 |
Elder Pennington with Phister and Dunn at his
final multi-zone meeting |
Man what a week it has been, we have
seen some miracles come our way that's for sure! We added 8 people to our teaching pool this
week so that was a blessing! Something
we received a training on last week was finding joys during your trials, and I
know that is what my past few weeks have pretty much been about haha so sorry
but life as a missionary doesn't make all the bad stuff go away because you are
trying to bring people closer to the Savior. This has been the best two years but also the
toughest two years and I know that may not make sense for some people, but
others who have been on a mission understand!
 |
| Last Multi-Zone Conference - mixed emotions |
It was really crazy having my last Multi-Zone
Conference and having to give my last testimony, but what made it even more
crazy is we just so happen to have our conference in Jurupa. That was the same pulpit that I gave my
incoming testimony at almost two years previous. It was definitely a spiritual experience.
 |
King Elder Pennington - enjoying the last
Multi-Zone Conference! |
This past week has been the realization
of a lot of “lasts”. My last transfer,
my last temple trip (on the mission), my last interview with President, and
next week I will have my last holiday. There
are some that people remind me about every time we meet as a zone, but it is
pretty custom to poke fun at the missionary that is going home.....It is
definitely coming in phases the realization that I am going home soon, but that
is not stopping Elder Rose and I from finishing strong. I have seen the difference between
missionaries that just chill because it is their last transfer and missionaries
who keep serving till they get released. And obviously being the competitive sports
lover that I am, I want to finish stronger than I started. It most definitely is the fourth quarter right
now and we aren't going to stop till that buzzer sounds.
 |
| Last mission trip to the Temple |
 |
| Last Cafe Rio lunch after attending the Redlands California Temple |
But the thing that I have been thinking
about lately is that the end of my mission doesn't mean that it is the end. I need to keep on applying the things that I
have learned while I have been on my mission into “normal person” life when I
get back haha. No breaks until the time
I enter into my holy rest. (that won't be until I am in my Heavenly Father's
presence btw) But man I love the Savior Jesus Christ so much.
I was reading in the Old Testament the
other day and was reacquainted with the story of Joseph and how his brothers
sold him into Egypt. He went through
some trials and things of that nature but he just kept his composure and
remembered that God was with him....and where did that attitude get him? Well
as we know after he interpreted some dreams he was Pharaoh’s right hand man,
and eventually he was able to help his family members out when there was a
famine!!!! It has become my favorite
thing to apply stories in the scriptures to now, because we can learn a ton
from them!
I love you all and thank you so much for
the prayers, they are felt here in the California Riverside Mission!!!! (Best
in the West)
Love,
Elder Pennington
 |
| Elder Walker at Cafe Rio |
 |
| Elder Pennington at Cafe Rio |
 |
| Elder Dunn at Cafe Rio |
 |
| Elder Pennington at Cafe Rio |
 |
| Elder Pennington with the Chinese-speaking missionaries |
 |
| Elder Pennington with former companion, Elder Dunn |
 |
| Elder Pennington and a missionary friend |
 |
| Elder Walker & Pennington at his last temple trip |
 |
| Elder Pennington & Elder Phister |
 |
| Elder Pennington and Sister Goodwin |
 |
He called this pic a "visit from the old homies"
We recognize Elder Westenskow (Bruins T) |
 |
| Last box to the mission field with personal letters from family for the flight home |
 |
| Last box to the mission field with treats for the flight home. |
 |
| Last box to the mission field with strict instructions to not open until Nov 7th |
