Christ. it was definitely eye opening for Sister Brown, though. I think i have just become accustomed to the strange people that exist in Madison. I know that certain places, we will meet certain types of people. And she has never seen anything like that in her life. i felt like I was bursting her little Utah bubble, and I felt a little bad about it! But she's gonna learn at some point, haha :) So it was a fun night!

So the next day, for some weird reason, Ward Council actually got cancelled. But we were able to meet with Bishop as the missionaries in the ward, and it was awesome.Like I said, he is awesome. So we were able to talk to him about this awesome idea that a member had given us, and i am SO excited for, but I don't even know if I will be here to see it happen.

 

So it's called a live Christmas Card. We are asking everyone in the ward to think of a friend that they could send a live Christmas Card to, and to give us their name and address. And we, the missionaries, are going to go to those people, and present them with a little carol, a scripture, and a gift! We might give them a Book of Mormon, or a Mormon Tabernacle Choir Dvd, or just a pass a long card. It's a non threatening, non invasive way to get to spread a little more cheer, and remind people of the meaning of Christmas. It will also hopefully open up a conversation for people with their friends. we find that many people have such confused perceptions of the church and what Mormons believe, so we are hoping that this will open a door to clarify a lot of that confusion! And, it will be a good way for the members of the ward to be involved in what the missionaries are doing here. On Sunday, Bishop went around to each class and announced it to everyone, and asked that they begin praying over the names of people they could send us to. And everyone was excited! They were saying they would bake cookies for us to give too, and they wanted to know if it was world wide? hahaha, pretty funny. But we were just happy that they were excited! 

So that was the jist of the week. Always going going going. Never a dull moment, no matter how cold it gets! 

Oh yeah, the heat in the chapel was broken, so it was probably 60 degrees in there yesterday, and 40 outside! It was awful. and funny. 

Well, I hope that some of that made sense! I love being in Goodlettsville, and with Sister West. It's always an adventure, whether we are walking, taking the bus, or even just driving; the things that go on in the world are crazy. I am so grateful to have a sense of direction, and a sense of purpose. There is nothing that helps me more in my life than prayer at this moment. i love the opportunity I have to always kneel and turn to my Heavenly Father. I always look forward to the time of night when I get to pray. It took me a while to get to that point, but now i understand what prayer can do. If you don't feel that way, keep the faith that you will have an experience with prayer. Something more than you could do for yourself :) This week, as things have been so busy, I feel like Ive been able to keep my head because of the guidance the Spirit has given me as I have prayed. I am so grateful for it.

Love,

Sister Penrod