Weekly Update - Aug 29, 2007

Aug 29th, 2007
Well everybody, here we are already. We're going into the last week if the transfer and I can hardly believe that it's here.

Elder Haderlie and I have been working hard to help the work progress here in the Concordia Branch. There is still much to do and I'm not sure if President Hacking will leave me here or not. He sometimes transfers missionaries to places they've never been before for their last six weeks. But, He also leaves missionaries in the area where they've been often enough that I really don't know what to expect. If I had a choice, I would like to stay. But that's always what I want. I'm glad I've had these chances to be moved from one place to another, because this way, I meet so many more people and get to learn so many new things. It's exciting, really.

The Weather here is starting (very slowly) to cool off. I'm excited about that too.

Well, I'm so sorry. But once again I am out of time. (We've been all over the place today!) Know that I am alive and well and loving life!

Take Care.

Your Son, Brother and Friend:
~Elder Garn Mosiah Penrod

Weekly Update - Aug 22, 2007

Aug 22nd, 2007

I want to Thank all of you again for offering so freely suggestions and ideas for helping my companion and me grow closer in friendship and unity. It has worked. We've found what helps us get along and we just need to make sure that we keep doing that and I know that the Lord will see our honest efforts and make up the difference. We are strengthening our friendship. So, Thank you all!

While we've been here in the Concordia Branch, we've really been looking for chances to serve the members here. We've found plenty of opportunity to serve the community (service at the Senior Center) but we wanted to serve the members of the Church too. So, this week we have a few projects to accomplish. The first of which is mowing a lawn. Which we will do later today. So, I'm excited about that. I love the members and the people here.

Well, we've had a baptism here this last week. Her name was Jane Rhodes. There's another one scheduled for this Sunday and ANOTHER one on the 7th of September! The Lord is POURING out His blessings! And I KNOW it's because of our obedience! I have learned so much on my mission about obedience! I'm so happy that I came.

May I share something with you? I realized, while thinking back on it, that right before my mission was the most unfocused, unmotivated, confused, distracted time of my entire LIFE!!! I realize now that the Adversary was doing all in his power to keep me from serving my mission. I must have looked and seemed very foolish to some of your who were watching me. And yet, you all loved and encouraged me to go and Serve the Lord. Thank You! Know that I wasn't always that unfocused, unmotivated, confused and distracted. And that I have since regained and enhanced those skills. I have grown as a missionary. And soon, you will SEE that! I have greater love and respect for Sacred things and, in like manner, encourage others to "let sacred things remain sacred."

There is much more I'd like to say and share but I have not the time to get it all in.

You are all in my prayers and I long for the day that I can again be in your company.

Until then, I'll remain a Faithful, Full-Time Missionary!!!

Your Son, Brother and Friend:
~Elder Garn Mosiah Penrod

P.S. Thank you family for the packages! That'll sure make turning 22 something fun and different from the normal routine. I love you!

P.P.S. If this message ever finds you: HAPPY Birthday! Jenny (from California!), Richard Ethington (an old companion) and Allison (spelling? - From California. The awesome artist!)

Weekly Update - Aug. 15, 2007

I wanted to thank everyone for the tips and pointers. I got a few ideas that will totally help me with my companion. I think a LOT of it is really just we need to talk more. Get to know each other a little better, does that make sense?

Anyways, so the work here is still going well. We still have three people who are set for baptism and they're going strong! I'm so proud of them! They are exercising so much faith as they Act on what they have found to be true. I'm way excited for the rest of this transfer. I can't believe that it's already half-way finished! I hope that President lets me stay here my last transfer. But most missionaries are assigned to an area that they've never been before for their last transfer. So, I wouldn't really be surprised if that happened to me.

Well, I'm about to get the big boot [I'm getting kicked off! :( ], so I'll wrap this up. I love you all and I'm learning and growing so much as I serve the Lord!

To all young men who are thinking about it, to all those who know young men who are thinking about it... I RECOMMEND A FULL-TIME MISSION TO EVERY ABLE-BODIED YOUNG MAN!!! (not to mention it is a commandment from the Lord to serve if possible) IT IS WAAAYYY WORTH IT!!!

Take care and know that I love you all!

Your Son, Brother and Friend:
~Elder Garn Mosiah Penrod

Weekly Update - Aug 08, 2007 (from elder Penrod)

August 8th, 2007
Okay everyone, this one's been long overdue! (Especially for some of you in beloved Olathe, KS!!! - Hi!!! Let me know how you all are doing. I love you and can't wait to see you again soon)

Before I say anything else, I'd like to announce something way cool!!! MY DAD GOT HIMSELF A PRIVATE PILOT'S LICENSE!!! That is so cool, dad!!! I can't wait for my turn. Okay, now that I'm done bragging about my dad. On to the Update.

It is August and it is hot, hot, HOT! Not to mention Thick! Now, I don't mind hot weather, but I will be glad when it's over. This Sunday will mark my 22 month mark!!! I can hardly believe it! It's going by so fast! I'll be home on October 19, 2007 unless something changes. (Mom, I can almost see you beside yourself with excitement!!! I'm also getting excited, but I can honestly say, I'm not getting "Trunky."... Yes, that's totally possible! I can hardly wait to see you too, Mom... and Dad... and Family!!!)

So, I'm the District Leader here in Higginsville, MO!!! Which means, I'm the one that makes sure that everyone is doing the things they need to do and being the best they can be. I'm really no different than the other missionaries, other than I am the one that has the responsability to watch over and look after them. But I have a GREAT district. I don't have to "babysit" anybody. I am truly blessed. I like it! There's so much to do as a District Leader, but it's all worth it. The Lord really does help us magnify our calling. I've noticed that when I'm doing my best, the Lord, literally, makes up the difference! It's great. I love being a missionary!

I would also like to say that I'm feeling GREAT! I am happy and even though, every now and again, we are ill-received; for the most part, we are treated very well! The Branch here is Wonderful! I love them so much. They are full of Faith and Hope and Love. They also help with the missionary work so much! It is my desire to do all in my power to help them grow and feel the love I have towards them. They're great. They really are.

Well, we have been witnessing some amazing miracles here!!! Just yesterday we saw a wedding proposal, someone accept baptism, three friends gather up their cigarettes, crush them and throw them in a garbage can and we saw one of our Part-Member Family, "eterni-gators" accept a challenge to pray and ask God if he should be baptized this month!!! And we're fasting (and praying) for all of these people right now!

It's amazing!!! It's not just in our area either. The other companionships in the District are on fire! I was asked by the Zone Leaders (via elder Whittier's message -He's one of the A.P.s) to find out WHY?! In speaking with them yesterday (for media updates) I had the distinct impression that our success is directly associated with our concern for exact obedience. I felt that the elders are concerned with and striving to be exactly obedient and that's why the Lord's been blessing us so much.

It's so exciting to be a part of this. I spoke with Elder Crandall and told him: "You wanted to see a miracle and now they're all around us!" He said: "I know, it's amazing! I'm so excited."

I'm going to wrap this up, but before I go, I do have a question. My companion and I get along. But I don't feel there's really a good friendship yet. Now, I understand that it takes time sometimes. But I was wondering... What are some things that have helped each of you? I do love him and we pray for each other, I just feel something's missing. Does that make sense? So, send your ideas of little things that I can do to serve him and let him know that I love him. Because I do! He is AMAZING on the Piano!!! In case that bit of info helps at all.

Okay, did I get everything?... Weather, Miracles in the Missionary Work, how I'm feeling... Okay. I think that's it. Take care.

Your Son, Brother and Friend:
~Elder Garn Mosiah Penrod

P.S. Cynthia Johnson (one of my friends) says "hi!" - she's a friend of one of the members here in the Branch.