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

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

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