Catch up!

Just to catch everyone up with what's been going on... Here's a copy of all the "weekly updates" to date. Enjoy.

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Nov. 17th, 2005
We taught someone who wants to be baptized! Her name's Christina. We met her as we gave a blessing to her fiancé in the hospital and she asked us after the blessing; "Could you teach me more about what it means to be 'Mormon'?" ...YEAH!!! Of COURSE we'll teach you! Is the thought that goes through my mind. So we taught her a little bit right then and there, but we had to go, so we set up a return appointment with her in just a few days (maybe it was even the very next day, I can't remember for sure right now. In fact, hold on. Let me see if I wrote it in my planner. Nope. Oh well.
When we came back, we taught her all of the first lesson (found in chapter three of Preach my Gospel) about the Restoration. She sucked it all up and asked us questions, which we were able to answer. And we did it all by the spirit! It was so strong there in that hospital room. There were tears shed and as we promised blessings that would come from obeying God's commandments, we asked her if she would be baptized to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She said that she would! It was AWESOME!!! I LOVE THIS!!!! I'll tell you what, there's nothing like teaching with and by the spirit! It's exhilarating! I LOVE IT!

Nov. 23rd, 2005

This morning, my companion and I played “Settlers of Catan” and “Risk” at a member’s home. His name is Brother Reeves. It was a lot of fun.

Last night I spoke with Christina. She hadn’t prayed specifically to know if the Book of Mormon was true yet. But when I spoke with her last night, she told me that she had! (YES!!!) I asked her how she felt after doing that. She told me “there is no doubt in my mind! I know it’s true!” I was so happy for her! It made me so happy that she now knew for herself that what we taught was true!

Dec. 7th, 2005
I’m really sorry that I haven’t been getting these “weekly updates” off like I’ve wanted to. My problem is that I’ve wanted to catch everyone up with what’s going on so I never send it. So, I’m just going to start right now.

I’m having trouble “certifying” to be a “level 5 teacher”. I need to memorize a bunch of scriptures for each of the 5 lessons in Preach my Gospel. I’m currently a level 3 teacher. But before I can drive or train or do anything like that, I have to be level 5. I’m working on it. My companion’s great! He’s so patient with me. He’s helping me memorize and certify. I love him.

Yesterday, we spent much of the day driving. We got special permission for our mission President to travel outside our zone to visit Christina. We were able to help them replace a part on their car (the water pump) that was keeping them from running the car. They say that they want to move back to the Belton area. But they haven’t been able to look for housing or a job because of their car situation. So we were able to help out with that. We finished replacing the pump and then, all that was left was to charge the battery and see if it would start. We’ll find out tonight. Hopefully, that’s all they needed and they’ll be able to come down to church on Sunday and start figuring out how to get back here.

We were teaching a 23 year-old man named Jeff Schnakenberg (pronounced: “Shnaw-ken-burg” Crazy, huh?) but now, we don’t even have a return with him. We taught him the first three lessons and committed him to baptism. He had decided to quit smoking and everything. But the first day he tried, he had a horrible day. Life was just hard, Satan made sure of that. He decided that he "couldn't do it". He "liked smoking too much" and he was "addicted to sex". And so, he's since stopped seeing us. It breaks my heart to know that he can do it, but he's just given up. Satan uses addictions to hold people down. I am so thankful for the Church. The guidelines that I've been taught all my life have protected me from the powerful vices that are holding good people back. We're teaching a family named the McCanns. A Father, Mother and little daughter named: Megan. The Mother, Nicole, knows the church is true. But she doesn't want to give up alcohol or make her husband give it up either. And they know the church is true! It truly does break my heart.

I feel like Alma when he said: "Oh, that I were an angel...and speak with the trump of God...and cry repentance unto every people!" (See Alma 29:1-4) But I know that the whole point of being on Earth is to make choices for ourselves. Using the gift of agency which God has granted us. It's just hard to see people make bad choices when they know what the better one is.
It's been snowing ALL day long today. It's white everywhere. It's beautiful, I love Christmas!
I miss being there for the holidays with everyone, but I know that it just means that I'll get back right on time for them in two years time.
Happy Holidays!
Until next week;
~Elder Penrod
Dec. 14th, 2005
It's transfers this week. I lost my companion, elder Marley. He's going to be the district leader in Manhattan Kansas. And my new companion is coming in from Olathe Kansas. His name is Elder Walton, I believe. I have no idea who he is, so this should be fun. Getting to know another missionary. I hope he's a worker and a doer. I really need that right now. I don't have (at least, I don't think I do) the strength to push someone. There's too much that needs to be done here to have to worry about that. But I'm sure that everything will be okay. Everything happens for a reason, especially as a missionary.

Last night, elder Marley and I taught the McCann family again. This was the first time we were able to teach them in a formal teaching setting. Before we would just go over to eat dinner and answer a few questions at the table. This time we went over for dinner and then, after cleaning up and throwing dessert in the oven to bake, went into the family room and had an opening prayer and started to teach about prayer and recognizing the spirit. It was wonderful. The spirit was there last night. They were asking honest questions and were listening with open hearts to the things we were saying and teaching. At the end of the lesson, we commited them to pray to know if the things we had taught them were true. They said they would. I hope they pray sincerely. I know that if they do, Heavenly Father, through the power of the Holy Ghost will reveal to them the truth (Moroni 10:5). We also committed them to come to church on Sunday. I'm looking forward to seeing them there. I can't wait.

Allen Smith came to church last Sunday and brought his brother's children with him. I think they really enjoyed it. I hope to see them again and Allen's Brother, Mark. I love teaching the gospel and seeing people change for the better. To see them take steps to living righteous, happy lives is one of the most exhilarating feelings. I love it!

Last Saturday, the ward put on a Christmas event they called "A Night in Bethlehem". It was wonderful. I know that my Mom would have enjoyed putting something like that together. The whole ward pitched in to make this as good as it was. They were all dressed the part so it felt as if you were there. They had different rooms setup throughout the building that had things that you could have found in the little town of Bethlehem at the time Christ was born. They had someone taxing the people who were arriving and in another room, the censors were counting the people. There was a market. Another room had the games the children played and the cultural hall (the gym), resembled an inn. Where they had some bread that they might have had and dates and some dried fruits. There were "angels" (some of the Young Women [Mia Maids 14-15?] in the ward) singing Christmas Carols at one end of the room. Everyone sat on a blanket and visited with their friends and family and in the corner of the room, was the innkeeper's counter. Once everyone had gone through "Bethlehem" and was resting in the inn, a spotlight shone in the corner on the counter (I was the spotlight holder. Hooray for me!) where a couple had entered and were requesting a place to stay the night. The innkeeper explained that "they were full" but offered his stable for a place to stay. The couple was led out by a little boy who'd been instructed to take them to the stable... A few moments later, the sliding, collapsible walls on the backside of the gym were parted to reveal a dark scene with a light from the star (again, played be me. Hooray! I must make a good light holder) brightly shining on the couple holding a baby... wrapped in swaddling clothes. The scene was powerful. A pianist played "Away in a manger" and three figures entered and laid their gifts at the feet of child. It was wonderful! This ward is so AWESOME!!! I love all of them so much!

Christina Watson is still doing well last we checked. She and Tony don't live in our zone, but we got permission to visit them where they live because they have plans and desires to move back to Belton which would put them in our ward. We haven't heard from them since we helped them replace the water pump on their car. They have only so many minutes on their cell phone a month and they must have run out again. I hope we get through to them soon. She has such a desire to do what's right. I pray that she doesn't lose that desire because I know that Satan is trying so hard to keep her from the thing that will bless her life so much. Joining the church by being baptized by someone who has authority and being given the gift of the Holy Ghost. Satan knows that it's easier to keep her down if she doesn't have that gift. The gift that will provide comfort, guidance and peace. And so, he will be trying to keep her from it. So far, she's doing great. I just pray that she's still doing so well. In fact, I know she is.

I'm getting better about writing in my journal. I'm still mastering time management. There's so little time for writing out here. But I want a good journal. And I think I'm doing well.

I'm not homesick, which is good, but there are some people that I miss terribly at times... a lot. I know I can't do the mission well with only my strength. I've recognized that recently and so, I've started to rely more on the Lord then I ever have before. I'm so grateful that He is mindful of me. That He answers my prayers and grants me strength beyond my own through gifts of the spirit, support from my family and friends. I'm so thankful that I know that Heavenly Father loves me and knows me. I love Him.

I love all of you! Thank you all for everyting that you've done for me. For your support when I've needed you. Your friendships and your examples to me. Thank you.

Your Son, Brother and Friend;
~Elder Penrod

Dec 21st, 2005
My new companion is wonderful! I love him! We went tracting for a few hours last Saturday. There was snow on the ground from recent snowfall and everything. We found a few people to come back to “sometime this week” and try and teach them. Hopefully they’ll be home. If not, we’ll try them after Christmas. I love being a missionary! I love finding people and teaching them. One of the people we found was a Jehovah’s Witness. We gave her a Book of Mormon because she wanted one to read. So, of course, we left her with one and I gave her a few things to read for herself. I wrote them in the front of the book so she could find them easily and left her with my testimony of its truth. She said thank you and we went on our way, tracting as we were before. We went up to the end of the street we were tracting, turned around and came back down the other side. When we were just across the street from where the Jehovah’s Witnesses lived, a girl (that looked a lot like Katie Stewart) came outside of that house saying; “Excuse me!”. Recognizing that she wanted to speak with us, we walked across the street and met her on the sidewalk in front of her house. She handed us a few little magazines (called: “Watchtower”, I think. I guess it’s Jehovah’s Witnesses’ version of the Ensign. Only [enter biased opinion], not as cool.) and said that she wanted us to have them. We politely thanked her, wished her a Merry Christmas (Which, come to think of it now, I don’t think they celebrate) and turned to continue tracting the other side of the street. I was about to take my step when I realized that I would have been stepping on the grass. I wasn’t quite on the driveway part that met the street. So, without thinking (and quite briskly), I did a quick little hop that would normally have gotten me around the little patch of grass that I was trying to avoid. Well, by taking that quick step (hop) on their driveway, I didn’t even think about the fact that there was snow on the ground. And so, guess what happened. My foot, of course, slipped right out from under me and I hit the ground. HARD! My right side smashed the ground super-quick. I was up pretty fast, but my right leg hurt the rest of the day and a good part of Sunday. So that was exciting.

Allen Smith is set for baptism! Hooray! We took him to be interviewed by President Hacking on Sunday at the Liberty Jail before the President’s Fireside. This fireside is held every third Sunday of the month and is geared specifically toward investigators and recent converts. The president told us, after interviewing Allen, that all was well and we could go ahead and baptize him on Friday as planned. We were excited to hear that. The fireside was great too. All, that is, except for one thing. After the fireside, President Hacking came up to me and shook my hand and informed me that all the missionaries in this mission (Independence, Missouri) were being asked to part their hair. He told me that he knew that he’d given me permission to not worry about that because my hair was curly, but that all the missionaries were being asked to do it now. I told him: “Okay”, that I’d “figure something out”. He said, “I knew you would”, with a big smile on his face. That made me feel good, that he trusted that I would do as I was asked. But that doesn’t mean that it’s any less difficult. I simply have no natural part in my hair, so making one is awkward and actually quite funny. But I’m doing it anyways. It’s just more blessings for me right? (I hope so. Hehe.)

We haven’t heard from Christina. We’re pretty sure that their phone is out of minutes again. That’s what happened last time we couldn’t get a hold of them for such a long time. I pray that she’s still doing well. I hope to hear from her soon.

The McCann family came to church on Sunday! It was great to see them there! I think they liked it. But we couldn’t teach them this week because they all got sick. First, their daughter Megan. Then, Nicole and by the time they called us to cancel dinner, Aaron (Erin?) was starting to feel a little sick. I trust that it’s what they say it is and they’re not trying to ditch us. I look forward to seeing them again soon.

I can’t believe that it’s almost Christmas. It’s this Sunday! That’s amazing!!! I’m so excited! I’ll get to call home. And I think I’m allowed to talk with anyone who’s at the house. That would be really neat too. We’re going to spend Christmas at the Walkers’ home. Which is the same place we were for Thanksgiving. They told us that they have unlimited long distance so we won’t have to worry about buying a phone card or keeping our call home short. Yay!

My family sent me a Christmas Package that I got the day of transfers. It was full of little gifts and things for Christmas. It had a little Christmas tree and some decorations for it. It’s so cute. It’s setup in our apartment with the other tree. So, we actually have two trees! How cool is that?! I can’t wait to see what they sent me. Megan also sent me a Christmas package. It was so clever! It also had a lot of wrapped things in it, but I was instructed to open specific gifts on specific days. She did the twelve days of Christmas! It’s been so much fun! Some of the gifts I’ve been able to use to decorate both the trees we have in the apartment. Like little gingerbread cookies that were made to hang and decorate. Or little marshmallow snowmen that came with food coloring pens so we could draw on them. We made little missionaries out of them and put them around the tree. It’s been a lot of fun. I love Christmas.

Well, there’s only a few days left until Christmas and I’m way excited. Merry Christmas everyone!!! I love you all!

~Elder Penrod

Dec 28th, 2005

It’s almost 2006! I can hardly believe it! I don’t have much time to write because I spent good deal of time Re-writing an email that got lost because “myldsmail.net” is… <add your own adjective here>!!!

This past week was both trying and full of blessings! I saw the new movie that the Church has produced about the Prophet Joseph Smith!!! It was really good! I would recommend it to anyone! It was very powerful and extremely well done. I was sobbing in heaves the whole movie through! The spirit testified to me that Joseph Smith was a true prophet called of God. I love him so much, but most of you already knew that!

Also, Christmas was wonderful! My companion, Elder Walton, and I opened our gifts on Christmas morning. Well, I guess I should say I opened all my gifts. He’d already opened all of his gifts. (Bad Boy!)

I also finished the Book of Mormon today! It was awesome reading like the Prophet challenged. I felt the blessings he promised and I’m looking forward to reading it again.

I got to speak with my family and Megan on Christmas day! What a blessing! I wrote it out in more detail in the journal I’m keeping (Yes, I’m keeping a good journal. Trying my best anyways). They didn’t get their gifts in time, but they should soon. I was lucky to send them at all. I could only send one package and I was blessed to have a sister in the ward (Sister Crowl) send it through her work for me for free. I was trying to figure out how I was going to get everyone’s gift to them in time when that option presented itself. Heavenly Father is really looking out for his children. If He helps with something as silly as shipping a box home. I love being a missionary!

Well, I have to go. I’m sorry it was short, but I’ll catch you next week!

I love you all!!!

Oh yeah, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! (By the time you all hear from me again it’ll be a brand new year. Oh my goodness where is all the time going?!)

Jan 6th, 2006

Well, if any of you were doing the math, you’d be right. Today isn’t P-day. Or even close to it. But I’m writing this email to you today for a very good reason. I couldn’t make it to a computer on Wednesday. I couldn’t do much of anything on Wednesday. Why? Because I have STREP THROAT!!! Yay! Exciting, right? Wrong! I think I decided that strep throat is absolutely miserable! I don’t think I said 10 words on Wednesday. I’m sure some of you are thinking; “wow, that would be awesome! Garn not talking. It’s unbelievable.” Well, believe it. And just be glad it wasn’t you! I had almost no energy for about 48 hours. It was weird. I hardly had the energy to read. Maybe it was because of what strep does to you, maybe it was because of the meds, I don’t know. All I know is that I beat it and I’m almost better now. *cross your fingers*

Having said that, there’s not much along the lines of work. However, before I got sick, we had “team-ups” and I found about 11 people to go back and visit this weekend (tomorrow). I hope they’re all there. I’m really excited about quite a few of them.

We got a hold of Christina again! She’s STILL reading and praying every day! That’s absolutely amazing! She’s had no one else to encourage her except for herself, but I’m scared to death that she’s losing her desire. We found out how to get them in touch with the singles ward. I think that’ll help her a lot! I keep praying for her. She’s done awesome so far and Heavenly Father’s certainly been helping out. My companion and I are doing our best to do what we can.

Also, we were able to teach the McCanns again on Tuesday night before I went to the hospital. They’ve got a lot of questions, but they’re honestly listening. I hope they keep listening.

I have to go. The librarians are kicking me off! Bye.

Jan 11th, 2006
Absolutely staggering! Tomorrow will make it a total of 3 months into the mission. Elder Walton, my current companion, said something that was a little stunning. He basically said: “You’ll be 1/8th finished with your mission.” Yikes. Already? Good heavens.

Well, I’m better from the strep throat I suffered from last week. But as some kind of sick joke, Elder Walton got sick with a stomach flu right after I got better. It’s like we’re taking turns or something. Well, I’m finished sitting inside. I’m ready to go out and work! Find people to teach and spread the Gospel’s happy message. That’s what I’m here to do. Not to sit inside and be sick. So, I‘m excited for that.

Tonight, we’re going to teach the first lesson about the Restoration of the Gospel to a friend of James and Jenny Jones (The two who just got married on Dec 26th.). Her name is Sara Laird. I hope all goes well. We’ve all been encouraging her to listen to the lessons from us missionaries and now, she’s finally agreed to. I’m still not entirely sure why. From what I understand, something happened to her not too long ago that made her look at her life and decide that she wanted and needed to make “some changes”. I hope all goes well to night. Say a little prayer for us and for Sara.

The McCanns are still taking the lessons. We’re trying to get them to come to church again this Sunday. I hope they come. They have wonderful families in the ward that want to see them and are more than willing to help them in any way. Both the Crowl and the Cook families are good friends of the McCanns and they’re both giving lots of positive peer pressure. I hope to see them on Sunday.

We were able to teach a lesson last week to a nice lady we found while knocking doors. Her name is Joyce Ruarke and she has a toy American Eskimo named Lili! What a cute little dog! She reminded me of my dog, Ebony. (Lili reminded me of Ebony, not Joyce. L.O.L.) We invited her to be baptized but I don’t think she understands that this is the complete, full church of Jesus Christ on the Earth today and not just another church on the corner asking her to come out on Sunday and so, she kindly declined. I think that once she sees that this church is the only true and living church, she may reconsider. She’s going to see us again on Saturday so we’ll see what happens then.

I got a little package from my brother Shaun. It was so good to see him. It was just a little picture but it reminded me of how much I love him. I’m so glad we’re serving at the same time. I think that’s so cool! PLUS… we’ll be coming home within a month (or so) of each other. That’s less time away from him. I love him so much!

Keep all your emails coming to gpenrod@gmail.com. Anything sent there, I’ll get at my other account too and then I can save it.

Well, I love all of you. Take care and I’ll catch you next week.
~Elder Garn Penrod

P.S. While I was sick, I played the most frustrating game of monopoly EVER!!! Ask me about it sometime and I’ll tell you.

Jan 18th, 2006

We have a baptism set for the 28th of January!!! It’s Sara Laird and she is so ready! We taught her and committed her to be baptized that same night! She’s got all the help she needs from us, her best friend: Jenny Jones and most importantly, God. She’s praying all on her own and she KNOWS that the book of Mormon is true. Moroni’s Promise (See page 529 Moroni 10:3-5) is so powerful and so true! It works! I’ve done it, and last week, Sara did it! I love the gospel!

Speaking of awesome experiences. We contacted and met with a media referral last night. His name is Paul Janner and I’ll tell you what! The man’s amazing! As we visited with him and spoke with him (He had a lot to say. A lot of knowledge.) I heard him share with me so many different gospel principles that we teach! He knew that we would someday be Gods, that we needed to pray for ourselves to understand scripture or know if it’s true. That the “natural man is an enemy to God” and so we need to “put off the natural man” and humble ourselves before God. I mean, for crying out loud; the guy told me that we need to (these are his own words!) “put on the whole armor of God”!!! I couldn’t believe it!!! I actually jolted and gasped for air where I was sitting. It came out of nowhere! It was amazing. I’m looking forward to teaching him and his daughter (she was there and patiently listened to everything that he said and that we shared), Kristina. I can see them both getting baptized and being wonderfully happy at all the knowledge that they’ll learn at church and from the Book of Mormon. I know it will bless them and I think they’re willing to “experiment on the word”.

We got to see Christina yesterday! That was good. We got some people her age and in the singles ward to come with us so that they could fellowship her and so that she would feel less anxious about going to church. I think it went well. They invited her and Tony (her fiancé) to go skating with them and I think she’ll jump on that. We’re also going to see the Joseph Smith movie on Saturday with her and Tony. I think it’ll be good for her. In fact, I know it will.

On another note, this was a week spent in the refiners fire for me. I am in great need of all of your prayers. I have been to judgmental of my fellow-missionaries and although I’ve not done anything that expresses that to any of them, it’s been weighing me down. I need to accept that they are who they are; with their own habits, attitudes and weaknesses. Just like me. I’ve been doing well on my own, but any extra help wouldn’t be turned down.

Well, it’s time for me to go. I love all of you! You’re in my prayers.

Until next time, God be with you.

Jan 25th, 2006

Well, there's not much to report this week. Last week's highlights in a nutshell:
Fri. - Elder Walton was sick for a good part of the day.
- I talked with "Dottie" (Dorathy Tetzner) for quite a while.
- We had dinner at the Jones' (different then James and Jenny) house with the Bakers and "Dottie".
- While we were there, we had Flan and MALTA!!! YAY! MALTA!!! Mom, it was malta india! Both of which, for those of you who don't know, are Puerto Rican things. It was like I was at home with my mommy. We had fun.

Sat. - I certified as a level 5 teacher today.
- We were going to meet up with Christina at the Liberty Jail today, but she couldn't make it. And since we were already on the way with members, we were able to see the movie again. I wish Christina could have made it, though. But she got a job! That’s good for her. She’s been looking for one for a while now.

Sun. –We had dinner at the Allred’s home. They are such a neat family. We taught about the Book of Mormon to the whole family, but focused our teaching on Rachel because we’ve asked her to speak on Sunday the 29th (this Sunday) about the Book of Mormon and challenged her to give one to a friend. So, we gave her tips and ideas on how she might do that.

Mon. – We had Family Home Evening at the Wright’s home. It was nice to be a part of that. I want to make sure that I do family home evening every week with my family. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or big. Just time together as a family and talk about life and the gospel. Even if that’s all we do, it’s better than none at all. I love the Gospel.

Tue. – Transfers. I survived and so did my companion. We’re both staying right here in Belton, Missouri. I’m glad, but I’m starting to get the feeling that this is my last 6 weeks here. There’s so much work to be done here. So much!!! I need to get working harder then ever before!

I’m just about out of time! I can’t believe it! I haven’t even emailed everyone yet! I’ll get this off next week. I love all of you.

Feb 2nd, 2006

Sorry everybody. I can’t believe how quickly our time was up last week! As it is, my time’s running today, so I’ll get typing.

Well, like I said, I managed to survive another transfer. I’m sure that this is going to be a transfer to endure. But I also believe that it can be the most rewarding. Opposition in ALL things.

We baptized Sara Laird last Saturday! The baptism was nice. It was short and sweet. Sara invited her boss to come to the baptism and she did. Her name was Elizabeth. And the thing is, she seems extremely familiar. I’m trying to figure if she reminds me of one of my friends or someone I knew- Oh my gosh! It’s Emily! Sara’s boss, Elizabeth, reminds me of Emily Hurst. One of my dear friends in Arizona. That’s who it is. It hit me just now. Okay… *deep breathe* moving on. We invited her to church and asked her if she’d like to take the lessons. She said “I’ll think about it” and she really meant it. I hope we get to teach her. I told her that we’d have Sara “nag” her. So she knows she’ll be hearing more of it sooner AND (hopefully) later.

Marianne Chinn, Sara’s mother, was baptized on Sunday evening, 2 hours after church. That was wonderful!

Last night, we met with the McCanns for the first time in a while. But oh what wonderful news I have! After speaking with them last night, I don’t think that the Word of Wisdom is really that big of a deal. We’re going to challenge them for Baptism next time we meet with them. I need all of you to pray for them. They need help to make this change in their lives, but I know they can do it! I honestly believe that they will be baptized before next transfer. Now I just need to make sure I do my part as a missionary to help that happen.