Happy new Year from Utah!

Hello everyone!

How was your Christmas? =) Christmas here in Utah was mind blowing! We were SPOILED ROTTEN! Member would knock, leave gifts at our door and run so we would never know who delivered them! The member in our 4 wards organized a MASSIVE GIFT FOR US! Toilet paper, water bottles, snacks, gift cards, journals, scarfs, socks, body wash and lotion, pillows, blankets.... the list continues! It was unreal! Sister Okano and I are BEYOND grateful and are thankful for the love we have received from all the members!

Speak of Sister Okano... PRAY FOR US! Transfers are this week and we are not convinced that she will be staying! in our mission there is a habit of new missionaries having 2 trainers so... there is a good chance she will be leaving =( We are mostly ignoring that fact since we get a long so well. We do want anything to change.

In regards to lessons... we did not have very much! We mostly visited members and shared a Christmas message with them! We targeted individuals who have had a rough year and just reminded them of the love Heavenly Father has for them!

Since yesterday was 5th Sunday, Sister Okano and I talked in the combined meeting about Missionary work! It was so much fun! I also taught in primary! haha my first primary class at 24 =)

We have 2 more investigators! =) They are totally getting baptized and do not even know it yet! =) The mom is a Less Active and her 2 boys were not baptized. All 3 of them LOVE US so it is just a matter of meeting with them and sharing the gospel message!

This coming transfer should be amazing! We did not have A LOT of success this transfer but we are seeing a lot of potential for the coming weeks!

Please continue to have me in your prayers! I can feel them!

I love you all and Happy New Year!

Sister Kent!

More Pictures!!!

This is Layne! He was my first baptism and was confirm December 22, 2013

 

This was my room from like... weeks ago. So there are MANY more pictures up right now =D And thank you to everyone to sent pictures! =)

and my companion... yes... in a dinosaur adult onesie =D LOVE HER

this is my room =) and how I make my bed at 6:30 in the morning hahahaha

Merry Christmas from Utah!

Hello everyone!

So much happened this week so lets jump right into it!

A MAJOR miracle happened on Tuesday! We were trying to visit a few families in an apartment complex we cover but we were not getting any success. Sister Okano and I were determined to FIND SOMEONE so we knock on a door of a referral =) A young girl, around 22 I would guess, opens the door and looks upset. We were unsure at first if it's because of personal stuff or if she doesn't like missionaries. After talking to her for a few mins when she invites us into her home. We offered to share a scripture with her and between the time we get out Book of Mormon out and look back up at her... she is BAWLING! She then begins to tell us that she is going through a SUPER rough time and JUST MOMENTS before we knocked on her door she has knelt down a prayed (for the first time in years) and asked Heavenly Father for help!

This is such a spiritually moment there are NO WORDS! And a second miracle stems from this. Over the past week, I have been really thinking hard about the "I am a Disciple of Christ" thing and I have been having a hard time believing it in my heart. It's so different to know something than to believe it in your heart. BUT after that lesson I could not help but think that yeah... Heavenly Father IS preparing people for me to teach and to bring the Gospel of Christ into their lives. And I am a Disciple of Christ =)

A story about charity! My roommates are the Spanish sister! They came home Saturday to tell us about a family who has nothing. Nothing. They got a Christmas tree from the dumpster and will have no presents under the it this year. We wanted to do something but didn't know 100% what to do. We tried to daily plan but kept going back to this family. So, yesterday we decided to bring Christmas to them! We all went through our things and gave anything that could pass as a Christmas gift. An empty journal, some slightly use jewelry, slightly used crayons... Anything. Also, during Wal-Mart we are planing on buying a coloring book and a few small toys. We will be giving them the gift on Christmas day.

Now, I wanted to include this story because the reason behind Christmas was just SOLIDIFIED in me. This family had NOTHING and did not care. They had to walk MILES as a family in the icy cold weather just to attend a ward Christmas party and they did not care. This family was just thankful to have the message of Christ in their life.

This Christmas reason I challenge all of you to find someone and share the gospel with them. This is a gift that will last for eternity. All of our earthly material things are temporary and really do not matter. What matters is our relationship with Heavenly Father and sharing what we know with everyone we come in contact with.

Now, this does not mean you need a name tag. The BEST way to share the gospel is to live it and carry the light of Christ with you. I promise it works. I run into many people who "have tried" the church or "have no interest". BUT every time I KNOW, without a doubt, that they could feel the spirit we carried with us. And that spirit is the spirit that touched lives and softens their heart.

Last week was difficult, and this week I already know will be difficult. I am away from all of you and I am beyond busy. Our week is already planned busy. However we all know who we can find refuge in and that is Christ.

If you see a homeless person on the street, or know of family in need please stop. A blanket or some food can be the difference between just another day or feeling the spirit of Christ this season.

I love you all and miss you hardcore! Merry Christmas!

Sister Kent

The address is:

So... there has been a lot of problems with letters to me getting sent back due to a "incorrect address". I would say start sending everything to the mission office, which will them get forwarded to me.

The address is:

3487S 1300E

Salt Lake City, Utah 84106

Sorry for any inconvenience! =(

Thank goodness for low 30's!

Yes! I said it! I am so thankful for the temperature being in the 30's! Ha, something I never thought I would every say!

To be honest not much has happened over this past week! My companion was sick the first half and I have been about 10 steps behind the rest of the week. Between that and Zone Conference & the Mission Christmas Party.... it has been a SLOW week! BUUUTTTT I was able to go to temple square yesterday!!! THE SALT LAKE TEMPLE IS MIND BLOWING (however it is smaller than I imagined). We took a family ( the more is active and the father is not) and their 3 kids =] The children and the mother LOVED it however the Father sadly did not seem happy or interested. Please pray for them! We are doing our best to find out how to bring him back to church!

Mike, CAME TO CHURCH YESTERDAY! It was a super special moment! Our hard work paid off and she showed up! =D It was only for the last talk but he came! Mike loves everyone and felt super welcomed! I pray this is what he needed to get active again!

LAYNE IS GETTING BAPTIZED SATURDAY! I am freaking out I am looking forward to this so much! Helping to plan his baptism just brings back memories when Calitin, E Seegmiller & E Marriott helped me! We visit him almost every day and as the days get closer you can see Satan just doing his best to bring him down =( But he is staying strong and resisting the cigarettes!

Oh man, I am trying to think... Not much to report on here. But keep my in your prayers! I am working at about half my normal speed so some extra prayers would be amazing!

I love you all!

Warm Regards,

Sister Kent

 

Hello from single degree temperatures!

Hello from single degree temperatures!

This week was so much better than last week, thank goodness! I feel like I finally have a hold on the mission life! My companion and I reached our goal of 20 lessons!!!!! WOOHOO!!! We were at 19 last night and finally got it at 8:30pm! Man, it is a good feeling with you reach your goals!

I spoke in sacrament yesterday which was VERY OVERWHELMING but it went over all well! I spoke on how members can be missionaries by bringing the light of Christ to everyone around them! My Stake President was there and guess what... he left for his mission 18 months after he was baptized! It has been amazing getting to know him!

So... word travels super quick in my 4 wards because I will be walking down the hall and everyone is like, "Hey, your the convert, right?" It so comical! I just say, "yeah, That's me!" shake their hand and keep moving hahaha


UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS: our baptism that was scheduled for Saturday was cancelled because Cameryn's mom does not approve. Since she is only a kid, she can do that. BUUUT!!! I found out that her mom is a Baptist, so I went over to her house and talked her into taking missionary lessons!!! It was such an amazing feeling!! We all know every missionary is sent to where they need to be, but when you are actually in the moment..... there is nothing better! =]

Mike (the individual who we teach in a cemetery) is slowly progressing! We usually never get enough time to teach him a full lesson HOWEVER since it's about 7 degrees out side we were able to bring him to church for a tour and we tough him a more detailed lesson about temples in the chapel. We ever got him to commit to coming to church Sunday!!!! Miracles!!!!

Layne is an investigator we have on date for the 21st however he seems... not 100% dedicated. He wants to, so badly! I can see it in his eyes! Unfortunately the 2 - 3 % is holding him back significantly. =[ We are currently trying to help him stop smoking with little progress =[ But hey, we are a church that believes in miracles so my companion and I have faith that it'll be taken care of by the 21st! Teaching less actives is AMAZING!!!

Teaching people who are coming back to church, and once again feeling the love of Christ in their life... It just makes you so pumped to keep teaching people and walking wherever you are needed despite the weather! I have said it before but I LOVE MISSIONARY work! It is sooo hard at time and you can be discouraged so easily.... But when you can envision individuals as children of God and envision them in white temple clothes you push through and keep that additional lesson!
Thank you for all the prayers! They have been felt, especially this past week! =]

All my love,
Sister Kent

Pictures From Jo

My Zone

My companion at the Provo Temple

My MTC Branch Presidency!

The amazing package from the Barrus family!

A different mission map!

Mission Map! =D

My MTC district!

MyCompanion and I at the Provo temple

Elder Kampf and I at the Provo Temple!

Roommates

Hello from Holladay Utah!!!

Hello from Holladay Utah!!!

That is right everyone! Not only do I get an impromptu P-Day (even though no pants are involved) but my first area is in Holladay Utah! Thank goodness I am not on a bike! I am walking, however the area is tiny so it's not bad at all!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Know I am thankful for each and everyone of you and I wouldn't be out here for all your help!

The past week has been filled with many lows but my goodness the highs are OUTSTANDING! I left MTC Tuesday morning but man... saying goodbye to everyone in my zone was heartbreaking! There were tears involved and YES!! the Elders cried as well! It still blows my mind how in a matter of 12 days 8 people could become a family.

I had to say goodbye to my companion Sister Coleman and we bawled. I was so sad to see her go to someone else =[ Even thought it might have been a rough start we grew to TRULY love each other during the last few days. We even have our own special hand hug, hahaha!

My current companion is Sister Okano and she's wonderful! Guess what! We both have a love for LLAMA's! She is also Canadian! We became instant friends!

Not going to lie to any of you.... this is difficult work. Not so much what you are doing is difficult but the CONSTANTLY going is rigorous! Everyone I have met is fantastic! The members here LOVE missionaries. Like....LOOOOOOOOOOVEmissionaries. I called a member so I could borrow some bedding and not only did she bring me a blanket but she brought over boxes and bags of food!!!! AND FLOWERS! It's nuts!

Thus far I am still loving the mission. This morning was kinda hard because I feel so behind because I know so little in comparison to others =[ I know I shouldn't compare myself to others but it's difficult when I am struggling to put together 2 lessons for investigators and everyone else seems to have like 6 or 8.

Speaking of investigators, let me tell you about Mike. I LOOOVE him! He lost his wife and son a few years ago and still visits the grave everyday. That is actually where we teach him. Yep, a cemetery makes a lovely place to try and explain eternal families. He is so torn up about it (even years later) and my heart just breaks. Mike also brought us gloves yesterday! He LOVES us! He has been taught my other missionaries before but he told us he never liked them.

The mission president is AMAZING! His wife is also amazing! However they are self proclaimed obedience nazi's. Apparently some missionaries in the past screwed it up for all of us.

I GET TO GO TO BRING INVESTIGATORS TO TEMPLE SQUARE! NOT ONLY THANK BUT I GET TO GO TO THE TEMPLE 4 TIMES A YEAR!!!! WHHHHHHAAAAATTTTTTT?!?!?!?!?!?! I know I begged not to go to Utah for my mission but man.... I am thanking Heavenly Father everyday for this mission!

My address is:
4070 South 862 East

Alta Pines Apartments #44

Salt Lake City, Utah 84102

So any letters or packages need to go to this address from this point forward =] I love you all and I hope you got all my letters!

In the spirit of Thanksgiving I will say this... I am thankful for all of you! I know I said this before but I would not be out here if it was not for all of you!  I am so thankfully for this Gospel and how it has completely changes my life into something better! Something I NEVER saw coming but I wouldn't change it for anything! Each of you have a very special place in my heart!

Warm Regards,

Sister Kent

Hello from the Provo MTC!!!

Hello from the Provo MTC!!!

Today is my first P-Day and you know what that means.... I AM WEARING PANTS!!! Over the past week I am truly grown to appreciate the simple things in life, such as pants =]

I have made it through my first week and man has is been amazing! Of course it had its ups and downs but I can not even put into words everything that I have learned. It's crazy to think anyone could grown and change this much in such a short amount of time.... but if it could happen anywhere it would be the MTC!!!

They did not give us anytime to adjust to the MTC because the first thing I did was role play with an investigator! And this might sound weird, but role playing it SO MUCH FUN! (haha, I kinda had no choice in the matter) My companion is Sister Coleman and she is wonderful! I share a room with 2 other Sister (Britton & Anderson) and we all get along very well. The rooms and bathrooms are just like a college dorm. I am thankfully sleeping on the bottom bunk because I am scared of heights.

I LOVE MY ZONE! We honestly felt like family after day 1! (even though the days HONESTLY feel like weeks) We had a zone meeting where we all got to know each other and man... there was NO dry eye in the room. There are 2 other converts (16 months, 14 months and me right in the middle at 15 months). The blessing about my zone is that we all come from troubled backgrounds. It was strange that we all felt so comfortable to just pour out our hearts but it was so powerful. Divorced parents, broken homes, not have a relationship with parents, inactive members and the list continues. I am not saying these things are a blessing but in that moment each of us knew we were meant to be a zone.... and that is the blessing. We all sit together at lunch and we are the loudest group in the lunch room. I honestly feel like I have known these Elders & Sister all my life and NOT A week. 

How am I doing you may ask? I am loving the MTC! The early mornings did not hit me until Monday. To be honest I don't think the whole "MTC, Missionary" thing hit me until Monday. I wont lie to you, Monday was a rough day. I think between being tired and missing loved ones back home I just felt like I hit a wall. I had a good cry with the girls in my room and that did help.

I do love my companion but in some ways I am having to LEARN to love my companion. She seems to be more caught up in the social aspect of things, but hey... We are learning and growing together. I don't want to be mean, but in some ways I feel like I am being held back in how much I could progress. UGGG..... But I am thankful I am getting a crash course on learning how the Savior sees us.

THE MTC IS A SPIRITUAL PLACE LIKE NO OTHER!!! I have not even left to go into the field and the thought of not being a missionary brings tears to my eyes. Heavenly Father, Christ, His gospel 24/7 and THERE IS NOTHING BETTER!!!!! I would also say this... the MTC is a spiritual boot-camp. I have never felt like I needed to use the Atonement more in my life until now. You can not get through the MTC without CONSTANTLY praying and asking for help from Heavenly Farther. There is no other way you can do it. End of story.

I don't have long but I wanted to say how much I love all of you and how much I miss you. I have received 4 letters and 1 package so far and they really make all the difference so please keep them coming! Since this is more of a general e-mail I have written many of you personal letters. You will get them after I leave the MTC so until I get my new address please e=-mail me =] In some ways this e-mail does not even scratch the surface of this past week so I will try and be more descriptive next P-Day

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!! And I pray to hear from all of you soon!

With all my love,

Sister Kent

P.S. In some ways.... I am stated to get a Utah accent and it makes me sad. Hahaha, just thought I should add that!

UPDATED - MTC Mailing Address

Sister Joanne Elizabeth Kent
NOV26  UT-SLCE
2009 N 900 E Unit 121
Provo UT 84602

Contact Information

E-Mail: joanne.kent@myldsmail.net

MTC Mailing Address:

Sister Joanne Elizabeth Kent

Utah Salt Lake City East Mission

Provo Missionary Training Center

2005 N 900 E

Provo, UT 84604

United States