My Last Post

Dear Family and Friends - 

I have always wanted to serve a mission.

I remember growing up, looking at the full-time missionaries at church and getting so excited because that was going to be me someday. When the time came for me to put in my mission papers, I clearly remember filling out the application with no hesitation. I had wanted this since I was a little girl and my turn was finally here. Even the night before entering the MTC, I remember getting a great sleep. No nerves, no worries, no problem! I was born to do this!

Then I entered the MTC...

For some reason, the MTC was really hard for me. A lot of things were thrown at me and I felt so overwhelmed and so underprepared. Did I really even believe in everything I was supposed to be teaching the people of the Washington DC South Mission? Was I ever going to be able to effectively learn "Preach My Gospel?" Was I ever going to get used to getting up at 6:30am? EVER?!?!?!?!?!

I learned quickly that sometimes when you're overwhelmed, it can become a great blessing because that is when you truly learn to get down on your knees and pray. I felt so alone sometimes. I rapidly understood that it's okay if it's just YOU and the LORD in times of trial.

I am so glad that Heavenly Father gave me that opportunity to humble myself and to grow. I am pleased to announce that: (1) I know that what I teach people is true, (2) I have studied "Preach My Gospel" from cover-t0-cover, and (3) 6:30am hasn't been so bad;)

My mission has been a whirlwind. I have been through the greatest sorrows and joys of my life thus far. I have never: cried, laughed, texted, emailed, driven, studied, prayed, eaten, and felt more awkward in my entire life, than while being on a mission!

I am incredibly grateful for all the people I have met. It is so good to be in the company of others. I have made eternal friends out here. Oakton, Franconia, Potomac MSA, and Braddock YSA will forever be in my heart. 

I cried for 2 hours when I had to leave my first area in Oakton, VA. I never thought I could love working in another area like I did in Oakton. My companions and I were so close to the Ward members that it felt like home. We were loved and we loved right back. I thought I had peaked in my first area and that the next place would be a disappointment. 

I'm so grateful that Franconia proved me wrong. The success we had in Franconia will always be a highlight in my life. We worked hard and taught so much. We baptized and we re-activated members. We found a couple who later got sealed in the temple. We felt like successful missionaries and when I had to leave Franconia, I thought I couldn't possibly love another area as much as Oakton and Franconia...I had met so many great, influential people. I already enjoyed and endured enough joy and tribulation for me to go to a third area! 

But alas, God sent me to the Potomac Mid-Singles Ward. This is a Ward that no one really knows about, yet it covers 4 missions (Baltimore, DC North, DC South, and a sliver of Richmond). I was kind of intimidated and bummed that I wasn't in a family ward. But I would still be living in the Arlington/Alexandria area, so I couldn't complain. Wow! Potomac stole my heart. The work we did there was amazing. I made so many memories with the members! The people there are remarkable....I'm still numb that I had to leave the mid-singles of the Potomac Ward but the Braddock Singles Ward healed that wound. 

I love the Braddock Singles Ward. I have seen so many miracles. We have 3 new investigators and 2 of them came to church yesterday. Sister Moore and I spoke in church yesterday and a less-active that we have been teaching came to church to hear our talks. It was the first time in 8 years! Seeing myself in so many of the members, I was able to discover a lot about myself. I just wish I could say goodbye to everyone I love here, but I can't. Leaving Braddock this week will probably be the hardest because that means I won't have a next area--my next "area" is Milwaukee, my home. I am excited to see my family and friends, but being finished is going to be hard to accept.

They say your mission is a gift to God but I feel like your mission is a gift from God. My mission was hard. Despite that giant ode to all my areas and how much I loved them, I still struggled to some degree in all of them. But through those struggles, I was able to see the joy that life and especially my mission gave me. It's a powerful thing--feeling God influencing your life. It's humbling to feel the Lord fix you AND the people you teach.

I have such a testimony of this gospel. Some of my favorite moments that I wish I could capture are:  hearing people read the Book of Mormon for the first time, seeing the look on someone's face when I told them that they will see their deceased loved ones again, and most importantly, teaching people how to pray. I'll miss those moments. I hope to have those moments again.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints IS the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that if we follow the example Christ gave us, we WILL be happy...no matter what happens.

I love you all so much! Thank you for all your touching emails, letters, cookies, and prayers. They helped more than you know.

For the last time...

xoxo

Sister Elizabeth Kelly

Happy New Year

Dear Family and Friends,

So many words and thoughts about these past weeks that I decided to express them to the tune of my least favorite Christmas song - The Twelve Days of Christmas.

On the First Day of Christmas, DC South brought me - 
A ghetto Christmas van named "Candy"

On the Second Day of Christmas, DC South brought me - 

2  Wende Moore stockings (seriously Wende, you rock) 

And a ghetto Christmas van named "Candy"

On the Third Day of Christmas, DC South brought me - 

3 meals of Oreos (#dontjudgeme) 

2 Wende Moore stockings 

And a  ghetto Christmas van named "Candy"

On the Fourth Day of Christmas, DC South brought me -

4 days of 75 degrees (not Christmas in July...but more July in Christmas)

3 meals of Oreos 

2 Wende Moore stockings 

And a ghetto Christmas van named "Candy"

On the Fifth Day of Christmas, DC South brought me - 

5 TRIPS TO THE TVC (Temple Visitor's Center) 

4 days of 75 degrees 

3 meals of Oreos 

2 Wende Moore stockings 

And a ghetto Christmas van named "Candy"

On the Sixth Day of Christmas, DC South brought me - 

6 Kellys skyping (may or may not have gone over the time limit) 

5 TRIPS TO THE TVC 

4 days of 75 degrees 

3 meals of Oreos 

2 Wende Moore stockings 

And a ghetto Christmas van named "Candy"

On the Seventh Day of Christmas, DC South brought me - 

7 songs of Pentatonix (on repeat) 

6 Kellys skyping 

5 TRIPS TO THE TVC 

4 days of 75 degrees 

3 meals of Oreos 

2 Wende Moore stockings
And a ghetto Christmas van named "Candy"

On the Eighth Day of Christmas, DC South brought me -
8 awkward carolers to the APs (#neverforget)
7 songs of Pentatonix
6 Kellys skyping
5 TRIPS TO THE TVC
4 days of 75 degrees
3 meals of Oreos
2 Wende Moore stockings

And a ghetto Christmas van named "Candy"

On the Ninth Day of Christmas, DC South brought me -
Nine zones a singing (our mission got to sing at the Temple Visitor's Center on Christmas Eve)

8 awkward carolers to the APs

7 songs of Pentatonix

6 Kellys skyping

5 TRIPS TO THE TVC

4 days of 75 degrees

3 meals of Oreos

2 Wende Moore stockings

And a ghetto Christmas van named "Candy"

On the Tenth Day of Christmas, DC South brought me -

10 sisters for breakfast (we had our sister missionaries over for a fun Christmas Eve breakfast)

9 zones a-singing

8 awkward carolers to the APs

7 songs of Pentatonix

6 Kellys skyping

5 TRIPS TO THE TVC

4 days of 75 degrees

3 meals of Oreos

2 Wende Moore stockings

And a ghetto Christmas van named "Candy"

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas, DC South brought me
11 cracks on my iPad (some may say shattered, but I prefer "beautiful disaster")
10 sisters for breakfast
9 zones a singing
8 awkward carolers to the APs
7 songs of Pentatonix
6 Kellys skyping
5 TRIPS TO THE TVC
4 days of 75 degrees
3 meals of Oreos
2 Wende Moore stockings

And a ghetto Christmas van named "Candy"

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, DC South brought me -

12 trips to Taco Bell

11 cracks on my iPad

10 sisters for breakfast

9 zones a singing

8 awkward carolers to the APs

7 songs of Pentatonix

6 Kellys skyping

5 TRIPS TO THE TVC

4 days of 75 degrees

3 meals of Oreos

2 Wende Moore stockings

And a ghetto Christmas van named "Candy"

It was a great Holiday Season!

For New Year's Eve, we had a zone activity where we first, helped blow up thousands of ballots for a New Year's Eve street parade in Falls Church and then we headed back to a Stake Center to watch "The Best Two Years". That movie is pretty funny not being a missionary but BEING a missionary, it was hilarious to watch. All of us missionaries cracked up at things we didn't laugh at before our missions. But, now that I am a missionary and I know how things go, it was pretty funny. We then played some card games and played Mafia. If there's one thing to know about Mafia...it's a game where friendships are made....and ruined!

We had a good week this week! We found some new investigators which was awesome. But they all need to be passed to family wards. Typical single ward missionary life!

I am so grateful for my mission. All the people, areas, companions, meetings, friends, cats...you name it! They say a mission is an opportunity to give a gift to the Lord but I feel like it's been Him that's given me the gift. Virginia is home. There's a part of my heart that will always be here.

xoxo

Sister Kelly

Cafe Río with the Fullers

Christmas Memories

Dear Family and Friends:

We had a wonderful Christmas Skype with Sister Kelly. We laughed and shared a lot of great stories. She is up-to-date on all of the Kelly Family happenings. She is working hard to the end. 

Here are a few photos we received this past week. 

Happy New Year.

Love, 

Marya

Sister Kelly commented on how poorly my iPhone takes photos.  For the record, here is an example.
Sister Kelly Christmas Skyping.

The Kelly Family signing off on the Christmas Skype. Photo not-so-blurry. 

The Merriest of Christmas Greetings

Hey Everyone!

I went to Washington, DC for the last time as a missionary today:( It will be very hard to leave this city. 

The weeks are going by so fast. It's always funny how, whenever I don't want weeks to go by fast, they always do. We had a very eventful week. Many meetings, two exchanges, a whole mission Christmas conference, and we went to the temple visitors' center on Saturday night. It's really busy, but...I'm glad that it is. I only get 90 minutes to email on my Preparation Day. We had some neat experiences this week that made me feel like a missionary at Christmas time. By the way...feeling like it's Christmas is a miracle in it of itself because it has been so warm, here and there is no snow :( 

A few weeks ago, the Elders in our Ward told us to check on this girl who is less-active in Montclair (40 min south). They met her through their recent convert. Yesterday morning, I had this prompting to check in on her. I felt that she needed to be our last visit of the day. So off Sister Mooore and I went. So many miles. We started to get a little discouraged because it was already 8:15pm and we had to be home by 9pm. We got to her house and she was there with her family (she lives at home....pretty much all of the members in the Braddock Ward live with their parents.) Her family invited us inside and they were so kind. The parents immediately offered us drinks and then invited us over for Christmas Day!  Their home was BEAUTIFUL. They live on a lake. We found out that the daughter we were visiting and her other siblings left the church. But, the parents are very active and they are BYU-I Pathway Program missionaries. We sat down and shared an excerpt from Elder Christofferson's amazing article, "Be at Peace".  Her parents were so touched by the fact that we came. I could just feel this dad's sad soul being lifted for just a moment as his daughter mentioned that she liked the message and that she would love to meet with us again. 

Sister Moore and I walked away feeling that we weren't just following a prompting, but answering a mother and father's prayer. 

Then, earlier this week, I was on an exchange (worked with another sister missionary) in Old Town Alexandria and I had a promoting to check on someone who used to be interested in the church. We  knocked on the door. The girl we came to visit was in the shower but her roommate (or maybe her sister...cousin...friend?) answered the door. She wasn't too interested but I asked if we could show her a "little Christmas video" (He is the Gift) and she surprisingly let us in and we watched it. Well, long story short, we had the most amazing hour long conversation with her and her teenage son. I was near tears, the spirit was so strong. We all taught each other. It was incredible!  We read the scriptures with them and they loved it. THEN, she practically rejoiced when we asked if we could come back and teach her! But, I think my favorite part was when we were showing her "He is the Gift", her son came down the stairs to see what was going on and soon, found himself watching it...and he was smiling the whole time. Ahhh teenagers are the best! It was just the greatest.

I also got to drive down King Street at night with all the Christmas lights which was phenomenal.

It's moments like these when I don't want to leave my mission. Ever. 

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas! Love you all so much!

Sister Kelly

Be At Peace

Good Evening Everybody:

Sister Kelly did not have time to write a blog entry today. She asked that I encourage her family and friends to read Elder Christofferson's article in the December, 2015 Ensign titled, "Be At Peace." (click underlined title)

Love to all,

Sister Kelly 

Simply Teaching

Dear Family and Friends, 

I'm going through a phase where everything that I am learning is super-eye-opening.  I'm a little ticked that I'm learning this 17-months-out, instead of 17-weeks-out.

For example, last week two people from the Mission Department in Salt Lake City, came to our mission. We had a training meeting where we focused on the importance of planning and teaching simply. I heard "teach simply," "simplify your teaching," "be simple in your teaching" and "teach in a way you would teach a 9-year-old" the entire conference. WOW! It really hit me of how important it is to "teach simply".

We had an investigator who was really sick for a month and then got in a car accident. We Skyped her from her bed the entire month of November. Yesterday, she came to church! Yay!

We have been getting so many referrals this week and teaching people. I love going out and talking with people about the gospel...even though sometimes it's a little nerve wracking :(

Last night, we watched the Christmas Broadcast at the Washington DC Temple Visitors' Center. We went with a senior missionary couple, Elder and Sister Kinard and a recent convert. The temple is so beautiful this time of year. I am excited to be a sister missionary there this week.

In the Braddock Ward we have a "break the fast" party after every fast Sunday. Yesterday, the food theme was a CEREAL BAR. 

SISTER KELLY LOVES CEREAL AND THE WARD GAVE US ALL THE LEFTOVER CEREAL!

That miracle happened  about 3 minutes after I paid my fast offering. Coincidence? I think not.

Have a great week...

Happy Birthday Moo!

Xoxo

Thanksgiving Memories and Christmas Lights at the Temple

With the Fuller Girls

Hello Everyone!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Sister Moore and I had so much fun with the Fuller family and our Ward member. Thank you all so much for making my Thanksgiving memorable. 

This week, Sister Moore and I gave the sisters we serve with a "heart attack." It's safe to say, that it was really exhilarating sneaking into their apartments and decorating their front doors. Sister Moore and I looked quite professional as we were able to pass by all of the lockout machines and front desks. I felt like a ninja. A sister missionary ninja who decorates doors with hearts:)

Recently, Sister Moore and I have had some amazing experiences letting people know about the temple light festival. No matter who we talk to, everyone is so kind and intrigued about it.

Let me give you an example. We went to go knock on a door and behind the door...there was this huge party. It was on the sketchy end but why not add to the party with a sweet temple light festival flyer? This guy walked out and thought we were two college girls that got invited.He started chatting with us. Little did he know that we were missionaries. We started talking to him about God. It turned out to be an awesome discussion. He was sober too. Score! He got really excited about the light festival. We then ended up crashing the party and everyone was so nice. Maybe because they were a little tipsy, but nonetheless, we had a good time with them.

AND GUESS WHAT LADIES AND GENTLEMEN? 

THE WASHINGTON DC SOUTH SISTER MISSIONARIES ARE INVITED TO BE TEMPLE VISITOR CENTER SISTERS DURING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER!

Sister Moore and I finally get to live our dream of working at the DC Temple Visitor Center. We get to go once a week. We are beyond excited! 

xoxo

Sister Kelly