with love, elli: February 2016

So! We got lost in DC today. And lost sister Liu on the metro. And
didn't get home until late. And have not had wifi hahaha - so here's
to the shortest email of forever! And sorry I didn't respond to like
anyone :/

God is at the head! John's getting baptized this weekend. Holy smokes
he is SO PREPARED. I am so excited for His baptism! He is the
greatest!!

We are teaching some RAD part member families in Leesburg that are SO
ROCKIN! And are totally on the road to baptism. It nearly rips my
heart out to think that I won't be here to watch them all progress,
but then I remember that this work is not about me and never has been.
That God knows best. And that His purposes will always always be
fulfilled!

And we got 8 referrals this week! Asking from everyone WORKS. It's remarkable.

We had stake conference this week and it was SO REVELATORY. Wow. I was
in tears like the whole time. This really is Christ's church and He is
at the head of it. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love His Work.
I love His children. I am so so grateful for the time that I have to
serve here in this part of the vineyard!!

This is super short, but a picture is worth a thousand words, right?
:) enjoy! Love you all!
Keep it real and keep the faith!
Sister Kennedy

Holy smokes brothers and sisters - the miracles literally never cease.
GOD IS SO GOOD!

This has been easily the busiest week of my mission. We are out the
door by 10 AM and not back until 9:15-9:30 pm. No breaks, no hour long
lunch, and no time to waste. We are ALL IN and holy smokes we are
seeing the fruits of our efforts right and left

I (like usual) don't have much time, so I'm skipping to what's most important

So last week in Shenandoah YSA we had a guy named John show up. We
talked with him after church, found out he was golden, and set up a
return appointment. Well we had that lesson this week. We taught the
restoration and had 2 ROCKIN members there who testified of truth and
of the love of God. We invited John to be baptized on February 27th
and with tears in his eyes, he asked us why. We told him that God had
revealed that date to us and we knew he could be ready by that day. He
went on to tell us how that day has remarkable significance in his
life, and that no one knows that. Not a soul. But he knew that God
knew it, that God was aware of him and knew he could be ready for
baptism by that day. Needless to say, he agreed. And John is getting
baptized in 2 weeks :)

Theo is another investigator we are teaching that is remarkable. He
has been taught for a long time and has many concerns about baptism.
We have taught him twice as a companionship and I don't think I have
been so bold with anyone in my life. He is SO prepared, he just
doesn't see it. We are certain he can be baptized within the next
couple of weeks. We came home after a lesson one night this week and
pled with God to know how to help him... We invited all the sisters
who have taught him to join with us in a fast on his behalf this last
Sunday. Let me tell ya, we received some marvelous revelation. We have
a lesson with him tonight that we are SO excited about. He is SO
prepared and I know that God is ready for him. What a beautiful thing
to be a part of. I love it

The Leesburg Ward is just incredible. I can not begin to describe the
depth of my gratitude toward them for all that they do for us and how
much they love the Lord. They are all at our aid at the drop of a hat.
They want this work to hasten just as much if not more than we do.
I've never seen anything like it. SO COOL.

There is a woman we are teaching in Leesburg who has been wanting the
sisters to sing her Amazing Grace for the last few Months. We got the
lyrics and were able to sing it to her this week and I wish you could
have seen her face light up and the tears stream down her cheeks as we
sang. Such a beautiful experience.

I also gave a talk on Sunday - first time I've been asked to give a
talk on my mission! Haha it was interesting because it was one of the
few times in my life I actually prepared and I stood up there and I
didn't talk about anything I had prepared... the spirit completely
took over. It was one of the most nerve wracking but powerful
experiences I've had. I felt like a TRUE vessel for the Lord.

Lately, I have been reflecting a lot on what it really means to be a
disciple of Christ. I have been noticing the small and simple things.
Like what a privilege it is to wear Christ's name on my chest, or how
wonderful it is to see someone accept a copy of the Book of Mormon, or
how miraculous it is for someone to text us back to confirm an
appointment! God really is at the head. I have complete faith in His
work and His glory. I know that as His disciple, I have a sacred
obligation to honor Him at all times and in all things and in all
places. I know that Jesus is the Christ. And I never want to miss an
opportunity to bear witness of that truth. The spirit of God is real,
and when His spirit touches hearts, hearts are changed. That change is
the most miraculous thing I have witnessed on my mission. Something I
will forever cherish deep within my heart now and for all of eternity.
What a marvelous time to be a part of this sacred work. I love the
Lord. I love His work. And I Love His children.

Keep it real and keep the faith

Sister Kennedy