Monday, June 12, 2017

WEEK 84: FAITH TO ENDURE



Ricky Lee's baptism
This past week we were able to see Ricky Lee enter worthily into the Waters of Baptism.  It was a super spiritual program and I feel so blessed that I was a part of it.  I have been in this area for 9 weeks today and all of the lessons that we have had and everything he has learned has gone by super fast. Ricky has gone through so much but because of his strong Faith in the Lord, he was able to endure to Baptism even through all of the hard trials he faced trying to get here.  Ricky reminds me of Moroni, and if everyone were like Ricky then...Alma 48:17.  He has strong faith and has done a complete 180 in the lifestyle he was living and the one he is living now.

Ricky Lee was baptized by Sosaia - his Polynesian fellowshipper

I have a strong testimony that God puts us in the path of those that he wants to help us.  I truly believe I was meant to be an instrument to teach Ricky, because I was able to increase my faith as I saw the changes he has gone through.  After the Baptism I gave him a big hug, and he looked at me and said, "You carried me to this point. You played a huge role in getting me here."

I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the love that the Father has for us.

Love,
EP




Monday, June 5, 2017

WEEK 83: MORE BAPTISMS AND BIRTHDAYS




Anabelle's baptism
This past week I had the wonderful opportunity to enter into the waters of Baptism with Anabelle Matus.  It was awesome to be able to see her testimony grow over the past 6 weeks since I have been here. It is awesome to be able to see someone grow closer to Christ.
 
Anabelle's baptism
Next week is Ricky Burton’s Baptism and I am super excited for that! We have interviews this next week and it is super sad that President Mullen only has a few weeks left as a mission President :(

Love,

EP

Elder Pennington's planner cover

Back side of the planner cover
Elder Avei's Birthday



Our WML in the YSA Ward
Christian and Mikell's baptism

MLC

Who here has the greatest faith?  Is that Elder Pennington's hand?

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

WEEK 82: I LOVE MY COMPANIONS


Kera's baptism

This past week we had a baptism for Kera!  She is awesome, and really loves the gospel.  It was an amazing opportunity to see her enter into the waters of Baptism.





Elder Luthy fixing an investigator's back
This was my first week with my new companion Elder Luthy, and he is a stud!  Looking back, I have been extremely lucky with my companions that I have had throughout my mission.



I have a Baptism for two twins in my last area, and a Baptism this Sunday for a girl we have been teaching in our YSA ward!  Super excited for these people! I am short on time so bye!

Love,

EP
Goodbye Elder Moyers

A district in the zone I visited
Elder Glathar came to visit and brought me a tie

My lunch dedicated to Memphis!

Monday, May 22, 2017

WEEK 81: SERVICE, BAPTISM AND A BIRTHDAY

We did not receive an email from Elder Pennington this week, but he did manage to send a few pictures.

Enjoy!

Ryan's baptism in Menifee

A Day of Service

Elder Frisby's birthday

One of our investigators

This street was named after me!

Monday, May 15, 2017

WEEK 80: MOTHER'S DAY SKYPE... YEA!

Bienvenidos a la iglesia!
The weekly letter is going to be short today, who am I kidding they are always short!  This past week we were able to find some new people to teach, and we were also able to get the opportunity to Skype home!


It was way cool to see everyone.  For having a little brother and sister that are super into technology they were awfully quiet!!!

I have really enjoyed being in Hemet, and it is crazy to think this is
President Mullen begins his last transfer.
the last week of the transfer.  Next transfer is President Mullens last transfer and it is a 5 week one. After that I only have three transfers left :(  It is super sad to think about and so I am going to stop.

I am hopefully going back for a baptism in Menifee for a part member family that I taught.  His name is Ryan Nelson, and he is a stud. Thanks for all the love that ya’ll give me.  I appreciate the prayers and the thoughts and I hope all is well with everyone.

Love,

EP

Enjoy a few more pictures:

Yo soy guapo!

Selfie time is the best time.

Pink ties and grey suits are in style!



Monday, May 8, 2017

WEEK 79: A POWERFUL WITNESS OF JESUS CHRIST


The past few weeks have been awesome.  We were able to have a baptism for Johnnie, who is an awesome YSA.  We are teaching his other 4 friends that all have a date that they are working towards for baptism.

The work in the Hemet area is going awesome!  In my zone there are six companionships and everyone is doing awesome.  This zone is truly working together, and I wouldn't be surprised if we were all translated like the city of Enoch.  It is really weird having such a young zone, Elder Moyers has been out for 22 months, and I have been out for a little over a year or so :)  The rest of the zone, the companionships are all 10 months or less.  It feels like yesterday that I was with my awesome trainer Elder Heelis and it was the year 2015!!  It is so crazy to see how fast the mission has gone by.

But what has been even more spectacular has been the many people I have been able to come to love and see enter into the waters of baptism.  Also, my faith in Jesus Christ has grown tremendously, as I have done my best to serve Him and come to know Him.  It is one thing to know facts about the Savior, to be able to know that He walked the earth, or He walked on water, or that He cleansed the Temple and told the people to not make mine Fathers house an house of merchandise.  But it is another thing to truly, truly know Him, and feel the love He has for you through not only the scriptures, but the words of modern day prophets.  I know that He is coming again, and that now is the time to prepare.  Christ taught that no man knoweth when I will return.  Not the angels not even myself, but only the Father. From that we know that God the Father and Jesus Christ are two separate and distinct individuals that want us to know They love us and care for us.

I truly know that the Book of Mormon’s role is to convince us that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God, and that the Bible is the word of God.  Because of Joseph Smith, I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the restored church, and that he truly did see God and Jesus Christ in that Grove called Sacred.  I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. There is no other name that you can be saved by. 

Love,
EP

===============================================
Christina's Baptism
A former investigator that Elder Pennington had an opportunity to teach was baptized this past week and he was able to go back to Moreno Valley to see that happen.  Here is what he wrote...

"I finally got to go back to a baptism in Moreno Valley!  Cheyenne, a girl Elder Smith and I baptized a year ago in April, had a mother that was pretty interested as well, but it wasn’t her time yet.  So a year later she was able to enter into the waters of baptism as well.  Her name is Christina!!

Monday, May 1, 2017

WEEK 78: THE WATERS OF BAPTISM

And another week without a "family email" summarizing his week.  Bummer!

We do know this though...

Elder Pennington has been teaching a young single adult (YSA) named Johnnie, and he was baptized this week!!!

Enjoy the pictures!


Johnnie's baptism

Johnnie's baptism

Elder Pennington and Johnnie
Elder Pennington & Johnnie
Elder Pennington & Nick. He has a baptismal date for May

Hey Nick... are you sleeping?
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