Dear Kitchen Family,                                                                                           May 20, 2013

Hey everybody! Glad to hear that everyone is doing well, and had a great week. Mom I liked that picture that you sent me of Dad sitting there on the floor with all the dogs...haha nothing has changed. Well it's that birthday time of year for most of us in the family. I want to write Tyler a personal letter telling him happy birthday, but I'll say it here too...happy birthday Ty! I hope you have a great day and that you are able to do something nice for your birthday. Man I can't believe Tyler is already 23 years old! Sometimes I forget that I'm 20 too...seems weird. Also Kaylee is coming in on 16 right?? That's weird too. I remember when I watched Jami and Kaylee drive away in my car before my mission when Jami had got gotten her licence, and I thought they were going to die. Now Kaylee can drive too. Also, Mom yours is coming up on the 30th huh? You're turning what...like 34 right? I can't remember, but that's what you look like :) But yeah that Sunday night Elder Burden and I got really sick and we were in bed all P-day, but by Tuesday we were out and working again like new. I don't think it was the lemonade Dad, but we really can't figure out what it was, because we basically eat the same things as the other Elders in our District (we eat at the same members house everyday) so it is a mystery. That's cool Dad that Paulette and Lynn are going to have a boy! I'm still really surprised about it all haha tell them congratulations for me. Well I hope this week goes well for all of you.

This week started off a little rough (with the sickness n all) and it didn't improve much. We had a lot of people cancel on us throughout the week...oh well it's all part of missionary work sometimes. We still kept going and did the best we could. We were still able to teach the new investigator from Sunday, the Beltran family, a fairly new investigator named Nacho, and a couple others that I can't think of right now. Amado (one of our good investigators) has a baptism date for the 1st of June, but it seems like whenever we have a good lesson with him, and he has a good set baptismal date, we end up not being able to see him all week because he works two tough jobs and is always busy. We're going to keep working with the investigators that we have and continue to move the work forward. Just to answer some questions no Dad we still have a good 3 weeks of the transfer left, and I can't believe it. The training process is two transfers and Elder Burden is closing in of 3 weeks left. It's nuts how time goes out here. We're doing good together though. I feel like we really get along and we work hard. 

Thanks for letting me know about all the great people from the ward getting ready to head out. That number of 36 missionaries from just our ward is very impressive. I like what you were saying Mom about the Lord moving the work forward, and how the Kingdom is just getting stronger and stronger in these last days. I feel honored to be out here serving during this awesome time in the world's history and this surge in missionary work. I know that this work is true, and that it is the literally the work of Salvation here on earth. It is His work, Him who is named the Savior of the world. He directs this church and this work on Salvation here on earth. God works through us to be able to lift others up, and share the Gospel that is mighty to save. Through small and simple things God works the Salvation of His children Alma 37: 6-7. Be an example to those around you, and find ways to share what we treasure. Love you guys! You're an example to me and such a great support. Thank you for always believing in me and helping me to see what I could become. I believe that we become what we think about the most. Never settle for anything less than what you know the Lord has in store for you. Keep it up!

Con Amor,

Elder Kitchen