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 

Singing at General Conference

It's my last week at the MTC

This week has been amazing. I love every minute that I am here. I am learning and growing, and trying my best to be my very best. I hope that is enough :)

Everyone else has gotten their flight plans, and I have not. Some sisters and 2 elders are going to Lubbock, Texas and then the other elders are going to Australia. I think I am the only sister in the whole MTC who is going to Africa... No joke. Hahaha I know of two elders who are going to Zimbabwe, and that is it. So in other words, I do not know where I am going, but I am leaving on Monday. So Mom- if you send a package, make sure it will arrive to me by FRIDAY. The mail is closed on Saturday and Sunday and I am leaving on Monday, so I would not receive it. Please pray my visa gets accepted. And if it doesn't, that I will be going to Lubbock, because I love all of the Sisters in my district SOOOO much. They are some of my best friends. You get so close, so fast! haha 

I have been debating how to send emails, because I feel like there is so much I can say but forget to... so I am going to go day by day! 

Tuesday: After I emailed from home, we got ready for our devotional. At dinner, our District leader brought me a letter that said... I MADE IT IN THE MISSIONARY CONFERENCE CHOIR!!! We are singing in the Saturday Afternoon session. Look for your favorite sister missionary. ;) Sister Crawford, Sister Floyd, and Sister Cole are all in the choir too, Middleton represent!!! shout out to Mr. Child for teaching us all we know! :) The songs we are singing are so powerful, and I will probably cry the whole time. We are singing, Hark All Ye Nations, I Will be Valiant/ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints ,and Hope of Israel. 

Every Tuesday night we have devotionals. Bishop Waddell of the presiding bishopric and his wife spoke and it was so powerful. Sister Waddell spoke on kindness and I really want to improve on that. We can always be more kind. Bishop Waddell talked about how a mission isn't the best 18 months or 2 years of your life, it is the best 18 months or two years FOR your life. I loved that! I know this will definitely bless me for the rest of my life. 

Wednesday: As sister Training leaders, we do an orientation the night the new missionaries come in. That was so much fun. It truly helped me turn outwards and focus on others. I felt Christ's love for those new missionaries and I am so glad I could help them out, to be for them what I needed what I first came in. They are so sweet and I love them! On that day we also had a workshop about technology. Everyone in my district is an electronic mission, and I am not... so they separated us. I already felt weird being without a companion, but I sat by myself and ALL ELDERS came and sat at the table. I felt like I was doing something wrong I didn't say much and was so happy to be reunited with my sisters!

Thursday: We taught another lady named Ysabueax, and it went so well! Sister Fitzgerald and I just connected with her and got to know her. I just love people so much!!! I love talking to them and seeing their faces when they actually understand what we are saying and it just clicks. I know that is the spirit. 

Friday: Today was AMAZING! I started choir practice on this day at 7:15 a.m. We have it every day until Conference. I don't/ can't even complain, because it is amazing and uplifts me! I told you about Margaret last week, and Sister Fitzgerald and I were just struggling. We were having a really hard time planning effectively, and knowing what our individual people needed. We really studied about Heavenly Father and prayer. Having doing that, we gave the best lesson we ever gave. I couldn't tell you what I said, because it was the spirit speaking through me. We both cried when we got out of the room because we were so happy. HEAVENLY FATHER ANSWERS PRAYERS. You just need to put a little bit of work in first. 

Saturday: Nothing really exciting happened on Saturday. We just had class, taught lessons, and met more people to teach. Sister Fitzgerald and I are improving so much and I am so grateful for that. 

Sunday: This was the most spiritual day I have had in the MTC. We have sacrament meeting and Relief Society, and a whole lot of other classes! It is amazing. In the new buildings, there are beautiful murals. We did a mural experience where we were silent, looked at the scriptures, and pondered the scripture reference. We went to the mural of Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail. I read in D & C 122:7. I testify that everything we experience will be for our good. We may not know in the moment, but Heavenly Father will bless you for patiently enduring. I have had some anxieties about having to go to Africa, which I will address more a little later, but I felt the love of my Savior so strong. I know that I would not be going if the Lord didn't know it was for my benefit. He needs me there, so I will go forward with faith. We had a lesson that day about eternal families. The branch president and his wife taught us about eternal families. I am so grateful for my eternal family and being born of goodly parents. I love each and every one of you so much. I strive to have an eternal family someday because it brings so much joy! They showed a clip of what President Nelson and his wife said. They said that as us missionaries do the Lord's work, there are our loved ones and ancestors on the other side of the veil helping us. I immediately felt grandpa's love for me. I know he is aware of what I am doing, and he will be with me in my missionary work. I am so grateful for that. 

Monday: I went to the clinic because I had to have a malaria orientation... ya that scared me to death. The medication I will start taking most often has some unpleasant side effects, so I not only was given Malaria medication, I was given some medication to help with the side effects. This caused me a lot of anxiety. I know I will be protected and watched over, but I am still really nervous about all the new diseases I will be exposed to. I got the medication and will start taking it today. I hope that my body does okay with it. Before I leave I had the thought to ask my Branch President for a blessing, that will bring me comfort. 

Overall it was an amazing week. Each day just got better and better. I know that I am exactly where I am supposed to be and will be going where I need to go. I am excited to leave the MTC and get out in the field, because I want to teach and bring people Christ!!! I bought a call card, so I will probably call you guys on MONDAY MORNING EARLY. I can't wait to talk to you!! I hope you are doing well, I love you so much. 

-- 

Sister Kershaw