[16] Kindred Spirits, Places with Beach in the Name, and 184th General Conference!:)

Good Morning/Afternoon and much love to my family and friends!!

This has been such a crazy, busy and amazing week! I feel so blessed to be here in Pismo Beach serving, learning and growing.  It's also great to be able to get to write to you.  So much has happened and I only have about thirty minutes left on the computer so I will type as fast as I can!!  Hopefully my letter's length, will be made up by all the pictures I have sent today for mom to put on this missionary blog, (which is where all my time went:)

All day in Shell Beach

I had my third exchange of my mission, (where you switch mission companions for a day) this week with Sister Cox! Even though we had just met, we got along so well the minute we met, and had a bright and beautiful day.  Who knew there were so many 'kindred spirits' in the world? (Just like you like to call them mom, from Anne of Green Gables:)   My sweet companion, Sister Reneer and Sister Cox's companion, Sister Hegstrom, stayed in Grover Beach while we spent all day in Shell Beach. It also makes me smile that the places around here have the word, Beach, in them:)  Doesn't that make you think of beautiful things, and it is very beautiful around here.

Well we had quite the adventure together! It is so interesting to see the different types of people you meet throughout the day. At the very beginning of the day, and at the very first door we visited, was a less-active member of our church.  He opened the door and said right away he was going to call the police on us... But don't worry it all went up hill from there haha:) We just smiled and left peaceably.

One of the humorous comments we had from our encounters was with this lady who we met as we were walking down the street. She seemed to know what LDS missionaries were and she asked where we were from and when I said Pennsylvania, she sounded really surprised and kind of exclaimed "Wow, Mormons have spread that far East?" I wanted to laugh and say "It started there! Joseph Smith Jr grew up in New York state!" but I didn't, I just smiled and told her that we are a worldwide church and have members in many different countries. She was nice to us and it's great meeting friendly people who just like to chat with us on the streets.  We pray for everyone and try to leave them smiling as well.  

As we went throughout the day Sister Cox taught me a lot. She is a sweet sister missionary, and she knows a lot about the restored gospel, as well as going by the spirit to decide what we should do next. Sister C is also a wonderful example of a loving person to those around her. :)

184th Semi Annual General Conference! 

This weekend was just so wonderful, I can't adequately put it into words. I love General Conference. It is such a blessing to be lifted up by the spirit the way the talks, from our loving Church leaders, help you to feel.  The word, powerful comes to mind, it really was so powerful to hear the words of our beloved Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and his Apostles. I always remember the talks seemed to be helpful, but here on my mission it seemed like every talk had extra personal meaning to help strengthen my testimony.  

It's amazing to me how each speaker's important words are broadcasted to millions of people around the whole world, but they can still touch you personally. If you haven't watched this Oct '14 Conference already, try to watch it as soon as you can! :) You can find it online at lds.org. I can't wait to get the November Ensign magazine next month, so that I can reread all the talks that were given. I learned so much and even more of my personal questions were answered. (I seem to have lots of questions) :)  I truly know God loves us and provides us with ways to feel His love. And did you notice there is much hope in this church? And that kind of hope can help you have more of a willingness to do things for our brothers and sisters.  I felt it very strongly this weekend :)

Oh! I don't want to forget the best part of our week! Our investigator Mr (J) came to watch Conference with us at the church!!! He has been seeking answers and has been learning lots of things from the other missionaries.   And on Sunday after the talks, he said he enjoyed it and said he learned a lot. He wants to apply what he heard and learned into his own life! Yes (J)! That is what our General Conference is for! To listen and be touch by the spirit so that it can help us out in our own personal lives.

Two minutes and 10 seconds! Love you all!

Sister S-K