Moving to Simi Valley

Hello!! The mission is a really interesting situation! You are thrown into so many situations that make you want to cry your eyes out and then laugh your life away! I have been a little scatter brained with the thought of coming home! And I kept praying that Heavenly Father would help prepare me for this next step! Well I was humbled BIG time by Heavenly Father. He pretty much told me, "Stop thinking about yourself Sister Collings! The only way you can prepare, is to strengthen your testimony, and that comes through Diligence and Humility!" So I pretty much felt like he was saying..." Yeah, your going home in 3 months. Now get to work!!"

I was able to have an interview with President Felix, and he told me to live one day at a time. He said "Wake up, Be awesome, Go to bed, Repeat!" haha So that's what I'm doing! Every minute of the day I think... how can I be more awesome?! And then a thought comes into my mind, and I do it!

We got transfer calls this week! And... I'm packing up my bags and moving again...  So this will be my 7th area, with my 11th companion.. My new companion is Sister W! And we will still be Sister Training Leaders down in Simi Valley. We came out together! And she is just a powerhouse missionary! I'm torn! I LOVE SLO, and the mini van.... but now it's time to part ways.

This week we taught some incredible people! We met a man named Dale, and his brother Jimmy! They live in a mobile home park and were working on a motorcycle in their shed! We started talking to them, and apparently he's nearly died a couples of times. He was a member of a gang where every one was killed but him.  He wonders why he is still alive. He has a brother who lives in Vegas who joined the church, and changed his life around. It was so amazing to tell him that he needs to hear the gospel, and that God wants him to change his life around also! He was so excited to meet us and he told us that every missionary he has ever seen has a glowing orb around them! It's crazy to think that the spirit is a visual thing.  I am thankful that the more I dedicate myself to this work the more I look like a representative of Jesus Christ! As we were walking away we saw these two ladies sitting in lawn chairs crying... We offered to share an uplifting message and they declined. Then I offered to pray with then and they said we could! I felt the spirit so strongly while I prayed. They were very grateful and then we went on our way! But THAT'S my favorite part about being a missionary! We get to walk the streets and inspire and uplift everyone!

We had a member of the quorum of the 70 come and speak to our ward, and it was incredible. For the first time, I was able to understand more about the atonement. He said "Everyone thinks this life  is hard, and it isn't! Christ already did everything! We NEED to turn to him." I just felt overwhelmed that My missionary service Has been perfect! Not because I haven't made mistakes, but because through Christ, my mistakes are taken away. Which is SO humbling to me. Even times when I knowingly made mistakes! I LOVE my Savior and I am So thankful for him and his example to me. And I'm So thankful that through him I can be changed. We ALL can be changed.

Love, Sister Kaylea Collings

Happy New Year!

Hello!!! I love 2015 :) I just am so grateful for all the changes that have taken place in 2014! This week was a good one! We have had a fun dinner message that we give to all the members and we sing a hymn and talk about opening your mouth. Well last night we were with a cute Asian lady and I was pretty offended. AFTER everything I would say, she would laugh hysterically! Even when I bore my testimony! And then after, when I asked her why she was laughing, she said it was because I ate so much... RUDE!! haha! But in my defense it was fast Sunday....

We had some pretty incredible lessons this week! And my area is doing really well! We are trying our hardest to gain members trust! Lots of defining moments this week!

#1. ANGIE!! She is a lady that talks a lot... and to be honest I thought she was crazy! Because she would talk to someone all the time during the lessons!! (turns out she was talking to God, they have a "unique" relationship she said) Which is good to know! She's not as crazy!! Well we decided to read the introduction to the Book of Mormon with her, and she was actually listening!! And told us that she really liked church!! We are excited at how she is progressing!

#2. CAMERON! Is a homeless guy with incredible dreads :) We taught him the restoration and it was powerful! He became a  new investigator and he said that in 2015 he wants to change his life around and he thinks that we can help him get there!

#3. Sammy... This was a tough one... Her kids came to church and a member brought them. Well, a couple days later apparently  CPS (child protective services) came to her house and said someone reported her kids smelling like smoke... and so she blamed our member!! It was really sad! And we assured her that she didn't... and we thought she dropped us...well we went back a couple days later and she was happy again, and said she would come to church! So.. That was interesting!! But pretty emotional!!

This week we also had the idea to call all the investigators listed in our phone! We only got through 20 of them and we got 5 return appointments! SO that is really exciting!!

I know that this church is true. And I love it so much because when you live all that Christ has taught you are able to have a relationship with him! And suddenly you see every day differently. I see them all as a gift and I just feel so blessed!! We had one day that was REALLY hard where everyone we talked to had read anti-Mormon material... And we were SO discouraged! With only 3 hours left to work that night, we parked our car (by the ocean!!!!!! not bragging..) And decided to read from the scriptures to lift our spirits back up! And everywhere we read it said that God was trying to help me increase in faith and patience. I love how the Book of Mormon can fix any bad day!!

We also worked at a homeless shelter this week and we were able to find 2 investigators that the elders in the YSA ward were teaching! We were able to tell them to listen to the Elders! And then right after the ELDERS texted this lady we were talking to! She was blown away at the timing of it all and is excited to meet with the Elders. She was like... gosh I don't even know where to meet them... and we told her to meet them at the park! It was fun helping out elders in our district! :)
It's been a great week :) I'm exhausted but it's worth it!! :)

Love you all!!!
love Sister Kaylea Collings

We like to play on the stairs in our apartment!