Hola Mi Familia, August 31, 2012
Hey
how is everybody doing?! Man, I can't belive that I've been here at the
MTC for over 2 weeks. It has gone by really fast. The days are really
long, but then when you look back on the week you just had, it goes by
in a blink. Well everything is going great here at the MTC. I'm still
loving it here its really not bad. Its crazy because remember what Pres.
Welch said in my blessing as I was getting set apart about me knowing I
am in the right place at the right time?? Well yeah that has totally
happened to me already from day 1. My district, companion, teachers,
zone, branch presidency, zone leaders, etc. are all so sweet. Me and
Elder Astle get along so well. He is a great guy and we share a lot of
the same interests. We both have a drive about us that we both want
nothing less than to be obedient and work hard. My district is so great
as well. I'll name off the guys...whoops...I mean ELDERS for you: Elder
Hauser/Elder Hansen; Elder Garcia/Elder Ellison; Elder Doughtery/Elder
Allred; Elder Stephens/Elder Chote; and finally Elder Yano/Elder
Thompson. Yeah we have a big group. Most districts have about 6-8 elders
and we have 12. It is a blast, and all the Elders work hard, but when
at the same time we all like to have fun. It great. I know that I'm here
at the right time and everything. I wouldn't want it to be any
different. Oh and to answer mom's question our investigators are
actually our teachers that are acting as someone that they taught when
they were on their missions. It really does feel real though because
they don't ever come out of character. We have to be speaking spanish
the whole time during our lessons. The teachers here at the MTC are
mostly BYU students that have been home from their own missions for only
about a year. We have one teacher that has only been home from his
mission a month! Also you asked if we have to speak the language all the
time. The answer is agency haha. We are encouraged to SYL (speak your
language) as much as you can. During class and throughout the day, we do
our best to speak the language as much as we can, but when we are in
some certain situations we just want to speak english. There is acutally
goals that districts make that they won't speak english for an entire
day, or for certain periods of time in a day. The longest my companion
and I have gone without speaking english is about 3 hours. Its pretty
crazy how much spanish we know already I won't lie. But, I'm well aware
that as soon as I step foot in Mexico I won't have a clue what anyone is
saying!! Don't worry I'm looking forward to it.
Anyway, it sounds like you guys are all really busy
with everything going on at home! It's that time of year. I hope Jami,
Kaylee, and Tyler are all doing okay with their classes and workin'
hard. Dad it sounds like work is going good and that you guys are having
a good time, I'm glad. How's the golf game?? Hopefully it goes to the
pit by the time I get home so I can kick your butt haha ;) I'm jokin'.
Mom I'm so happy to hear that experience that you had! It makes me think
back to the everything that fell into place when you were looking for a
job at Shelly. I know that didn't end up working out....hmm...maybe it
was just a trial of your faith, and now here comes the blessing when you
least expected it! :) It's so cool to see everything work out for you
and that you're teaching 5th grade with a picture perfect class. WOW. We
are very blessed. Make sure to thank to Lord for all of our blessings.
We enjoy so many each and every day. Tell Jami and Kaylee to keep up the
good work and to keep their noses clean. High School is make or break.
It can be one of the greatest times of your lives. It is what you make
it. Either you work hard and enjoy every moment, or you end up looking
back with some amount of regret. In any case and no matter what you make
out of the experience one thing is of necessity; the greatest
importance: Make good decisions. Family first. Do the basic things that
matter most, scripture study and prayer. Keep the commandments. Strive
to follow the prophet. By listening to their words you will come closer
to God. Most importantly look to the Savior as your greatest example.
Strive to be like him. Follow him and his teachings; his church and
you'll find in yourself a better version of yourself. I promise that
this is the case. Do these things for yourself, and you'll find yourself
happier than you've ever been. ENJOY IT :)
Just to finish up I wanted to share with you a really
cool experience that stood out to me this week. On Tuesday we had
something that is called TRC training. It is when real members of the
church volunteer time out of their day and come to visit with
missionaries just as themselves, so that we as missionaries can get a
feel for what it is like to get to know people and share a message. We
had only had a few minutes to prepare a short spiritual message, and
yes, you guessed it, it has to be all spanish :) So we go in there and
talked with this awesome lady named Joseiphina I think. In our broken
spanish we got somewhat aquainted with here and continued to share a
simple spiritual message with here about God our Heavenly Father and how
he loves every one of us. I spirit filled the room as we spoke and
shared scriptures. At the end my companion shared his testimony, and
then came me. I don't remember everything I said, but as I walked out I
remember thinking to myself "how in the world did I speak spanish so
well." It wasn't that I was saying things I'd never learned before, but
it was the manner in which I was able to say it. It was simple, yet
strong. I love being a missionary. I want you all to know that this is
the Lord's work. God loves us and has a plan for us. Central to that
plan is the Savior Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for my Savior and His
Atonement; it has changed my life forever. We can all develop strong
relationships with our Heavenly Father if we just Come Unto Christ and
follow Him. Thank you all for your amazing examples in my life. Thank
you for your love and support! It means the world to me. I love each and
every one of you, and I miss you all. God be wich you til' we meet
again ;)
Love
Elder Kitchen
P.S. if you have time you should all read Moroni Chapter 7 the whole thing. Its great. Love you!
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