Kendrick, Jessica

We had a devotional about conversion, and how it is important that you are converted before we try to convert other people. During a mission, you are your first convert. If you were teaching yourself, wouldn't you want the best teachers to teach you? I know that I would. All missionaries and all people can be the best teachers when they listen to the spirit. When you listen to the spirit, it will tell you exactly what you should say in the exact right moment. I know that this is true. I am still learning the Spanish Language, but when I give lessons to people here, I am able to not look at my notes, and my brain will tell me what to say in Spanish. I know that without the Spirit with me while I am teaching, I would not be able to be good enough at Spanish right now to give these lessons. I know that the Lord, and the Spirit will be with me as I teach others, as I remain worthy and keep trying my best.  With my morning teacher, we talked about how it is our last week here in th...

Success as a missionary is measured primarily by commitment. Your commitment to find, to teach, to baptize and confirm people, and to help them become faithful members of the Church who enjoy the presence of the Holy Ghost. Even though you all aren't missionaries, your success is measured the same way. Your success isn't measured by the amount of things you have, or the number on your bank account. Success is measured by your commitment- your commitment to your family, your job, your own happiness, and your other priorities. Don't let the world tell you that you aren't successful- because they don't know the effort and the success you truly have. It is just how baptism isn't a certificate of conversion- your own conversion can't be measured by someone else unless you tell them. Your success is the same, no one can tell you how successful you are besides yourself? So how successful are you going to be? This week during my personal study I spent a lot of time ...

This week has been really good, on Sunday night after I sent my last email we went to a devotional where we watched a talk by Elder Bednar. The whole talk was about if we were converted to the Lord. He shared a couple of stories about how if we want to be strong in the church we need to be converted to the Lord and not just have a testimony, now matter how strong it is. We need to become more Christlike. Instead of turning towards ourselves when we are going through hard times or when things don't go our way- we need to turn outward, to serve others like Christ would. We are CALLED TO SERVE.  Another thing I learned about in a workshop was something said by Elder Ballard. He said something along the lines of "There is nothing wrong with the messenger." Each of us are meant to be the way we are and need to open our mouths. When we share the gospel with others, we shouldn't be afraid because there is nothing wrong with us. No matter what weaknesses or strengths we have ...

Im not doing as well as I thought, spanish wise ( in my opinion ). But we need to have patience with ourselves and recognize what we have- our knowledge, our talents, and our gifts. We dont need to worry about what we dont have. God gave us the gifts necessary to spread the gospel and help those around us. I know that god gave me the gifts i have- and even when i dont recognize them, they are there. I have more talent with spanish than i thought- i am now the language leader for my district. My district thinks that i am one of the best in the class and that was whaf i needed to hear. No matter how well we are doing, we need to have diligence. In preach my gospel, it says something along the lines of work until your done and not till you are tired.  The mission that i am serving is not for me- so i shouldnt be worried about myself and how i am doing. I am serving this mission for other people- for those in dallas and for those at home.  Another thing that i learned that is impo...

This week has been similar to the last, but I have some new thoughts: Jesus Christ will be there for us in our times of need- as long as we open the door to his assistance and remain humble, he will pick us up and help us accomplish his will. We truly need to humble ourselves to the lord: I think of John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." I know that I accomplish all things through Christ. If I listen to the Holy Spirit, I will be able to be an amazing missionary; I will be able to accomplish all things.  Matthew 3:3 says "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." How can we better straighten those paths so that our heart is open for his love and help? During this week I was studying in Alma Chapter 7 and I had a couple thoughts: - Do we succor those who are in need in our lives? The Definition of Succor is to help someone, especially who is sufferi...