I'm thankful for the 18 months that I get to preach the gospel.

I'm thankful for my companion, who is the best missionary I know and my best friend.

I'm thankful that we had two investigators in church on Sunday, even if one of them was wearing a shirt that said, "Hustle to the Kick."

I'm thankful for the eleven new investigators we got this week.

I'm thankful for my mission president.

I'm thankful that we got invited to Thanksgiving Dinner by a member that used to not be very open to working with us but has changed his mind.

I'm thankful for all of the things that I have learned on the mission, and all the ways that I've changed.

I'm thankful for the Book of Mormon. 

I'm thankful for my family and that we can be together forever.

I'm thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, that it was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith, and that we have a prophet today.

Love you, be safe,

Hermana Kirkland

We had a mission activity in the ward this weekend.  We worked really hard to get this activity and then worked really hard to get people there and it turned out pretty well.  We did a treasure hunt with the steps of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Atonement, Faith, Repentance, Holy Ghost, Endure to the End) with a prize (Eternal Life, of course, also a movie and nachos).  Someone had chosen out a 2-hour-long not-church movie so we had some gentle words with him and got it changed to Meet the Mormons.  I was surprised at how not-trunky I was during the Utah part (and how at-home I felt during the Costa Rica bit).  Anyway, the real miracle was when we invited a random guy in the plaza to come to the activity and he came.  He was a little out of place, but then he and a member figured out that they were friends 20 years ago.  And then he came to church on Sunday!  He lives alone so the elders will teach him, but there are prepared people out there.

We went to the beach for a sister activity today.  It was my last time as a missionary.  But it all turned out well considering we expected to be doing it next week, so that is a little private miracle I suppose.

I love you a lot!

Hermana Kirkland

We had a lot of miracles, though.  One was when it had poured all day and all of our plans had fallen through, so after we went back home to change we prayed to find a family with a mom and a dad, and a head of the household who would recognize us and be ready to be a priesthood holder for his family and would attend church on Sunday.  So we left the house and prayed for directions, and we kept praying until we got to a house, and without exaggerating it was the first house we contacted.  We knew they were there and they weren't coming out but the Spirit told both of us to sing so we did and they came out and we got an appointment.  They didn't come to church but hey that's just agency for you.

We also had an investigator commit to be baptized and come to church but then she didn't come to church and apparently she told the elders that "the mormon lifestyle is not for me."  We think she just wants to be a rebel in front of her family (they're all slightly active members).

We also felt impressed to go talk to a group of men sitting in the park, and usually when we do that they just try and flirt or talk in English but we've been working on teaching to the culture and wow, did we have them captivated with the restoration.  We taught them and they accepted every commitment we gave them.  If they progress we'll give them to the elders.

I love you all a whole bunch!  Sigan adelante con fuerzas!

Hermana Kirkland

We had transfer calls yesterday (at 10:45 because the zone leaders apparently don't care about the sisters (THAT'S A JOKE)) and we have so many things happening!  One area is going to be whitewashed by elders and they are both going to San Sebastian (we thought we would get to drive there but we were disappointed).  One area (the zone leader's area, haha) is getting sisters (fortunately they already have an apartment).  And two sisters are training.  So every single area is changing except ours, thank heavens.  I'm staying with Hermana Stevens until... Christmas!  (That's the euphemism we use.  That, or "when I get a chance").

We had a powerful experience on Thursday.  Long story short, we felt a lack of the Spirit in the morning because we went to get pizza when we ought not on Wednesday, and when we were talking through it during companionship study we found a talk from April 2013 by President Monson: "Come All Ye Sons of God."  The Spirit came back and we repented and promised each other to never ignore the Spirit again.  This weeked was the longest run of the Spirit so strong of my entire life.  It's still there, we just got a little burned out.

We had a cool conference with Elder and Sister Christensen and Elder and Sister Cornish on Saturday!  We had a special MLC where we talked about the mission's needs, then the mission conference.  The major themes were conversion, repentance, and the Spirit (funny thing, Hermana Stevens and I always seem to have spiritual experiences to prepare us for what we are going to learn in conference).

It's here.  To make it count, Hermana Stevens and I are doing 50 goals for my last 50 days.  Some of them are fun, some of them are service, and some are spiritual, but it's going to be great.  "You hit the tape and you collapse!"  You give it all you got or you didn't do it right.  Well, I'm giving it all I've got.

Lots of love from PR,

Hermana Kirkland