April 27, 2015

Hello my favorites,
How are you? I hope this email finds all of you doing well. I am grateful for the time that I get to sit down and express with you what it on my heart and share with you some of my feelings. This week was a pretty solid week. I was able to go to Charlotte 5 times, which is A LOT! It's about 30-45 minutes away from Waxhaw, and obviously not in my area so we never really get to go up there! Last P-day we went down there to get a new car. I now drive Timmy the Toyota and he's pretty cute. :) Tuesday we went to Charlotte for the New Missionary Trainer Trainee meeting and that was so fantastic. Words can't even describe how good that was. I was able to see the 5 missionaries that I came in with and we were able to be instructed by President and Sister Craven for 6 hours! AH! It was unreal. President Craven literally has become my favorite person. He is perfection. He taught a lot about the principle of being teachable and how that is going to get us the farthest on our missions. He challenged us to put aside our desire to be impressive, and rather have a desire to be impressed. I have really tried working on that a lot this past week and it has really been quite interesting to see the results of that. He talked about many other amazing things that I could share with you, but I would be on here for hours. I was able to take a lot of notes though so I promise I will share them all with you later. Towards the end of the meeting, he go very emotional and went on to tell us that as a mission president, he gets a report card. He said that it will be given to him in about 10 years from now, when we are all grown up, raising our own families, baptizing our children, and getting them to the temple. He said that baptizing and bringing others into this gospel is important, but the most important conversion on my mission will be the conversion of myself. President Craven has a lot of "one liners" which we call "Cravenisms" and 2 of my most favorite ones are.. "When you know who you are, you act differently", and "Today, tomorrow, and forever." Everything that I am learning on my mission will be with me for the rest of my life. I am beginning to see that my mission is like my MTC experience for life. It truly has changed me and I am a completely new person. Anyways, to make a long story short, the meeting was amazing and I will never forget the things I learned and the way that I felt.
Wednesday, we went to Charlotte because we had interviews! AH! That was life changing as well. President shared with me some amazing things and gave me some great council and advice. He got really emotional in our interview and shared with me some very personal feelings. He looked me in the eyes and said, "Sister Worthington, promise me one conversion on your mission.... You." It was just so powerful and that is something that I have really learned thus far. My mission isn't about me, but I am converting myself and preparing myself for the rest of my life. He also told me flat out that I am going to be a Relief Society President so that was kinda interesting, haha. We started laughing and I told him that he better be kidding. After I got out of my interview, someone mentioned to me that that interview will be my last interview with President Craven because next transfer is zone conference and the next transfer they go home, so that was kinda sad, but I am at least grateful that I got one in with him! Because it seriously changed my life! I will absolutely be forever grateful for the time that i have been able to have with him. However, I am really looking forward to the Alexanders and I have heard many wonderful things as well so I am excited! I am so lucky because not a lot of people get to learn from 2 mission presidents, and I do, so lucky me!
The rest of the week was pretty great. I was able to go on my first exchange and that was really quite fun! I was a little bit nervous because I have been so used to Sister Ekstrom and I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I learned a lot from the other Sister and it was a good experience for me! I stayed here in Waxhaw and Sister Ekstrom left so i was kinda in charge of running the ship here and it ended up going really well! Church yesterday was great! The 2 speakers that spoke are actually from Utah... they are Cassidy & Carson McCalisters Sister and brother in law and it was just fun to make the connection! They are down here for 6 months or so and are in my ward so it was fun to talk about A-town and bring up some connections! She is feeding us on Tuesday and we are really excited! The stake has also asked that each ward prays individually for the missionaries in their ward by name, so there is a cute little sticky note up on the pulpit that says "Sister Ekstrom and Sister Worthington" and hearing everyone pray specifically for me is just the greatest thing in the world! Rather than praying for all the missionaries in general, if you pray for specific ones by name, I promise you it is more powerful and more meaningful! Me and my companion have been feeling the blessings that come from that!
As far as the work goes.... it's a little tough right now. We are just trying to increase our teaching pool and are trying to find new investigators. We did find a new family that we are working with and I am SOOO excited! It's this young couple with a 6 year old boy and a 3 year old boy. Neither of the parents have been baptized in another religion or anything and they don't attend any church.. so this is like the perfect scenario! We are excited to see where it goes! We have only had 2 lessons with them, so we are hoping to see them progress! Harrison is still doing well.... although he had work come up yesterday so he wasn't able to come to church, which means that we have to push his baptism date back one week because he has to attend sacrament meeting a certain number of times... but we are still praying that everything goes well. he truly is unreal and it's been so fun to watch his life change and turn around!
This weekend we had the opportunity to go to this program called "The Garden". It was something that was put on by 2 stakes, but it was AMAZING. It was basically like the "Women at the Well" presentation that you did mom... but all about the atonement. I don't know if you can get a hold of it somehow or look into... but i would HIGHLY recommend it. They have been preparing for like 4-5 months so it's like a huge deal, but they performed it both Friday and Saturday night and it was just outstanding. It is a program by Bryce Neubert and Michael Mclean. I don't know if it's like something that they do in other areas of the country.. or if it's just something that they do here... but look into if you can. It was just fabulous! We had a lot of non members there so it was a good experience for us as well!
I truly am loving everything about my mission and I am loving serving the Lord. This last week was a little bit difficult just because I found myself being a little bit more homesick than usual, but I am doing better now. I am really starting to get to know the Bishop and the members here and that is helping me a lot! They are all so amazing! Each night that we go to dinner it just reminds me of how much I miss mommy's cooking haha. I miss all the little things that you do mom. I know that if you were to have missionaries over... you would go ALL out!! I am really grateful for the love and support the members give us though! If any of you have missionaries in your ward or stake, invite them over for dinner and spoil them! It's the best thing ever! and they are taking care of me so you better take care of them!!
I am glad everything at home is going well! Let me know how the house situation turns out.. i have been praying super hard for that so let me know! I know that no matter what happens, the lord has a plan for every single one of us.. and I promise daddy, it will work out! Don't stress! He knows what's up and it's all on his timing. That is one thing that I have definitely learned while being out here! It's not my timing, it's his! I know that this is the true church and I am so grateful to be here in North Carolina. There is no place I'd rather be. Family, I love you so much. Kennadi, Kamryn, Cole, Chelsea, Kaiden, I LOVE YOU!! Never ever forget that. & never ever forget that your savior loves you even more than I do. I know that is really hard to believe... but it's actually true! Lean on him in everything that you do and you will be blessed.
Mom and Dad, Thank you SO much for the packages and letters. Holy cow. I have the best parents in the world. Mom, I just smiled so big when I opened up that package. Haha you have no idea how happy that made me and how excited I was. It came at the perfect time. I loved the randomness of it. It was just perfect. I also have been taking those vitamins you gave me every single day.... so hopefully that is keeping me healthy! & the oils... oh my. they are just life saving haha so I promise you all is well. I am sleeping great, eating even better, and am enjoying every second of this amazing opportunity that I have been given! I pray for y'all every single day, all day long. I want you to know how much I love each and every one of you. I know I say it a lot, but i really do mean it with everything in me. I couldn't do this without all of your love and support. I feel your prayers. I know that he lives and that he is real and aware of our lives. Keep up the good work. I hope you have a great week! Let me know if there is anything I can do for you! :) I have the best family out there, and I couldn't be more blessed!! Sending all my love, hugs, and kisses your way!! Keep the faith! XOXO
Sister Kyla Worthington

Sorry i can only send 2 at a time... but that's all I'll send for now!! :) Love you all! Happier than ever.

We have a really plain ugly wall in our house so I got creative one day during lunch... haha ensigns have become my new best friend!

​Mommy, this is Phoenix and Nature! Ahhhhhh. Cutest things ever!

April 20, 2015 One Month Out

Family,
Oh my goodness!! How ya'll doing! I cannot believe that I've been officially out for a little bit over a month now. Where is time going haha? I feel like I say this every week, but it literally is just flying by. Ah! It needs to slow down a bit! Let's see, where to begin. Last week in Waxhaw was a pretty good one. It rained every single day except Friday and that kind of made our missionary work a little bit difficult. It's nothing like little Utah sprinkles, this is like DOWNPOUR take cover kind of rain. You literally step outside for 30 seconds and are completely wet, shoes completely soaked, hair a complete mess, and just everything else haha. I finally cracked down and bought me a rain coat. haha it's red and white polka dots & reversible red on the other side. & it was only $3.00 so I just had too. it's absolutely hideous but it is fulfilling its purpose and that's all the matters right? :)
Dad, first off, I want to thank you so much for the TWO packages that I received this past week. The ipad case is PERFECT. not to mention my wheat thins and my favorite cereals. I have to admit, I opened that up and just busted out laughing I was so happy. I just knew it was from you because of the amazon tape and I just got the biggest smile on my face. Me & sister Ekstrom are set, that's for sure. you should probably start sending me healthy things though because I am putting on the pounds I swear haha. the members here feed us like queens. okay, I'm not really putting on the pounds quite yet, maybe like 1 or 2, but still, haha I'm eating well, lets just put it that way. And, thank you SO much for your thoughtful email papa. I can always count on my daddy to send me an email every week and that has been something that I have been looking forward to the very most on Mondays. your words are so inspiring and I am forever grateful for them. I found it so interesting that you sent me Elder Ballards talk because last week I chose one conference talk to focus on, and GUESS WHAT. that exact talk just so happened to be the one that I studied all week. like what are the chances of that. It's unreal isn't it? I am so glad that you shared that with the family. I learned so much from it and it has truly helped me re-focus and become a better missionary, and become the best missionary that I can be. So, thank you! :) I encourage you to continue to have those solid family home evenings and show Mormon messages!! & use the power of technology. Since we have everything on our ipads, I have been able to access EVERYTHING just so easily and have absolutely loved it! I also want you guys to make a family mission plan. Come up with something that you can do as a family to start working on missionary work. Such as, reading in preach my gospel once a week, sharing the gospel over social media in some way, shape, or form, or start praying for someone by name, as a family that really needs help, just come up with like 5-10 things that you can do as a family to hasten the work and post it on the fridge or something. My ward here does that and it's been amazing to see the power that has truly come from that! I am going to follow up on this, so you better get it done! Mom, thanks for your sweet words as well. There is never more powerful words, than that of my mother. Thank you, I love you the mostest.
We were able to teach our investigator Harrison again this week and he came to church yesterday!! AHH! it was miraculous. He just came in some jeans and a plaid shirt, with a cute little blazer over it and it was just the best thing ever. I was so nervous because Sister Ekstrom and I call him our little baby bird and we just don't want to do anything to ruin this and so we were a bit nervous for him to come to church, but it ended up being really good and he seemed to really enjoy it. We are still progressing to the baptism date of May 2nd so I will be sure to keep you posted on that! Other than that, we have been focusing on just trying to find new investigators and new people to teach. We came about a really sweet guy, but literally 10 minutes ago he just called us and said he is happy where he is at and that he doesn't want to meet with us anymore. We had 3 people this week do that to us. It literally just breaks my heart. We teach them and we see the spirit work in their lives and it's like we know that they know it's true, they just have something holding them back and then all of the sudden they turn away. That has been the hardest thing for me this week. THREE of our steady investigators are gone and now we are left with one. It's just interesting how the lord works and it makes me so sad to think that they think they don't need it anymore. So, with that being said, we are trying to work on our finding methods and are trying to find new people to teach. With the rain, it has been really difficult. We have had to do everything inside and there aren't a whole lot of places here in Waxhaw to find people inside, so I am hoping that this next week will be better! There has been 2 tornado warnings this past week so that has been kinda scary, but I think we are pretty safe here in NC. :) I am eating super well, the members feed us every single night and feed us like champions, so I cant complain haha. I really haven't had like any southern food though.... so that's been good. I think I've had BBQ like 3 times... and surprisingly no fried chicken yet, so they need to step it up! Tomorrow we go into Charlotte for a new missionary training meeting and I am so excited for that! We get to hear from President & Sister Craven and I am SOOOO looking forward to that. Then- on Wednesday, we get to go to Charlotte again and have interviews with president! I am really excited for that as well! Lots of driving, but if the president and his wife are involved, I am so there haha. They are the greatest things ever. I am soooo sad that they are leaving me. Mom, who are those 2 people that were in your picture last week? Were they missionaries serving in my mission or what? I am going to show him that picture tomorrow, but I wanna make sure I know who it is first haha. Kaiden & Chels, how are you two love birds? I miss you, and I miss all of our rook games. I haven't heard from ya'll in a little while, so I hope all is well. Ya know. when Chels sent me a letter on like my 2nd or 3rd day I was really excited... like thinking you were going to email me every week, but I mean I guess you find out who really loves you the most while on your mission....hahhahah. JK. love you sugs. Ty, Todd, Mike.. feeling the love as well. thanks so much for all of your letters, you guys are just the best!!! Kidding kidding. I hope you are doing well and that all of those kiddos are happy, healthy, and well!
I honestly am just loving every second of my mission and I know that I say that every week, so please forgive me, but honestly, it's just the best thing ever. Sarah, Makale, kamryn, Anna, Kenzie, any of you, if you have one slight desire to serve a mission-- GO! It will seriously change your life. Best thing I have ever done. This week I have really learned what the definition of LOVE is. Love is truly the word that rules this world. I am amazed every single day as I go out and serve people and meet new people, of the love that I have for every single one of them, individually. It honestly just blows my mind. I am not quite sure how it is completely possible, but somehow it works. I guess it just comes with being able to represent the savior. Each and every single door we knock on, is basically someone of a different church. They weren't kidding when they said that I got called to the bible belt. oh my goodness. That has been really hard for me because everyone just is "satisfied with where they're at" and no matter how hard I try, how strongly I bear my testimony, or how many times I tell them that this message will change their life, they just still have no desire and it drives me nuts! I just wanna hug the crap out of them and knock some nonsense into their brains haha. It's killing me!! Like just let me inside your home already!! Anyways, aside from that, missionary work is fantastic. Don't get me wrong, it's really hard and it's teaching me some serious lessons, but it's exactly what I need and I am figuring out myself and am becoming so much closer to my savior and am becoming so much more like him each and every day that I serve, and so I guess I cant complain. It's amazing to me how much my knowledge of the gospel has grown. I love my savior so much. I testify that he is real. his atonement should be the center of our lives and should be the reason that we want to wake up and live each day. Truly do everything in your power to access that and do everything you can to truly convert yourself. That is definitely one thing that I am working on, TRUE CONVERSION. It is something that will take a life time, but it something that will end up being one of the most important things! I read another really good talk this week entitled "Missionary Work and the Atonement" given by Jeffrey R. Holland at the MTC in June of 2000... dont' know if anyone can get a copy of that... but if you can. DO ITTTTTT and please send it to me. Some girl had a copy and let me read it. but oh my goodness. changed my life. it's pretty focused on missionary work, but can apply to every single one of us. One of my favorite quotes from that talk was "Missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints, this is the truth. how could we believe that it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for him? Missionaries have to spend at least a few moments in Gethsemane. Missionaries have to take a least a step or two toward the summit of calvary." I just loved that, and I know that it applies to every member missionary out there in the world today. Elder Holland also said, "When you struggle, when you are rejected, remember you are standing with the best life this world has ever known, the only pure and perfect life ever lived". and that is what has been on my mind this past week.
Family, friends, we know the truth and it is now our job to share it. Don't be afraid to open up your mouths to those whom you love. I have been thinking about meike and her family so much this past week, keep being an example to them and keep loving and supporting them! I am so excited for Meike to come and I am so sad that I wont be able to be there, but love her for me and don't forget to send me pictures! I cannot wait to see what this week has in store, and I am so excited to get out and serve my savior and serve my family in North Carolina! I love it here and I know that this work is real! Missionary work is the BEST!!! Thank you all for all of your love and support. I feel your prayers. every single one. I keep thinking about my cousin Nate too, I hope he is doing well. :) Thank you for the letters, packages, and everything else! You truly don't know how happy they make me. I truly feel so blessed to be part of the best family in the entire world. I don't know what I did to get so lucky, but I definitely did something right. I have the best of the best. Keep doing what is right, keep working on your conversion to the lord, and keep strengthening each others faiths!! I love you all so much. Sending all my love, hugs, & kisses your way!! I LOVE YOU!!

Sister Kyla Joan Worthington

April 20, 2015

this was quite the experience. our vacuum stopped working this week and so we had to take it apart and I swear it hadn't ever been cleaned and there was so much hair I literally threw up in my mouth. I bet its like 20+ years old, and a house full of girls is just not a good idea. sorry to seem so graphic, but oh my goodness. Grateful for my vacuum at home. I will never do that again. next time just gonna buy a freaking new one. hahha.
Also, with the subject line of My chick fil a :)
Hahah this just happened. PDAYS ARE THE BEST!!!!

April 13, 2015

Apparently wheat thins are a "Utah" thing and that's what everyone tells us when we eat them... so we just buy them all the time and everyone laughs at us! They say that no one ever buys them... except if they are from Utah and I'm like well. they are my favorite cracker so I guess I'll keep them in business haha!! Love you all.

​Family,
How are you! Oh my goodness, another week down. This past week went by really fast. I swear I was just here at the library emailing ya'll. The mission really does go by fast! I now know what they mean when they all said that haha. This week was miraculous. Definitely full of miracles every single day. As mentioned earlier, my companion did break her leg and it's been kind of hard to feel like we are being the 'best' missionaries that we can be. But, nonetheless, we are making do with what we can and we know that the Lord is pleased with all of our hard work. And, I know that he knows the intentions and desires that we have. It has been a really good experience for me because I have had to learn a lot of patience and love. I thought I had that..... but I've had to really test it out. It's not that it has been bad at all, or has even bothered me, but I literally have to do everything for her because she can't put ANY weight on her foot. So, I get to drive everywhere, open up her door every time we get in and out of the car, carry her bag, bring in groceries, vacuum & wash the car, do the dishes, clean the apartment, carry her laundry and all of that, bring her food in and out of the kitchen, just things like that that I have really never had to do for anyone else... but, I have been able to see the blessings that come from service and I wouldn't change it for anything.
So let's talk about my week. We have been on fire the past few days! Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday seemed to drag on a little bit.. but the rest of the week just picked right up. Lately we have been struggling with 'finding' new investigators and just people to teach in general because here in Waxhaw, there is like no big gathering places or anything. There is no malls, no hang out restaurants, and just not a whole lot of people gathering. There is a little main street and a little skate park, but that's about it. It's just hard to find random people outside that we can talk too haha. and, we can't really knock doors because of Sister Ekstroms foot, and every house is like really far back and so spread apart that it takes you like 5 minutes to walk from house to house. and, half of the time the people don't even answer or they slam the door on us.. and so then it's just not even worth it. not to mention that it's super hot and humid so we just don't like walking anyways haha. BUT, it's good. we are finding other ways to find and it's been fun!
We had to go into Charlotte this week a couple of times and that was really fun! We went for Sister Ekstroms Doctor apt. and got that all checked out! She has to be on crutches for 1 more month and then she should be off them! We also had a zone meeting Friday and that was AMAZING!! President and sister Craven were there and shared some amazing things and it was so good to see them again! You rarely see them and it's quite sad actually!! My zone is great though! We got some great advice and learned a lot. it was funny because I just happened to get paired up with Elder Riley Smith in like all of our group things. he played football and graduated with me AND, knows Shae really really well because of football and dodge ball so it was really fun to work with him and learn from him! It's crazy to see how much he has changed though, just from high school to now haha. We have been teaching some pretty solid investigators right now. Idk if I mentioned Harrison to you last week or not, but man, he is so solid. We met him at McDonald's last week and showed him the Easter video and he said we could come back and teach him. Well- we have taught him 2 lessons now and they have been nothing but PERFECT. we extended a baptism date of May 2 and we are really excited for that. It is so amazing to me to see how truly prepared these people are. I know that the Lord has prepared them for ME. because there is no way after 2 lessons that someone could feel so much and learn so much. He is 20 years old, works and McDonald's, and goes to a community college, and is really doing nothing with his life. Last lesson was just unreal. we taught him about the plan of salvation and he just lit up and it was as if the spirit was just tangible. it was SO REAL and SO THICK I just could feel it! Ah it was so good! Last night we also had a great first lesson with this cute family. The parents have 4 kids and they aren't married, and have never heard of the church and have never been religious so it was like prime opportunity. It was kinda hard to teach the lesson because we like didn't even know where to begin and what to say, but somehow it worked and the spirit definitely led the WHOLE lesson. I had no idea what was coming out of my mouth but we extended a baptismal date and the mom and her two 11 year old daughters said they would get baptized if they knew it was true so that was really exciting! We meet with them again tomorrow! We have lots of others that we are teaching but right now we are trying to focus on visiting the less actives and formers. We did have to drop one investigator yesterday and that was really sad.. his name was Kevin and he was really progressing and was doing everything we were asking him to do, he just wouldn't give us his last name and that was just keeping us from getting him baptized and it was really frustrating, but it's what needed to happen! I think he has some mental/emotional issues.. so we counseled with pres. Craven and came up with an executive decision!
I am amazed at the people here though. everyone is fairly nice, but it's amazing to me how every single neighbor is of a different faith. we knock doors all the time and it's just amazing how one house is catholic, another is Baptist, another is Methodist, another is Jewish, another is Presbyterian, its just crazy! There are SO many different churches around here it blows my mind!! Like how do you have neighbor hood parties and get together and all that! oh wait, you don't haha. it's like everyone is in their own little world and it's just crazy to me! It's been really fun though to meet people of different backgrounds.(P. blessing mom) because that is what I am definitely doing and that has probably been my favorite part thus far! We are actually teaching a couple tonight and they are 100% hindu... so that could be interesting. I will definitely let you know how that goes hahah.
Right now I am falling in love with this family in my ward. She is a single mother of 8 kids, and she is raising them all on her own. they are from 5 different fathers, so imagine that, and they are just the sweetest family ever. We have been going over there a lot lately because the mom is really struggling and she says that she wants us over as much as we can because she loves the feeling that is in her home when we are there and she said that she really needs us to come over for her kids. they have been members for about 1 year now and have just been able to be so blessed by the church because the church helps them out A LOT financially and all of that, but it's been so fun for us to go over and visit with them and share spiritual thoughts. We always go and read scriptures with them and it's really uplifting and encouraging. They are all black too sooooo. bonus for me! These 2 little kids are my absolute favorite. their names are Nature and Phoenix and they are just the cutest things! I will make sure to send a picture with them next week! Mom, you would eat them up!! Lets see, I think that's about it for me this week. I am loving every second, as said before. it's definitely not easy, but I just couldn't be happier and more blessed. I have never ever been closer to my Savior in my entire life and I am just soaking it all in. I love meeting new people and I have just loved talking to Everyone I see. It's amazing how bold I have become and how 'unshy' I have become. It's fantastic! Everyone here needs the gospel and I have just loved being able to open up my mouth and share what I know to be true! Our fast Sunday yesterday was great, I got up and bore my testimony and was just so filled with the spirit because of how much my testimony has grown. It's amazing what 1 month of being a missionary can do for you! GUYS- this week will be ONE whole month!! What!!! life is great! As a companionship last night we read together Alma 26 and it just hit me so hard. It was the definition of missionary work and how I really feel. I have never read that chapter and thought of that really, until being on a missionary. I encourage you to go read it and have that in mind, the thought of being a missionary- because we are all missionaries. Member missionaries are wayyy more powerful than you can even imagine, and I have been able to really notice that here. It's amazing actually. There are people who need You, and your testimony. SO SHARE IT AND BEAR IT!!
Family, I want to know that I know that this church is the true church and I have never been more sure. Having the spirit with me 24/7 has just been able to confirm that! I know that he lives and that he loves every single one of you, never ever ever forget that. I have been able to witness his love in so many ways and have been able to see it work in the lives of so many people out here, who don't even have a clue what the Gospel is. We are so blessed. We are so blessed to be able to have the knowledge of the gospel and it really is our job to share it with everyone. So many people are kept from the truth because they just don't know where to find it. When we don't share our testimonies with others, we are basically not allowing them to repent and to have their chance to accept or reject the gospel! Let's all do our part! I know that he will bless you if you just stand up, be bold, (in a very loving way), and share what you know to be true. I am so grateful for the chance that I have to be one of his direct servants. I know that I have been called by a prophet of god to share what I know. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! and yes kaiden, I am so spoiled. so spoiled. but it's exactly what I have needed! you just needed something different! :) hehe. I promise that if ya'll do what is right and you keep the commandments, you will be taken care of! I know that the atonement is real. oh my goodness, it is so real. I PROMISE YOU THAT IT WORKS and that he truly suffered for each and every one of us. it wasn't just like a big pile of sins and trials that he took on all at once, it was each individual person, one at a time, that he suffered for. Me, you, and every single person. I love my savior so much and I hope that you will continue to do the little things that strengthen your faith and your relationship with him. MAKE TIME FOR HIM and I promise he will make up the rest for you. I have never understood that concept more, than being on my mission. Put him first and he will put you first. I love him I love him I love him!
Thank you ALL for the love and support. Mom, I have a few questions/favors for you! First, I need some emails and birthdays. In a package that I know you will be sending in the future... (hahhaha I'm so funny aren't I?) will you include a copy of the Birthday/email list from both sides of the family? thank you so so much. Also, I LOVE the dry shampoo that we bought before I left, (in the teal can) for dark haired people, it works like a CHAMP. I need some of that and we don't have a hair store in my area so I can't get any.. and the walmart brand is just not quite cutting it. Also, do you have any remedies besides bug spray for mosquito's? they are HUGE here and I am getting bit everywhere. last week I had like 10 on my toes and my feet and I couldn't sleep because they itched so bad and ahh it was just miserable. so maybe ask around and see if you come up with any ideas! Wow, I am just full of needs aren't I! haha jk I really am doing perfect these are just some of my extra things I decided to add onto the email! Dad, I am in dyer need of an Ipad screen protector thingy. I have the newest Ipad mini, model number A1489 or something like that.. but I can't seem to find one anywhere. so if you could include that in the next package that would just be wonderful! :) Mom, tell grandma how much I love her and how grateful I am for her. as well as the rest of the family. Kaiden and chels. I love you 2 so much. Some more letters and emails would be nice. maybe some pictures too haha. Kenna, Cole, I LOVE YOU!! keep up the good work and don't go to Disneyland without me again! ever! don't ever do that again! I promise it'll be way more fun with me! So wait, and we'll go when I get back! I love you all to the MOON AND BACK!! Thank you all so much for your love and your support. You are in my every single prayer! Thank you for loving me and serving me! I have the greatest family in the entire world! Sending all my hugs, loves, and kisses your way!! Until next week,

Sister Kyla Joan Worthington

Stocking up at Walmart!

Last Day at the MTC

This is my house

April 6, 2015

Hello family!!
How are ya'll doing? I'm starting to say that all the time and I'm driving myself nuts! Hahaha! Well, where do I even begin? Oh my goodness. First off, let's talk about conference. AHHHHH! Happy Easter! I was dying. That was literally the best thing ever. HAITI HAITI HAITI!!! All I could think about was Shae, and Mimos, and all my little Haiti babies. I cannot believe that there will be a temple right in the very place that I was! Looks like me and mom have to go back.... I'm sorry, I don't care what anyone says, but I will be back. No questions asked. I have to attend that temple. HAVE TO HAVE TO. Anyways, this conference was different. I don't know if it's because I am a missionary or what... but it was amazing! We were able to watch all sessions at our church building, the spirit was so strong and it was nice to be able to really focus with no distractions. We were watching it with a few ward members and 2 other sets of missionaries.
So, let me tell you about my first week in NORTH CAROLINA. I flew out of SLC and arrived. it was great to hear mom & dad's voices, thanks for answering! When I landed, I walked down the stairs only to find my mission president and his adorable wife waiting with open arms! I instantly fell in love with them. After talking for a little bit, we got our bags and headed to the mission office to start my journey. We filled out paper work, got credit cards, got my bike, instructions, and all that good stuff. After that, we went straight to the mission home. The home and office are both in downtown charlotte. Sister craven had some yummy BBQ food all prepared for dinner. It was great to get to know them and have some good NC food! After dinner we had an interview with the mission president and that went UNREAL. I love the man to death. I was able to give him the picture of him & pres. Maw and the tie during our interview and he got super emotional and I could tell it meant SO much to him. he was so grateful! So mom, thank you for that! After that we went straight to bed and were ready for the mission to really begin! We (the 5 missionaries that I came over with) woke up to an amazing breakfast and were about to be on our way. We were able to have a 3 hour study session with president and his wife and I will honestly say that I have never learned more or have ever been so taught by the spirit in my entire life. That man is TRULY, called of god. My mind was just blown. we really dug deep into the scriptures and really studied the doctrine of Christ. I wish so bad that you could all hear what I learned. Do not let me forget, because I HAVE to share with you what I learned. I literally learned all that I need to know in this life. I learned everything. like I am set. haha. I just loved it to say the least, I just don't have time to tell you all about it right now. Sorry, forgive me that this email will be miles and miles long haha. I am just trying to catch you up on everything since my P days have been whacky. they will officially be on Mondays from this point on. haha. Lets see. Now we will begin my week. I went to my first transfer meeting and found out who my companion/trainer was. Her name is sister ekstrom and she is from Kamas, Utah. She welcomed me with open arms and we got assigned to our area and then were on our way. I got assigned to be in Waxhaw, North Carolina. I live in the cutest little house EVER. it is just me & her all alone in a pretty decent sized house. I love it! We have our own washer and dryer, and each have our own bathroom, and the kitchen and living room is huge.. and I have my own closet and it's just perfect haha! it's not an apartment, it's a solid 3 bed, 2 bath house. we're rocking it!
As noticed in the picture, my comp. broke her ankle about a week before I arrived, sooooo we are using a car full time!! It's been great! I am the only one who can drive, but it's been fun! My first night we went right out to go teach and we went to this house in the middle of no where and we walk up and some lady answers the door and she is wearing no pants... she just has like an over sized t-shirt on that barley covers her bottom. hahaha It was an excellent first lesson on the mission. I was dying. I have already seen some very interesting things here haha. I wish I could share everything with you guys. Lets see, the people here are great. they are really really southern. Black southern. A lot of people are really nice, but the work is really hard! NO ONE wants to hear what we have to say. They think that they are already saved 100% and it is really sad. We have experienced so many miracles already. President and sister craven call this the "north Carolina charlotte mission of miracles". And that is absolutely right. One night me and my comp went to go visit this referral that we had that the sisters before us had been trying to contact forever and ever and we went and pulled up and the daughters were home but not the mom. they told us that they would be home in 20 mins so we were like alright, we will come back in 20 mins haha. so we come back and they still weren't home so we were bummed out, and then right as we got back into the car to leave, the parents pulled up. they are a family of 6 and have been wanting to leave their church and find another church to go to and they seemed SOOOO interested in hearing about the gospel. We got a return apt. and meet with them tomorrow and I am so excited! It's just simple things like that where you know the lord is involved! Sorry this email is all over the place, I don't even know what to tell you haha. there is SO Much that has happened.
I have story after story, and so much to say. Dad, I hope you had a great birthday, I'm sorry I wasn't able to be there and wish you a happy birthday! my thoughts were with you all day though! I'm a bit jealous that you all went to Disneyland.... um yeah thanks for the invite! I'm in NC though so you guys are the ones missing out! Mom, thank you so much for your amazing letter and your pictures! KEEP THEM COMING!! I love them. if I can get my camera to work I will send you a few. I'm glad you were able to get the easter one yesterday! the members here are great and they LOVE us! Which is great. every night we have had dinner with different members so it's been fun to get to know them. The church is 20 mins away from my house and the members are spread out SO much that everything is so far and it takes a lot of time to get places, but it's good. Literally NO ONE is Mormon down here. like NO ONE. it's quite unreal actually. like it's crazy how much of a minority I am and how many people haven't heard of our church. it blows my mind! I have my very own ipad and that's just been the biggest blessing! our area book and plans and EVERY Mormon message and everything you could possibly think of is on that thing and we even get to bring it home when we are done with our missions! YAY! It's truly been such an amazing tool! This past week we have been showing everyone the #BecauseHeLives easter video that the church came out with! Have you guys seen it? if you haven't, go watch it!! It's amazing! I wasnt' able to watch the Young Womans broadcast unfortunately so I'm glad to hear it went well! Ummm, what else. my face and skin look SOOOO good and I'm loving the weather right now. it's fantastic. it's not super humid yet, but enough to moisturize my skin without lotion haha. I am already soooo sick of my clothes, so that's not good... but I mean I am learning a lot and it's keeping me very humble. As far as needs go and all of that, I am doing pretty well. if you want to send me a package, you TOTALLY CAN and I would love that! It comes right to my house so that's super convienant. my home address is 313 North Providence St. Waxhaw, North Carolina 28173 and you can definitely send away! hahah anything food wise is great. like snacks and treats and surprises and all that haha. we went to walmart today and I spent $80 on food... so that was rough, but I stocked up for a while. Shoes are great, my life is great, and I couldn't be happier. This is really hard, I wont' lie. it's the hardest thing I have ever done, but somehow the most rewarding. My companion is 10000% opposite from me, and that's been really hard for me, but I am praying like crazy and it seems to be getting better and better as the days go on. pray for me. I am with her for 3 months. ahhh. anyways, she is great and I am learning a lot and she is teaching me a lot of things! :)
I want you all to know that I know the savior lives. I cannot believe the things I have learned in just 3 short weeks. It's amazing. The mission has hands down been the most rewarding experience of my life thus far. If you are questioning on going on a mission or not- GO. I know you have heard that said 1 million times before, but GO. I'm not kidding, it will change your life. As I go out and teach these people, it's amazing how much my testimony grows. my testimony is so simple and I feel like I know nothing, but somehow god makes up the rest and puts the words into my mouth. My love for everyone has just changed so much. it's crazy that you can walk down the street or walk inside somewhere and just completely LOVE everyone. I'm sure they think we are crazy, but we just do. our desires to serve and our desires to love are just out of this world! It's been so amazing to just be a missionary and be a servant of the lord. I never thought I would love it this much. I just feel perfect in a sense, not in a cocky way or anything, but I feel closer to my savior than I ever have before. Not having the distractions of the world has truly changed me. I haven't heard a "worldly song" or have been on social media for 3 weeks now and Im loving it!! ITS AMAZING!!! I have never prayed more in my entire life, I literally pray probably 30-40 times a day and it's just more than fantastic! pray when you wake up, begin planning, end planning, begin companion study, end comp. study, breakfast, lunch, when you leave the apartment, when you get in the car, before you go in someones house, after you get out of a lesson, for dinner, for bed, for nightly planning, for dinner, hahah for EVERYTHING!!! and I love it. I have such a strong testimony of prayer and it truly is the key to growing closer to your savior. I want to thank all of you for all your love and support. I seriously feel all of your prayers and your love. I know that this missionary work is true and it is real. I am witnessing lives change and that is all I have ever wanted to do. I just absolutely know with every ounce in my heart that what I am doing is right. It's amazing how the lord works and how much he is involved in our lives! Dad, please forward this to whom ever you'd like- the family pretty please! I promise that next email will be more organized and shorter hahah. I love you guys SO much and miss you like CRAZY!! I want you to know that you are in EVERY single prayer. EVERY one. and like I said, I pray a lot. soooo, I promise you it's going to be okay!! Thank you so much for everything, I look forward to hearing from you next week. Look for my email next week! AHHH I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU!! the church is true. the atonement is real. Thanks for all the love! I am sending my love all the way across the country! Sending all my hugs and kisses!! xoxoxox's

Sister Worthington