Merry Christmas from Zimbabwe

Merry Christmas!

I can't believe that Christmas is here again, and I am in Africa celebrating it! Last year we talked about how I would be on my mission during Christmas, and I can't believe that I am actually here. 

This week was such a fun and busy week, and for that I am so grateful! 

On Wednesday, we had our Zone Conference, and we got the watch the first presidency Christmas Devotional. I was so happy that I got to watch it, I thought I wasn't going to be able to. I loved the happy messages that were shared. My favorite talk was by a general authority... I can't remember his name, BUT he talked about how every where all over the world, people celebrate Christmas. The most important thing to remember however is that no matter where you are, the spirit of Christmas is the same. We remember our Savior Jesus Christ's birth, and we can feel the true joy of Christmas when we love and serve others just as he did. After the devotional, we played games and ate dinner. We had funeral potatoes, ham, and even PIE! It didn't compare to Dad's homemade pie, but it still made me happy, and reminded me of home. 

This week we got a call from the Salt Lake online sisters, and we got a referral! This girl's name is Nyasha, and she said she was scrolling through Facebook, and she saw an ad on the side of the screen to get a free Book of Mormon. We took her the Book of Mormon, and her whole family was so inviting, and loved us being there. I will keep you updated on how they progress, I hope they are serious. There is also no such things as a coincidence, so I just pray we can help her know the truth. 

Another miracle that happened, my companion and I were walking down a street that we usually would not have taken. This man caught our attention, and I honestly thought he was just some drunk dude hahaha BUT he told us that he ran into the general authority, Elder Palmer. This man worked at the hotel that he was staying in. Elder Palmer gave him a family history book, and said that if he were to ever see the missionaries, to talk to them. We have an appointment set up after this week, because he is going out for the holidays this week. I shared this experience with President Makasi, and he said he told Elder Palmer. I pray he is also serious and wants to learn more! 

On Saturday, our Zone had a light the world activity. We went to this place called Joinacity, it's basically a mall. We set up a table with Light the World pamphlets, and sang Christmas hymns. I hope we touched some people, and helped them feel the true spirit of Christmas. The mall looked nothing like the malls back home with Christmas decorations... but I didn't care. There were still some decorations and it made me really happy. 

This week in my personal study, I was reading in Preach My Gospel about the Christ-like attributes. I loved this quote from President Monson is the section on patience. 

" Life is full of difficulties, some minor and others a more serious nature. There seems to be an endless supply of challenges for one and all. Our problem is that we often expect instantaneous solutions to such challenges, forgetting that frequently the Heavenly virtue of patience is required." 

I loved that! We can find joy in the journey when we exercise patience!

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas eve! I hope you enjoy eating at Olive Garden, eat my favorite soup and tons of bread sticks. See you in a little over 24 hours  I love you so much! 

Great visit with Sister Kershaw for Christmas. She is loving where she is and the opportunity she has to bring people unto Christ. 

Teaching in Zimbabwe

This week was kind of slow, but we had a lot of time to spend in our area and that is always so nice! 

This week we started teaching Lenna's little sister Liyona! I am so excited. I hope we can start teaching her mom as well. Liyona doesn't understand much English, so Lenna helps us translate. That is such a great opportunity for Lenna to learn and grow her testimony, being able to help teach her sister. 

My girls- Lenna, Liyona, and Lenna's daughter, Kisha

Another person we are teaching is named Canisio. He is a young teenage boy who was referred to by our recent convert, Dumasani. I love teaching him, because in the lessons we give, he listens so intently. I can tell that he is serious and wants to learn more. When we ask him to keep commitments, he does them, and then writes what he learned in his notebook. I even gave him the Book of Mormon with Ethan's testimony in it. He smiled so big when he read it. Good work, Family! You were truly lighting the world. 

Canisio and the Book of Mormon!

I am doing really well, and am just continuing to adjust. Sadly, I am looking forward to when the Christmas season is over, so that I don't have to think about what is going on back home. But I am really loving Zimbabwe. It isn't easy adjusting to life in a different country, but this is the coolest opportunity of my life. I really love the people, and the culture is just so cool. 

My Christmas decorations! I LOOOOOVE the snowflakes!

Zengeza is good. This next week we have some fun activities to look forward to. Our whole zone bought fabric to make matching skirts and ties for the zone conference on Wednesday! I am excited to pick mine up and see how it looks. We are going caroling in Harare, and we also have a zone conference that is a Christmas party! 

I love you all so much! 

Pictures from Zimbabwe Mission

Dear Brother and Sister Kershaw,

The Zimbabwe Harare Mission is so grateful and lucky to have your daughter serving here.  

We will spend time with her soon for a Christmas Devotional at the mission office.   

President and Sister Makasi

She is delightful!  She was the only American sister to come in her transfer, but she seems to be adapting quite well. 

Warm Regards,

Sister Theurer

Mission Secretary

Life in Good ol Zengeza

To start off, I just want to say how grateful I am for my Savior Jesus Christ. I am so grateful that I have the knowledge that he knows exactly how I feel. In my times of despair, when I feel like no one could understand me, I feel the Holy Ghost telling me that Jesus Christ does. There are times when I feel like I cannot accomplish the task that is in front of me, and he helps me get through it. A mission is the hardest thing I have ever had to do, but I know that it will be the most rewarding experience of my life. I remind myself every day that I am able to be a part of the greatest work that is on the earth. I am very grateful for this opportunity to see the atonement change these people's life. 

I am also grateful for experiences that bring me to my knees. The times when I am homesick, or frustrated, I am in constant prayer with my Heavenly Father. I have learned so much about prayer and even personal revelation the two months that I have been here. Heavenly Father knows and loves us. I promise that he answers our prayers and is aware of each and every one of our struggles. He cares more than we could ever imagine. 

This week was a lot better! My companion and I are working very hard in our area. There is not a better feeling than coming home after teaching a bunch of different lessons, knowing that you helped someone feel the spirit. Like I said, I am so blessed to be able to see this gospel change people's life. 

We had a baptism this week! The girl, Lenna, that I told you about a couple weeks ago was baptized on Saturday. It was kind of a stressful day, because the pump broke at the church, so we barely had any water in the font. The person she wanted to baptize her is SUPER tall. He tried 3 times, but couldn't get her under all the way. Finally, a return missionary who was there in the ward baptized her and got her all the way under! Haha, the poor girl. We went to her house after and explained the whole concept of full immersion. She didn't mind though, she was so excited, and I am so happy for her. 

We are now allowed to eat in people's houses!... pray for me. We ate in a member's home last night, and I had real Zimbabwe sadza. Let me just say, it was stinking delicious. The member was teasing me that the meat his wife cooked was cat... I believed him for like five minutes. I thought to myself," How am I going to tell my little brother I ate cat... I can't refuse to eat it."  Thank goodness it wasn't cat, and it was pork!!! 

I miss you all so much, and am looking forward to being able to skype on Christmas. I am counting down the days! I love you so much!

Elder Holland's Instagram Message: We all need this!!

I hear many who struggle with this issue: 'I am just not good enough.' 'I fall so far short.' 'I will never measure up.' I hear this from teenagers. I hear it from missionaries. I hear it from new converts. I hear it from lifelong members.

"I believe in God’s perfection, and I know we are His spiritual sons and daughters with divine potential to become as He is. I also know that as children of God we should not demean and vilify ourselves, as if beating up on ourselves is somehow going to make us the person God wants us to become in eternity. No! "With a willingness to repent and a desire for increased righteousness in our hearts, I would hope we could pursue personal improvement in a way that doesn’t include getting ulcers or bulimia, feeling depressed, or demolishing our self-esteem. That is not what the Lord wants for children or anyone else who honestly sings, 'I’m trying to be like Jesus.

'"I testify of that very Jesus, who Himself continued 'from grace to grace' until He received in His immortality a perfect fulness of celestial glory. I testify that in this and every hour He is, with nail-scarred hands, extending to us that same grace, holding on to us and encouraging us until we are safely home in the embrace of Heavenly Parents."

"Don’t wait to live. This isn’t a rehearsal; this isn’t a dry run; this isn’t a pre-performance routine. This is it. This is real life. Don’t wait. Savor every minute."Learn from the past, plan for the future, but the only moment you’ve got is right now. Don’t look back and lament, and don’t wait needlessly for the future. Live in the moment and savor it as if it were your last, as if it were your only, as if it were that one moment 'on which the shadow stands.' If you’ll do the best you can with each hour of your life, you’re going to find at the end that you have had a rich and wonderful experience."

I bless the rains down in Africa

Hello my wonderful family and friends, Mamukase! (Ma-moo-ka-say) That means Good Morning in Shona 

You know how last week we had a devotional by Elder Neil L. Anderson? Well, apparently there was a news station there AND all of us missionaries were on TV. We had so many of the people that we are teaching call us and say," Sister Omondi, Sister Kershaw! We saw you on TV with the Apostle.' Ha, I am famous in Zimbabwe now.

Like the heading says, the rainy season has started in Zimbabwe! It started on Thursday and didn't stop until Sunday afternoon. On Friday, we were heading to an appointment all the way across town, and it started pouring. Like not even within 5 min the streets had water rushing down them. My companion and I just laughed and went on anyway. I started singing 'There is Sunshine in my soul today' and danced in the rain. We got to the appointment, and we were DRIPPING wet! We were so wet and cold that after we were finished at that house, we went home to shower and clean up to go to our next appointment. I love the rain, though. It has cooled off a ton and feels so nice. 

This week on Wednesday and Thursday we came to the mission office for a trainer and trainee meeting. Because I came in the middle of a transfer, my companion hadn't started the 12 week program with me. The meeting was so nice, and gave me some motivation to give this my all. They talked about the importance of exact obedience. I committed that day that I would be exactly obedient, even if I was the only one. This mission kind of struggles with obedience. I just know that a mission is hard enough. I need all the blessings from my Heavenly Father to help me get along, so I am really striving to do the things that I am asked. My companion is very obedient as well, and that is so nice. I also got to see two of the elders that I came with here. That was nice to talk to them and have someone sympathize with how I am feeling. It was fun catching up and hearing about some of their adventures in their areas. That night, we went to dinner at President and Sister Makasi's house. When we pulled up to the house, I thought in my mind," Am I in Zimbabwe anymore?  Their house looked like an American home, and it was so nice to be there and feel like I was at home. 

Their youngest son, Tino was my buddy all night long. He is three years old, and told me that I am his companion. At dinner he even came and whispered in my ear that I was cute. Don't you just love little kids? That night we stayed with the STL's and I am really grateful for them. They are so kind, and one of them is from Washington. I was able to talk with her how I was feeling, and she was so loving towards me. She even wrote a note and stuck it in my scriptures. I found it on Thursday when I was feeling homesick because I knew it was Thanksgiving. Tender mercies are so real! 

 On Thursday night, we were back in our area, and I cooked Thanksgiving dinner. Sadly, I could not find a turkey last week, so I made chicken instead. I also cooked mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, rolls, and for dessert, a chocolate cake! All of the sisters in the house, other than me, are from Africa... so they had no idea why I set the table nice and made them all say what they were thankful for. It's all good though, I was satisfied that I celebrated a tiny bit. 

One of our progressing investigators name is Lenna. She is 18 years old, and has a three year old baby named Kisha. She had some rough teenage years, and is not with Kisha's father. She was a referral from Dumasani, the man we baptized a couple weeks ago. This gospel can bless people so much. We give her a commitment, and she ALWAYS keeps it. I am so proud of her in her conversion to the gospel, and her desire to learn. She even told us that when her old friends come and hang around the house, she leaves because she does not want that kind of life anymore. I am so happy for her!  We extended a baptismal date, and she is going to be baptized in December. 

This week wasn't easy for me, I felt extremely homesick. I realized though that the best cure for homesickness is work. When we go and work hard in our area, I don't have time to think of home. I really enjoy coming home after a long day knowing that I gave it my best. I am so thankful that Heavenly Father answers prayers, I know he is watching over me. 

I am a real Zimbabwean-carrying things on my head

I love you all SO much! 

Sister Kershaw 

I shook another apostle's hand!

This week was really good. I feel like I am getting more comfortable with Zimbabwe and the culture. I really love the people, too. It is so different from America, but I am happy to have the opportunity to be here. 

I am going to start with the highlight of the week! 

Elder Neil L. Anderson came to Zimbabwe! We knew he was coming for a couple of weeks, but knew he was only speaking to the youth and young adults. We didn't think that we were going to be able to hear him. On Friday we got the news that the missionaries were invited!!! He talked about 5 things: Education, marriage and families, testimonies, the temple, and the Savior. My favorite two topics were temples and the Savior. The temple here in Zimbabwe will start construction next year, at the end of the year. I am so excited for my people here to have a temple! Then he ended and talked about the Savior. He said," Just like your faith in a temple is not in vain, neither is your faith in the Savior. He will come again, I can promise you that." I got chills! The Savior is not absent from the world, and he will come again. I can't wait. After the devotional, President Makasi told the missionaries to stay around, because Elder Anderson wanted to sake our hands. As he came out, he greeted all of us and we even took a picture with him. He said that he was so grateful for us and our efforts, and that he would report back to the Prophet good news.

One lady we met a couple weeks ago is so special, and I want to tell you about her! Her name is Duduzile and we met her on the street. I said hello to her, and then I had a prompting that I needed to tell her who I was, and why I was in Zimbabwe. She then invited us into her home, and told us that she hasn't gone to church in a while, and was looking for one. She has come to church twice, and we even already extended a baptismal date. The only problem is that she is not legally married. In Africa, most people don't get married, the male just pays money, or labolla, to the female's family, and they call it good. So, we just need the husband to start coming to church, so the bishop can marry them. They have two little boys, Quinton and Marcus. they are really cute. Anytime they see us in the street, they yell," Sister Omondi! Sister Kershaw!" They are my buddies :) She braided my hair this morning! 

At the beginning of this week, I was really feeling bad about myself. I just felt like I am not adjusting very fast and that I am not being the missionary I pictured. Satan tries really hard on us sometimes. I just felt so inadequate compared to all these other missionaries that I see. I was then reading in Alma 36 I realized that I need to be patient with myself. I am trying my very best, and even if I fail at something, I can try again next time. That is the only way I am going to be able to learn. The Lord loves me no matter what, because I am his child and he is grateful for my sacrifice. Know that the Lord loves you no matter where you are in your life. He wants to hear from you, he wants you to try your very best, and he wants to bless you. Do your very best, and the Savior will make all the difference for you. 

Sadly, I have not seen any cool animals yet! Zimbabwe is more modernized than you would think. The area I am in is mostly city...I hate the city so much, I miss farm life! Hopefully I will see at least one lion before I leave. The wildlife parks are mainly in Bulawayo mission, but I am bound and determined to go on a safari. 

I haven't eaten very much weird food yet, because we still aren't allowed to eat in people's homes from the Cholera outbreak. My companion, and one of the other sisters LOVE this dish called matemba. It is dry, whole, tiny fish that they fry. I really don't like it at all! so, I would say that it's the weirdest thing so far. I haven't had REAL Zimbabwe Sadza yet, but one of the sister's from Congo makes Fufu and it is similar to sadza. It is the corn that is ground. I love it! Okay so, when I come back to America, I feel like I am going to want to stuff my suitcase with avocados. They are the size of my hand!!! Even the bananas here are SO much better than America. I haven't tried much other fruit, but those two things are my favorite so far! 

Tonight we have a meeting with our Bishop, which will be so nice! Like I said before, Our ward is not that active or involved in missionary work. We have a lot of less actives, and us as missionaries cannot see every single one of them. So we are going to make a plan tonight for how to have the ward be more involved. 

Kids, chairs, and dirt, this is how primary looks every Sunday. 

I can't believe that this next week is Thanksgiving. We are going shopping after I email, and I am going to see if I can find some turkey to cook. I probably won't find any, so eat lots just for me! I miss you all so much, and I am really trying  my hardest to stay positive, even with the holiday season coming up. Also- today is my Mirthday (mission birthday) I've been out for 2 months! whoop whoop! 

I love you SOOO much! 

Sister Kershaw 

Bindura and Baptism

This week was such a fast and great week!

 It all started on Tuesday, when we left to go on exchanges in Bindura. Bindura is BEAUTIFUL!!!! I didn't want to leave. When I pictured Zimbabwe, I pictured Bindura. It is rural, in the mountains, and was not in the city. It was so calm and a great change for me. My companion that day was named Sister Gubler, and she was so kind. The sisters we exchanged with are the STL's in Bindura. When we went to visit people, I saw cows and goats! I couldn't stop smiling. I am a country girl at heart, for sure! There were fields with wheel lines and I think I was in heaven. I want to serve in Bindura some day. When we were tracting in Bindura, it started to rain so hard!! We were walking up a path to go to a person's house, and we were slipping and sliding everywhere. By the time I got there, my shoes were soaked and covered in red mud and I was dripping wet. It was really great! 

On Thursday night when we got home, I was taking a shower and I heard screaming. I thought the sisters were just playing, and joking with each other. I got dressed and started to go outside of the room, when I heard," Sister Kershaw, there is a mouse!" So, I closed the door quickly. It ran into another room, so I was able to come out of my room. We then all ran and jumped on top of our desks. I am sure we looked so ridiculous. The only brave one was Sister Mtombile and she was the one who finally killed the mouse. That was a crazy night! 

On Saturday, we did service with our District at the local hospital. We weeded their gardens. Looks like going on a mission didn't exclude me from weeding in the garden. It was fun to have a break and to do some service. Our district is really cool as well, so we had a fun time. 

On Sunday, Dumasani was baptized! It was such a happy day. At the church, they don't have a font inside the building, it is a pool looking thing outside. We started filling it up that morning, but it was not moving very fast. We started just taking water from the tanks and putting it in buckets. We then carried the buckets on our heads and dumped it in the tank. It was pretty awesome. Dumasani was so happy that he was finally baptized. He bore his testimony and said that this gospel changed his life. He is a new man because he has the knowledge of the everlasting gospel. It was so powerful, and I am so blessed to see how this gospel can truly change lives. 

 

Fun fact about Zimbabwe- The public transportation is called Combes. They are 15 or 12 passenger vans that go all over the place. They cram as many people as they can in there and they head off, bouncing down the road! They also blast African music.It's so great. At first they overwhelmed me, but now it is an adventure! 

My companion and I are going to try really hard in the coming weeks to help build up the ward. We have a lot of less actives, and even members who aren't that involved in the missionary work. It is so difficult because the country is in an economic crisis right now. Everything is so expensive, so people do not have enough money for transportation. We can't really count on the ward very much, but we need their help! So we are going to really try to involve them more and get their help with less actives and fellow shipping our investigators. 

This week was a very great week. I am being more patient with myself and am just allowing myself to adjust. I realize that it won't come overnight, and I just have to be patient with myself. The relationships that I am building are really helping me to adjust. Especially with my companion and the people we are teaching. I also kinda realized that I need to cowgirl up. I can't have one foot in America and one foot in Zimbabwe. I either give this my all or I am miserable. I can become a consecrated missionary as I do so, and I will be so much more happy. I am going to enjoy every day I have here in Zimbabwe because this time will go by so fast. 

I love you all so much!

Love,

Sister Kershaw 

Everything is Bo Bo

(Bo means good in Shona) 

This week has been a lot better and I am adjusting really well! I hope you had a great Halloween, I ate a piece of licorice to celebrate. I think that is the weirdest part about being in a different country, they don't have the holidays that we do! haha AND it's so hot! We are in November, but it sure feels like July. The smells and things I see are becoming more normal. Being in a different country is so different. I miss America so much,but I really am happy here.  Shona is coming along okay... haha I only know how to greet people basically. But I am learning! I have more of an appetite and am eating better. 

We had a Stake conference on Sunday, and it was so good! The theme was ministering. One quote that I loved said," His call for us to minister is a call to be like him." We are truly being asked to become like he is. That is why I am a missionary right now, I want to become like my Savior. I am also so grateful that he is with me every step of the way. I couldn't do his work without him. 

Two people I wanted to tell you about! 

Dumasani- This is an investigator that we are teaching and he is going to be baptized next week! This man has a testimony. We teach him often, and most times I am just learning from him! The ward also provided transportation to the stake conference, and he contributed to the fund. He isn't even a member!!! I was just blown away by his faith and dedication to the gospel. I am so excited for him to be baptized.

Hazel- Hazel is 35 years old and is blind. She got a brain tumor a couple years ago and because of it, cannot see. Her parents also passed away not too long ago either. On the day we went to go see her, she was just crying. It was her mom's birthday. We talked to her and cheered her up a bit. Then she started talking to us about marriage. She told us to not get married right after our missions because we would miss out on all the good things in life. She said that too often people get married too fast and it doesn't last. I said," If it is in the temple, then it can last for eternity." She was super curious about the temple and marriage for eternity. I was then able to testify to her that families can be  together forever through temples. We explained that we can do our ancestor's work in temples, and she asked us how she could do that for her parents. We told her you need to be baptized, and we set a date! I am so excited for her and hope that she follows through with her baptism in December. 

Funny story of the week- Another person told me that he loved me... But this is what he said," Ahh Murungu. I love you and I love your cousins. Tell them that I follow them on Facebook." hahahaha ya, he probably doesn't follow my cousins on Facebook. Sister Omondi and I had a good laugh. 

I just want to close and say that I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers. He is involved in the details of our lives and is aware of how we feel. He loves his children so much and I promise you that he is watching over you. He has answered my prayers and has helped me so much. 

Have so much fun in North Dakota and give Ryley a BIG hug and kiss from his Auntie Hannah in Zimbabwe. I can't believe he is going to be one. 

Lots of love,

Sister Kershaw 

It's time for Africa

I am in Zimbabwe. I am alive. I am safe.

What a crazy week it has been! It all started on Tuesday when we flew out of Texas. When we got to Georgia, we started our 16 hr. flight to Johannesburg. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I sat by this really cute lady with an British accent. She was going to South Africa to surprise her daughter who was graduating from medical school! I thought that was so fun. We chatted a bit and I explained what I was doing. She told me that this would change my life forever, and mold me into an even greater person. She also said that I radiated love when I was speaking to her and that I would bless many lives. I thought that was really sweet. 

Once I got to Zimbabwe, it was Wednesday evening. It was so weird! I felt like I skipped a day, and I had been traveling for more than 24 hours because of the time difference. I stayed with the STL's that night and Thursday night. Thursday morning we had a zone conference. I was still so jet-lagged and culture shocked that I can't really remember what went on. That night I went in their area a bit and then went home and fell asleep so fast! 

My companion's name is Sister Omondi and she is from Kenya. Sister Omondi is so cute and kind! I already love her so much. She has a very strong testimony and is so bold when she is teaching. I look up to her so much and will definitely learn a lot from her!

My area that I am in is called Zengeza. Oh, Zengeza... where do I begin?! Zengeza is so populated. There are people everywhere! Because of the high population, there is also TRASH everywhere! It really is not a beautiful city at all, but the people are beautiful. They are so kind and humble. They want to learn about Christ. Most are very friendly and maybe sometimes a bit too friendly. I had three men these last two days tell me that they love me, and two of them said they wanted to go to America with me and get married. Ya, no thank you! I am probably the only white person in the town. They have seen them on TV, but it is rare when they see a white person. My favorite is the little children. When they see me, they run up and yell," Murungu!( white person)" They ask me how I am doing and they always want to touch my hand. They are so stinking cute! The children are always running around barefoot and playing. I love to watch them play soccer. The kids are what make me smile and keep me happy most days!

We are staying in such a nice house, I am not even joking! It has tile floor and lots of rooms. We share it with the other sisters' who are in Zengeza. The only thing is that our hot water is broken, so we have to heat water on the stove to then shower with. That's okay though, I am just grateful for what we have. We also wash our clothes by hand, that should be an experience. I don't have much of an appetite! But I am eating. We are not allowed to eat with the members, so we cook at home. I eat good and clean meals. At the MTC they gave me a water bottle with a filter. Our house water also has a filter, so it is really clean. Protein bars are GREAT!!! 

I still have not really adjusted to the jetlag. I feel like I am always tired! The heat and walking doesn't help either. I am going to have some AWESOME tan lines! I already do have a slight one from my shoes. When we come home from lunch, I eat really fast so I can go and lay down for 20 min. I have to admit, I cried myself to sleep for most of those naps. I am just really struggling with the culture. I can't even explain it, but it is SO different from America. People can speak English, but it is either spoken with a thick African accent or mixed with Shona. I don't understand Shona at all!  This all makes me really homesick. I know I will eventually adjust, so I am not giving up. This is hard, but I knew it would be hard. When I accepted my call, I promised the Lord that I would give this my all, so that is what I am going to do. 

I will tell you more about the people we are teaching next week. These past couple of days have been so crazy, I forgot what even went on. haha hopefully by next week I will get a handle on things and be able to remember what people we taught. I can tell you about church though! Primary was outside in the dirt and they set up chairs for all of the kiddos. It was so cute to watch them. Sacrament meeting is in a tent, and it's pretty awesome. Sacrament meeting was nothing like American sacrament meetings, but that's okay. It doesn't matter how it is done, it only matters that the gospel is being taught correctly, and it was. This week I gained a great testimony that this is the true gospel. I may be 9,000 miles away from home, but the gospel of Jesus Christ is still the same. We still took the sacrament, listened to talks, and sang an intermediate hymn. The restored gospel is on the earth and it is being given to ALL nations! 

I love you and miss you all so much. Thank you for your prayers and support. I may be homesick, but I am okay. I can do hard things! Don't worry about me, I am happy doing the Lord's work here in Zimbabwe and I am safe doing it. Talk to you next week! 

Lots of love,

Sister Kershaw 

Sister Kershaw left her 1 week stint in Dallas today and 

said goodbye to these sweet sisters. 

She and these Elders are in for a long flight! 

Howdy y'all

I was reassigned to the Dallas Texas mission for just a little bit. It has been amazing! I'm in lake highlands, which is basically Dallas. I can see the skyline from where I'm at! I love Texas so much. AMAZING food, and awesome people... what is there not to love?! 

Since I will be leaving soon, I'm in another trio! Sister Cook is our trainer, and she's amazing. She is so diligent in the work and has been such an amazing example to me. She's only been out for 3 months, but she is so strong. She has such a stong testimony and shares it every time she talks to someone. She doesn't let one soul pass by without asking if we can share our message. She has helped me get out of my comfort zone alot. The other is Sister Lawrence. She was fresh out of the MTC as well. I love her too! They are both from Utah and are so knowledgeable. We get along really well together and I'm going to be sad when I have to leave them. Keep reading to find out when I'm leaving.... I'm so pumped! ;) 

Real quick- HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! I hope you had a fun day 

What a week it has been!!! There is so much that happened, but I will tell you the highlights of the week. 

1. Elder Holland- 

The day after we got there, we were informed that there was a mission conference and ELDER HOLLAND was here to speak with us. I got to shake his hand!!! It was so cool :) He was SO bold. I hadn't even started being a missionary and I felt like I already needed to be better. He talked about how this is the most important work you could ever do. He said," You've been given the chance to go save somebody, GO DO IT!" He also talked about how we have the power, potential, authority, and prayers... so we just need to go forward and teach people about the atonement of Jesus Christ!! Missionaries really are one of the most prayed for people in the church. That is so special, and it gives me the strength to do his work. I definitely felt the fire and the urgency from an apostle of the lord. We ALL need to go save souls! People are spiritually dying out there, so we need to save them! Missionary work is at the center of his plan and it is not casual business. One last thing he said that struck me. "If every missionary was the missionary that you are, what would the church look like?" We can apply that to anything. Reflect on who YOU are and how you are contributing to the Church of Jesus Christ. Would you want the whole church to be based on how you are as a parent, how you serve in callings, and what you contribute as a member missionary? I know that I have thought back on that and want to be the best missionary I can be so I can help build up Zion. Ponder that yourself  "Try a little harder to be a little better" 

2. Bike life-

So ya, Melissa, you are right... I don't know how to ride a bike that well.  My tush is still sore and my short legs aren't an advantage when it comes to the bike I'm borrowing from another missionary who didn't need it! haha but each day gets better. Riding a bike in skirts and dresses is also interesting, but I'm getting used to it! So it turns out that the week I come to Texas, Dallas gets record rainfall. It didn't stop raining until Saturday. As missionaries, the work never stops, so we ride on :) Most days I was soaked and cold, but I really tried hard to be positive. My rain coat worked pretty well, too. I couldn't change the situation, so I just tried a little harder to find joy. 

3. Service: Zarghona and food pantry 

We got to do service this week! It was so much fun! Zarghona moved here from Afghanistan, and we teach her English. We don't teach her anything about the gospel (unless she asks), only English! It was cool to her about life in Afghanistan and how she is trying to adjust to living in the United States. She cooked us some food for lunch. It was delicious! she made homemade flatbread (kinda), rice and chicken, and a sauce to go over it. She also made a salad... it looked SO good. It had normal stuff, lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, etc. Once I took a bite, my mouth was on FIRE. All three of us sisters had a spicy look on our face. TEARS were streaming down my face and I couldn't get my drink down fast enough. Zarghona noticed and said," I sorry, I like spicy salad." She put like habanero peppers in it  I didn't want to be rude, but I could not finish it hahaha 

We also did some service at the food pantry. We flattened bags for two hours! when you have a positive attitude, anything can be fun! 

4. Angels around us 

Thursday night we were on bikes and it was raining so hard. We went to visit someone, but they lived in a sketchy apartment complex. ( Don't worry mom, I'm safe.) We could smell weed and it was just sketchy. As we got going home, we were just all struggling. We were tired, cold, scared, and a LONG ways from our apartment... and in the dark. Sister Cook said the most powerful prayer I have ever heard. She prayed and asked heavenly father surround us with angels, and specifically for angels who were of our ancestry and loved us. The rest of the way home, it was still hard, but I know that angels were sent to surround and protect us. We sang hymns and we biked as fast as we could go. I know that we were able to make it home because of her prayer. 

5. My REAL purpose-

I learned something really interesting this week. As a missionary, I can't force people to accept Christ, all I can do is invite. I have not failed at all if people don't want to accept it, I only fail if I don't try. There were people we talked to who were not interested and it made me sad! I just had to realize that it wasn't anything to do with me and I had not failed, they have their agency. Rejection is never fun, but I just pray for the people. Also, no one has been mean at all. They were very respectful, so that was good. 

6. Chili judges- 

On Saturday, there was a ward Trunk or Treat! Part of it was a chili cook off... guess who they picked to judge? the three Sister missionaries ;) Most of them were good. Some were really gross or super spicy regardless, it was fun!

7. Brian- 

We met a man named Brian this week street contacting. He has a really cool story. He was homeless for a while and he said that when he accepted God and Christ, he was blessed. now he's married, has an apartment and has a job. We set a time to meet back with him because he wanted to know more of our message. The day before we were going to meet with him, we saw him again! He was with his wife, so we met her too! On Sunday, we got to the appointment and realized we didn't get his apartment number. A member came with us, and she just started asking around if anyone knew a Brian. Then, he walked out at that very moment. We figured out we even had the wrong phone number for him. So we got everything straightened out and we have a return appointment. he texted us later and thanked us for showing that we really cared, that it meant a lot to him. I know that he needs the gospel! It was no coincidence that we ran into him so many times. I'm excited to hear how that goes. 

8. MY VISA GOT ACCEPTED. AFRICA HERE I COME!!!!! Pretty self explanatory  I'm SO excited. My flight leaves tomorrow at 2:30 and I don't get to Zimbabwe until 9:15 P.M. on Wednesday. I have a long flight ahead of me... I fly from Dallas to Georgia, Georgia to South Africa, and South Africa to Zimbabwe.  I'm kinda nervous, but I'm so ready. Africa has just kinda been an idea, and that it would eventually happen. Now it's becoming more of a reality and I can't wait to meet the people. 

My mission has started off so unexpected, but I have learned a lot in this past month. I just have tried to have the attitude of I'll go wherever the Lord needs me, and bring on the adventure! Thank you for your love, prayers, and support! I miss and love y'all very much  

Love, Sister Kershaw 

REASSIGNMENT

Okay so sad news and great news!

My visa has not come through yet, so I’m being reassigned. Haha

FINALLY! It’s been a kinda rough and emotional couple of days. I’m in all the same classes as I was in last week.

COOL NEWS IS... I’M GOING TO THE TEXAS DALLAS MISSION. HOW COOL IS
THAT?! My flight leaves at 9:39 AM on Monday morning.

Heavenly Father answers our prayers!!!!! I’m so excited I get to serve in the same mission as Jonathan for a little bit. It will be good to be leaving the MTC.
I love you all so much, and I can’t wait to call and talk to you ️

Love, Sister Kershaw

Just kidding... I'm never leaving the MTC

So... This week has been rough. I am not going to lie. There were some miracles and amazing things that happened though, so I will end on those :) 

It all started last week. For some reason all of this anxiety hit and I was terrified to be going to Africa. Not only that, but I was just feeling overwhelmed and so unqualified to be doing the Lord's work.... Satan truly wants to make us miserable. It got to the point where I threw up I was so nervous. My body has never gotten that worked up and I just felt awful.  I slept all of Wednesday morning and finally felt good enough to go to class. I received a healing blessing from the District leader. That is what gave me strength to go forward. I also got a comfort blessing from our branch president and that has helped me a lot. Also, Jesus Christ will help us through anything, and I know he was helping me every single day this week.

 It is kind of ironic looking back, because now I am being delayed going to Zimbabwe... if I only didn't make myself so sick! ;) haha just kidding! My visa hasn't gone through, so I am checking back in with the travel office on Wednesday. They said it is highly likely that I will be here for another week before they would reassign me. So continued prayers for my visa to be accepted!!! It was really difficult having to see my district  leave and I was left here. But I am trying to stay positive, and will find the reason why the Lord has me here, I know there is a reason. I am in a trio with two sisters that are in my zone. I am also living out of my suitcases because I had to switch rooms. I am not unpacking, because when they say I am leaving, I want to be READY! I am familiar with these two sisters, and they are really sweet, but they aren't Sister Fitzgerald, Sister Wood, or Sister Horner. I loved those sisters so much!!! I am sure they are just doing amazing in Texas right now. 

I do not know when I am leaving, but I will try and send you my flight plans, mom, so you know when I will call you. 

Onto more happier things!!!!! CONFERENCE WAS AMAZING! The Lord is speaking to us right now and we need to heed his council given by through Prophet. It was so powerful when he said that if we simply call the church, Christ's church, we will receive blessings from the Lord like we have never seen before. We will be able to reach all nations, kindreds, and tongues if we call his church by HIS name. That is soooo powerful!!! I also loved the general women's session. It made me so excited to be a mom. I know it will be a while, but I have had so many amazing examples of mothers in my life. I cannot wait to be one just like them. And especially you, Mom, you're the best mama out there. Also 12 new temples?! That is amazing! I bet Megan jumped for joy knowing that Cambodia is getting one This gospel is so good.

 I am going to give a run down of how Saturday went. We loaded the buses and headed to Salt Lake. When we got there, we went into this practice room that was kind of below the conference center. I got to hear the announcement of two hour church!!!  But then they turned off the broadcast and we started preparing. They checked us and made sure we all looked good. We practiced and then we ate a boxed lunch the church made. I wonder if Aunt Kathy made some ;) After that, we got all lined up and headed into the conference center. Then all of the General Authorities waved at us and some even came on the stand. They were not shaking hands, but I was like 5 feet away from Elder Holland. Pretty cool!!! When we sang, it was so powerful. I have been sent lots of pictures from people, but I am just glad that the Lord chose me to sing in that choir and be a true representative of Jesus Christ. I will never forget how amazing that was.

The biggest miracle that happened this week blew my mind. There is no way that this happened without some divine intervention. On Sunday, I was really discouraged. By then I knew I wasn't leaving with my district and was probably staying at the MTC for longer. Our branch president and his wife were at the devotional that night, and wanted us to come say goodbye. (I love them so much, they are so amazing.) When I went to go hug Sister Garlick she said," Do you know anyone with the last name of Tullis?" I was shocked and said," Ummmm YES!" She then explained this. The Garlick's were going to go to general conference with President's sister and brother in law. They are from Canada and noticed the roads were getting really bad, so they decided to head home early. Because of that, the Garlicks' had two extra tickets. They were looking around, trying to decide who to give the tickets too. President Garlick looked right at a couple and said them. Crazy enough, it was YSABEL TULLIS AND TYLER WALTERS. As they found their seats, Sister Garlick asked where they were from. They said Boise area, and so Sister Garlick pulled out her book with all of the missionaries in their zone. They saw the picture of me and then made the connection. Ysabel wrote me the sweetest note and it made my entire week. I needed that so much, and I cried when Sister Garlick handed me the note. 

I just want to end my email with my testimony. I know for a fact there are no coincidences in life. Heavenly Father is aware of each of us and our needs. He loves us and shows us his love. We just have to find those ways. I will be patient and trust that the Lord's timing is everything. I love you all and I love my Savior. Thank you for your support, love, and prayers! 

 I screamed when I came outside and saw Christmas lights!

Lots of love, 

Sister Kershaw