Hey mommy
First to answer you questions...
Florida is nice, a lot better than pascagoula! WE have probably the biggest apartment in the mission, two floors, and two HUGE bedrooms. Elder Anderson is awesome, he is very different than edler lauritzen, but it will be great here. I really feel like we are going to have success. The transfer process was realitivly smooth. WHat happens is we have certain areas in certain cities where everyone meets. Members or other missionaries usually brings them to these spots. And then we have a huge van (like the merrills) that takes us to where we are going. And we have a trailer in back with all our bikes and luggage.
Well this was a crazy week though. My last few moments in Pascagoula were very sweet moments. The only people i really felt obligated to say goodbye to were simplicio and silvia. It was hard, but i had the wonderful opportunity of sharing my last testimony (for now) with them and telling them that i have no doubt we will meet again. I didnt really start crying until we got in the car. On the way back Elder Lauritzen and I talked of our first experiences in the temple, of going in the celestial room and being greeted by family. WHen that day comes, Elder Lauritzen mentioned that he wouldnt be surprised to get there and have simplicio and silvia there as well.
My first few days in Ft. Walton Beach were spent meeting members and spent inside due to a nasty storm. THe members are awesome! The hispanics here for the most part are honduranians, and they are much easier to understand than puerta ricans. IN the few days i have been here, i have learned so much spanish, last night we taught a lesson to one guy, and i did a huge amount of talking!
Church in all spanish was crazy! I got to bless the sarcament, and it looks like the missionaries are a major part of the ward! I loved it though.
OH elder anderson and i found some people from brazil, and we are now teaching them! WE can kind of comminicate! lol its awesome though.
i am still compliling my list of things to do for 2008. I dont want to many goals, and i want them to be measurable and doable. They will involve increasing in love, and increasing christlike attributes. I think i might set up my study schedule for the year as well. I want to be happier and i know the only way to do that is fall more in love with what i am doing.
But please dont get me wrong, i am happy. I am the happiest i have ever been. life is good. lol i think though that working on what we talked about on the phone will help me a lot.
OH and i played my first game of soccer with hispanics, and got my butt kicked. It was fun though. I will consider myself fluient when i can understand them during a soccer game! lol
Hey mommy i love you, thanks for everything! i love you goals, work hard to reach them, and please help everyone else set good goals!
I love you, have a wonderful week!
Love, your favorite child
Elder Kenck
Monday, December 31, 2007
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Transfered!!!
Hey everyone
Well i am sure by now you are almost sick of hearing from me! But i thought i would write yall a really quick email!
This week went well. The last two weeks have been tough because we have either been stuck with pest control guys all day (they had bad case of bed bugs!!-- as Taylor told us last night-- never pick up a bed stead on the side of the road!!), or we have had tons of holiday commitments. I guess that is a good thing to have so many dinner appointments, but it makes it really hard to teach.
I loved our conversation last night! It was perfect, exactly what i needed, and i really want to thank you all for everything you said. In your own ways you answered one of my prayers. I was a little nervous to call home because i didnt want to get homesick or distracted. But last night, everything yall said was exactly what i needed to hear... and right now i am ready to baptize the whole south.
So i am being transfered to Ft. Walton beach. It should be good. Elder Anderson is a good guy, he is very obediant, and i very hard worker... and i am looking forward to getting a ton of work done in florida. I also am looking forward to taking full advantage of the spanish branch there, my goal is that by our next conversation in may, i will be confident in my spanish and be able to completely comminicate with the people. I am thinking really hard about the new years resolutions i am going to set. This year will be very different, this may be the only full year of my life that i spend 24/7 in the service of my God, so i really want to set the right goals. And i dont want to set too many, i just want the perfect amount. I want to set them with the full idea and capability of completely them all.
I love you guys so much! Thanks for everything you do for me, thank you so much for the sacrafices you are making for me. It will be worth it. I love yall
Elder Kenck
Well i am sure by now you are almost sick of hearing from me! But i thought i would write yall a really quick email!
This week went well. The last two weeks have been tough because we have either been stuck with pest control guys all day (they had bad case of bed bugs!!-- as Taylor told us last night-- never pick up a bed stead on the side of the road!!), or we have had tons of holiday commitments. I guess that is a good thing to have so many dinner appointments, but it makes it really hard to teach.
I loved our conversation last night! It was perfect, exactly what i needed, and i really want to thank you all for everything you said. In your own ways you answered one of my prayers. I was a little nervous to call home because i didnt want to get homesick or distracted. But last night, everything yall said was exactly what i needed to hear... and right now i am ready to baptize the whole south.
So i am being transfered to Ft. Walton beach. It should be good. Elder Anderson is a good guy, he is very obediant, and i very hard worker... and i am looking forward to getting a ton of work done in florida. I also am looking forward to taking full advantage of the spanish branch there, my goal is that by our next conversation in may, i will be confident in my spanish and be able to completely comminicate with the people. I am thinking really hard about the new years resolutions i am going to set. This year will be very different, this may be the only full year of my life that i spend 24/7 in the service of my God, so i really want to set the right goals. And i dont want to set too many, i just want the perfect amount. I want to set them with the full idea and capability of completely them all.
I love you guys so much! Thanks for everything you do for me, thank you so much for the sacrafices you are making for me. It will be worth it. I love yall
Elder Kenck
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
December 17, 2007
Phew! Time is flying so fast, and honestly the only way i can measure it is by the P-days that come. It seriously feels like i was on the computer yesterday!
This week was pretty good. We have found some more investigators to teach, and we are getting some more teaching opportunities. In fact, yesterday we had a lesson with two hondurans that live near us, and when we got there, 10 people were there and a majority of them listened to the 1st lesson. Hopefully some of them felt the spirit, and i feel that we might get a really solid investigator out of them. I love hondurans too, because i can actually understand them. This past week, on tuesday and wednesday, Elder Lauritzen (because he is the district leader) went on a tradeoff to Folley, and one of the folley elders, elder Wilson, went to Pascagoula with me. Elder Wilson is also still in the learning process, and to be honest, i was a tad nervous. So monday night, i did some extreme praying, i prayed for the gift of tongues like no other. The next day, we had a couple of lessons and when i had to know what they were saying, i knew it. It was incredable. That night, we went with simplicio and silvia's new home teacher, Brother Thomas, to translate. It was incredible because i understood what they were saying, and i was a major part of the discussion. Both of them noticed too, and they both mentioned how much i have learned.
So the gift of tongues is real, and God provides when we need Him. Unfortunately, i still am going to have to work to learn, but im ok with that. I need to get good at this whole "study" thing anyways.
I am looking really forward to Christmas. Please also dont expect a huge amount of gifts from me. I will definately send some stuff home, but it probably wont be too much or that expensive. I feel bad about that, because you guys are sacraficing so much for me.
Mommy i love you. Please know that. Thank you for all you do for me and for the chance you have given me to serve this mission. It is so hard, but it is so worth it. (read the email i am going to send to Livi)
love you mommy
Elder Kenc
This week was pretty good. We have found some more investigators to teach, and we are getting some more teaching opportunities. In fact, yesterday we had a lesson with two hondurans that live near us, and when we got there, 10 people were there and a majority of them listened to the 1st lesson. Hopefully some of them felt the spirit, and i feel that we might get a really solid investigator out of them. I love hondurans too, because i can actually understand them. This past week, on tuesday and wednesday, Elder Lauritzen (because he is the district leader) went on a tradeoff to Folley, and one of the folley elders, elder Wilson, went to Pascagoula with me. Elder Wilson is also still in the learning process, and to be honest, i was a tad nervous. So monday night, i did some extreme praying, i prayed for the gift of tongues like no other. The next day, we had a couple of lessons and when i had to know what they were saying, i knew it. It was incredable. That night, we went with simplicio and silvia's new home teacher, Brother Thomas, to translate. It was incredible because i understood what they were saying, and i was a major part of the discussion. Both of them noticed too, and they both mentioned how much i have learned.
So the gift of tongues is real, and God provides when we need Him. Unfortunately, i still am going to have to work to learn, but im ok with that. I need to get good at this whole "study" thing anyways.
I am looking really forward to Christmas. Please also dont expect a huge amount of gifts from me. I will definately send some stuff home, but it probably wont be too much or that expensive. I feel bad about that, because you guys are sacraficing so much for me.
Mommy i love you. Please know that. Thank you for all you do for me and for the chance you have given me to serve this mission. It is so hard, but it is so worth it. (read the email i am going to send to Livi)
love you mommy
Elder Kenc
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
December 10
Hey mom
HOws life? HOws school? Etc?
Thanks for your email, i really appreciate it! I am trying really hard to be absolutely positive and not to be hard on myself. I am doing good! Please dont worry about me! I understand what you are saying about reading the B of M, just keep with it. Nephi is definatly one of my favorite prophets. I love the last chapter he writes, especially the 1st verse (perfect missionary scripture) and the very last sentence (about obediance).
This week was a wonderful learning opportunity. Everyday i learned something specific that i know i needed to learn. First off, i learned that life isnt easy. But, every challenge we have is specifically meant for us to help us learn and grow. Also, this last thursday we went to pensacola florida and had our spanish zone conference. It was really really good, and i learned some other things that were amazing!! I will tell you about that in my letter though!
Spanish, well its coming. I now can understand most people (except puerta ricans) and last night i was actually part of a discussion with two dominicans. This is something (spanish) that i know i will be able to use for the rest of my life. Maybe i am supposed to become fluent on my mission for another different reason in the future, who knows, but i know that God does have a plan for me.
Mom thanks for everything. Thanks for the chance to be out here. IT is the hardest thing i have ever done, but i love it. I know that it is where i am suposed to be, and i am so grateful for the 20 more months of work i have ahead of me.
Have a wonderful week, know that i love you!
Elder Kenck
HOws life? HOws school? Etc?
Thanks for your email, i really appreciate it! I am trying really hard to be absolutely positive and not to be hard on myself. I am doing good! Please dont worry about me! I understand what you are saying about reading the B of M, just keep with it. Nephi is definatly one of my favorite prophets. I love the last chapter he writes, especially the 1st verse (perfect missionary scripture) and the very last sentence (about obediance).
This week was a wonderful learning opportunity. Everyday i learned something specific that i know i needed to learn. First off, i learned that life isnt easy. But, every challenge we have is specifically meant for us to help us learn and grow. Also, this last thursday we went to pensacola florida and had our spanish zone conference. It was really really good, and i learned some other things that were amazing!! I will tell you about that in my letter though!
Spanish, well its coming. I now can understand most people (except puerta ricans) and last night i was actually part of a discussion with two dominicans. This is something (spanish) that i know i will be able to use for the rest of my life. Maybe i am supposed to become fluent on my mission for another different reason in the future, who knows, but i know that God does have a plan for me.
Mom thanks for everything. Thanks for the chance to be out here. IT is the hardest thing i have ever done, but i love it. I know that it is where i am suposed to be, and i am so grateful for the 20 more months of work i have ahead of me.
Have a wonderful week, know that i love you!
Elder Kenck
Monday, December 3, 2007
Yeah-- I posted fast!!
Wow what a week!!!
Im a little jealous at the snow there. Here in Pgoula... it is just cold. Maybe not cold for normal standards, but because of the humity it feels wa cooler.
I am sending Livi B-day package tomorrow as well. Hope she enjoys it. Also i have letters and other stuff in the package.
OK my week...
was tough. Ha. It was really tough. My companion and I worked hard, but our progress right at the moment is very limited. We had some great lessons with Justina (a older dominican lady) and she will be baptized someday, she wants to so bad, but right now she cannot get off work on sundays. Besides that, literally everything else fell through, investigators didnt show, or otherwise.
Also saturday night, the stake put on a Luau. There are two polynesian missionaries in mobile, actaully they are the ZLs, and they did an awesome job. Seriously, with about 5 polynesians they put on a show almost at level with the cultural center. IT was a great missionary opportunity.
Last friday, we had zone conference in mobile. And once again, i felt like everything that was said was directly for me. I realized a lot of things that i need to do and i got a lot of ideas on how to do it. It was so incredable, president is amazing, and so are the missionaries here. Oh to answer your question, i am almost 6 hours away from the mission home! lol.
I have been feeling some change coming though. I have made a lot of goals right now, first and foremost to let go of myself and get to work. God has very much been humbling me the last few weeks. And being humbled is painful, but it is a good pain, because i can see God's hand so much easier in my life right now. So yes, it is tough, but i love it. I will make the mos growth right now, in the midst of all these challenges. And i will make the most growth when i let go of myself and focus on others... i have struggled with that. i naturally am someone who sits on the sidelines and watches life unfold in front of me. Now i want to through myself out into life and change the world... little by little.
My companion was basically put in charge of spanish transfers. There is a very good chance that i will be transfered... i can feel some sort of change coming, that could be it.
Well this email is huge, i will email a little more later! I got to answer some other emails.
Love you mommy!
Elder Kenck
Im a little jealous at the snow there. Here in Pgoula... it is just cold. Maybe not cold for normal standards, but because of the humity it feels wa cooler.
I am sending Livi B-day package tomorrow as well. Hope she enjoys it. Also i have letters and other stuff in the package.
OK my week...
was tough. Ha. It was really tough. My companion and I worked hard, but our progress right at the moment is very limited. We had some great lessons with Justina (a older dominican lady) and she will be baptized someday, she wants to so bad, but right now she cannot get off work on sundays. Besides that, literally everything else fell through, investigators didnt show, or otherwise.
Also saturday night, the stake put on a Luau. There are two polynesian missionaries in mobile, actaully they are the ZLs, and they did an awesome job. Seriously, with about 5 polynesians they put on a show almost at level with the cultural center. IT was a great missionary opportunity.
Last friday, we had zone conference in mobile. And once again, i felt like everything that was said was directly for me. I realized a lot of things that i need to do and i got a lot of ideas on how to do it. It was so incredable, president is amazing, and so are the missionaries here. Oh to answer your question, i am almost 6 hours away from the mission home! lol.
I have been feeling some change coming though. I have made a lot of goals right now, first and foremost to let go of myself and get to work. God has very much been humbling me the last few weeks. And being humbled is painful, but it is a good pain, because i can see God's hand so much easier in my life right now. So yes, it is tough, but i love it. I will make the mos growth right now, in the midst of all these challenges. And i will make the most growth when i let go of myself and focus on others... i have struggled with that. i naturally am someone who sits on the sidelines and watches life unfold in front of me. Now i want to through myself out into life and change the world... little by little.
My companion was basically put in charge of spanish transfers. There is a very good chance that i will be transfered... i can feel some sort of change coming, that could be it.
Well this email is huge, i will email a little more later! I got to answer some other emails.
Love you mommy!
Elder Kenck
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Turkey Bowl- Nov 26
Hey mommy
How are you doing? I hope you are doing well and that you arent havign more dreams of me sneaking home in a nascar trailer. lol only in the south. I find myself saying that phrase all the time! I should probably keep track of them so i have a future record of all the crazy stuff that happens in the south.
Glad to hear you make it through turkey day with few tears. I was fine, the turkey bowl was fun, a lot of people were there and no one got hurt. Thanksgiving day we had two dinner appointments, one with the Boyd family, which makes up a big part of our ward, and another with the Schloemmer family, in theodore and i had my first deep fried turkey there. Basically at the end of the night i thought i was dying for an overdose of food. lol
This week had its ups and downs. There were a lot of interuptions to the work... for instance on Wednesday Jorge Cruz went to the hospital... basically he is refusing to eat (or do anything for that matter) because his dad is finding work in Tampa Bay. It was frustrating to me beacause we were there ALL day translating, and he wasnt even really sick. Also, we found out that are main investigator moved to Biloxi this week... which is probably 30 minnutes out of the mission. lol He is a good guy though (Jorge) and i have no doubt he will someday be baptized... the question is just when.
Besides that, now all of our efforts are spent trying to find new investigators. We have found a few, but to be honest i cant wait to find some that were as prepared as simplicio and silvia. Oh, speaking of them, yesterday in church, during sunday school we were having a lesson about prayer. Silvia was reading a section in the lesson about how others sometimes are answers to our prayers... she read down the list of people, family, neighbors, friends... and then she got to "missionaries" and she started crying! I cant even begin to describe the happiness i felt in that moment. OH and yes i did give a talk, it was on the spirit. I did the best that i could, i think it went well. I have learned the most about the spirit since i have been out, and i know that it is something very real. Also, the 6 missionaries sang "how great thou art" with one verse in spanish... i video taped it and i will send it home. It was really funny though... lets just say that the english missionaries have some interesting investigators! One investigator, named John Green, (a slightly crazy black man) is pretty interuptive during sacrament meeting. lol During Elder Lauritzen's talk, (about the atonement) he kept saying "Amen" and "hallelujah" really loud, and afterwards he started clapping. lol and another investigator, is isnt jewish, he is actually very christian, but he studied in a jewish school for 7 years and he wears a yamika to every meeting. He is weird, but a nice guy.
I am learning so much. I have come so far in the 4 months i have been out. My spanish has come way far, i can understand most hispanic people (unless they are puerta rican or dominican) and i can read confidently now. but i still have so far to go. I am so thankful for this calling though, this is where i am supposed to be. I am learning so much here that i wouldnt be able to learn anywhere else.
Although this week was a tough week, i still love being a missionary. I wouldnt trade it for the world, weeks like this make the good weeks that much better, and i think this week will be a good one. Thanks for making the sacrafices you do so that i could be out here.
I love this gospel. I know it is true and i love sharing it with others. Please stay strong, be happy, and count your blessings. Love everyone a little extra for me and have a wonderful week!
I love you mommy
Elder Kenck
How are you doing? I hope you are doing well and that you arent havign more dreams of me sneaking home in a nascar trailer. lol only in the south. I find myself saying that phrase all the time! I should probably keep track of them so i have a future record of all the crazy stuff that happens in the south.
Glad to hear you make it through turkey day with few tears. I was fine, the turkey bowl was fun, a lot of people were there and no one got hurt. Thanksgiving day we had two dinner appointments, one with the Boyd family, which makes up a big part of our ward, and another with the Schloemmer family, in theodore and i had my first deep fried turkey there. Basically at the end of the night i thought i was dying for an overdose of food. lol
This week had its ups and downs. There were a lot of interuptions to the work... for instance on Wednesday Jorge Cruz went to the hospital... basically he is refusing to eat (or do anything for that matter) because his dad is finding work in Tampa Bay. It was frustrating to me beacause we were there ALL day translating, and he wasnt even really sick. Also, we found out that are main investigator moved to Biloxi this week... which is probably 30 minnutes out of the mission. lol He is a good guy though (Jorge) and i have no doubt he will someday be baptized... the question is just when.
Besides that, now all of our efforts are spent trying to find new investigators. We have found a few, but to be honest i cant wait to find some that were as prepared as simplicio and silvia. Oh, speaking of them, yesterday in church, during sunday school we were having a lesson about prayer. Silvia was reading a section in the lesson about how others sometimes are answers to our prayers... she read down the list of people, family, neighbors, friends... and then she got to "missionaries" and she started crying! I cant even begin to describe the happiness i felt in that moment. OH and yes i did give a talk, it was on the spirit. I did the best that i could, i think it went well. I have learned the most about the spirit since i have been out, and i know that it is something very real. Also, the 6 missionaries sang "how great thou art" with one verse in spanish... i video taped it and i will send it home. It was really funny though... lets just say that the english missionaries have some interesting investigators! One investigator, named John Green, (a slightly crazy black man) is pretty interuptive during sacrament meeting. lol During Elder Lauritzen's talk, (about the atonement) he kept saying "Amen" and "hallelujah" really loud, and afterwards he started clapping. lol and another investigator, is isnt jewish, he is actually very christian, but he studied in a jewish school for 7 years and he wears a yamika to every meeting. He is weird, but a nice guy.
I am learning so much. I have come so far in the 4 months i have been out. My spanish has come way far, i can understand most hispanic people (unless they are puerta rican or dominican) and i can read confidently now. but i still have so far to go. I am so thankful for this calling though, this is where i am supposed to be. I am learning so much here that i wouldnt be able to learn anywhere else.
Although this week was a tough week, i still love being a missionary. I wouldnt trade it for the world, weeks like this make the good weeks that much better, and i think this week will be a good one. Thanks for making the sacrafices you do so that i could be out here.
I love this gospel. I know it is true and i love sharing it with others. Please stay strong, be happy, and count your blessings. Love everyone a little extra for me and have a wonderful week!
I love you mommy
Elder Kenck
Monday, November 19, 2007
November 19 email
Hey mommy
Snow, hmm, i wonder what that is? Although it has been chilly here for the last few days, i cant see snow in the forecast! lol
Wow what a week!! in fact, it was an incredible (lol) week!
But where to begin!? Lets see, last tuesday, we visited with simplicio and silvia, and after having a wonderful new member lesson, silvia asked us to give her a blessing (she wasnt feeling well). And my companion absolutely put me on the spot when he looked at me and said that i would give the blessing. I was a little freaked out, i had never even given a blessing before in english, let alone spanish! But as he anointed silvia, i felt an amazing spirit come over me, and i felt that reassuring feeling that i could do it. So then a sealed the anointed, and began to give her a blessing (all in spanish!). It was not anything amazing, i didnt suddenly become fluent in the language, but i know i used all the spanish that i knew and i know that i wasnt the one giving the blessing. While i gave the blessing, the words just came to me, the blessing went in a direction i didnt think i would go, and i love that! It was such a testimony builder for me! And forever i can say that the first priesthood blessing i ever gave was in spanish!
The rest of the week was really good. We are both searching for more investigators, but it is really hard because hispanic people are CONSTANTLY working. But i am sure we will be guided. Our other main investigator, Jorge, is moving to Louisanna in two weeks. Our biggest goal is to build his testimony, and then we will try and send those missionaries to him!
Thanksgiving plans... hmm. Missionaries usually get mulitple dinners, lunches, etc. so that wont be a problem. I know right now we already have two appointments, and many more offers. Also, the ward has a HUGE Turkey bowl. This town is in love with football, and they have been talking smack to each other for weeks, so it should be interesting this thursday!
This morning i was thinking about how blessed i am in my life. I am so lucky, so blessed, God has given me so much, so many opportunities and so many experiences. I am truly learning that every moment is a learning opportunity.
The other night, i caught myself cruising along through my nightly pray, defiantely not really thinking of what i was saying, and then i said something i havent said before, i said "Estoy agradecido por mi llamamiento" or i am thankful for my calling... and the second i said that, it really hit me how thankful i was for the calling. I immediately stopped saying my redundant prayer, and i started trying to thank Heavenly Father for the little things that i never thank Him for. I challenge you to try and do that this week. My appreciation has increased the more i have done that.
Well, i look forward to the holiday, even if it is the first from home. It is a growing experience, and i wouldnt trade anything for this experience.
I love you mommy
have a wonderful week, be thankful, pray, read the scriptures and know that i love you and am so thankful for you.
I KNOW this gospel is true. Our savior lives, i know He does, i know that His sacrafice changes lives, i have seen that change, and i live for the chance to see that change in others lives. We are lead by a prophet today. I cant wait to hear him for the christmas conference (yes i will get to see it).
I love you mommy, have a wonderful week
Elder Kenck
Snow, hmm, i wonder what that is? Although it has been chilly here for the last few days, i cant see snow in the forecast! lol
Wow what a week!! in fact, it was an incredible (lol) week!
But where to begin!? Lets see, last tuesday, we visited with simplicio and silvia, and after having a wonderful new member lesson, silvia asked us to give her a blessing (she wasnt feeling well). And my companion absolutely put me on the spot when he looked at me and said that i would give the blessing. I was a little freaked out, i had never even given a blessing before in english, let alone spanish! But as he anointed silvia, i felt an amazing spirit come over me, and i felt that reassuring feeling that i could do it. So then a sealed the anointed, and began to give her a blessing (all in spanish!). It was not anything amazing, i didnt suddenly become fluent in the language, but i know i used all the spanish that i knew and i know that i wasnt the one giving the blessing. While i gave the blessing, the words just came to me, the blessing went in a direction i didnt think i would go, and i love that! It was such a testimony builder for me! And forever i can say that the first priesthood blessing i ever gave was in spanish!
The rest of the week was really good. We are both searching for more investigators, but it is really hard because hispanic people are CONSTANTLY working. But i am sure we will be guided. Our other main investigator, Jorge, is moving to Louisanna in two weeks. Our biggest goal is to build his testimony, and then we will try and send those missionaries to him!
Thanksgiving plans... hmm. Missionaries usually get mulitple dinners, lunches, etc. so that wont be a problem. I know right now we already have two appointments, and many more offers. Also, the ward has a HUGE Turkey bowl. This town is in love with football, and they have been talking smack to each other for weeks, so it should be interesting this thursday!
This morning i was thinking about how blessed i am in my life. I am so lucky, so blessed, God has given me so much, so many opportunities and so many experiences. I am truly learning that every moment is a learning opportunity.
The other night, i caught myself cruising along through my nightly pray, defiantely not really thinking of what i was saying, and then i said something i havent said before, i said "Estoy agradecido por mi llamamiento" or i am thankful for my calling... and the second i said that, it really hit me how thankful i was for the calling. I immediately stopped saying my redundant prayer, and i started trying to thank Heavenly Father for the little things that i never thank Him for. I challenge you to try and do that this week. My appreciation has increased the more i have done that.
Well, i look forward to the holiday, even if it is the first from home. It is a growing experience, and i wouldnt trade anything for this experience.
I love you mommy
have a wonderful week, be thankful, pray, read the scriptures and know that i love you and am so thankful for you.
I KNOW this gospel is true. Our savior lives, i know He does, i know that His sacrafice changes lives, i have seen that change, and i live for the chance to see that change in others lives. We are lead by a prophet today. I cant wait to hear him for the christmas conference (yes i will get to see it).
I love you mommy, have a wonderful week
Elder Kenck
Monday, November 12, 2007
November 12 email
hi familia!
Yes i got your package! Thank you, the cookies were a hit in the apartment!
I dont think i will need anything else until christmas! And the one thing i want most for christmas is a cookbook. FOr now at least!
I will definately have to take some pictures of Elder Kent for yall, (i swear i said that on purpose) and i am taking a bunch of pictures to make up for the lack of pcitures on my other card.
Well this week... was crazy! ONce again. For the first time i got sick! It wasnt very fun, i was basically in my bed, thinnking that i was having appendicitis problems all over again. But it went away, and i feel fine now. No worries, please. This week was kind of a shot week because of that, and we had some suprise meeting (zone conference) come up. Zone conference was amazing! President summerhays is so incredable, and i felt like what he was teaching is was specifically for me. Also, i had a great interview with him later, and he gave me good advice on recieving revelation and listening to the spirit. That is what i am working on right now. I desire to be in tune with the spirit always, and be able to be guided if needed.
Saturday was good. The two youngest kids in the Cruz family were baptized on saturday (Jorge and Keishlian). It was good, also they are planning on moving to Tampa Bay florida for brother Cruz's work, so basically Simplicio and Silvia are the members we have to work with!!! lol But our ward is so helpful. Saturday night we teach english classes to spanish speakers, but last saturday we also started teaching spanish classes for people in the ward. That will be awesome!!
Sunday was really good. I felt like fasting, so i got a good fast in. But church was great, we had an investigator named Jrge there, and we might set a date for baptism with him this week. I was really excited, because i am really starting to be able to understand spanish. I cant speak it, but i am finally starting to understand natives. Hopefully with time i will get it. This week, starting tonight i am maing the rule that i can only speak spanish in the apartment. NO English! SO that should help.
I am doing really well though. How are you all doing?>??
Love you more than anything!
Elder Kenck
Yes i got your package! Thank you, the cookies were a hit in the apartment!
I dont think i will need anything else until christmas! And the one thing i want most for christmas is a cookbook. FOr now at least!
I will definately have to take some pictures of Elder Kent for yall, (i swear i said that on purpose) and i am taking a bunch of pictures to make up for the lack of pcitures on my other card.
Well this week... was crazy! ONce again. For the first time i got sick! It wasnt very fun, i was basically in my bed, thinnking that i was having appendicitis problems all over again. But it went away, and i feel fine now. No worries, please. This week was kind of a shot week because of that, and we had some suprise meeting (zone conference) come up. Zone conference was amazing! President summerhays is so incredable, and i felt like what he was teaching is was specifically for me. Also, i had a great interview with him later, and he gave me good advice on recieving revelation and listening to the spirit. That is what i am working on right now. I desire to be in tune with the spirit always, and be able to be guided if needed.
Saturday was good. The two youngest kids in the Cruz family were baptized on saturday (Jorge and Keishlian). It was good, also they are planning on moving to Tampa Bay florida for brother Cruz's work, so basically Simplicio and Silvia are the members we have to work with!!! lol But our ward is so helpful. Saturday night we teach english classes to spanish speakers, but last saturday we also started teaching spanish classes for people in the ward. That will be awesome!!
Sunday was really good. I felt like fasting, so i got a good fast in. But church was great, we had an investigator named Jrge there, and we might set a date for baptism with him this week. I was really excited, because i am really starting to be able to understand spanish. I cant speak it, but i am finally starting to understand natives. Hopefully with time i will get it. This week, starting tonight i am maing the rule that i can only speak spanish in the apartment. NO English! SO that should help.
I am doing really well though. How are you all doing?>??
Love you more than anything!
Elder Kenck
Monday, November 5, 2007
First Baptism!!!!
OK now on to my CRAZY week! So this past week was absolutely amazing, a little crazy, but great. So leading up to the baptism we had to schedule a special interview with a stake president. WE tried and tried, but simplicio and silvia's schedule just wouldnt match up with president spencer's So we called president summerhays (who is INCREDABLE) and we just set up an interview over the phone. I didnt know that the spirit could be that strong over the phone! There was a very special spirit there as President said that they were ready to be baptized. And leading up to the baptism on saturday, NOTHING was ready, and everything wasnt working out. but finally, literally 15 minutes away from the start, we got everything finished and ready. We showed up and the baptism was incredable. All in spanish. But the little room was packed full. There is so much support in this ward for missionary work. And they are so willing to meet and greet, even with the language barrier there. We have english classes on saturday, and now we will start spanish classes, that many people want to learn But anyways, Elder Lauritzen baptized simplicio, and i had the amazing chance of baptizing silvia. IN SPANISH! Afterwards, silvia stood and bore her testimony. WOW. She is already rooted into the gospel, and it was so spiritual in that room, even those who didnt understand a word were touched. Afterwards, they were both absolutely beaming! Walking through the chapel afterwards, i had the most peaceful, comforting feeling in my life. THAT is why i am here. I loved this chance, the chance of seeing them changed by this gospel. IT is true!!!
Well now on to the crazy part of the week. That amazing feeling didnt last very long... unfortunately. Maybe 5-10 minutes after simplicio and silvia left, we get a frantic call from silvia. Simplicio was pulled over on the way home from the baptism, and because he has been without a job for three months, he was driving with no insurance. So he was arrested, and taken to jail less than 15 minutes after being baptized. THANKFULLY, a member who works for the police department was at the baptism, and he took us to the police department and we helped him get out of jail, but he still has some HUGE fines to pay. It was a crazy, almost surreal night. Keep them in your prayers, they are such good people, and i am praying that they can find a way to pay these fines. They will though, i have absolute faith, they were already paying tithing and fast offerings, the next day! that sunday they recieved the Holy Ghost, and Simplicio got the priesthood. It was amazing. We had a lesson, and this time silvia volunteered to share her testimony. Amazing.
So that was my week. A little crazy, but perfect. I love this work so much, thanks for helping me to get out here! This will be the best two years, definately the hardest, but easily the most rewarding.
Things that i need, (for christmas) i really need a cookbook. Just easy, quick meals that i could affordably make. I need a leatherman multitool, that one you sent me should work fine though. And honestly that is about it. I really dont have room for lots of things. I will have to get rid of lots of things when i am transfered.
Well mommy, i love you, have a great week!
Elder Kenck
Well now on to the crazy part of the week. That amazing feeling didnt last very long... unfortunately. Maybe 5-10 minutes after simplicio and silvia left, we get a frantic call from silvia. Simplicio was pulled over on the way home from the baptism, and because he has been without a job for three months, he was driving with no insurance. So he was arrested, and taken to jail less than 15 minutes after being baptized. THANKFULLY, a member who works for the police department was at the baptism, and he took us to the police department and we helped him get out of jail, but he still has some HUGE fines to pay. It was a crazy, almost surreal night. Keep them in your prayers, they are such good people, and i am praying that they can find a way to pay these fines. They will though, i have absolute faith, they were already paying tithing and fast offerings, the next day! that sunday they recieved the Holy Ghost, and Simplicio got the priesthood. It was amazing. We had a lesson, and this time silvia volunteered to share her testimony. Amazing.
So that was my week. A little crazy, but perfect. I love this work so much, thanks for helping me to get out here! This will be the best two years, definately the hardest, but easily the most rewarding.
Things that i need, (for christmas) i really need a cookbook. Just easy, quick meals that i could affordably make. I need a leatherman multitool, that one you sent me should work fine though. And honestly that is about it. I really dont have room for lots of things. I will have to get rid of lots of things when i am transfered.
Well mommy, i love you, have a great week!
Elder Kenck
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
He did what???Anything for investigators
Consider yourself very lucky to be enjoying fall. There is no such thing as fall around here. IT is just 80 or 90 degrees, huge himidity. Actually it has been pretty nice, but it is supposed to be hot again soon.
Oh just so you know, this week i crashed my bike... dumb story , not exciting. And this week was the county fair, and i rode a mechanical bull! lol IN MY missionary clothes. someone filmed it too, hopefully you will get a copy of me getting thrown! BUT someone noticed "a mormon missionary" riding the bull and we got a new investigator because of it, so i think it was definately spiritual guidance that led me to ride the bull... lol.
So this week was amazing!!! We are teaching a husband and wife named simplicio and silvia. They were absolutely prepared for the gospel. Simplicio has been a catholic, protestant, and jehovah witness and always, he could never find all the answers he was looking for. One of his major questions (get this!) is what happened to the people in the americas. He wanted to know about his ancestors, and we have all those answers in the Book of mormon. It was amazing last thursday, probably one of the most amazing experiences in my life, as i watched that light in his eyes click. We spent that lesson answering all of his questions, and the spirit was so strong as we taught him restored bits of truths. At the end we asked him to pray to know if the BoM was true, he said he didnt need to, just because of our testimonies and the spirit he already believed. We commited him anyways. They also came to church yesterday, and i am really beginning to understand the universal language of the spirit. They felt something, even though they couldnt understand it. We then had a lesson with them during sunday school, and we answered more questions, and the spirit was so strong. It was amazing, Silvia gave the closing prayer, and towards the end she started getting emotional. I realized that this gospel has the power needed to change lives for the better. Tomorrow we will hopefully commit them to baptism. I am so excited to be a part of bringing them unto christ. Even though i can hardly speak and share my feelings, just being able to see it is amazing!
Mommy, i love it here. I am realizing that and falling in love with it more and more. There is nothing better than being a missionary, and i want to thank you for helping me get out here.
I love you! Thanks for everything!
Elder Kenck
Oh just so you know, this week i crashed my bike... dumb story , not exciting. And this week was the county fair, and i rode a mechanical bull! lol IN MY missionary clothes. someone filmed it too, hopefully you will get a copy of me getting thrown! BUT someone noticed "a mormon missionary" riding the bull and we got a new investigator because of it, so i think it was definately spiritual guidance that led me to ride the bull... lol.
So this week was amazing!!! We are teaching a husband and wife named simplicio and silvia. They were absolutely prepared for the gospel. Simplicio has been a catholic, protestant, and jehovah witness and always, he could never find all the answers he was looking for. One of his major questions (get this!) is what happened to the people in the americas. He wanted to know about his ancestors, and we have all those answers in the Book of mormon. It was amazing last thursday, probably one of the most amazing experiences in my life, as i watched that light in his eyes click. We spent that lesson answering all of his questions, and the spirit was so strong as we taught him restored bits of truths. At the end we asked him to pray to know if the BoM was true, he said he didnt need to, just because of our testimonies and the spirit he already believed. We commited him anyways. They also came to church yesterday, and i am really beginning to understand the universal language of the spirit. They felt something, even though they couldnt understand it. We then had a lesson with them during sunday school, and we answered more questions, and the spirit was so strong. It was amazing, Silvia gave the closing prayer, and towards the end she started getting emotional. I realized that this gospel has the power needed to change lives for the better. Tomorrow we will hopefully commit them to baptism. I am so excited to be a part of bringing them unto christ. Even though i can hardly speak and share my feelings, just being able to see it is amazing!
Mommy, i love it here. I am realizing that and falling in love with it more and more. There is nothing better than being a missionary, and i want to thank you for helping me get out here.
I love you! Thanks for everything!
Elder Kenck
Monday, October 22, 2007
October 22, 2007
Wow what a week it has been! It has been an amazing week. To start it off, last week, actually thursday, we committed Simplicio and Silvia to be baptized. My comp and i had decided that we wanted to shoot for the 3rd of November and amazingly enough, that is Silvia's birthday! She wanted to continue on with it, and i guess that is the best birthday gift we can give to her! They are soooo perfect! So golden! they came to stake conference yesterday, actually they drove us to stake conference! Stake conference was amazing! I explain it a little more in my letter, but basically the whole conference was on missionary work. God has some big expectations for the Mobile, Alabama Stake. This stake has more missionaries than any other stake in the mission. I am really excited to be a part of building up the kingdom here! My spanish... well... i have a LONG way to go. God is definately using this time to humble me. But i am not letting it frustrate me... i am now just using that desire to learn it! I wish you could feel how i felt sitting next to two of our investigators at stake conference. The spirit was so strong, a feeling i dont know if i will ever forget. This is why i am here. Even if my vocabulary was limited, i somehow am helping these people come unto christ, which is my purpose. I have seen an amazing change in them, even they admit to seeing a change in each other. Once again that is why i am here.
Oh just so you know, i was in an accident this week. Please do not be worried... we both walked away without a scratch (Comeon... we are missionaries!) But basically someone didnt yield for us. I am great, please dont worry!
Everything in Pascagoula is going great! The Southern lifestyle is treating me very well, i probably am going to gain a lot of weight here, but that just happens when EVERYTHING is fried.
I am struggling with the language, but i am studying really hard. That struggle was completely expected, and i will hopefully be able to overcome that soon.
I just want ya'll (lol) to know that i love you so much! I am so thankful for all the amazing memories in that Giant army tent. Those memories have made me who i am today, and i look forward to making more memories in the near future. I love being a missionary. I love sharing the message of Jesus Christ and seeing that message change lives. Missing the next two years at Elk camp will be tough, but i have no doubt that it will be absolutely worth it. I knwo Jesus Christ is our savior, that through Him and His sacriice, we can overcome every challenge this life will throw at us.
I love you all! Thanks for the memories, and love one another a little extra for me... oh and sing a couple songs for me!
Elder Kenck
Oh just so you know, i was in an accident this week. Please do not be worried... we both walked away without a scratch (Comeon... we are missionaries!) But basically someone didnt yield for us. I am great, please dont worry!
Everything in Pascagoula is going great! The Southern lifestyle is treating me very well, i probably am going to gain a lot of weight here, but that just happens when EVERYTHING is fried.
I am struggling with the language, but i am studying really hard. That struggle was completely expected, and i will hopefully be able to overcome that soon.
I just want ya'll (lol) to know that i love you so much! I am so thankful for all the amazing memories in that Giant army tent. Those memories have made me who i am today, and i look forward to making more memories in the near future. I love being a missionary. I love sharing the message of Jesus Christ and seeing that message change lives. Missing the next two years at Elk camp will be tough, but i have no doubt that it will be absolutely worth it. I knwo Jesus Christ is our savior, that through Him and His sacriice, we can overcome every challenge this life will throw at us.
I love you all! Thanks for the memories, and love one another a little extra for me... oh and sing a couple songs for me!
Elder Kenck
Monday, October 15, 2007
October 15, 2007
I witnessed my first thunderstorm this week. It was cool, i was inside for most of it.
It sounds like everything is going good for you. I am glad you enjoyed your class and especially glad that NWEA is over. Man i forgot it was hunting season. It doesnt get very cool down here! lol Do me a favor and enjoy the mountains for me, i wont see mountains for a good two years.
To give you a little mission update, we had a spanish zone conference last week. It was the first ever, and we organized an actual spanish zone. We made a ton of changes, but to sum it up, president summerhays is ready for huge spanish growth in our mission. No actually God is ready for spanish growth. As we planned and organized this zone, EVERYTHING fell into place. Everything had been prepared perfectly, even down to the apartment we had just rented. Elders are being moved to different, heavily populated areas, and tonight two more spanish speaking elders are moving in with us. There are a ton of spanish people to teach here. Now our ward will have 6 missionaries! lol, but hopefully, very very soon we will start up a spanish branch. We have two awesome investigators, i really feel that they are ready to make this change and truly come unto christ. They have so much faith, they have seen many miracles in their lives, and i am excited to see this miracle of the gospel as it comes into their lives. We have some other investigators, but none as far along as simplicio and silvia.
Oh yeah tell mom she can send packages to me here at my address. I believe she said you had it, but if not, just call into the office.
Well dad, i love it here. Thanks for allowing me this chance to be here. I love the gospel, i really really do and i am growing in so many ways. I am still waiting for the whole "gift of tongues" but i guess it will come in its own time.
I know this gospel will change lives dad. I have already seen that happen, and i am so excited to see more people come unto christ. I love you, love everyone a little extra for me.
Love you
your son
Elder Kenck
It sounds like everything is going good for you. I am glad you enjoyed your class and especially glad that NWEA is over. Man i forgot it was hunting season. It doesnt get very cool down here! lol Do me a favor and enjoy the mountains for me, i wont see mountains for a good two years.
To give you a little mission update, we had a spanish zone conference last week. It was the first ever, and we organized an actual spanish zone. We made a ton of changes, but to sum it up, president summerhays is ready for huge spanish growth in our mission. No actually God is ready for spanish growth. As we planned and organized this zone, EVERYTHING fell into place. Everything had been prepared perfectly, even down to the apartment we had just rented. Elders are being moved to different, heavily populated areas, and tonight two more spanish speaking elders are moving in with us. There are a ton of spanish people to teach here. Now our ward will have 6 missionaries! lol, but hopefully, very very soon we will start up a spanish branch. We have two awesome investigators, i really feel that they are ready to make this change and truly come unto christ. They have so much faith, they have seen many miracles in their lives, and i am excited to see this miracle of the gospel as it comes into their lives. We have some other investigators, but none as far along as simplicio and silvia.
Oh yeah tell mom she can send packages to me here at my address. I believe she said you had it, but if not, just call into the office.
Well dad, i love it here. Thanks for allowing me this chance to be here. I love the gospel, i really really do and i am growing in so many ways. I am still waiting for the whole "gift of tongues" but i guess it will come in its own time.
I know this gospel will change lives dad. I have already seen that happen, and i am so excited to see more people come unto christ. I love you, love everyone a little extra for me.
Love you
your son
Elder Kenck
Monday, October 8, 2007
Pascagoula, Mississippi
Como le va?
Yeah, the hit wave hit... me. It is HOT, but according to everyone else, it is cool. I cant quite figure it out! The humity is super intense, you can feel it always!
OH, i am in Pascagoula Mississippi, a little area that was added to the mission just a while ago. My comp (Elder Lauritzen) and I are the first spanish speakers here. And i have a LOT to learn. There are Mexicans, Dominicans, and Puerto Ricans here. Mainly puerta ricans, and how they speak is they drop a lot of letters (mainly the ones on the end) and smash the sentences together. Oh and they speak lightning fast! It is crazy! And dominicans, they dont say their "s's" and they talk lightning fast. It is weird. I love mexicans though, they speak fast, sure, but they say all of the words! lol
There is a member family of Puerta Ricans, a nice family that just moved here, and they talk SO fast. Thankfully my companion knows what he is doing!
I loved conference as well. Especially Dallin H. Oaks, and Brother Callister. I decided to apply brother callister's talk, i want to reach that one day that i know i know.
Thanks for everything daddy! Thanks for allowing me to be out here. This will be the best two years, but it will talk some extreme work. I have a lot to learn, but i am willing to learn it.
Once again, thanks for everything! Watch after everyone, and please, please, do your best to have family prayers morning and night, and strive to have scripture study!
I love you! I want to thank you for being a great example to me, i wish i would have told you that more, but i truly mean it!
Love
Elder Kenck
Yeah, the hit wave hit... me. It is HOT, but according to everyone else, it is cool. I cant quite figure it out! The humity is super intense, you can feel it always!
OH, i am in Pascagoula Mississippi, a little area that was added to the mission just a while ago. My comp (Elder Lauritzen) and I are the first spanish speakers here. And i have a LOT to learn. There are Mexicans, Dominicans, and Puerto Ricans here. Mainly puerta ricans, and how they speak is they drop a lot of letters (mainly the ones on the end) and smash the sentences together. Oh and they speak lightning fast! It is crazy! And dominicans, they dont say their "s's" and they talk lightning fast. It is weird. I love mexicans though, they speak fast, sure, but they say all of the words! lol
There is a member family of Puerta Ricans, a nice family that just moved here, and they talk SO fast. Thankfully my companion knows what he is doing!
I loved conference as well. Especially Dallin H. Oaks, and Brother Callister. I decided to apply brother callister's talk, i want to reach that one day that i know i know.
Thanks for everything daddy! Thanks for allowing me to be out here. This will be the best two years, but it will talk some extreme work. I have a lot to learn, but i am willing to learn it.
Once again, thanks for everything! Watch after everyone, and please, please, do your best to have family prayers morning and night, and strive to have scripture study!
I love you! I want to thank you for being a great example to me, i wish i would have told you that more, but i truly mean it!
Love
Elder Kenck
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Friday, September 21, 2007
September 19 email
Hey my wonderful family!
I hope everyone is doing excellent.
So i decided a lot of things this week. First off, i really could get used to this whole missionary thing. For instance, yesterday M RUSSELL BALLARD spoke at our devotional. It was incredable! He said a phrase in his talk that stuck out to me so much! He said "Capture the moment." and then he exponded on how we only get this one chance in our lives to let go and serve, dont think about yesterday, dont think about tomorrow, think and do something, in fact everything you can do, TODAY. After the devotional, my district sat and talked about all we had learned, and that was probably just as amazing. Everyone bore their testimonies and talked about what stuck out to them. So many Elders are just full of wisdom, and i am constantly amazed at what i pick up from my district. I am more and more convinced that when someone speaks with the spirit, you can choose whether or not you want to feel it. But if you do choose to feel it, you can find life changing messages in what they say.
It will be sad to leave my district, i have gained a lot of good friends, and we are all like brothers! But in TWO DAYS i get my flight plans. Yes mother, i do get to call home. I dont know when, i dont know what time, but i do. I should be leaving on the 2nd, but that is not for sure, i will know on friday.
Yesterday me and my comp taught lesson 2 in espanol. MOnday night we reviewed the lesson, and i knew absolutely nothing. I was so scared going into this lesson. The next morning, i studied for the little time i was given, and i was constantly praying. When it came time to do the lesson, we did really good. I only forgot a few words, and i bore a very powerful testimony of the atonement. It was great. When i left the TRC room, i remember feeling on top of the world, and then i looked up at the ceiling and said a little prayer, because i KNOW i would have gotten no words out if it wasnt for the heavenly help i was given.
I spent about 4 hours in the temple today! I went through a normal session and then i did some sealings for the first time ever. It was incredable, the spirit was so strong.
This monday, the older district left, and that officially makes my district the oldest. That is so weird. I am actually the next to go! I am so excited to go, i want to help people! I am so excited to share this gospel with the people of Tally florida. I am slowly but surely beginning to realize how blessed i am. We are so blessed to live in a day when the gospel is here, and all we have to do is accept it with all our hearts.
This gospel just makes sense. I want you all to know that i know, WITHOUT a doubt that this gospel is true. God loves us so much, He wants us to know His will. He has always called prophets, since the beginning of time to reveal that will to His people, and after the death of Jesus Christ, that authority, that right to act in God's name was taken from the earth. But, God loves us so much, and the moment He could, He called another prophet, named Joseph Smith. I know that to be true. It just makes sense. The heavens are not sealed. God still comminicates through a prophet. I love that knowledge, to me it makes God even closer to me.
Family, i love you. Dont ever forget it. Thank you so much for giving me the chance to be out here. I am doing my best!
Send my love to everyone else please! Have a wonderful week, and know that i and praying and thinking about you all.
Love you
Elder Kenck
I hope everyone is doing excellent.
So i decided a lot of things this week. First off, i really could get used to this whole missionary thing. For instance, yesterday M RUSSELL BALLARD spoke at our devotional. It was incredable! He said a phrase in his talk that stuck out to me so much! He said "Capture the moment." and then he exponded on how we only get this one chance in our lives to let go and serve, dont think about yesterday, dont think about tomorrow, think and do something, in fact everything you can do, TODAY. After the devotional, my district sat and talked about all we had learned, and that was probably just as amazing. Everyone bore their testimonies and talked about what stuck out to them. So many Elders are just full of wisdom, and i am constantly amazed at what i pick up from my district. I am more and more convinced that when someone speaks with the spirit, you can choose whether or not you want to feel it. But if you do choose to feel it, you can find life changing messages in what they say.
It will be sad to leave my district, i have gained a lot of good friends, and we are all like brothers! But in TWO DAYS i get my flight plans. Yes mother, i do get to call home. I dont know when, i dont know what time, but i do. I should be leaving on the 2nd, but that is not for sure, i will know on friday.
Yesterday me and my comp taught lesson 2 in espanol. MOnday night we reviewed the lesson, and i knew absolutely nothing. I was so scared going into this lesson. The next morning, i studied for the little time i was given, and i was constantly praying. When it came time to do the lesson, we did really good. I only forgot a few words, and i bore a very powerful testimony of the atonement. It was great. When i left the TRC room, i remember feeling on top of the world, and then i looked up at the ceiling and said a little prayer, because i KNOW i would have gotten no words out if it wasnt for the heavenly help i was given.
I spent about 4 hours in the temple today! I went through a normal session and then i did some sealings for the first time ever. It was incredable, the spirit was so strong.
This monday, the older district left, and that officially makes my district the oldest. That is so weird. I am actually the next to go! I am so excited to go, i want to help people! I am so excited to share this gospel with the people of Tally florida. I am slowly but surely beginning to realize how blessed i am. We are so blessed to live in a day when the gospel is here, and all we have to do is accept it with all our hearts.
This gospel just makes sense. I want you all to know that i know, WITHOUT a doubt that this gospel is true. God loves us so much, He wants us to know His will. He has always called prophets, since the beginning of time to reveal that will to His people, and after the death of Jesus Christ, that authority, that right to act in God's name was taken from the earth. But, God loves us so much, and the moment He could, He called another prophet, named Joseph Smith. I know that to be true. It just makes sense. The heavens are not sealed. God still comminicates through a prophet. I love that knowledge, to me it makes God even closer to me.
Family, i love you. Dont ever forget it. Thank you so much for giving me the chance to be out here. I am doing my best!
Send my love to everyone else please! Have a wonderful week, and know that i and praying and thinking about you all.
Love you
Elder Kenck
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
September 12, 2007 email
This last week was a really good week. I have really learned the phrase that attitude determines altitude. I am doing my best to stay positive, with a smile on my face, and if i do that i will have a good day. My biggest goal in the MTC is to understand charity, that way no matter what i will be effective.
I am figuring out studying.... slowly. I have my good days and my bad days. This week i went to the TEC and TRC. I got to teach both lessons in spanish, so in the last week i have taught like three lessons total in spanish. I do pretty good. Yesterday i got lost and couldnt express my thoughts a couple of times, but during the rest of the time i used spanish well, and i even used forms that we had learned that morning! Then last week when i recited the 1st vision in spanish, the teacher in the TEC said that it was one of the best she had heard... not trying to brag, but i really felt good hearing it.
Yesterday, for our devotional speaker, we had Richard G. Hinckley! Yes the prophets son! IT was really awesome, i am pretty sure that is about the best speaker you could get from the seventy. His talk was an overview of missionary work today. He related a lot of stories about when he was a mission president in Salt Lake. He also told a lot of stories about his dad, and that was really cool.
Besides that i just got back from the temple, and that was awesome! Once again, do your best to get to the temple!!!
I am so ready to get to Tallahassee! Obviously i dont know spanish, obviously i have no idea what is going on anywhere, but i want to be out with people. I love going to the referal center! IN the referal center, i can speak and help real people. I am excited to help them.
I love reading the scriptures! I realized this morning how much my testimony has grown! This gospel, this message that i am going to share with the people of Tallahassee is true! God loves us so much and i am learning that more and more everyday!
Well, i will log on in a little and print out any emails if they are sent to me... probably in a few hours!
Love you
Elder Kenck
I am figuring out studying.... slowly. I have my good days and my bad days. This week i went to the TEC and TRC. I got to teach both lessons in spanish, so in the last week i have taught like three lessons total in spanish. I do pretty good. Yesterday i got lost and couldnt express my thoughts a couple of times, but during the rest of the time i used spanish well, and i even used forms that we had learned that morning! Then last week when i recited the 1st vision in spanish, the teacher in the TEC said that it was one of the best she had heard... not trying to brag, but i really felt good hearing it.
Yesterday, for our devotional speaker, we had Richard G. Hinckley! Yes the prophets son! IT was really awesome, i am pretty sure that is about the best speaker you could get from the seventy. His talk was an overview of missionary work today. He related a lot of stories about when he was a mission president in Salt Lake. He also told a lot of stories about his dad, and that was really cool.
Besides that i just got back from the temple, and that was awesome! Once again, do your best to get to the temple!!!
I am so ready to get to Tallahassee! Obviously i dont know spanish, obviously i have no idea what is going on anywhere, but i want to be out with people. I love going to the referal center! IN the referal center, i can speak and help real people. I am excited to help them.
I love reading the scriptures! I realized this morning how much my testimony has grown! This gospel, this message that i am going to share with the people of Tallahassee is true! God loves us so much and i am learning that more and more everyday!
Well, i will log on in a little and print out any emails if they are sent to me... probably in a few hours!
Love you
Elder Kenck
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
September 5, 2007
Hi family!
WEll another week has flown on bye! I swear that i was writing emails just yesterday!
This week was a tough week for me, not a bad week, just a tough week. I have a long way to go before i am that missionary that i want to be!
Yesterday we taught our first lesson in spanish. It actually went well. I only screwed up a few times, but i am able to see the gift of tongues slowly working in my life. I was amazing that during the lesson i actually used a subjunctive phrase, and i did it right, without having to think about it. We had only learned subjunctive the day before to, so it was pretty great. (ask gav what that is if you dont know!)
I am so ready to go to Florida. I just want to be out among people. I am truly beginning to love people, especially people in my area! yesterday in the referall center i was on the phone with a lady from southern alabama who called in for a free bible. I testified to her and it was so great. You should hear me on the phones with these southern people, before i know it i will be a mormon sounding like a baptist or something. But seriously, it is fun to talk to the people that use phrases like "praise Jesus" or "hallelujah!". I am so excited to go down there!
Now this whole Zone Leader thing. It isnt that tough, but it does place a bigger burden on me. Now not only do i have to worry about my self, (which usually causes enough problems) but now i have to watch out for everyone. Thankfully there are amazing district leaders in my district. I guess i will learn a lot about charity while i am here. I am convinced more and more that everyday holds a specific lesson that we can learn if we just try to learn it.
I am learning the value of planning! The days that i dont plan well, i dont work to the best of my abilities. The days that i do, everything seems to go well.
Yesterday, we had Brother Steven Snow from the quorum of the 70 come and speak to us. He said one phrase that is my new moto. He said (speaking about my mission) "PAY attention, youre going to love it." that was such a valuable lesson to me. I am a true and blue dreamer. Most of my time my head is spent in the clouds, and it was a reminder to me that i need to live in the here and now in order for me to learn the most from this mission. I want this two years to change my life. I know it will, i truly want to come home a more christlike disciple.
I love you all!
WEll another week has flown on bye! I swear that i was writing emails just yesterday!
This week was a tough week for me, not a bad week, just a tough week. I have a long way to go before i am that missionary that i want to be!
Yesterday we taught our first lesson in spanish. It actually went well. I only screwed up a few times, but i am able to see the gift of tongues slowly working in my life. I was amazing that during the lesson i actually used a subjunctive phrase, and i did it right, without having to think about it. We had only learned subjunctive the day before to, so it was pretty great. (ask gav what that is if you dont know!)
I am so ready to go to Florida. I just want to be out among people. I am truly beginning to love people, especially people in my area! yesterday in the referall center i was on the phone with a lady from southern alabama who called in for a free bible. I testified to her and it was so great. You should hear me on the phones with these southern people, before i know it i will be a mormon sounding like a baptist or something. But seriously, it is fun to talk to the people that use phrases like "praise Jesus" or "hallelujah!". I am so excited to go down there!
Now this whole Zone Leader thing. It isnt that tough, but it does place a bigger burden on me. Now not only do i have to worry about my self, (which usually causes enough problems) but now i have to watch out for everyone. Thankfully there are amazing district leaders in my district. I guess i will learn a lot about charity while i am here. I am convinced more and more that everyday holds a specific lesson that we can learn if we just try to learn it.
I am learning the value of planning! The days that i dont plan well, i dont work to the best of my abilities. The days that i do, everything seems to go well.
Yesterday, we had Brother Steven Snow from the quorum of the 70 come and speak to us. He said one phrase that is my new moto. He said (speaking about my mission) "PAY attention, youre going to love it." that was such a valuable lesson to me. I am a true and blue dreamer. Most of my time my head is spent in the clouds, and it was a reminder to me that i need to live in the here and now in order for me to learn the most from this mission. I want this two years to change my life. I know it will, i truly want to come home a more christlike disciple.
I love you all!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
August 29th email
Hey everyone!
WOW!
What a week!
To answer your questions, yes i am getting lots of Dearelders (thank you!) and yes i got my box of ties (thank you again!) also thank the Macs for everything they sent too! For future reference... no more candy for a while. PLEASE! I love the packages, specifically the jerky and crackers, but i am over my head in candy! And i am having problems with the food here as it is! lol
So... my week....
To start things off... and to let you feel a little of the nervous-extreme-pressure i have felt this week... my companion and i were called as the zone leaders this week. In the MTC that means we are in charge of our branch... i do not tell you this to boast or anything, i tell you this to give some idea of the overwhelming feelings i am feeling! We have a group of new missionaries arriving today, and i hope to have the same positive effect on them that Elders Biddulph and Leslie had on me. Speaking of that, i will send you his home address, but Elder Biddulph family are not members, missionaries came to his door when he was 16 and baptized him!
Guess who came yesterday for our devotional??!?! Elder Jeffrey R Holland!!! It was so amazing! In my letter i will share some quotes i got from him and his wife!
Besides that, everything here is going well. I am trying to pick up spanish, but more than anything i am trying to pick up the gospel and increase my testimony in it. Yesterday we went to the TRC, where we teach lessons to "investigators" we spent a while talking in spanish, and we taught the investigator how to pray in spanish! It was incredable! I could understand what he was saying, and then i bore my testimony on what he said and i was so confident. Next tuesday i teach the first lesson in spanish... completely! I am very overwhelmed, but in all honestly i am begining to love it here. OH! Ha last friday another district in my zone (the older district) were celebrating Christmas! Elder Richards (in my district) and i were asked to sing a few christmas hymns for them. Elder Richards sings like a angel, and it was so awesome! The spirit was so strong as we sang these songs in español!
Sister Holland talked about how we need to love and know Jesus Christ. Here testimony was so powerful. And basically what Brother Holland taught was that we need to convert ourselves first. To be able to teach with that power, we have to be absolutely sure. So my biggest goal for the next 4.5 weeks in the MTC is to gain love for the savior and for a strong testimony of His atonement. I need that more than anything else. With that testimony i can do anything. I want to be the miracle in peoples live, because i am so blessed, i want others to recieve these blessings.
Thanks for everything. More than anything thank you for giving me the oppurtunity to be out here. Thank you for all of your examples. Thank you for being willing to push through these next two years. It will be hard, but the blessings will make it so worth it. Read Luke 18:29-30 (i think) and then towards the end of Mark 10 it says the same thing, but more powerfully.
I challenge everyone in the family to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. I promise that if you read, and pray, your answer WILL come. Even if you have done it before, do it again. We can never do it enough.
Tell everyone that i love them. Tell nana to feel better, give her an extra hug and kiss. Thank everyone else for the love and support they have always given me.
I love you!
Have a great week!
Elder Kenck
WOW!
What a week!
To answer your questions, yes i am getting lots of Dearelders (thank you!) and yes i got my box of ties (thank you again!) also thank the Macs for everything they sent too! For future reference... no more candy for a while. PLEASE! I love the packages, specifically the jerky and crackers, but i am over my head in candy! And i am having problems with the food here as it is! lol
So... my week....
To start things off... and to let you feel a little of the nervous-extreme-pressure i have felt this week... my companion and i were called as the zone leaders this week. In the MTC that means we are in charge of our branch... i do not tell you this to boast or anything, i tell you this to give some idea of the overwhelming feelings i am feeling! We have a group of new missionaries arriving today, and i hope to have the same positive effect on them that Elders Biddulph and Leslie had on me. Speaking of that, i will send you his home address, but Elder Biddulph family are not members, missionaries came to his door when he was 16 and baptized him!
Guess who came yesterday for our devotional??!?! Elder Jeffrey R Holland!!! It was so amazing! In my letter i will share some quotes i got from him and his wife!
Besides that, everything here is going well. I am trying to pick up spanish, but more than anything i am trying to pick up the gospel and increase my testimony in it. Yesterday we went to the TRC, where we teach lessons to "investigators" we spent a while talking in spanish, and we taught the investigator how to pray in spanish! It was incredable! I could understand what he was saying, and then i bore my testimony on what he said and i was so confident. Next tuesday i teach the first lesson in spanish... completely! I am very overwhelmed, but in all honestly i am begining to love it here. OH! Ha last friday another district in my zone (the older district) were celebrating Christmas! Elder Richards (in my district) and i were asked to sing a few christmas hymns for them. Elder Richards sings like a angel, and it was so awesome! The spirit was so strong as we sang these songs in español!
Sister Holland talked about how we need to love and know Jesus Christ. Here testimony was so powerful. And basically what Brother Holland taught was that we need to convert ourselves first. To be able to teach with that power, we have to be absolutely sure. So my biggest goal for the next 4.5 weeks in the MTC is to gain love for the savior and for a strong testimony of His atonement. I need that more than anything else. With that testimony i can do anything. I want to be the miracle in peoples live, because i am so blessed, i want others to recieve these blessings.
Thanks for everything. More than anything thank you for giving me the oppurtunity to be out here. Thank you for all of your examples. Thank you for being willing to push through these next two years. It will be hard, but the blessings will make it so worth it. Read Luke 18:29-30 (i think) and then towards the end of Mark 10 it says the same thing, but more powerfully.
I challenge everyone in the family to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. I promise that if you read, and pray, your answer WILL come. Even if you have done it before, do it again. We can never do it enough.
Tell everyone that i love them. Tell nana to feel better, give her an extra hug and kiss. Thank everyone else for the love and support they have always given me.
I love you!
Have a great week!
Elder Kenck
Sunday, August 26, 2007
August 22 eMail
hEY Family!
This is your favorite missionary! I currently have 22 minutes left, so lets see if i can make a good email out of it!
I am glad to hear that the sugrgury went well! I was praying and fasting for her yesterday, and i am praying constantly for her!
I am glad you enjoyed the letters. It is good to sit down and write! I am trying my best to write everyone who write me, but that is tough, i only get like 3 hours to write, and you all are my first priority. I am trying to send at least a card or something to people who write me.
This week was really good. I just got back from the temple, and it was incredable. Honestly mom and dad, do your best to make it there as often as possible. I go there with a question or two everytime, and they are ALWAYS answered.
Class is tough. It is up to me if i will be successful or not, and that is the hardest part. It is easy to be pumped up and ready to go, but then you get to class, your tired, and you have to make the specific effort to continue diligently. Alli and Livi, learn how to study in school, it will honestly help so much with your life.
I honestly can't remember what happened this last week. It is all just a blur, it seems like only yesterday that i was writing emails to you. Sundays are amazing though. Sunday is the one day you can actually stop and breathe. I love sacrament meeting, our branch presidency is so amazing. They are all so supportive. On sunday evenings we get to watch church videos... no NOT rm, but like the testaments and Joseph Smith movies. This last week i got to watch the joseph Smith, prophet of the restoration. It was incredable. The spirit was amazing. I realized how great this message is that i have to share.
Also yesterday Elder Neuenschander came and talked abotu how we need to make our mission successful. It was a great talk, i am running out of time so ill tell you about it in my letters!
Oh mom i will get your Elder B's address, if i have it.
Strive for a positive attitude. It makes everything so much easier. Life is still going to be tough, but if you choose to look at the silver lining, then all will be well
In a future package i need some ties, if your going to send food, dont send no-bakes... they were still good, but they were just crumbs when they got here.
Also remember to send my college stuff to BYU Idaho! Thanks. My transcript.
Well, i will go and write you all a letter now! I love you all, have a wonderful week, know that i am constantly praying for you all! Take care of Nana for me and give her and extra hug for me!
Love you all
Elder Kenck
This is your favorite missionary! I currently have 22 minutes left, so lets see if i can make a good email out of it!
I am glad to hear that the sugrgury went well! I was praying and fasting for her yesterday, and i am praying constantly for her!
I am glad you enjoyed the letters. It is good to sit down and write! I am trying my best to write everyone who write me, but that is tough, i only get like 3 hours to write, and you all are my first priority. I am trying to send at least a card or something to people who write me.
This week was really good. I just got back from the temple, and it was incredable. Honestly mom and dad, do your best to make it there as often as possible. I go there with a question or two everytime, and they are ALWAYS answered.
Class is tough. It is up to me if i will be successful or not, and that is the hardest part. It is easy to be pumped up and ready to go, but then you get to class, your tired, and you have to make the specific effort to continue diligently. Alli and Livi, learn how to study in school, it will honestly help so much with your life.
I honestly can't remember what happened this last week. It is all just a blur, it seems like only yesterday that i was writing emails to you. Sundays are amazing though. Sunday is the one day you can actually stop and breathe. I love sacrament meeting, our branch presidency is so amazing. They are all so supportive. On sunday evenings we get to watch church videos... no NOT rm, but like the testaments and Joseph Smith movies. This last week i got to watch the joseph Smith, prophet of the restoration. It was incredable. The spirit was amazing. I realized how great this message is that i have to share.
Also yesterday Elder Neuenschander came and talked abotu how we need to make our mission successful. It was a great talk, i am running out of time so ill tell you about it in my letters!
Oh mom i will get your Elder B's address, if i have it.
Strive for a positive attitude. It makes everything so much easier. Life is still going to be tough, but if you choose to look at the silver lining, then all will be well
In a future package i need some ties, if your going to send food, dont send no-bakes... they were still good, but they were just crumbs when they got here.
Also remember to send my college stuff to BYU Idaho! Thanks. My transcript.
Well, i will go and write you all a letter now! I love you all, have a wonderful week, know that i am constantly praying for you all! Take care of Nana for me and give her and extra hug for me!
Love you all
Elder Kenck
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
August 15 email
Good luck with school. I kinda miss school... i never had to try to do ok in school. Here i have to try... really hard. I am currently trying to learn how to study. My companion and me are ahead of the rest of the class (in spanish) and so it gets boring, and i have to do A LOT of personal study... but by next week i am sure that i will be learning new things. I wish i would have tried to get into the intermidiate level, but its too late now, so oh well.
Mom, thanks for all the letters and attention, my district is constantly reminding me that i get more letters than everyone else! My district isnt all that bad. They all have their good qualities, and since i am around them for like 14 hours a day, i am trying to focus on them. I get along well with my companion. We teach well together too.
We got to watch President Faust's funeral. What a man. He is one of those people i strive to be like!
Hey i have 8 minutes left! I will get on later!
Love you!
Elder Kenck
Mom, thanks for all the letters and attention, my district is constantly reminding me that i get more letters than everyone else! My district isnt all that bad. They all have their good qualities, and since i am around them for like 14 hours a day, i am trying to focus on them. I get along well with my companion. We teach well together too.
We got to watch President Faust's funeral. What a man. He is one of those people i strive to be like!
Hey i have 8 minutes left! I will get on later!
Love you!
Elder Kenck
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
First email from the MTC
Mi familia!!!!
Como les van?
So i just set up my missionary account! I can use it every wednesday for 30 minutes! Also i can only send letters on wednesdays (p-day) so that is why i have only written once!
The MTC is amazing!! The first week was a little crazy though. From the wednesday that i came into the MTC, until that saturday night, i was going non-stop. We were in class at 7 in the morning, and we leave class at 9:30 at night. Everything was so overwhelming for those first few days! Thankfully, by Sunday everything started slowing down to a bareable pace. Sunday was amazing! It was testimony meeting and everyone (for the most part) bore their testimonies in spanish! It was an incredable experience! I have learned so much spanish just in the week that i have been here... speaking of which, as of right now i have been here for one whole week!!! But i can now pray and testify in spanish!
My companion is Elder Olsen, and he is ok... he kind of smells... just kidding he is sitting right next to me! He is pretty cool. WE get along good. He is going to Milwaukee. My district is a great group of kids. We are going all in different directions all over the world. WE gave our first lesson on tuesday, it was good... thankfully in english. In three weeks we do EVERYTHING in spanish.
Also, my wonderful companion just happened to give me a sweet cold... and so currently i am pressing on through that. Thankfully everything at the mtc is really cheap, and so i got some medicine and i am feeling ok right now.
Sorry this email is all over the place, i am typing as fast as i can!!
Yesterday was incredable!!! L. TOM PERRY was the devotional speaker and i was in the same exact room as him! He came into the room while the congregation was singing "I believe in Christ" and the spirit was incredable! The spirit is so strong when we sing hymns! The spirit at the MTC in general is so strong! The devotional was amazing, and Elder Perry's talk was so inspiring!
I just got back from the temple! I really enjoyed it! The provo temple is so beautiful!
The work is so hard... but it is so worth it. By the end of the day, i am unable to do anything!
Well i have ten minutes left... i will come back and write specific emails later!
I love you all more than life itself!
Elder Kenck
Como les van?
So i just set up my missionary account! I can use it every wednesday for 30 minutes! Also i can only send letters on wednesdays (p-day) so that is why i have only written once!
The MTC is amazing!! The first week was a little crazy though. From the wednesday that i came into the MTC, until that saturday night, i was going non-stop. We were in class at 7 in the morning, and we leave class at 9:30 at night. Everything was so overwhelming for those first few days! Thankfully, by Sunday everything started slowing down to a bareable pace. Sunday was amazing! It was testimony meeting and everyone (for the most part) bore their testimonies in spanish! It was an incredable experience! I have learned so much spanish just in the week that i have been here... speaking of which, as of right now i have been here for one whole week!!! But i can now pray and testify in spanish!
My companion is Elder Olsen, and he is ok... he kind of smells... just kidding he is sitting right next to me! He is pretty cool. WE get along good. He is going to Milwaukee. My district is a great group of kids. We are going all in different directions all over the world. WE gave our first lesson on tuesday, it was good... thankfully in english. In three weeks we do EVERYTHING in spanish.
Also, my wonderful companion just happened to give me a sweet cold... and so currently i am pressing on through that. Thankfully everything at the mtc is really cheap, and so i got some medicine and i am feeling ok right now.
Sorry this email is all over the place, i am typing as fast as i can!!
Yesterday was incredable!!! L. TOM PERRY was the devotional speaker and i was in the same exact room as him! He came into the room while the congregation was singing "I believe in Christ" and the spirit was incredable! The spirit is so strong when we sing hymns! The spirit at the MTC in general is so strong! The devotional was amazing, and Elder Perry's talk was so inspiring!
I just got back from the temple! I really enjoyed it! The provo temple is so beautiful!
The work is so hard... but it is so worth it. By the end of the day, i am unable to do anything!
Well i have ten minutes left... i will come back and write specific emails later!
I love you all more than life itself!
Elder Kenck
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Entering the MTC
Photo's are of: Elder Kenck and President Webb, Elder Kenck and his mommy hugging, Elder Kenck and his sisters and finally Elder Kenck in front of the MTC (Missionary Training Center)
Taylor will be in the MTC from August 1st to October 2nd
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Taylor's MTC address
Elder Taylor Scott Kenck
MTC mailbox #178
FL-TAL 1002
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, Utah 84604-1793
MTC mailbox #178
FL-TAL 1002
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, Utah 84604-1793
Saturday, July 14, 2007
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