Exchanges and Making Friends :)

Dear Friends and Family,

When your companion is a leader you get to go on lots of exchanges. This week I went on three. Two of which, I stayed in my area, and the other, I went to Durham. We had interviews with our Mission President and his wife. That went well, and they were kind enough it give us a ride afterwords, so we wouldn't have to walk as far as we were planning to in the rain. They are pretty great! The exchanges were fun. I love these girls. The work is going great! 

One of our referrals, was a sweet older lady who had ordered a Book of Mormon. When we called her to see when we could bring it to her, she said she didn't want a Book of Mormon. She wanted a Bible. So we told her we could bring her a Bible. Then when we went to her house, and gave the Bible to her, and she had asked us what the difference was, between the Bible and the Book of Mormon. We were able to teach about the restoration, and we ended up giving her a Book of Mormon as well. She agreed to meet with us again. I'm excited to teach her. She sounds like she has been humbled in her life and is ready to learn. She just wants to be very careful though. Which is fine. She sad she will be praying about the Book of Mormon, and the Restoration, which is exactly, what we want her to do! :)

Sincerely,

Sister Kimberly Galloway

Sister Burdette D&C 84:8

Sister Steanhoek

Sister Carlile. Alma 29:9-10 &Alma 36:24

A "Package" of fun.

*A "Package" of fun, is a reference to the phrase, A "Barrel" of fun. The word fun can also be thought of as work, since missionaries have "fun" working and seeing the progress of their teaching to those they serve, love, and teach.* - Shelby

Dear friends and family,

It's been a good week. We have some investigators praying about baptism dates. So we are praying for them to get answers. We've been working a lot on contacting referrals this week. I'm amazed at how cheap gas prices are right now. 

Also, one of my friends sent me some goodies that really made my day. 

We had a lesson with a family who have been investigating for a long time, and they told us what some of their concerns were. I thought of the same scripture that the church member who had tagged along with us, had also decided to share with this family of their troubles. Great minds think alike. It was great! I think it helped them. All we can do is offer the knowledge we have, and invite the investigators to act in faith, and to find out for themselves, if what they are learning is true. The investigators who I had mentioned earlier, are currently praying about baptism, and they have loved learning about this topic so far. 

I love being a missionary. Sometimes it can be really hard. During one of our lessons this past week, someone had asked if we (missionaries in general), have ever felt stressed or overwhelmed. I answered quickly by saying, "Yes, but it's worth it." She didn't think that missionaries were ever stressed about anything. But this is work. It's not easy being on the go all the time. Missionaries get rejected a lot, and than having to bare the things that are deepest in your heart to complete strangers all day, and every day. When you are a missionary, you tend to be putting yourself into other people's shoes a lot as well. But it is worth it because some people listen, and their lives will never be the same once their hearts have changed for the better of what our message had to offer. They are happier, and we are happier for having been able to help. No matter how hard it is. We are helping people come closer to God, and his beloved son, and we know that these people can live with them in the life to come. We bring peace, comfort, hope, love, and a warning, to those who will listen and learn from us, and other missionaries who share the same message. 

The church member said something that had touched my heart. There was no need to doubt what she had said, because I knew the it was true. The member's words went something like this,

"The goal isn't to become a better person, it's to live with God forever!!!"

I know that this goal is true, and that it can bring many of our brothers and sisters together with us, as possible. That is my testimony of the week! I know that God love's you. You are his child. You lived with him before this life. He has prepared a perfect plan to help us learn, grow, and to be able to return to live with him. We have left our families, friends, work, school and everything else to tell people about it. We have seen the blessing of the restored gospel  and want you to have them too. I love you very much. I hope you understand that my boldness comes from my love. 

This is why I'm a missionary. I can't believe how little time I have left. Of course I will always share the gospel even when I'm not a full-time missionary anymore. I look back on my life thus far. I have grown a lot, and I still have a long way to go, but I love God, and I have tried to show him my love in the way that I have been living...by being a good example to those around me, as well as taking good care of myself.

Sincerely,

Sister Kimberly Galloway

I got a package from my friend!

Much, Much, Love (Part 2)

Dear friends and family,

~ Happy Valentine's day! ~ 

How are y'all doing? I'm grateful that the buses were still driving today. When things get icy here things usually close down. It was snowing this morning and it's been raining off and on. We share the car. so we don't have it right now. We want to the mall this morning. There wasn't very many people there. 

Some of the stores were closed. But it was nice to look around. 

We are doing well. We had a neat experience this week. We found 3 investigators who are related in one way or another, like a kinship. I hope they all stay interested in learning more about the gospel. I'm reading in Alma chapter 48. This chapter talks about what it's like about being men (or women) of God. I've really enjoyed reading that chapter. 

I hope my family is doing alright today. I love y'all. I'm fine. I get to go see the Willow Tree in June. Love y'all.

Sincerely,

Sister Kimberly Galloway

Durham Zone sorry you can't really see the back row.

Sister Fagergren and I 

Everything is wet and icy today.

Thoughtful Quotes and Much, Much Love

Dear Friends and Family,

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 

I hope y'all are going well! It's been a good week. We keep getting lots of referrals, which is exciting! We have a car every other week. When we don't have a car, we ride the bus a lot. Chapel Hill has a great bus system. It's a college city. UNC (University of North Carolina) is a big deal here, like BYU is in Provo, UT.  

I love y'all and hope you are doing well. I am starting to realize that the end of my mission is really getting closer. I have mixed feelings about it. I miss my family and friends. I miss some things I can't do right now. But I don't want to get trunky as they say. I love my mission! I love serving and teaching. I love helping people understand the gospel of happiness and God's love. I love seeing people change their lives for the better. I want to stay focussed and dedicated to the end. I love what I'm doing! Chapel Hill is a great area! Here's some fun quotes..

"The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache." Marjorie Pay Hinckley

"You have the Savior of the world on your side. How can you fail?" Gary E. Stevenson

"The trick is to enjoy life. Don't wish away your days, waiting for better ones ahead." Marjorie Pay Hinckley

"Of this Be sure: You do not find the Happy Life you make it." Thomas S. Monson

"Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Through we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God's love encompasses us completely." Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"I am asking that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight." Gordon B. Hinckley

"Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you. Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me, and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also. Amen." D&C 27:15-18.

Sincerely,

Sister Kimberly Galloway

Getting ready for Valentines Day

Memory Lane

Dear Friends and Family,

So I was Transferred back to Chapel Hill. I started my mission in Chapel Hill 2. Now I'm over Chapel Hill 1 & 2. It's been crazy! I love Chapel Hill but it's been a bit of a shock to be sent back. When I was transferred out I didn't think I'd be back again during this mission. My new companion is Sister Fagergren. She's great! We had an exchange already. I went to Durham with Sister Steenhoek. She's a sweet girl! 

I got bit by a little yap-pie dog. 

It was barely anything, since the dog was so small. I think my new blister on my foot will take longer to heal than the dog bite, and I'll have to get new tights. Oh well. It's been great being back in Chapel Hill, and really weird at the same time. I've seen so many people I've loved this week. It's been great! I love y'all so much!!!!

Sincerely,

Sister Kimberly Galloway

My Companion Sister Fragergen and I