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HEY GUYS!!                                                                                                           July 1, 2013

Well I'm sure all you school-goers are getting sad that the summer is already half-way over. Mom thanks for sending me a couple pictures. That's really cool that you guys went to the Grand Canyon. It looks like you all enjoyed it. So with all the families the two older kids weren't there huh? I'm sure that must've been pretty different. WOW I can't believe it's been 9 years since I went there. I was thinking though and I swear when I went and Tyler, grandpa, and I went golfing I was older than 6th grade age. I remember golfing like an 85 and there is no way I could do that as a 6th grader haha. Dad I thought it was funny when you told me about the two weeks of being alone at home and that you're starting to talk to the dogs...hahaha. Poor guy. Hey I hope ya'll have a great time in Eden. Tell everybody HI for me :) Tyler sent me a nice phat letter. I really enjoyed reading it. I'll have to take some time next week to respond. Sounds like you're working hard Ty. That's good. He told me that he's had some cool missionary experiences which is awesome! Well drive safe and I hope you all get home without any problems. 

This week we did exchanges with Elder Durffee and Elder Villa. That went well. We kind of had an okay week. There were days where literally we had to entire day planned, and basically everything ended up being cancelled. Sometimes those days are rough, but ya pick yourself up in the morning and keep moving forward. On Monday we had that family night with the Bishop's family and our investigators. It well really well, and we had a lot of fun with the game we played. We taught about prophets. Unfortunately, Jesus the dad of the family wasn't there :( but on Saturday the whole family went to a baptismal service so that was good. On Tuesday we ate with the American couple from Spanish Fork in our ward...mmm they make some good food. They invited us to come by again real quick on Friday to eat a quick dinner with them. As we waited, Brother Tucker talked to us and gave us some really good advice on how we choose our career path when we get home and what to study in college n stuff. We also talked about the experiences in the mission and just how much one learns as he serves. It is so true. It make me reflect for a moment on all that I have learned from this experience. I have learned so much from living in a different culture speaking a different language, while working hard serving and teaching the Gospel. I love my mission.

Well I hope that you all have a great week in Eden with the family. Keep Tyler and I in your thoughts and prayers and I'll keep the family in mine. I pray often for you and I am always filled with gratitude each week as I write to you. Thanks for everything you do. This work is real. The church is true. 

Con Amor,

Elder Ryan Kitchen

¿Hola que tal?                                                                                                                 June 24, 2013

I can't believe we are headed for July already. Time just seems to be flying by right now. Well sounds like normal circumstances for you guys, some being in St. George and all. Dad I laughed when you called Jazzi and Zoe little hairy mutt balls or whatever haha. Sounds like fun being able to golf all the time without the girls there huh? So mom you're all headed to Eagar? I can barely remember what Eagar is like. I swear it's been quite a long time since I've been there huh? I just asked Elder Burden if he's been to Eagar before and he told me that he has maybe once or twice. He also said he knows of some Ellsworth's that live in Snowflake, so maybe they are relatives somehow. Hey I agree with Dad. You need to take pictures and send them to me too! Maybe we'll make a rule and if you don't send any pictures then I won't either. haha. So the family is going to Eden instead of Bear Lake this year?? That's cool. Tyler and I won't be there! It's going to be different huh? Well I'm glad everything is going well.

This week I gave a baptimal interview...my first one! It was a 25 year old college student investigator of the assistants in my district. I was a little nervous, but it actually went really well. As for our investigators, we have been "hitting the wall" with a lot of them. We've had baptismal dates and everything, but they keep falling. It's tough sometimes, but we're going to keep the faith. We hope to find some more new investigators this week. We have a good referral that we hope to contact this week. We watched to huge missionary broadcast yesterday at the stake center. Us English speakers went into the high council room and watched it via internet with President Reeves and the other English speakers. It was a great broadcast. It had a lot to do with working with members in the work. We also learned that all missionaries are eventually going to be using the internet like facebook and stuff to do various parts of the work. Amado came to church for the 2nd time in a row this Sunday! He really wants to change his life. Pray for him. He struggles with a Alcohol problem. He has a lot of hope that through the Atonement he can change and be baptized. Oh and guess what? My very first District Meeting President Reeves and the assistants came! Little pressure, but it went fine. 

I love you guys. Do Jami and Kaylee have their own personal emails?? I'd like to be able to talk with them more. Even if each week it's just a little paragraph or whatever. How you little ladies doing? Hope everything is great. Tonight we are doing a family night with the bishop's family and the Beltran Family. I'm excited for that. Family is everything. Thank you for everything. Until next week from your brother and son,

Elder Ryan Kitchen

Hey Family!                                                                                                                      June 17, 2013

How is everybody doing?! HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD! Man it's such a rip-off that they don't let us call the dads on father's day huh? I was really happy to hear that you had a great day though. Sounds like you got spoiled just like it should be. Before I forget, thanks for the great advice with becoming a DL and everything. I appreciate it dad. I can't believe you played two rounds for 28 bucks dad! That's a sweet deal, but I guess it's because of how hot it is right now there. That ski boat sounds pretty sweet too. I'm glad you have a good time dad. Mom, I'll answer some of you questions that you had. I have 4 other Elders in my district, so there is 6 of us in total. The assistants are actually in my district, so I have the right to call them whenever I want to haha. Elder Villa is the new Elder that came from Atexcac actually. We were together there and in the same district there too. You also asked about sister missionaries here in Mexico. There are actually quite a few sisters here. All of them are either natives from mexico, or from central american like the Dominican Republic. President Reeves has told us that American Sisters are going to be arriving in the near future though. Pretty interesting huh? That's really cool to hear about President Toone becoming a mission president. Those Elders down in Arizona are going to get a great mission president that´s for sure. Well tell Kaylee good luck on the range tests!

We had a pretty good week here in our area. We weren't able to do much on Monday night, on Tuesday we had that meeting all morning and afternoon that took much of the day, then we had a zone meeting on Wednesday. So, even though we didn't have as much time compared to other weeks, we still had a lot of great things happen. We received 4 new investigators, two of which seem pretty like they will be good investigators. On Wednesday night we had something awesome happen. That great family that we've been working with (Beltrán Leon) made a pretty big step. The father Jesus wasn't very supportive with the daughter Jessil and the mother Silvia going to church so much. They would be baptized, but it is tough when the father isn't progressing the same. On Wednesday the father began to cry during his prayer, and after he gave his daughter and wife his support and permission to be baptized it they want to. Wow! It was a miracle! The Lord softened that man's heart I have no doubt. They still have doubts, so right now we are just trying to stay strong with them, and keep them going for baptism. We saw and taught a bunch of others, but I don't have time to tell you all. We finally saw Amado though after a month! He came to church too! That was great. 

Well I hope you guys continue to enjoy your summer. Dad keep with that golf swing. You're gonna have to practice a lot, because when I get home I'll have a two-year purification to my swing. haha ya right I'll probably "whiff" it. I love you family. Thanks for everything. I'm nothing without your love and support. I constantly pray for your well-being and success. I really miss each and every one of you, but I find strength in my calling and what I'm doing out here in Puebla. I feel honored to be here serving and helping others come unto Christ the Lord. I've been reading lately in the conference Ensign all the talks from conference. You should take the time to reveiw the great things that prophets and apostles have told us. It's from the Lord. Keep it up! I'll talk to you guys next week! Abrazos (hugs)

Con Amor,

Elder Ryan Kitchen

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