Dear Kitchen Family,                                                                                             June 10, 2013

It's just that time of year when the birthdays are going on just about every day. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM AND DAD...and sorry it's a little late.  I hope that you both enjoyed you birthday! Dad sounds like you did some fun things to celebrate, but how bout you Mom? What did you do to celebrate? I guess you went down to the St. George house with the team right? Dad you turned 52?! Ohhhh man you are getting old pops! Haha well I bet you'd still kick my butt in golf, so I guess I shouldn't say much. I'm glad ya'll had a great week. Hey mom should I start saying that I'm for St. George or from American Fork?? I'm starting to think that I should say I'm form St. George now haha. Anyway tell Kaylee good luck on the Drivers Ed and that I hope her teacher doesn't fall asleep during the driving test like mine!

Well yesterday Elder Burden and I made cookies after we got home because the exciting transfer news was coming. We got the news and the only one out of our district that has a transfer is our District leader Elder Knowlton. He has been here for 6 months now. So Elder Burden and I will be staying together for another 6 weeks in the same area. I'm perfectly fine with it because I really like this ward and area and Elder Burden and I get along just fine. The one interesting news we did receive is that even though we don't have transfers, we have to be in the transfer meeting because I have a "change in assignment" which means nothing else than I'm going to be the new District Leader here on Agua Azul. I'm pretty excited for the new assignment of responsibility and service. We had a pretty good week. We were able to see Oscar twice this week (the one with a date) and so that is good. He has a date for the 22nd of this month, but he says he is not ready. We are going to do our best to help him feel prepared and willing. We have been seeing this guy named Rafael who is a former investigator about 2 years ago. He is a Catholic with very keen Jehovah's witness views. He is very difficult to teach haha. He doesn't have any teeth and he is really hung up on how there is 10 commandments when he thinks according to the bible there is only 9. We also saw the cancer doctor for a little bit on Wednesday...that was nice. I hope that we can see him more often. There is quite a bit of others that we see, but not very many that are progressing. We expect to receive more investigators this week, so I'm excited about that. 

Love you guys! Hey Dad Happy Father's day!  I wish that I could Skype for Father's Day too. Well I'm continuing to learn a ton out here as a missionary. It's such a great experience getting to serve and help others all the time. Like you said Dad it does get hard at times, but I know that the Lord is watching over us out here and that as long as we are giving our best effort we will be lead to the true in heart. You asked me how Spanish is coming. It's actually improved a lot here throughout this time in Agua Azul. Especially because I do most the talking in teaching and contacting situations. The way that it does get hard is turning the switch off and on between English and Spanish. Being an all American district we obviously talk in English. Keep it up family! Thanks for all you do! Until next week...

Con Amor,

Elder Kitchen

¡Holaaaa!                                                                                                                June 3, 2013

Hey family, What's goin' on? I'm happy to hear that everyone is doing well. Sounds like fun for he girls being out of school for the summer and all. I remember summer being something that I always really looked forward to. Mom you asked how my summer is going, but missionary work doesn't change much weather you're in summer or not haha. No, but I know what you meant. Yeah it's heating up here too, but it's still not too bad. We've hit the lluvias (rain season) here in Puebla. What happens is it's really hot all day, then when it hits about 6 o'clock or so it starts to rain for a while. It's kinda cool because I've never really lived in a place where it literally rains everyday during a season. Mom that's cool that you took your fifth grade team out to the St. George house. Sounds like you've made quite to official move-in out there  Well yeah Dad I am quite surprised to hear that you're all not down there in St. George this weekend. That's cool to hear about Courtney graduating from high school. Tell her congrats for me! It's also nuts to think that Kaylee is going to be a Jr. and Jami is going for the big senor year. It's too bad that I'll miss her graduation.

Well as for me and Elder Burden, we had a pretty good week this week. Our biggest challenge right now is being able to see our good investigators often because of how much that they work. We have our first lesson in close to 3 weeks with Amado tonight...finally! I hope it goes well. Also, we weren't able to see Oscar either this week who has a baptismal date this month. We hope to see him a few times this week. As for our new investigators, two came to church this week! Erika and her husband. Unfortunately, the wife Erika seemed to enjoy it a little bit more than her husband, but we'll try and change that. They have two sons, one that we've met named Fransisco and another named Erik. As for the Dr. we weren't able to see him last week either because of how busy he is with work as well. We hope to see this week though. Wednesday we had a district meeting and President ended up coming with the assistants and our zone leaders. It was a good little meeting. Well Elder Burden and I have really become good friends out here, and his training process is winding down. This is the last week of his training. We're all wondering what is going to happen now with our All-American district. We're sure that at least 1 or 2 of us will be changed out. Because Elder Knowlton and I trained here it's possible that the both of us leave, and the ones we trained stay, but who knows. I'll have to news for you next P-day.

Love you guys! I thank you all again, just like every week for everything you've done and continue to do for me. It means everything. The Church is true. It is the only church that teaches the pure restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. For those who are working, keep working hard, and for those that are now playing, keep playing hard. Until next week

Con Amor,

Elder Kitchen

Pics

1-At church with our Ward Mission Leader. He has all our tags on haha

2-We went bowling today with the zone!! (kinda bad quality pic sorry)

3-That's me in action doing a super man bowl...I got my white shirt all dirty haha! Whoops

  

Sweeeeet 16                                                                                                                May 27, 2013 ¡Hola! Here we are again--You guys are in St. George, and I'm hear at internet writing. We seem to be developing a pattern here. Haha anyway sounds like you've all had a really fun week. I'm glad to hear that. I got a kick out of how you took Grandma and Grandpa Kitchen all over town doing fun things. I'm sure they enjoyed getting out and being treated with all that. Dad I enjoyed those photos that you sent! That one with the two coaches was cool. Sometimes I wonder if I'm going to be able to even swing the club right when I get back home. Who knows, maybe the two years will take all the bad habits out of my swing and I'll be able to kick your butt. KAYLEE Happy Birthday  Sweet  I with mom on the fact that I can't believe that you're already old enough to drive! If I was still driving of those AF streets I'd be scared ;) Well I hope that you have a great birthday Kaylee. Make sure to thank mom and dad for all that they do for ya alright? We are all more blessed than you know....even if you don't get that new car you want haha  Oh I was going to ask...how come G&G Ellsworth and in Virginia?? I'm glad to hear that Tyler is doing well. Mom congrats on finishing your second school year! Also congrats Jami and Kaylee for toughin' out another year of high school. Make the best of it, and choose the right. Well I hope you make it back to Utah County safe and sound family. As for me and Elder Burden, we had a great week this week. We really focused in and worked hard this week to continue to make a difference in the lives of others. We were blessed with 3 new investigators this week too!! We got a good reference for the Beltran family. (our new investigators) The mom's name is Erika, and she has a son who doesn't believe in God much, so we are going to work hard to teach him the way. Also, the other new investigator's name is Trimitivo who was a referral from another area in the mission. He was given a Book of Mormon and he is in Mosiah already before we got to him! He is a cancer Dr. here in Puebla and is a really good one. We hope that we will be able to work around his schedule and see him often to teach the Restored Gospel. As for other investigators, we had a really intense lesson with the Beltran Leon family, but unfortunately they are having a hard time understanding/accepting that the church was fallen and then restored and that they need to be baptized again and everything. They are progressing, but not very fast. We also saw Oscar Almeida and set a baptismal date with him. About Amado...his June 1st date fell because we haven't been able to see him in 2 weeks and he didn't come to church  but we will still keep workin' with him. It was a good week! Love you guys! Thanks for all the love and support that you continue to give. I'm grateful. If there is anything I could do for anyone of you, or maybe someone that I could talk to and try and help, let me know. Remember always to follow the example of Jesus Christ in your lives. He lived and died perfect, and taught us how we should be. I know that He lives and loves us. Through Him we can make it in this life and reach our divine potential. Never forget that you are all sons and daughters of a Loving Father in Heaven. We are not here to fail, rather to learn and succeed :)  Con Amor, Elder Kitchen Pic: at the Beltran Leon family house with one of the ward missionaries Benjamin. All those toys are gathered together ready to donate to an orphanage. It was an idea from the Beltran family and we've got the ward involved and everything. It is always good to seek ways to LIFT, HELP, AND SERVE :) SAM_0241.JPG 3050K   View   Share   Download

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

Hola fam!                                                                                                                          May 13, 2013
It was so awesome to get to see you all yesterday! I always look forward to that. Sorry it wasn't quite as long as last time on Christmas. I hope it was everything you were hoping it to be Mom! And I also hope that you had a great mothers day even though your two sons are away right now. You all looked great over there in the new St. George place. I'm excited to be able to stay down there and see it someday. Sounds like things are winding down for the school goers/workers, but Dad just keeps going strong. I've always admired at the hard work you've always so selfishly given us through all these years Dad. The rest of the family is always working hard too! Well I'm glad you all had a safe trip home and I hope you have a great week.

As for Elder Burden and I...we actually ended up getting pretty sick last night while we were sleeping. It must have been something that we ate I guess. We're feeling a bit better now. We were able to go and teach that new investigator last night at 5:30. We taught the plan of salvation! It was great and she seems like a good investigator, like I said before we baptized David. It was a great experience. I'll show you guys pictures next week. The work of the Lord just keeps on going forward.

I love each and every one of you. Keep up all the good work and like I always saw do what matters most!

Con amor,
Elder Kitchen

Holaaa!                                                                                                                 May 6, 2013

Well you all seem to interested in the fact that it was 5 de Mayo yesterday, but really here in Mexico it's not that big of deal. Here in Puebla yes it is celebrated because it is the city where the battle took place, but everywhere else in Mexico it is barely celebrated at all. Here in Puebla there was a big parade on the 5 de Mayo street in town, but it was Sunday, so we weren't able to go at all or anything. Other than that I've seen some people having like family parties or dinners, but really it's probably celebrated more in the states haha. The huge thing here in Mexico is 16 de Septiembre because that is like our July 4th. Anyway how is everything going for ya'll? Sounds like it's been nice up there for a while. So you say you've been taking the dogs on walks...does that mean Jazzi is still alive?? haha. Hey Dad I thought it was interesting to hear that you take the frontrunner up to SLC everyday now. I bet that it a huge save on gas money+you don't have to worry about traffic, and you can relax on the way there. All in all it sounds like a good change to me.You mentioned that you were at work at 6:30 sharp does that mean you can get there faster too? Mom thanks for reminding me about the temple tour we did together, I have some really fond memories of that time with you too. I miss the temple. I wish that I could go. It's a great place to be. You guys should try and get there for me alright? :) I got a wedding invitation from Ashely in the mail. It looks good! Hey Ty sounds like he's doing well. I'm going to write him an email back after this. Wow I can't believe that Cordell cox and Derek Childs received there calls! The ward is going crazy right now. Good stuff.

Well this week was great. Probably one of the best weeks so far on my mission as far as missionary work. We got 2 new investigators this week and in the first lesson with one named David Salamanca, we invited him to be baptized and he accepted to be baptized this Saturday the 11th!! He is one of those that has completely been prepared by the Lord. We're just there to teach and invite him to live the Gospel. Apart from that we put another baptismal date, taught a whole bunch of investigators and have been receiving a ton of great referrals from members. It was an awesome week. So this week we are going to be trying to contact and start teaching a lot of the referrals that we've been getting, and get everything ready for David's baptism. It's awesome. This week we had some good lessons with the Beltran Leon family and everyone came to church this week except for the Dad. We had 5 investigators in church which was great. Some sad news about the Estrada family is that they ended up moving this weekend to a apartment out of our area...oh well I'm sure with time they will start listening to other missionaries and be baptized. I'm excited for next week!

Love you guys! I can't wait until I'm able to skpye with you on mother's day Sunday!! Be ready with some good questions! The Church is true. This life if tough, and sometimes things don't always go our way, or we mess up, but that doesn't mean we should give up. We can always move forward and improve thanks to the Savior. See you next week!

Con Amor

Elder Kitchen

Dear Family,                                                                                                                   April 29, 2013

Hey guys what's up? So the other day on the 25th I realized wow it has been 1 year since I opened my call...weird. It really does not feel like a year ago that I opened my call...seems like yesterday. Well it pretty surprising to hear that you're actually at our house in Utah County this weekend haha. Oh just so I don't forget later, Mom here in Mexico Mothers Day is always on May 10th instead of the second Sunday of the month. Since we are an all American district so we will probably just skype when it's mothers day up there in America...which is the 12th right Mom? Also, the member that feeds us every Monday said that we could all go and skype at their house for mothers day, so no worries there. Sounds like Tyler and Cam made it safely out to DC. I hope that they have a good successful trip out there this summer. I bet it's going to be a good experience for them. If you get a chance you should tell James hi for me. Anyway thanks mom for letting me know about the cool sacrament meeting you had this Sunday. When I read that it was Sean's homecoming it just about blew my mind because I totally remember when he left, and it does not seem that long ago at all. Hey I knew Elder Munday's sons who went to our high school. Sounds like a very good meeting, and yeah I agree with the surge in missionary work. It is the Lord's work and He directs it. Dad I'm glad the weather has gotten a lot better and that you can go golfing lately. Wow sounds like you crushed that guy in the match! Sounds like you're playing great. I feel like I wouldn't even know how to swing a golf club anymore this days haha. That reminds me...I found out that Puebla has some 4 golf courses. Maybe we could play if we came back some day. Who knows how good they are. Oh and Dad you asked me if I ever miss my old area, hmmm I guess some things about it like how much cool service opportunities we had all the time, all natural fresh tortillas, and how beautiful it is up there. I'm loving it here in the city though.

Well it was a good week. We've really been working hard to get things going smoothly here in this new área. I feel like the last couple of weeks we've finally had things figured out and stuff. It was a pretty busy week. We starting doing something as a district called a group lesson where we bring all of our investigators out to the church for a lesson with members, less actives, and recent converts. It went pretty well. Apart from that we were able to have another good lesson with the Family Beltran Leon. I was on splits with Elder Galan our zone leader in that lesson. We also were finally able to see Amado who had a baptismal date about a month ago. He was too busy to see us for a while, but we had a great lesson, and we committed him to living the Word of Wisdom. This week we have been doing a lot of work with members in efforts to receive good referrals from them. We have done some cool activities and this week we hope for some good new investigators. Some sad news about the Estrada family...because their mom is going through some tough mental health problems they don't think now is a good time. She isn't always in reality and so they are always worried during the lessons and stuff. We are still in contact with them though, so I hope we can teach them again soon. Pray for them!! It's been going really good though. I am continuing to have awesome experiences out here. The misión is great.

Well I've better go now. Love you guys. I hope that you will have a great week! Thank you for all the continued love and support on my behalf. Continue to do what matters most in this life. Sorry I didn't take any new pictures this week. Hopefully next week. You guys should sent me some good pictures too. Until next week.

Con Amor

Elder Kitchen