"have done with lesser things"

What an awesome week!!

Exchanges in Lexington with Sister Tafea

Our investigator John, came to church yesterday! Super awesome, and we had an amazing lesson with him on Baptism. He is so ready! Sister Alligood and I were having a hard time trying to decide if we should still try to help him prepare for June 4th to be baptized or if he needs more time. After talking to Tom (our ward mission leader, and he is also our fellow shipper or friend for John) he told us something that John told him while they were talking after a lesson we had. Tom told us that John was telling him about how when we share our experiences, it seems so real to him. And as John continues to learn and study, he is realized that IT IS REAL. Friends, the Gospel is TRUE and the spirit is REAL! I am so excited for John.

I Love Sister Tafea

This week we had Zone Conferences with President and Sister Salisbury and it was wonderful! I know that I am truly meant to be in this mission and to be serving with them. President Salisbury talked a lot to us about the things we need to "have done with". We sang the Hymn, "Rise Up, O Men of God". The first verse goes:

"Rise up, O men of God!
Have done with lesser things.
Give heart and soul and mind and strength
To serve the King of Kings."

We Went Exploring on a Bridge

President Salisbury wanted us to focus on the second line: "Have done with lesser things." He gave us each a note card to write down the things we need to change. It was SO cool as we learned how we can be better missionaries and to stick to the Doctrine of Christ while we teach. But what was even better was how the spirit guided us to know the things that we need to change and do away with. I love my mission and know that striving to be better each and every day will bless me, my companion, the people I serve, and my family. I love this work!

We also went on exchanges this week, after our Zone Conference. I stayed out in Lexington with Sister Tafea. She actually came out with me, and she is awesome! :) Their car was in the shop, so we had to walk everywhere... and it was so hot and humid! AHH. But don't worry I am still alive.. its crazy how all of a sudden I can't deal with heat, because of the humidity! Anyways, it was fun, we didn't get to teach very many people, but we did get to talk a lot as we walked. It was good!

Tracting in a Trailer Park - Gotta Love It

#Ponderize Mosiah 4:9-10
9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created‍ all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend‍ all the things which the Lord can comprehend.
10 And again, believe that ye must repent‍ of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity‍ of heart that he would forgive‍ you; and now, if you believe‍ all these things see that ye do‍ them.

Love you friends!

XOXOXO

~Sister Kayla Marie Willis

The mail box has been kind of empty lately... :)

410 Alta Lane #11
Lynchburg, VA 24502

Taught by MY Mother

Happy Mothers Day to all the wonderful moms out there, and to all the women in my life! 

Happy Mother's Day!  Love you, Mom

I am grateful for all the Teachers and Young Woman Leaders who have played a part in my learning in the gospel. I am grateful for the moms and families that are supporting me and my mission. I am grateful for all the "moms" that I have out here, and for their willingness to make me feel right at home and to serve me. I am grateful for my grandma and for all the love she has for me and all that she does. Most of all to my amazing mom. Mom, I love you so much, thank you for serving a Mission and for being the great example of living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have been taught by a wonderful mother, and you still teach me! I am so glad you are the one who got to be my mom! The things you have taught me reminds me the 2000 stripling warriors in the Book of Mormon. They had to fight the Lamanites and they were not afraid. Their mothers had taught them of God and they knew that because of what their mothers had taught them, God would be there to protect them. I am grateful to also have a mother, who has taught me about God, and that I know that Heavenly Father will always be there for me to watch over and protect me.

Keltsey's Birthday

Mother's Day

I got to Skype my family yesterday, which was great! It's so weird to do, but it is so good! I also got to see one of my best friends! HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELTSEY! I sure do love you! I hope you're birthday was filled with joy and goodness :) you're just the cutest.

This week seemed to be very long, I don't really understand why. But none the less, it was pretty good. We were pretty disappointed though, our investigator John, slept in and didn't make it to church. Hopefully he can come next week! 

READ ME!!!

We had a pretty interesting experience with a family we went to see thing week. They are an agnostic family, so they speculate the belief that there is a God. They wanted a Book of Mormon and we went back to see them. It was just crazy. They came at us with all this anti-Mormon stuff. I am not really sure what they were trying to do, but the funny thing is, is that it just strengthens my testimony even more! I know that this Gospel is true! I know the Joseph Smith was a true prophet. I know that fear and doubt are the opposites of faith, and that is why the people that doubt are so confused. Satan is trying so hard to fill our hearts with doubt and confusion. I know that this is true and what we teach (the doctrine of Christ) is how we are truly saved.

This is probably the hardest area's of my mission so far, but I really do love it. I love the challenge, because there is room to grow. I am so grateful to be serving here at this time with Sister Alligood. I am very grateful for the ward and the people we are working with. I LOVE Virginia, and I am so grateful to be here as a servant of the Lord :) I love being a missionary!

So Excited for New Pamphlets - #missionarynerd

#Ponderize Alma 56:47-48

47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty‍ of their fathers‍ than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

Tools for the Missionary - Collection of Stuff in My Bag

 48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do‍ not doubt our mothers knew it.
I sure do love y'all!!

XOXOXO

Virginia is SO Green 

Anna, Sister Alligood 

Sister Alligood and I 

Just in the Car

I Really Like this Book - It is So True

~Sister Kayla Marie Willis
410 Alta Lane #11
Lynchburg, VA 24502

Cool Building in Downtown Lynchburg - don't go there at night

Happy May

Hello my friends, and Happy May! 

Sister Alligood in Lynchburg

Isn't it crazy that the year is half over? AHH slow down!

We had another great week! Well, all my weeks are great, because I just love being a missionary and doing the Lord's work, no matter what trials come my way.  There are always miracles that can be recognized. :) Serving others just brings me so much joy!

Our awesome investigator, John, is still doing awesome! We were able to teach him the Word Of Wisdom and the Law of Tithes and Offerings this week! And they went great. John is so willing to change and so honest with us. As he has been meeting with us, on his own, he has decided to work on his language and stop cursing. This was not something we asked him to do, we actually had not even brought it up with him before it. It is amazing to see his desires to repent, just by changing the way he talks. John was unable to come to church this week, because he had to work, but he is hoping he can come next week! He is so awesome! He has even been reading the Book of Mormon! He has read the first chapter and he is trying to read a chapter every day. It's awesome because he is really trying to gain an understanding while he reads, so he will come to us with questions, it is so awesome! He is so prepared for the gospel. 

Sister Alligood has the Curliest Hair I Have Ever Seen

We had a cool experience yesterday with a less active that we try to visit every week. We had been trying to call her and text her all week without any answer. When we planned for our day Saturday night we did not plan to see her. Then while we were out near the area where she lives, we both felt prompted to go visit her, even though we didn't plan to see her. She wasn't even a back up plan. When we went by to see her, we found her in distress. She had just gotten back from being out of town at a funeral for a family member, and she was struggling with other family matters. She takes care of her two grandsons, and while they were visiting their father, Child Protective Services showed up, and because of a situation their father was involved with, the children were taken away and put into Foster Care. She really needed some support and comfort at that time and that is why we were led to her. We were able to help her out a little bit and she was so grateful that we showed up. The spirit really does lead us to where we need to be so that we can bless lives. MY MISSION IS TO BLESS.

Downtown Lynchburg #1

Downtown Lynchburg #2

I love being a missionary and being able to

 serve in this mission. Bringing souls unto Christ really has brought me so much happiness and it has brought me closer to my father in Heaven. 

#Ponderize Mosiah 26:18-21 

18 Yea, blessed is this people who are willing to bear my name; for in my name shall they be called; and they are mine.

19 And because thou hast inquired of me concerning the transgressor, thou art blessed.
20 Thou art my servant; and I covenant with thee that thou shalt have eternal life; and thou shalt serve me and go forth in my name, and shalt gather together my sheep.
21 And he that will hear my voice shall be my sheep; and him shall ye receive into the church, and him will I also receive.

A Pipe Broke on our Way Home - Spraying Dirt and Rocks Everywhere

I sure do love y'all!!

XOXOXO

~Sister Kayla Marie Willis

410 Alta Lane #11
Lynchburg, VA 24502

Rainy Day in Virginia

How Great Shall Be Your Joy

Hello my dear friends and family,

Exploring Downtown Lynchburg 

I hope everyone at home is having awesome lives! It would be cool if I could hear about it from you ;) *write me letters*

We had some AWESOME lessons this week. Last week I talked about a lesson that we had with John. Well we had two more awesome lessons with him this week... And he also came to CHURCH! WHAT?!  So we stopped by his house (It is such a blessing, because he literally lives right around the corner from us.) and we set up an appointment for Friday. Then we talked with him about prayer and why it is important, out on his porch. He told us that he will pray for others, but he doesn't like praying for himself. We committed him to pray for himself regardless and we also committed him to read 2 Nephi 31 before our lesson. When we went to our appointment with him, we met at the church and had a lesson in the Chapel. I LOVE having lessons in the Chapel because the spirit is always SO strong in there! So for John we have some really awesome fellowshippers. There is Tom, he got back from serving a mission about 3 years ago and he is also our Ward Mission Leader! He is a really awesome guy. Then the other friend we have for John is Zach. He is a recent convert of 11 months. He was baptized last May! He was a friend of Toms and that is how he was introduced to the church! They are both really cool. Anyways, we had a great lesson with Zach there, he and John really hit it off! We taught John the Gospel of Jesus Christ and it was so awesome, because Zach had lots of personal experiences to share about when he was taking the missionary lessons. We talked with John about the scripture we had him read and asked him the things that stuck out to him. He said that he really liked verse 13 in 2 Nephi, where it talks about "acting in no hypocrisy". John explained that he liked that, because it means that we are "real" and we live what we teach. We talked a lot about Enduring to the End and how this Gospel is a way of life! He liked that about our church, that we aren't 'Sunday Christians'. After our lesson we got to give John a tour of the rest of the church! It helped him be more familiar with what we do, and he said he would come to church on Sunday!

Missionary Tag Pictures are a Thing, Right?

So Saturday Night we decided to call John just to make sure and remind him of church. He answered the phone and I said, "Hi John, this is Sister Willis! We just wanted to remind you of church tomorrow. It starts at 9 and we will be in the parking lot waiting for ya!" He said "Yeah, I'll be there at 8:45. I just picked up an outfit today!" WHAT?! So tomorrow rolls around and he is there! He rolls up in his big black Dodge truck with his Book of Mormon, wearing a red plaid button up shirt and khaki pants. He stayed for all three hours of church! He sat with us and with Zach in Sacrament Meeting. It was a great day for John to come to church, because it was Ward Conference! There were some awesome talks that were given. Our Bishop spoke about Baptism (which was perfect for John) and a member of the Stake Presidency spoke about the Sacrament and remembering Jesus Christ. It was just such a good day! Relief Society was let out late (as usual, woman like to talk :)) and so John was already gone. We stopped by his house on our way to our next appointment. He talked to us outside. We asked him how he liked church. He replied with "It was good, it was better," meaning that it was better than any other church he has been too. Again, WHAT?!

Backwoods Virginia #1

We had a lesson with him last night again and this time we had Tom with us. We watched the Restoration Video to help John build his testimony of Joseph Smith (before we teach him the Word of Wisdom) and to kind of review, because it was a few weeks since we taught him that lesson. It was really cool, because after the video we were talking and he told us that since he has been meeting with us and trying to study and pray he feels like he is doing better things. He also said that he feels like he is starting to do more things that live up to what God's purpose is for him. So cool! The lesson actually ran a little long.  Sister Alligood and I had to quickly wrap things up and say a prayer to get home before curfew (9:30 if you are teaching a lesson). Later at about 10:20 Tom texted us and said that he and John had been talking in the parking lot for an hour! He said that 'John was a cool dude'. It is so awesome that John is building these friendships because that is what will help him have a lasting conversion. Missionaries get transferred and leave, but the members will always be there.

Backwoods Virginia #2

I am so grateful for this time I have to be teaching John! He is awesome and so nice and I wish that every single one of you could meet him. I know that this truly is God's work and he does in fact labor with me and all the other missionaries. Missionary life isn't real life, and it can be so hard sometimes, but it is truly the most rewarding. "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!"  - Doctrine and Covenants 18:15

#Ponderize 2 Nephi 16:8 "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said: Here am I; send me."

A Street Post in Downtown Lynchburg

I love y'all!!

XOXOXO

~Sister Kayla Marie Willis

410 Alta Lane #11

Lynchburg, VA 24502

See Others As The Savior Sees Them

Hello Hello,

Me and My Study Wall

It has been kind of a slow week, but we did have some amazing things happen!

Whoops, Blurry Companion Picture

Two weeks ago in our Zone Meeting, the Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders talked to us a lot about our companions and more specifically: loving our companions. We read through the section of "Your Companion" on page 29 on the Missionary Handbook and discussed it. They committed each companionship to strive to love each other and to tell each other 2 things that they loved about each other everyday for a week. My companion and I did this - everyday for this past week - and it has really made a HUGE difference! Instead of simply telling my companion that I love her and pointing out things that she has done that I appreciate, I got an index card an wrote down specific things that she had done that day. Maybe it was the way she served someone or she listened really well to our investigator in a lesson that we had. It was amazing to see how as we were looking for the good in each other more each day, we started to love an appreciate one another even more! We are working together better and teaching in unity. No matter how different you and your companion may be, we can love each other as we strive to see each other as the Savior sees us.

My Study Wall

We had an amazing lesson with one of our investigators this week!  His name is Johnathan and he is in his mid to late 20's. We were able to teach him the Plan of Salvation this week. It was amazing! We talked a lot about our life on Earth and the things that we need to do while we are here. He had lots of questions about baptism and we gave him 2 Nephi 31 to read for homework. Johnathan also started talking to us about his grandmother. He started to get really emotional (he even teared up a little) as he told us about how she has raised him and all he wants is to know if he will be able to see her again. We finished talking about the rest of the Plan of Salvation and he told us that all of what we said, just makes sense. We testified that he would be able to see his grandmother again, and then we invited him to be baptized again (we invited him on the first lesson but he never gave us a straight answer) and he said "Yes". Johnathan is now on date to be baptized on June 4th! We are so excited. We are going to set up a time this week to give him a church tour because he hasn't been able to come because of work, but we are going to get him there next week!

10 Mouths - Where Did the Time Go?

One day this week, we were out in Appomattox, which is about 30 miles away so we don't go there very often. It is also the place where the Treaty was signed that ended the Civil War! Awesome history out there! Anyways, we were doing some tracting in a pretty sketchy apartment complex. We knocked on several doors, and heard, "Come in" seconds later. When this happened, we would just open the door and stand there and watch people realize that we weren't who they were expecting. One particular door was interesting. We knocked and heard a high pitched voice, "Come in." We opened the door and found a little girl standing there. She was probably only 4 or 5. We said "Is your mom home?" She said, "No." We hurried to shut the door and leave. Virginia people are crazy.

Virginia is Green

#Ponderize Doctrine and Covenants 64:33-34

"33 Wherefore, be not weary‍ in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things‍ proceedeth that which is great.
 34 Behold, the Lord requireth‍ the heart‍ and a willing‍ mind; and the willing and obedient‍ shall eat‍ the good of the land of Zion in these last days."

I love y'all, I love my Mission, and I love the Lord.

XOXOXO

~Sister Kayla Marie Willis

410 Alta Lane #11

Lynchburg, VA 24502

Miracles are in Store

Hello friends, its that time again. You get to hear from your favorite missionary! It better be me :)

Selfie on Exchanges

This week has been wonderful and full of MIRACLES, because miracles are REAL! Okay, so first miracle: Seif's wife, Jackie, came to church! WHAT!? That's right, she came to church! She is of the Protestant Faith and she will always come in and sit in on the lessons with us. She always participates too, but she says that she is happy where she is and she doesn't want to change. Well this week, we had exchanges with the Sister Training Leaders and I got to stay in Lynchburg (Appomattox) with Sister Tafea! 

Sister Tafea and I - She is the Best

She is so cool, she actually came out with me too! We went to teach Seif one of the New Member lessons.  After the lesson we were talking about church and I had a strong impression to invite Jackie to come. We have invited her before, but she always says she can't. I boldly invited Jackie and she said she would try to make it. We didn't really think anything of it, but then she showed up to church! And she stayed for all three hours! Miracle!

All the Sisters in the Buena Vista Zone

Another amazing thing that happened were two new investigators we picked up this week. Let's back up to a few weeks ago... Sister Alligood and I were spending the day walking and we passed this man on the street. We started a

 conversation about the weather and then he started asking us where we were from and what we were doing. We explained who we were and then he introduced himself as Charles. Then he asked us, "Do you guys do like home visits?" WHAT!? Yes we do! We told him that we do and tried to set up a time to come back, but he said that he needed to talk to his wife. We exchanged phone numbers, and even gave him a Book of Mormon and went on our way. We never heard from Charles even though we had stopped by, tried calling and texting and still, nothing! Then one day we were in the area and we stopped by and his wife was home! Nikki is her name, and she is so fun! We got to talking to her and she set up an appointment right there for the next week. When the day came that we got to the appointment, we walked in their home and I glanced all over the walls and from the pictures and things, I could tell they were religious. 

Sister Wilson and I - she goes home in a few weeks.  She is sweet!

There is a HUGE Dinasaur Chasing Tiny Me

We got to talking and they wanted to know everything that we believed. Sister Alligood pulled out the Articles of Faith and read them all off. We then started a discussion of beliefs and at first it started out a little contentious, but we were able to follow the spirit and by the end we had shared the Restoration and focused on what sets our religion apart from others: The Priesthood Power. Charles and Nikki had so many questions for us and they were so kind. We invited them to be baptized and to study the Book of Mormon. We even invited them to church.  They asked where the building was and what the services were like. It was amazing. They declined our church invitation this time, but they said that they would like to come sometime. Charles and Nikki are going to be really busy this next month and so it is going to be hard to have lessons with them, but they told us that they would love to have us back! They are going to study and pray and so we will just be by for shorter visits. They were amazed when they asked us where we were from and we didn't say Virginia! They also were amazed when we said we were only 19 and 20 year old girls. Nikki is a chatterbox, and had so many questions for us haha but we enjoyed it. They are so fun! We can't wait to stop by again to see their progress. What a Miracle!

#Ponderize Mosiah 28:3 "Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear‍ that any human soul‍ should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless‍ torment did cause them to quake and tremble."

I love y'all, I love my Mission, and I love the Lord.

XOXOXO

~Sister Kayla Marie Willis

410 Alta Lane #11

Lynchburg, VA 24502

Thoughts from Conference

Hello my friends. 

2016 Spring Conference - President Monson

Conference weekend is always wonderful! I hope you enjoyed the talks and the spirit that was felt as much as I did. Questions are always answered!

Our new convert Seif, was able to watch all of the sessions of Conference! Even the Priesthood Session. He LOVED it. He told us that he felt the spirit so strong and he felt so happy! After the last session we went to visit Seif and he was talking to us about one of his neighbors. I got a strong impression to ask him if he thought that his neighbor would ever be interested in learning more about the Gospel. His eyes immediately lit up and he got very excited. He started talking about all of his neighbors and friends that he would introduce us to. He was filled with the spirit of missionary work! What a wonderful spirit :) best kind there is.

I really enjoyed conference! I went in seeking many answers and each one of my questions was answered. The spirit works in mysterious ways. I want all of you to know that I love and sustain our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. He is God's living prophet on the earth today, to lead and guide the Lord's true church. I love and sustain all the other church leaders, I know that they love us and they love the Lord.

I especially enjoyed Elder David A. Bednar's talk, about how we can always retain a remission of our sins. I loved how he talked about how baptism is the initial cleansing of sin and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost provides the continual cleansing from sin. One of the questions I had was about how I could better recognize and understand the spirit, and my answer came. By taking the Sacrament we remember our baptism covenants. By doing the things said in the Sacrament prayer: 1) Being willing to take His name upon us 2) Always remember Him 3) Keep His commandments. By doing these things, we are promised that we will 'always have His spirit to be with [us]'. I do know the importance of the Sacrament but sometimes we forget. But I know by preparing to take the Sacrament worthily and doing these things, that we will have the spirit to be with us.

I also really enjoyed Elder Jeffery R. Holland's words. At first I was really nervous, the way he started out... Haha but it was nice to hear how much the leaders of the church all love us, and I know that they do. During this talk I was able to reflect on some things that I am doing that I need to change. I have many flaws and I know that I can do better on. We do fall short though, many, many times. And it was a blessing to hear him say that we will be blessed for our desire to be good, even if we fall short to do so. The Lord blesses those who WANT to improve. I know that Heavenly Father is mindful of us and he knows our thoughts and desires. He will help us if we ask for it. We are his children and He does love us :)

After listening to all the wonderful talks, I really do feel that the spirit has 'wrought a mighty change in my heart'. I want to do better and I am going to do whatever it takes to do it. I know that all of you can too. Through a desire to change, constant prayer and scripture study, you will be blessed with the strength you need, to make 'your weak things become strong'.

#Ponderize "And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change‍ in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually."

I love y'all, I love my Mission, and I love the Lord.

XOXOXO

~Sister Kayla Marie Willis

If you have a minute, send me a note :)

410 Alta Lane #11

Lynchburg, VA 24502