6-14-2010

Hey fam and friends,

We had zone conference this week! I love love love it! It was super powerful, but so sad. It was our last zone conference with President and sister Summerhays. I will miss them terribly. They really are beautiful people, who will forever hold a special place in my heart. Zone conference started off pretty cool. It focused on the power of the atonement. One thing president said "He doesn't plan for abuse or bad thing. He plans for our escape! Bad things do happen to good people." He shared in 2 Nephi 2:1 which talks about who Jacob suffered at the hands of his brothers. They were the people who were suppose to love him and yet he suffered greatly because of them. Lehi was acknowledging his love and understanding to Jacob. Lehi had a special love for Jacob because of what he suffered. The question is "How much more does god know how to give good gifts to those you suffer?" In 2 Nephi 2:2 "thou snowiest the greatness of god, and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain." The Lord will make up for ALL the tragedies that happen in our life. He will use our afflictions for our gain and more will be available to you because of them. President concluded with this very powerful statement "The lord did not create the abuse, but the lord uses every difficult circumstance to our advantage. He makes us more then we could have been. He makes us WHOLE and MORE. I seal that upon your heart right now as an infinite promise." WOOH! Talk about powerful. It touched my heart, it was really powerful. It was perfect timing too.

We have a new approach that we are going to start to use as a companionship. We are not just sitting and waiting to be acted on; we are acting!

HEY Family,

THANK YOU So MUCH for the package. I loved it! It was perfect! I did open it very first thing when I woke up on Saturday! Sister Richan set her clock to Arizona time and would ask me "what's your sister doing now?" So thank you for the play by play. We were home for a good part of the day cause we had a weekly planning session. It was a good thing too, because I wouldn't have gotten the flowers. It was perfect! I loved them! They were beautiful and I did feel apart even though I was so far away. The pictures were so cute! I haven't gotten to watch the DVD yet. The notes were tender and I appreciated them! It was funny cause as I was reading the last card from Roni; I laughed cause I was thinking the same exact thing she had written! Also, Sister Richan sported her clip in her hair all day and loved it.

We had Miss Brannen's baptism on Friday night. It went really well. Miss Brannen has a lot of health problems and struggles to make it through all of church. She usually makes it through sacrament meeting, so she doesn't have the fellowshipping that she needs. We were nervous that she wouldn't have very many people there to support her at the baptism. Well, Lynn Haven pulled through for us and we had a full R.S. room. It was awesome! The spirit was really strong and it was a sweet baptism. Her son, Chris, baptized her and he's the only member in their family and there are six kids. It was powerful! Miss Brannen was so ready to be baptized. She had been waiting for years for this moment. She had the faith, but wanted it all! She's amazing! I know that her example will impact her family in a powerful way. I mean she is about 80 or 81 years old and has found the complete truth that she has been searching for. She KNOWS with all her heart that the gospel is true. Miss Brannen is truly and amazing women. I know that on June 4, 2011, Miss Brannen will be in the temple and getting sealed to her husband who died 2 years ago. Miss Brannen always told Chris when she dies she wants to be sealed to her husband. He always replied you don't have to wait until your dead to do your work, you can do it yourself. Now, she will be doing it herself. It was a sweet experience. Her confirmation was perfect as well.

The work here has come to a complete stop! We literally have no progressing investigators, and no less actives we are teaching. We are spinning our wheels and making no progress. It's sad our numbers and productivity have hit an all time low.. On Thursday, we were at the library doing service. We were doing some stuff and it really was only a two person job, so we told sister Grampp to role play and teach us lesson one. We set up a situation and ran with it. Basically, the role play crashed and burned. We got started talking about having confidence in the message and not yourself. We got into not saying "I guess" after every phrase and with your body, because it takes all the power out of what you are saying. For example, we said here is what it sounds like "Heavenly Father loves me, I guess." All the power and truth in the statement is destroyed. The conclusion that it came to by the end of the session was "never give up!" It was exactly what she needed to hear. Sister Richan was really inspired and said one phrase that got to the core of everything. She said " What you do will change everything!" I felt the spirit feel the room, I almost broke into tears. it was so strong that I KNOW that those were NOT her words. It was a really powerful moment.

The timing the book,"you are special," you sent me was perfect! It was way cool you sent that because Sister Richan thought that I had asked for it and I said no. Well about a month ago in district meeting one of the elders was talking about this book. We had had a really good talk cause of it. The book went perfectly with the talk that we had the night before. When I pulled the book out, Sister Grampp said that's one of my favorite books. We had her read it to us. We asked "why it was her favorite book?" She said because I relate to the main character and that I am special to my Heavenly father. It was sweet and really important to everything that we have been talking about with her that she remembers that. Thank you for sending that book. I did have a strong impression that night as I was writing about that experience that I didn't need to be at my sister wedding, but right there for that moment. It was a powerful realization.

Love You!!!

Sister Whipple

Update 2-24-2010

Yeah yeah!!

I'm staying in Lynn Haven!!! I was so sure I was being transferred, but wasn't sure it was my time to go. I guess it wasn't.

Well,it is getting way hot here. The humidity is awful!!! I'm so glad to know that I will be in a car for a good part of the summer. Hopefully all summer.

On Sunday we had a sweet experience. Our early morning meetings were canceled so we had a little extra time to get ready for church. I was ready early which is amazing because usually I struggle, lets be real always has been a battle and always will be. I had the impression and prompting which was not my own to flat iron Sister G's hair. I really didn't want to, but I knew it would have a huge impact. I asked Sister G if she wanted me to and before I knew it I was doing her hair. It surprised me as much as Sister G because she said usually Sister Richan is the one doing this. I said I know. Once we finished she looked so GOOD!!! It was amazing to watch her confidence change. she carried herself different and even countenance changed. She was happy, she felt good about herself. It was sweet! Then, it got better. At church everyone noticed. People were commenting right and left. She for once did not get over looked, she did not fade into the background, she did not disappear! She was seen. People noticed her. It was great. Her confidence went through the roof! We got home early that day cause our car had a flat so we got grounded early on Sunday. We decided we would take the time to teach her how to fish instead of just giving the fish to her. We know that she will most likely never have the time to straighten her hair everyday, but she can feel the way she did on Sunday everyday. It was a lot harder then we thought it would be. Let me say this much we spent 2 hours teaching and we were just shy of masterye! It was progress. We talked about how she felt at church that day. We asked what was different. It was only her hair, but everything felt different. Sister Richan started talking and it was not her but the spirit testifying to Sister G, Sister Richan started speaking with power. She said something to the affect of "you have spent 25 years trying to disappear into the background. It's your life get control of it. You are front and center in your life, because you are worth it. the spirit is testifying to you right now that you are worth it!" It was powerful. Sister G was the one who said she has been trying to disappear, but the spirit spoke to her last night. She did feel that she was worth it. She knew that Sister Richan and I were her companions here and now because she is worth it. She was touched last night!

Jenifer Wintrode's baptism is scheduled for this Saturday. Everything is going perfect. I know this week will test her like crazy. She almost didn't make it to church yesterday due to car problems. She was super overwhelmed. We met with her twice this week. Both meeting were solid. On Friday she met up with us and we went to Lorecia's baptism. Lorecia is in the Callaway ward and is a super sweet 21 year old girl. She already wanted to go on a mission before she was even baptized. Jenifer felt the spirit. It was a super tender and sweet baptism and the spirit was strong. She is very excited for her own baptism. Later that night we went to her house and watch "The Testaments". She is doing really good. We have several meeting set up with her this week. I can't wait for her baptism and I am so excited I will be here to be apart of it. Miss Brannen is doing pretty good. We taught her the word of wisdom. She said her only vices are coffee and tea. Then, she said that she will give them up, because she wants it all. She knows that baptism is the only way. The following day we stopped by and she was doing pretty good. She had been drinking a ton of water and only 1 cup of coffee. She is trying, which is all you can ask. Her baptism got pushed back to June 4 so one of her granddaughters could make it. I'm a little worried about her making her date because she has only been to church twice and didn't come this past week. The work is good and we are trying.

LOVE YOU!!

Sista Whipple

With Commitment

1994

Cousins Kelsie and Brady at a family reunion

I hope they call me on a mission

When I have grown a foot or two.

I hope by then I will be ready

To teach and preach and work as missionaries do.

2010

Cousins Elder Brady Hale and Sister Kelsie Whipple at the MTC together

I hope that I can share the gospel

With those who want to know the truth.

I want to be a missionary

And serve and help the Lord while I am in my youth

May 10, 2010

Kelsie was given another companion, fresh from the MTC three weeks ago (she is now in a threesome). It has been a difficult situation and she has had to teach a lot of life skills to the new companion. Here is her most recent letter.

May 10, 2010

President Summerhayes decided to go off course and follow that spirit during zone conference. President wanted to put together a blessing (a patriarchal one) for Sister Grampp. He wanted all the elders to pretend that she was their daughter and they were giving their daughter a blessing. President had all the Elders make a list on the board of what they would put in the blessing. He even asked Sister Grampp what she wanted in her blessing.It was really cool. then, President asked "why do you think we did this exercise?" I was thinking cause he wanted the Elders to learn more about giving blessing and cause he was going to give Sister Grampp a blessing. President simply said "because I felt an out pouring of love for her (Sister Grampp)." It was really sweet. He had an overwhelming feeling and he had to follow it. Then, President said " I know Sister Grampp is on course. I know Sister Richan and Sister Whipple are on course." I found that kind of hard to believe, because I have felt so off course. president made me feel all good when he said "I have keys and I know it it right." I know he is right! He said "you are right where you are suppose to be." Then president shared how he came to that. He said "when Sister Whipple and Sister Richan got to together it was prefect. It was nirvana (he really used that word). I felt I should send a third sister. I thought but why? It's perfect and Lynn Haven is on fire. I thought well I'll be a good boy. It did it and it felt good. I don't know why, but it felt good so I followed the prompting." Then things got crazy. Before he was talking all about Sister Grampp, but then they change to Sister Richan and I. What happened next was so humbling and healing I will never forget. President gave us an apostolic blessing. He promised us that "your area will prosper more as three, then it ever would with just two, and a generation would be saved." Then, he gave Sister Grampp a blessing and promised her more blessings then she could or would dream of, the tears just pourd down my and Sister Richan faces. It was everything I needed and had prayed for. The peace I needed was brought to my heart. In my interview with President he talked further with me about the blessing. he said the blessing for Sister Grampp was so she knew she was doing good. The blessing for Sister Richan and I was so we knew that we would not be denied any of the blessing of the work. It was a powerful zone conference. President told Sister Richan in her interview that "Sister Grampp would have very little chance in life if not for the two of you (Sister Richan and I)." WOW! I know Sister Grampp is a challenge that I never dreamed I would face. I know I am where I am suppose to be it. It is hard but I can do it. President said to keep the pressure on. I said I feel like she is a broken/glued together vase that I just keep hitting with a stick. President said don't worry about breaking her because I'll put her back together. He said if problems aren't addressed now they become someone else's, so we are keeping the pressure on.

Well, I don't have much to say after having such an amazing zone conference. The spirit was so strong, spoke peace to my heart, and gave me the healing I was in desperate need of. I can't thank President Summerhayes enough for all his support. I have felt very far off the path of being a good missionary lately. I have not been very Christ like and had lost the spirit. When I went to zone conference I was desperate to have the spirit back in my life. I needed it. I wasn't sure how to do it and knew I needed help. I have been praying with all my heart to just love Sister Grampp. It was not coming easily, because I didn't have the spirit to be able to feel Christ love for her. Zone conference spoke to my heart. I now feel love for her. It still is not easy. Let's be real everyday I still pray for it, but it is not impossible. Thank you for the blessing. I know heavenly father is very aware of me. I needed the reassurance that he still was. That experience was so powerful, so consuming, and healing. I can't explain, but know that it changed my life.

Overall this was a good week. we got out and worked more than we had been. We had an extremely powerful lesson with Jenifer Wintrode. We taught her the gospel of Jesus Christ. She had expressed on Sunday her desire to be baptized and said she would figure out a date by Wednesday. Well, after our lesson, she said she wanted to be baptized on the 29 of May! I couldn't believe how soon the date was. She knows what she wants and doesn't want to wait. She is very impressive. She also said she has been telling her family and friends, they seem very supportive. The Lord is blessing Lynn Haven, it is a amazing and beautiful to be here and apart of it.

Things have greatly improved in our companionship. we are not perfect. we struggle everyday, but aren't giving up. Before, it felt impossible, now it is more of a Challenger that can be worked through. Well, President gave us the go ahead to address any issue that comes up, so we did. On Saturday we had a super busy day, but that night we decided that we had some issues that we should take care of. Sister Grampp had some very unattractive and not really appropriate red and blond streaks in her hair. Sister Richan and I decided that they needed to go. We bought a box of hair dye and colored it all one color. It looks so much better now. She looks cute, Sister Richan taught her how to do her hair and we both helped her do her make-up. We talked about the importance of our appearance matching our message. Everyday, we address something having to do with personal hygiene, proper etiquette , and manners. It is slow going, but things are improving. It just a challenge because she has really never been taught.

I loved loved loved talking to you!! I miss you! It was good to know I am still loved. I was afraid I was out of sight out of mind! I love talking. I was so bummed I didn't get to talk to Tyler and Trevor and only got a little bit with dad. It was good hear you. I love you!

LOVE YOU!!

Sister Whipple

PS for got tell you happy mother's day ! MOM! I love you!!!

Our Baptisms

M & J Hopkins

N.D. and B Williams

Me and My Comp

(we now have a third Sister with us)

We did have one truly perfect moment this week. Jenifer Wintrode who we taught last week, we committed to be baptized!!! We had invited her to come to the whole 3 hours of Church and she did! We had a teaching appointment that afternoon. The stake Sunday school President had called before our appointment and told us that he had talked to her. He said she happen to be doing some work up in his area and stopped by his office. He said she had expressed wanting to join our church. When we went to her house that afternoon, we taught her the plan of salvation. the spirit was strong and she believed it . Sister Richan had a scripture opened to read, to commit her to baptism. Before Sister Richan could get there Jenifer ask "so how do I join your church and get baptized?" WOOT WOOT!!!! I don't think I have ever heard a better question. We of course answered her question and she said she would think over the next couple of days to figure out a date that worked for her to he baptized. She said she would figure it out by our next appointment on Wednesday. It was only our second lesson with her, but the lord has been preparing her for years. She had been actively searching for a church for the past several years. When we teach she recognizes truth and the spirit. It truly is the lords work and we just happen to be here. I know this because we have not been very good this week and have just been struggling with working and having the spirit. Jenifer was ready and the Lord had prepared her. The Lord used us because his work won't be stopped for any reason. We were doing our best though and Heavenly Father knew that and allowed us to be has hands. What an amazing experience!

I LOVE YOU!! CAN'T WAIT to TALK!!!
Sister K-Way

4-26-2010

Overall it has been a pretty amazing week! We have a lesson with an older lady, Miss Brannen, who is in her early 80's and has a son that is a member and works for the Orlando temple. She has a testimony of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. Also, she calls herself a dry Mormon. we usually just drop by every now and then and share a little message, but nothing comes of it. On Tuesday night, we stopped by with Brother Hewitt. We started off talking about a living prophet, which led to baptism not sure how but the spirit took it there. We committed her to be baptized on June 3!!!! Her son is going to be out at that time so he will be able to do it! Now we just have to teach her all the lesson. It was a powerful lesson and it is amazing to see where it goes when the spirit guides.

We also had a really good less with a less active, Gloria Foster, who's in her early 60's. We talked all about coming back to church. She knows that she needs to get temple ready, because her mother is waiting for her to do her work. Sister Richan and I both felt the spirit penetrate our hearts and testified that her mother is waiting and she needs to come back and we want her back. Wow! It was powerful. I had been having a really bad day that day and was just not feeling right. I didn't feel like I was in a place where I could really be what the lord needed me to be. Even though, I was not feeling right, I was still working which allowed the Lord to testify to Gloria and me. It was just what I needed to make the rest of the day better. Also, she had 3 wolves, 2 timber and 1 British Colombian that were 4 and 5 months old. They were stinking cute the just mald us by licking us. It basically made my day after having such a great lesson. I got pictures that all send later.

We are super excited for a new investigator that we will be teaching tomorrow night. 2 weeks ago at church there was a lady that Sister Richan and I didn't recognize. We introduced ourselves, but didn't get a chance to find out any info. Well, at church that day the stake Sunday school president was speaking and he recognized her. He was an attorney in town and she was also an attorney in town. He told us if we knew her and we didn't have any info on her, I know kind embarrassing. He called us back later in the week with all of her info. On Sunday this pass week, she was there again! Sister Richan and I went over and introduces our selves. She is super interested in taking the discussion and invited us over for dinner and a lesson on Tuesday night. We talked to the Sunday school President and he said she called him and was wanting us to come twice a week to teach her! We are so excited! We have been working so so hard lately and feel like I am going no where. This experience makes it so all I want to do is work even harder, because blessing come but only after you do the work.

hope all is well! LOVE YOU!

love,

Sister Whipple