No More Weird Sounds 1/25/2016

Dear family and friends, 

My companion has a new goal for me this week, not to yell so much—and to be a bit more normal. I don't know if you remember family, but I love to yell and make loud sounds when I'm happy in the house; and I have fallen back into that habit when I'm in the piso. (I know mom just did a hand to the face when she just read that).

My foot is now almost better. My companion made me buy this band to wear on my foot. I told her wearing a 'magic' sock wasn't going to to anything. But weirdly it did. 

This week was a bit long because again none of our investigators could meet because they were sick or out of town. But all is well. We found some cool people this week. 

Something I've learned this week, 

I've been studying a lot about the spirit. Sometimes I pray and seek for council and sometimes I feel like I'm not getting answers. And then I worry that I'm not listening to the spirit. But this week I found a talk that I love and was an answer for me:

"Actually, He will reply in one of three ways. First, you can feel the peace, comfort, and assurance that confirm that your decision is right. Or second, you can sense that unsettled feeling, the stupor of thought, indicating that your choice is wrong. Or third--and this is the difficult one--you can feel no response. What do you do when you have prepared carefully, have prayed fervently, waited a reasonable time for a response, and still do not feel an answer? You may want to express thanks when that occurs, for it is an evidence of His trust. When you are living worthily and your choice is consistent with the Savior’s teachings and you need to act, proceed with trust. As you are sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit, one of two things will certainly occur at the appropriate time: either the stupor of thought will come, indicating an improper choice, or the peace or the burning in the bosom will be felt, confirming that your choice was correct. When you are living righteously and are acting with trust, God will not let you proceed too far without a warning impression if you have made the wrong decision.

I love this, I feel like most of the times, as a missionary, I get the third answer. The Lord wants me to come up with an idea. Sometimes my ideas aren't the best, and I need to think of a new one, and a new one, until I get it right. Like when Nephi was commanded to go back to get the plates with his brothers. Why didn't God deliver Nephi the plates the first time? Why didn't Nephi just get an answer the first time of how to get the plates? 

Because we are here to grow. The point isn't just to give us all the answers when we need them. That's not a good teacher. I had a math teacher in high school and whenever we had a question about a problem he just gave us the answer, yes, no, a, b, c, 25, or -6. We loved it because he freely gave us the answers to our homework. We thought that was the definition of a 'good teacher'. But of course it backfired quick, and when it came to the test, we had no idea what to do. A good teacher doesn't give you the answers, but rather shows you how to find it. I'm trying to work the same way with the investigators we have. And not just give them the answers, but show them the chapter where to find it and let them do it. 

So if you feel like you're not getting an answer and your putting in all your effort, give thanks, God trusts you! And then work it out, and if it's not right he will help you until you figure it out. 

Yikes transfers are this weekend and I think I will die if Hermana Campillo leaves. I'm crossing my fingers hard, cuz she is the funniest person ever! She is me but in Spaniard form and I am her in American form. That's the only way I know how to explain it. 

I love you, Thanks for everything. 

Love, Hermana Kelemen

Learned a New Word & Made a New Friend 1/11/2016

Dear Fam and Fri, 

​

Right now as I'm writing you,this is my view:

I'm sitting on the beach, in the sun. 

This past week I had a weird headache pain in my head. It wasn't really a headache, but my head was crazy itchy. And because of this always there was just an irritating feel in my head. I figured it was the new shampoo I had bought and thought with time it would go away. But it didn't and I wasn't sure what to do. So I took the advice of my mother, whenever there is pain in the body or something strange, this is her advice, "Drink more water and use the power of thoughts to get rid of it". So I tried my best...but then on Tuesday I found a friend named, Luis Jorge--a little bug, when I was in the bathroom. 

I showed my new buddy to my comp and asked her if she had ever seen this type of bug before, because for me it was new. She then asked me where I found it, I was hesitant, but at last told her I found this guy in my hair. She then asked if my head itched. I told her yes and she then told me "quiero que tienes piojos". I had never heard that word...but I knew what she was talking about and convinced her I didn't.  But then two days later, I found the son of Luis Jorge, Pedro in my hair...and I realized that I could no longer deny it, Luis Jorge and many of his descendants had decided to dwell among me. 

Spanish word of the week: piojos , which means lice (something you won't learn from watching Dora the explorer).

But we destroyed the civilization of Luis Jorge and my companion named the last piojo Moroni. Because he too was the last of his people. 

We found an amazing lady named Carmen, yesterday we taught her lesson one and at the end she asked, "when I receive an answer if the book of Mormons true, can I too serve like you?" She's 46, and we told her she could do other service for the church, that there's all types of service. She loved that and then asked if she could share the Book of Mormon with her friends...  then she told us, "This is exactly what I want. I'm sick of the Catholic Church. (Sorry to say, but to me this phrase was music to my ears). I'm done, it's not helping. I have questions and no one has answers. If you can I would want you to come over more and teach me more, and I want to ask more questions". When she said that I just thought....'Little do you know... This is why we are here!!!'  Celebrate good times. Come on that song too popped in my head after she finished talking. She is amazing. 

Also our 70 year old mission leader now likes me. My companion bought me two heaps of blocks of cheese and we brought the cheese to correlation and he too shares my love for cheese. 

Things are good. I'm happy. My companion's happy—now that she doesn't have to comb my friends out of my hair anymore. 

One thing I love so much are the hymns of the church. To me personally, it is the fastest way to feel the spirit. My goal this past week was to have the spirit be more with me. Because only with the spirit can we become like Christ. I don't know I found I'm more happy and can feel the spirit more strong when I do this. 

If on occasion you have found

Your language is in question,

Or ugly thoughts come to your mind,

Then here’s a good suggestion

Just hum your favorite hymn,

Sing out with vigor and vim,

And you will find it clears your mind.

Hum your favorite hymn.

 Before you say an angry word,

Remember you’ll regret it,

For once it’s said the harm is done,

And some folks won’t forget it.

Just hum your favorite hymn,

Sing out with vigor and vim,

And you will find it clears your mind.

Hum your favorite hymn.

I love you and you all have the best week of your life. 

Love, Hermana Kelemen

Pictures of the beach and me washing and cleaning lice out of my hair.

Kate and Grapes 1/4/2016

Dear Family and Friends—

So it's official, I never want to come home. 

Here in Spain, as some of you know, for the new year count down they have a tradition of eating grapes. Twelve seconds before the new year you have to eat a grape. You got to eat 12 grapes in 12 seconds. Us, being missionaries, we had to be in bed at 11. But because my companion is Spaniard I made her do it with me—to teach me the way of her people. So—we attempted it. I'll send you the video. I know in the video I am laughing and I look like I'm having a great time, but actually I am choking, gasping for air, trying to stay alive to see the next year. I was a little cocky before thinking this grape stuff was easy. I was humbled when I saw my life flash before my eyes. 

My companion and I found a new way to contact. 

This week we stopped a man in the street who told us he loves learning about religions, yet claimed he had not found the church of God and that therefore it doesn't exist. So being missionaries, we taught him part of lesson one and shared Moroni's promise. He then brought up questions about death, so we bore our testimonies of the plan of salvation. We were talking to him for 30 minutes trying everything, but he just didn't listen. We then realized we weren't getting anywhere and as we were leaving he starting asking personal questions. For some reason, I can't remember now, he found out that we ourselves are paying for our missions. And then he was silent. And said, "Now I am starting to have more of a desire to listen. This is bad." This was my fave when he said that and I thought...really? We share the restoration, plan of salvation, our personal testimonies, Moroni's promise—and nothing—and when we say we pay for our missions—that's what makes you want to listen?

But, oh well.

This week was really good and I learned so much.

I know I say that every week but it's true. 

This week we found an amazing family!!! We have taught them the first two lessons and the father is very interested. The mother is very catholic and claims she won't change religions, but when your companion too once was very catholic and said the same thing, and now is serving a mission here in Spain, I'm not worried  Having a Spaniard as a companion, you have extra power, because then people realize that it's not just an American church. 

I love life. 

Love, Hermana Kelemen

Cheese 12/28/2015

Dear fam and fri,

P-day once again—Hoot. Christmas was bomb, and it was so fun to see my cute little family. I'm sorry if you felt like I didn't talk to all of you. I tried, but there are a lot of you. 

Last Sunday, we had a comida with a menos activo. As I told you before, my comp loves to cook. So the first time I met this menos activo I told her about the talent of my comp, and joyfully volunteered her to cook for the two of us.  So last Sunday was the third time we have gone over and cooked with her. Guess some talents can back fire. 

When we were there, she brought out this really good cheese. (Fact: I love cheese. I'm a Kelemen, we eat cheese to snack on) anyways my comp too knows I love cheese and told this lady I was a "rat and would eat all her cheese". She was fine with that, in fact she kept making me eat more. So I practically had to eat her whole block of cheese—so we could leave. That was my comps way of getting me back at me for making her cook all the time. 

We are teaching a man named Fran. About a year ago, he was meeting with the Elders and stopped, because he could never receive an answer for himself if the Book of Mormon was true or not. But we are meeting with him again and he said he will give it another shot and try to receive an answer. He is super cool. And he is doing his part, coming to church, reading he scriptures, living the word of wisdom, and praying to receive his answer. We too are going to fast for him. I really want him to receive an answer—I know he will but he has to be patient. Pray for him.

This week I have been thinking about rereading the conference talks again. And I was trying to figure out which ones to study, which ones I really felt like were meant for me . . . and then I came across this quote, 

"Revelations from the prophets of God are not like offerings at the cafeteria, some to be selected and others disregarded”.

I now want to pull something out of every talk and apply it. I normally just pick my favorite conference talks to really study and really apply. But, I'm gunna change that, because this isn't a cafeteria, and all the talks were 'meant' for me.

I love you all thanks for your prayers. 

I'm happy and blessed.

Love, Hermana Kelemen 

For p-day today we went on a hike with the other missionaries and got a little lost. They were freaking out and I was totally calm wondering why everyone was scared. That's what I get for being a Kelemen—getting lost on a hike isn't new.

Fear Not 12/21/2015

Dear Family, 

This week was bomb. The islands have been pretty fun. My companion is an amazing cook, and has been cooking a lot for me this week— tender mercies. She has been teaching me a couple things too.  right now we have some really cool investigators. But for some weird reason, people don't want two Mormon girls over at their house for the holidays. "Call us after the holidays",  they all say. Makes sense. 

I had the chance to listen to the Christmas devotional—which I loved. I liked all the talks, but I liked the first one a lot. This morning as I was studying the birth of Christ, and this time as I was reading the angels messages, this is what stood out to me. 

When the angel appeared to Zacharias -

Luke 1: 13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

When the angel appeared to Mary - 

Luke 1: 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

When the angel appeared to Joseph - 

Matthew 1: 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

When the angel appeared to the shepherds - 

Luke 2: 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Fear not. The angel repeated this message to each one of them. We as people...fear, but we don't need to because we have a savior. I like this message of "fear not" and I want to invite you all to think of something that you normally fear... And listen, and take the advice sent from God...and fear not. (Fret not) 

I know there is a God, and I know he loves me, because he sent his Son, to take my sins upon him, to make it possible for me, Kate, to return to God and enjoy all the blessings he has for me. And I know God love you too because his Son did the same for you. 

I love you all, have a Merry Christmas!! 

Love, Hermana Kelemen 

Junie B. Jones and Amelia Bedilia 12/14/15

Dear Familia,

This week was very different.
It's hard to explain why but I'll try, by telling you a couple things that are different:

1. I'm on an island.
2. My companion is 34, is from Malaga Spain, and doesn't speak English.
3. I'm no longer serving in a ward but a branch with about 35 active members.
4. It's warm.
5. We have to buy our water to drink.
6. The water I shower in, and bush my teeth with, smells like the ocean.
7. The people here are more friendly.
8. The people here are more crazy.

Let me first tell you about my comp. It's hard to explain what she's like—Amelia Bedelia. (Is that her name? Those children books. She is crazy.) But let me just remind you—I'm like Junie B Jones—so I'm crazy too. The only difference is our age. So we get along pretty well. 

She loves cooking.... so I will be fed well. We decided each week, she is going to teach me how to cook something, because I can't cook. I'm really excited to work with her. She is really patient and already has helped me so much with my Spanish. She was baptized about three years ago, and the first one in her family.

The ward here is really cool and the members, although there are few, are super strong. There is one girl I have already become great friends with; she is 16, and is always with us!!! In all our lessons, contacting...so it's like we're in a trio. She is super cool. The ward is amazing with the missionary work—like so involved. It's unbelievable.

I still miss my old ward a bit, and friends, but I'm trying to just fall in love as fast as I can with the people here.

Challenge: go visit someone in your ward that you don't know or who you don't normally visit. Don't bring anything, just go visit them to visit them. Talk to them, see how they're doing, and  wish them a Merry Christmas.

Love, Hermana Kelemen

Stranded on an Island for Christmas 12/7/15

Dear Family and Friends,

 I know I often tell you that the mission is amazing, and that it's the best thing ever, but at times, to tell you the truth, it's not—it's actually, at times, the worst.

Transfers are today and I have left the hood. This part of the mission is not so fun. I am going to miss my ward so much. Leonard's baptism is this Saturday, and I won't be there to see it, but I guess I don't need to be. Saying goodbye was really hard, and I was trying not to show it, but when Isabel our 9 year old investigator started crying...I lost it. I love the people here so much. I don't even know how to explain it. The thought of not going and doing FHE at Antonia's house this Thursday makes me want to jump out this airplane. I wish you all could meet the people I have met, they are amazing and have changed my life. If you ever visit Spain, yes Segovia and Toledo are cool, but I suggest visiting the ward here in Torrejon. There's no where else like it.

I don't want to leave. Hermana Graff is the best and so is the hood. 

Leaving areas is the worst. 

I am now sitting on an airplane. Our new president has discovered that I am a big crazy Junie B Jones—and he is done with me, and has kicked me out of Madrid—

—and in about three hours, I will arrive at the Canary Islands. I will be serving in a little land called Telde; isolated from the rest of the mission. So, no more cold nights, or gloves, or scarves—which is a plus—but I'll have a tempting beach, and ocean that I can't swim in. 

This week was crazy and really hard...because of the goodbyes. But it was so great. 

On Tuesday we went to court—because another Hermana got her wallet stolen and then they found they guy, so she had to go and testify. (Maybe he's that same guy that stole my bag). Hermana Graff and I thought it would be really cool, but it really was a let down, because it was just a bunch of old Spaniards in a big lame room that looked like an office.  

We also had Kenneth's baptism this week which was really good! He is so amazing. 

I don't know—so much happened this week. I don't really know how to explain it all. 

I love you so much. 

Love, Hermana Kelemen