Aerial Went Underwater IRL! 🧜♀️
Week: 70
Date: June 9, 2025
Location: Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Email: leah.kimball@missionary.org
Companion: Sister Richins /American Fork, Utah
Blog: https://livinlavidastlouis.blogspot.com/?m=1
Lexi's Mission Blog: https://iputtheradincolorado.blogspot.com/
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| I love this 5 foot queen!!! So proud of her and her decision to be baptized! Cape Girardeau Missouri June 2025 |
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| Baptism selfie part 2! I love them!!! Cape Girardeau Missouri June 2025 |
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| Baptism selfies part 1!! w/ miss Aerial, Jaylnn, and Analinda!!! Cape Girardeau Missouri June 2025 |
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| Iconic missionary and queen aerial pic!! I just love her! Cape Girardeau Missouri June 2025 |
THIS WEEK WAS WAY TOO GOOD!!! Like… my BEST FRIEND got baptized!!!!! AERIAL GOT BAPTIZED!!! I seriously could go on and on about her and her baptism!
But first, let’s start with the week! Monday night, my favvv members—the Staples—took Sister Richins and me out to eat! This was Sister Staples’ request for her 80th birthday! (She’s presh!!) They took us to a hibachi restaurant, and it was soooo NICE!! Like boujee!! Ahaha, anyways, the waiter seated us at a shared hibachi grill with five 20–25 y/o guys, and two of them were celebrating their 21st birthdays! You can probably see where I’m going with this… haha, but it gets better!
They all had these huge draft beers and just loved chatting with us and the Staples during dinner! They even asked all about missionary work and the Church! The hibachi chef guy came out and started cooking for us. He heard there were three birthdays and immediately grabbed a spray bottle and told the birthday kids to open their mouths. Then Sister Staples opened her mouth, and all four of us watched, unknowingly, as she got alcohol sprayed in her mouth. She started coughing and waving her hands for him to stop, and when he did, she said, “That’s definitely alcohol…” Hahaha we all died laughing. It was such an honest mistake, but wow, what a way to celebrate your 80th birthday! Of course, the 21-year-old boys said they’d take the shots for her the rest of the night! Hahah. I’m making this sound like we were at some nightclub, but the spray bottle only came out once more after that—I promise!
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| My so-called "parents", Sister Staple and Brother Staple!!! He now calls himself my black dad... Cape Girardeau Missouri June 2025 |
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| Panera bread this week with Aerial and Sister Bradley!!! Cape Girardeau Missouri June 2025 |
The Staples are such a special part of my mission, and I didn’t realize how much I needed to meet them. They honestly feel like family to me. Actually, while we were at dinner, the boys asked if Brother and Sister Staples were my parents. (Brother Staples is Black, and Sister Staples is white.) We all died laughing, but I low-key took it as a compliment. I didn’t realize how dark I’ve been getting. (Jk jk) But for real, the Staples are just the BEST!!! They’ve been a HUGE blessing these past 3 months in La Salle!
Tuesday we had President interviews—it was my very last one… like what?? So weird. It was actually really tender. My mission presidents go home this transfer too, so this interview felt extra special for both of us. Pretty emotional, honestly. We talked about the Lord, about how much we’ve grown, and about how to continue being a disciple of Jesus Christ after the mission. I’m really grateful for the McKays and everything they’ve done for me out here. During my interview, I especially felt the appreciation from both God and President McKay as we talked about my missionary service. I feel so blessed to serve God and teach others about our Savior. I’m eternally grateful for how it’s blessed my life and strengthened my testimony.
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| My girls, Tippett's and Matthew's! Cape Girardeau Missouri June 2025 |
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| Last president interview w/ Sister Mckay!!! and me lol. Cape Girardeau Missouri June 2025 |
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| President interviews with the girls Cape Girardeau Missouri June 2025 |
Throughout the whole week, we’ve been meeting with both Dennis and Shelly super consistently—like legit every day! They’re both progressing toward their baptisms so wonderfully! Keep praying for them, y’all! Dennis is currently on day 8 of not smoking! And Shelly—well, she gets dizzy, so this Sunday, she’ll be baptized while sitting in a chair. I’m just praying she knows how to hold her breath because she’s prettttyyyy old!! Haha! But they’re both amazing. God has truly been blessing us.
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| Aerial goes underwater but like in real life and she's not a mermaid! Cape Girardeau Missouri June 2025 |
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| DENNIS ICONIC SUPERMAN CAR!!!! Cape Girardeau Missouri June 2025 |
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| The support team for aerial!! Ft. Dennis and Shelly! Cape Girardeau Missouri June 2025 |
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| After baptism celebration windows down music pump! Cape Girardeau Missouri June 2025 |
And y’all… Sunday was just the BEST!!! Aerial—my legit bestie—got baptized!!! GUYS THIS GIRL IS PERFECT!! It was seriously such a magnificent day. She was sooo excited all day! She got her hair done, wore the cutest white dress, and was all dressed up for her baptism! We had to take a billion pictures because I just love this girl! She genuinely has such a strong testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ. You know, throughout my whole mission I’ve felt like I’ve been placed in people’s paths to help them come closer to Jesus Christ—but I really feel like Aerial was placed in my path to help me know Him better. Aerial just radiates Christlike love. She wants to share the warmth and love in her heart with the whole world.
On Sunday, after Aerial was baptized and came up out of the water, she just stood there for two minutes with her eyes closed. We all just watched. She told us she immediately felt the Spirit. I mean, I could literally see her feel the Spirit right in front of my eyes. She was so tender about the whole experience. At the end, she bore her testimony and went up to the pulpit and gave the cutest testimony ever. She expressed so much gratitude for knowing a God who never leaves prayers unanswered.
I really do know that to be true, y’all. The first 6 weeks in La Salle were so hard. We didn’t have anyone progressing. I prayed every day that we would find someone ready to progress. Isn’t it funny that when you give everything to God, He makes your life a million times better than you could have imagined?
It reminds me of the story of the fishes and loaves in Mark 6. We all know it: they only had 5 loaves and 2 fish to feed 5,000, and in verses 41–42 we read:
41 And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.
42 And they did all eat, and were filled.
I just love this story so much. From the beginning, God doesn’t care how many loaves or fish we bring—He cares that we bring them. He will always magnify our efforts when we consecrate what we have to Him. I kept telling my companion, “As we are diligent in our work, I know God will bless us with miracles.” Sometimes I wondered if I was telling her… or trying to convince myself. But doubt comes from Satan, and I should have never doubted.
If I could describe the miracle Sister Richins and I are living in La Salle, it would be that story. I feel like I’ve brought my loaves and fish every day, and now He’s multiplying it. God never fails to surprise me with His miracles. I feel beyond blessed to be part of this one! I’m so grateful for God, for hard work, and for miracles.
I love y’all so much!!! Big week coming up! Remember: God is SO GOOD and He loves y’all tons! 💗
— Hermana Kimball!!
Dad: Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man” came on at McDonald’s and I actually started crying! I miss you!
Mom: I am JEALOUS!! LOOK AT THOSE SHOULDERS GIRL… scandalous!
Colton: Too bad you’re not in Japan and I can’t say “see ya in 9 days,” lol.
Caryn: You had ONE job. OKAY, THIS IS A JOKE! Haha! I love you Caryn—your passenger princess had me dying laughing.
Taylor: Well, too bad—I’ll miss ya in August.
Bailey: Make sure you put Canada Dry in Miles’ milk while he’s in Canada. It’d be iconic.
Clay: Why do all the Young Women in my ward follow you on Instagram?!?!?
Lexi: Last transfer. Departing testimony. Summer 2023… I can feel you tearing up reading this.
Bella: We better party before you leave!
Collins: Counting down the days to your birthday this year feels weird for me. Haha.
Capri: You have a cutie smile, bulldog.
Kash: Big eater = big kid = NFL.
Reese: Gosh, I can’t wait to see you!!
Miles: See you in July!!!
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