Yes, we had ice cream in 13 degree weather!

                                                  Sister Curtis from the exchange

FREEZING WEATHER....

Family, I have been great! My investigators are progressing so much and are willing to learn. I love my ward and the people in it are sooo nice. It is FREEZING here, I am staying as warm as I can. It was 14 degrees and the wind is crazy cold..but I am handling it. I got your package and I LOVED it! Thank you so much! I still haven't gotten the letters you sent to the mission home:( I am glad you were able to talk to Brother and Sister T. They are great we had dinner at their home and they said they were going to call you. It is nice to know they are watching over us. We had two investigators come to church with us yesterday and that was great. The family is amazing.

Since today is my p-day I am just going to run errands and then go to the church and play games with the rest of my zone. Now, I don't want you to freak out...but I have to go to the doctors. My jaw is really hurting me and the ward mission leader said I needed to go. I will need to see an ear, nose and throat specialist.  I will be fine, I promise. I am sure they will just put me on antibiotics for some kind of infection.

How funny is this...remember when we were at the temple and they were saying how lucky I was that I was staying in the US, because at least I would able to wash and dry my clothes unlike the other missionary? Well I don't have a dryer...haha, all of our clothes are hanging all over the apartment. 

I want you to know that I am so happy. The work of the Lord is wonderful. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you but I am doing great. I went on exchanges on Friday, meaning I went with another sister. I learned a lot from her. Can you believe I will be 20 next month?? Well, I have to go, I love you so much. I am happy and I love serving. I still can't believe I am on a mission. Love, Sister King 

                                           

                                                       Making yummy Oreo balls

EMAIL FROM WARD MISSION LEADER IN KENTUCKY

King Family, I got your email address from Sister King. I want you to know she has had a great start to her mission. Yesterday she spoke to the ward and and she had us all on the edge of our seats as she explained her experience coming out on here mission. She has shown great confidence and has a personality that will be a great asset. They also brought many investigators to church. As the ward mission leader, I love that. Thank you so much for your sacrifice and sharing your daughter with us. She is well on her way. 

David 

Great week!

Hi Family, I know you have been worried about me, I said the the first week here was rough, but things have been going sooooo much better!!! I spoke in church yesterday and the ward mission leader said I "killed" it:) It went really well and we had investigators come to church with us so it was awesome. I have only gotten one letter in the mail so far since I have been here:( I know you said you have sent them, not sure why it is taking so long to get them. I wanted to share a journal entry so you will know how I am really doing:

"What a day!! It started out great and just got better. We went and taught a girl named "A" and she had a friend there so we even got a new investigator. We visited a member today, she said she really liked me, she kissed me on the cheek.  I am hearing from so many people that the members like me, and that makes me feel good. We then went to a less active families house for dinner and I was able to teach the kids sign language, it was so fun."

That is pretty much how my week has been. I have gotten soooo many investigators and everyone in my zone is saying "Greenie Fire!" I am getting to know everyone and the members here are so great. They are all so helpful and treat me well. I have an investigator who is AMAZING! I feel so at home at her house, even though she smokes and stuff, I love being there. I love her kids and they love me, she is really progressing. 

It really has been great. We got recognized for doing great from our zone leaders. It was nice.

I love you all and and think about you all the time. I have been out 5 weeks now, time is flying! CRAZY!!! Please write often, it gets me through.

Missionary Life

Dear Family, It feels like I haven't talked to you forever! I haven't been able to get any of your letters because you sent them to the mission home and I am now in my apartment.  Missionary life is so much different than MTC life. It's a whole new world here. I have met so many people. My area is in Northern Kentucky. Everyone has strong accents here. They are also very, very nice. A lot of people here smoke and unfortunately I end up smelling like smoke. I'm not going to lie to you, my first few days have been rough. We haven't had too much luck and I am new to everything so I have been stressed lately, but I know I will get over it.

I have some really great investigators and  have been really nice. I love working. When I just sit and don't do anything, I hate it. I need to keep busy. It is really weird being on my own. I am actually the designated driver because my companion doesn't have a drivers license. I get to drive, but I have no idea where I am going because I don't know the area yet. I will learn someday..lol. My apartment is nice. I did laundry today and went grocery shopping...yay...Hayley is a big girl now!

Missionary work is not what I expected at all. We have good days and bad days. I will be in this area for 6 weeks and then I could be transferred. I train for 12 weeks. My area is so big. We do get a limited amount of miles but we pretty much drive everywhere. Members of the ward help out. We have dinner at members homes, they are all so happy. My favorite progressive investigator right now is named Nicky. She is awesome and I really hope that she and her family get baptized. Pray that she comes to church on Sunday.

I really miss all of you. I am happy here and I know even though I have rough days, things will get better. The Lord is on my side. We keep really busy from 6:30 am to 9:30 pm. It's crazy. Write me and tell people to write me. I love you so much! Time will fly:) Stay happy and close to the Lord. Your are all in my prayers. Love, Sister King

                               Hayley met up with her Cottonwood High basketball teammate:)

Photos of the arrival in Cincinnati

                                          Laundry day!

                                          MTC Fun!

                                          Awesome teachers

                                          New companion, Sister Baker

Wednesdays...Email days:)

Family, Thank you so much for the wonderful package. I love getting mail. Thanks for the oreo balls. My teacher loved them! My new companion, Sister Baker, is from St. George Utah. She is so great, I have learned so much from her. Sundays are my favorite days here at the MTC. It is just so peaceful and spiritual. The people here are so nice, it really has been a wonderful experience. Now that my companion and I are Sister training leaders, we get to help the newbies. So exciting! I am sending you some pictures. I love you and miss you tons!