So good to hear from you this week! 

This week went by in a blur. Our friend's baptism went well. She is such a sweet girl who has experienced a lot for being so young. The opportunity to have a new beginning was such a blessing in her life. She is an amazing girl! I’m so grateful I got to teach her, in turn I learned so much! She has so much to offer in this ward and I can’t wait to see her continue to grow in the gospel.

We got to see both of our other friends this week. One is struggling with the commitment that the church entails. He’s never been a part of a church and I think that really intimidates him. The other shares the gospel with all of his friends but has stopped coming to church and reading. We are trying to find out what is going on with him. He is super busy. We are meeting with both of them this week so hopefully we can make some headway with both! They are both really awesome, good kids! I know it is going to work out.

We met with a person who requested a “bible study” on Mormon.org. He told us that he wanted to bring a couple friends also. We thought, “Perfect!” more people to share the gospel with! Well, turns out his friend was a minister for the students here on campus. Well…. In moments like that I’m usually shaking in my boots. But I felt really peaceful and calm in the situation. The guy that we were teaching wanted biblical proof on every concept we talked about, and refused to come to church because we didn’t ‘convince’ him. The lesson didn’t necessarily go well, but I definitely felt the truth of our message as we were teaching it. I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost to be with me in those situations to give me the confidence I need.

Oh I want to tell you about one more person I met this week! She investigated the church about a year ago and wanted to get baptized. Her mother told her that she couldn’t get baptized as long as she was under 18. She would sneak out to go to early morning seminary and her mom put an end to that. Well, her birthday is coming up and she is still determined as ever. She is trying to arrange places that she can stay after she is baptized because she is pretty sure her mother will kick her out.  So you’ll probably hear more about her. Hopefully I’m still around to work with her! I have so much respect for this girl!

Thanks for your support. I’m still happy and well here in Texas! Things are going great! 

Love, Sister Luke

Dear Family and Friends,

So it seems like Utah is getting all of the poor weather, and we are left with all the good. Freezing rain sounds exciting! I remember when there were freezing rains in Logan. Campus was like an ice skating rink! Apparently Lubbock gets freezing rain in the winter but I haven’t seen it yet. This week has been BEAUTIFUL! I keep asking my companion “Is this seriously January?” because the weather is like early April or late March weather. I have had no need to wear a coat or even a cardigan. I think it is a blessing that I was sent to a place that isn’t anywhere close to mountains because I would be way too tempted to “go finding while we hike” or “teach a lesson up the canyon.”

This week we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and to try to find people to teach on campus. I’ll be honest, wasn’t the most fruitful activity we could have done. It really consisted of Sister Lao and me walking around awkwardly smiling at people…. Once they saw our name tags, they avoided eye contact. We would just giggle to ourselves because we felt so weird….. Didn’t help our image. Then we just looked insane. By the end of that hour and a half, we were invited to support the wake board team as they go to nationals, live in the dorms, got free coupon books, and join the polo team (believe it or not, I’m considering it when I get home. ha) A student even coaches us on how to approach people on campus. We were able to invite some people to church also. Weird experience…. But I’m glad we had it!

This week we have been pretty busy! We have had a lot of lessons. Our friend preparing for baptism is still solid! So excited for baptism. Whenever we talk about it she glows! Lessons go really well with her. She has a lot of faith and readily bears her testimony. Before we even teach her a specific principle, she already commits to live it a couple days before. It is so thrilling to see her get to this point. The ward has been awesome with her and really welcomes her in. I love this ward. Stop me if a gush…. But they are really sensitive to others needs. Whether they are fellowshipping someone who isn’t a member or someone who doesn’t come to church as often, they are like family. It is so cool to see.

We met with another friend this week also. He really has a desire to learn. And he sincerely puts in the work. When we saw him on Saturday, he had read out of the Book of Mormon and like the first 10 chapters of the Gospel Principles book. He pretty much taught the Plan of Salvation to himself, and loved it. As we ask him what he believes, we find that his beliefs fall in line with the things that we teach. He told us that he feels like he is meeting with us for a reason. That he needs to know this information for the future.  And turns out he is on an intramural basketball team with one of our members. I’m telling you, God cares about the detail of our lives and puts people in our lives for a reason.

One of our members brought their friends to church on Sunday. It’s this cute girl. It was ward conference on Sunday so we had some pretty amazing meetings. In Relief Society the stake R.S. President asked what everyone was feeling up to that point. This girl raised her hand and said how welcomed and loved she felt. It was awesome. Hence why the College Park Ward is pretty great.

I realized last night as I was writing in my journal how quickly people come in and out of my life. Especially as a missionary. These relationships can just be “there” or I can really have them mean something when I put effort into it. And they are strengthened when I look beyond myself and focus on others. That is the beauty of the gospel; it teaches us to focus on others.  When we are converted, strengthen our brethren!  I am so grateful for the people that I have met, and continue to meet. I feel so blessed to have these experiences to help my testimony grow. I love y’all! And love to hear from you! Have a splendid week. And be safe with all that crazy weather!

Love, Sister Luke

 

Hi y’all!

ISo…. Remember that new car we got just last Monday? Funny story. On Tuesday, my companion wasn’t feeling well (turns out she had the flu…..) and we stayed inside. Well, that morning our manager came and knocked on our door and asked us if we could move our car because there was this ginormous moving truck just inches from our front bumper…… but honestly, there wasn’t any place to move, they blocked us completely in. Any who, they ended up crushing our front bumper.  You can imagine our vehicle coordinators surprise when we called him and said, “So Elder Kelly, remember that new car we got yesterday? It’s broken.” Yeah, trouble seems to find us…. Even when we are parked.

So because Sister Lao was sick this week, we only got to work a couple days. But we had some good experiences in a short amount of time. We went out to teach our friends that live in the small town this week. They completely dived right in to the Book of Mormon. Which confirmed that they are really sincere about learning more.  They had so many questions about the things that they read and it was hard to keep up with them. But one of them came to church yesterday and loved it! He told us that he plans on coming back next week.

We also finally met with our other friend. We haven’t been able to meet with her since we set her baptismal date and we still have things to teach her before then so we thought the date should be postponed. We were worried that she wasn’t interested anymore, but when we met with her it was the complete opposite. She told us that last week she wasn’t able to go to church and she didn’t read much of the Book of Mormon and she noticed that she was missing something. She told us that she had intention of letting this happen again. When we told her that she probably wouldn’t be able to be prepared for the baptism in January,  but we could do February 19^th. She asked if we could work towards February 2^nd! She really is ready, and I’m so happy to be here to see her accept the gospel. I’m starting to become that creepy missionary who lays up half the night thinking about the people I am teaching and how they can progress. Something is wrong with me.

I love y'all! thanks for your love and support!

Love, Sister Luke

Howdy,

Sounds like things in Utah are well? Minus the smog and the freezing weather. We met with one of the Relief Society Presidents ( there are two relief societies in our ward) last night and she was telling us about her trip to Utah. As she was telling us about the inversion and bitter cold of Logan, it warmed my heart. Ha is it ridiculous that I miss nasty air and my hair turning into icicles?  

Well, school doesn’t start until the 16^th ….. BUT that being said, yesterday was stupendous. We had the opportunity to have Elder Callister, a General Authority, come to our sacrament meeting. Elder Viarell (sp?) also came he is our area authority. They took some time in sacrament meeting and instructed us for Sunday school. The neat thing about yesterday was that all of our meetings were centered on the atonement of Jesus Christ. But the best part is that 5 people who we have been working with came. I couldn't have picked a better meeting to come to. The spirit was so strong and anyone who left the meeting definitely knows that we believed that we are saved only through Christ. I tell you what; I had a stupid grin on my face all day. I can’t think of something that could bring me more joy than being in a place that I love, listening to something that I believe in with people I love.

Times in College Park are getting exciting! We are seeing a lot of interest so we are teaching a lot. One of our friends is so awesome and she is coming to church. She texted us randomly on Saturday and asked, “Stupid question, but do I start reading the Book of Mormon from the beginning or are there certain chapters I should read?” Cool right? We see her tomorrow and I am excited to sit down and talk to her more.

 

In other exciting news….. We got home to our apartment only to find it swarming with police officers and fire men. We asked someone what happened and they said “ma’am, all we can tell you right now is that there was a small fire.” My companion and I knew something was up, so upon further investigation (asking the office mission couple), we found that there was a murder. So…. since I can’t read the news …. Will you search the Lubbock news? It happened on Friday and it should have made the front page. (We are in Lubbock, what else would make the front page?)

I’m doing really great here. I may not have below freezing weather or smog… But I’m doing the Lord’s work and that makes all the difference. Hey, I love you guys and pray for you! Take care!

Love, Sister Luke

 

Merry Christmas Y'all!

Huzzah for snow! It happened. Snow really happened! It might be a white Christmas after all!

I was laughing with my companion at all of the emotions we experienced this week. It was somewhat of a roller coaster. My companion was sick so that meant cabin fever. I went crazy being held up in the house for days. Especially as a missionary because there is only so much you can do indoors to fulfill your purpose. I know sometimes it is required to slow down and take care of yourself, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was fine and healthy and I couldn’t do anything about it and our area really needs work done. And then I had to learn that hard lesson that it really is not all about me. Then I started to look at the bright side, I discovered that I had the opportunity to have some really neat studies that helped me strengthen my testimony in the Savior, and His gospel.

We’ve met some really awesome people that…… are leaving for the holidays. So we have some really solid people to visit in 5 weeks. Ha!  Last night was an amazing night. We met three new people who are so prepared to hear the gospel. Our first new friend was taught by some missionaries in New Mexico and has moved home for the holidays. He was raised heavily involved in another church, and his father is a minister there. He talked to us about how hard it is going to be to leave what he has been taught in the past. We explained to him that he will only build on his faith, not leave it all behind. He found a General Conference talk by Elder Eyring. In that, he talks about President Hinckley’s experience with a new convert from China who was moving home. President Hinckley asked him what kind of trials he would have to face now that he is a member of the church. The young man told him that he would probably be disowned by his family, and all opportunities would be taken away from him. President Hinckley said, “Are you willing to make that kind of sacrifice?” the young man responded, “It’s true isn’t it?” Our friend told us that he has been thinking a lot about this experience and is preparing himself to be baptized. Man. God really does prepare people for us to teach.

We also sat down with another fellow. He is dating a member of our ward and he called us up to meet with him. He has met with missionaries in the past so in my little optimistic mind, I thought…. “He got his answer that the church is true and he really wants to learn more!” Well…. Turns out that was not the case. He is in fact an atheist and told us that he has never been happier. He grew up trying to have a relationship with God and said he never got answers to his prayers. My companion and I were shocked. Then he proceeded to ask us a series of intense questions all aimed at understanding why we could believe in God. It was a unique experience to say the least. We learned that his Book of Mormon hero is Nehor. Really, what do you say to that? I have spent a lot of time thinking about this experience. There has to be a bigger underlying reason why he questioned God in the first place. I have been studying a lot out of the Book of Mormon about how Alma talked to Nehor. I feel like this isn’t going to be the last time I encounter a situation like that. In the end we just basically bore our testimonies of the gospel and how it can bring everlasting happiness. Because having no hope, faith or an understanding of your divine potential, where is the happiness in that? Life has no purpose. You know, growing up I remember my family, parents and teachers always telling me that prayer and scripture study is “your armor” as you live your day to day life. I really understand this a whole lot more. Satan is going to throw his “fiery darts” at you. The only protection you have is the scriptures, prayer and your testimony.

To be honest, we’ve met with a lot of interesting people here that have really made me think about charity; having that pure love of Christ for everyone. Whether a person attacks your beliefs or a complete stranger screams at you for no reason. This week has been a good week for me to practice charity. 

Love, Sister Luke

Hi there family!

We had our Christmas conference yesterday so our Pday was pushed back to today! At Christmas Conference, I received your packages! Our Christmas conference was awesome and went by too quickly in my opinion. It was fun to see the missionaries that are back in Amarillo (they drove in for the conference).

So this past week has been a whirl wind! I can’t believe I’ve been here for a week already! When we got off the bus in Lubbock, we were greeted by the Assistants to the President. Their area is also college park. I guess because of their responsibilities (they have to travel all over the mission, and the mission is HUGE so they are gone a lot), they haven’t been able to give the ward enough attention. So that’s where we come in. The Assistants told us that we are basically opening up a new area. They didn’t really have much information for us, so we are starting from scratch. On our first day, we went to the institute building and we saw a handful of people there. They were really excited to have sisters in their ward and a lot of people have told us that they really want to come out and teach with us. It really means a lot when people are excited to see you and to see missionary work get done again. After the institute building, we went on campus to go email our mission president and I had a ridiculous smile on my face the whole time. I just loved being back on a college campus, in an awesome ward that is totally focused on missionary work. It definitely made it easier to leave Amarillo. We actually live 20 minutes’ drive from campus, which isn’t the most ideal. But technically, we cover the whole city of Lubbock, so it doesn’t matter where we live. We have this monster of a truck to drive around. My companion and I look absolutely ridiculous in it. We feel like we are going to run over small cars in it.

There are some really great perks to living in Lubbock over the Holidays.  Every year, the stake puts together this huge, and when I say huge, I mean HUGE nativity exhibit. Members put in ridiculous amounts of time in this. There are about 350 people on a committee to put this all together. They plan this a year in advance, and were up till 3 a.m. last week setting up. Out of control. They have members of all faiths coming in to preform, like a Baptist choir, and Methodist pianists. The Nativity goes on for four nights and then concludes with the Christmas devotional. Pretty neat. Since we live in Lubbock, we were allowed to come and see it. And They had a missionary room where a set of missionaries stayed in case any member not of our faith had questions. They asked my companion and I to participate in this. Unfortunately, no awesome stories with that. We just sat in a room for hours and hours. Ha but we read a good deal of Genesis. Another perk is that we get to be

close to the mission home. I love that. It just gives me a little taste of home whenever I’m there. This morning all the missionaries in Lubbock helped decorate the mission home. It was so much fun!

The ward here is so awesome. We meet in the stake center and the chapel was pretty much full. A member walked up to me and said “Sister Luke, I was supposed to look out for you. My aunt is Kaye  and she told me you were coming to this mission.” And then he asked me how I knew Chelsea Kasen. I was completely shocked that someone knew who I was. And I had to have him reiterate what he said. Small world, right? When I was leaving, and everyone was telling me that I needed to look out for this person in this city, I thought, “yeah right, like I’ll ever meet them….” But happens!

Now I may be making it sound like butterflies and rainbows here in Lubbock but there is a catch. It’s a student ward, and the holidays are coming up…. So after this week (finals week), our ward and the student population in Lubbock is reduced to half. I am hoping and praying that we can stay busy and find some people to teach. Because when you aren’t busy as a missionary and constantly feeling like you aren't fulfilling your purpose, it’s the pits.

I better go. But I am so grateful for this opportunity to be a missionary. I feel my testimony strengthened every time I pray, study, and teach. Through the experiences I am having, I am creating firm foundation for the rest of my life. I love this gospel and day by day, my gratitude for my Savior increases. I love y’all! Have a splendid week!

Family!

It seems that my journeys in Amarillo are coming to a close. My companion and I got our transfer call on Saturday night and we are both headed to Lubbock! We will be serving in college park, so that means we work with the young single adults. I am definitely feeling bittersweet about this transfer. I am thrilled to go and work with the singles ward there and to be going with my companion. I’ve just established some roots here in Amarillo and it’s hard to leave the people I care about. 

Probably the hardest person to leave is the last sister who was baptized. On Sunday, we couldn’t look at each other without tearing up. Finally after Relief Society, she came up to me and we both just cried. (I’m such a crybaby, I know. I get it from my grandpa!) She is amazing. We talked about how potentially the next time I will see her will be when she goes through the temple! Since our temple is so small, they are not equipped to have missionaries go through. But if you have a recent convert going through, Our Mission President will be sure that we are there.  I love the idea of being there with her. She came out to teach with us this week and when we took her home she said, “Is that it? I was prepared to go out with y’all all day.” I recently heard a quote that says “You can count the number of seeds in an apple, but you can’t count the number of apples in a seed.” I definitely see that in her. She has an amazing testimony and shares it with everyone. Even in opposition, she still holds true to the gospel!

We met a man this week that increased my testimony that this gospel is true and the Lord is truly preparing people to receive the gospel. He was a referral from some other missionaries. He has been taught two years before and then moved. We sat down with him on Tuesday night. The conversations started out with small talk and just getting to know him. When we asked about being taught previously, he bore a powerful testimony that he knows that the church is true and he wants to be baptized. He expressed how dark his life has been without the gospel in his life and he wants the continual companionship of the Holy Ghost. He even has a testimony of tithing. I was pretty much speechless the whole time. Let me tell you how many people sit down with us and ask to be baptized, none. So I didn’t know what to say. Luckily my companion took over and we went through the baptismal questions to find out where he still had questions. We found out that he has already read the Book of Mormon through till Alma.

Oh and Thanksgiving was fun! We have 6 turkey dinners still in our refrigerator. Ha! We stayed at a members home and played a game called Mexican train. So fun! We are playing when I get home. I’m sad to leave Amarillo before the Holidays. But it will be nice to be close to the mission home. 

Love, Sister Luke