Aloha!
So, it has been another great week. Yesterday was my companion's birthday, and we had a baptism as well. It was nice that I got to meet Jessica (the girl that got baptized) on Saturday and actually teach her before Sunday. I sang at the program, and everyone seemed to like it. The 1st councilor in the bishopbric told me I have to be here for Christmas so I can sing then. So, maybe I will be hanging out in Kaneohe for a while. I would be ok with that.
Our week went well, even though we had some struggles. We had a lot of appointments with people we found tracting that weren't there for their appointment, but that is usual. It just shows once again that you need to get the members involved. We did find one cool guy from the Philippeans who seems interested. We dropped a book of Mormon off yesterday in Tagolog (his native tongue), and he seemed very appriciative. The funny part is that a JW was there teaching another kid while we were waiting for Willie. We resisted the urge to bash with him, and he didn't look at us.
That has been something fun I've noticed about my mission. I have learned a lot about different religions and why they are almost completely crazy. It seems so amazing. Our church just makes sence. It answers all the questions, and so simply... but some don't see it that way, so we go out every day to share those answers with them.
Our next week is looking amazing. We have a lot of lessons schedualed, one with a lady named Lorretta. She has been looking into the church for years, comes to church occasionally, and her brother is a member and told her to get baptized. She just seems to find these little reasons to not join. So, we talked to her about the mighty change of heart that the spirit can bring (Alma 5) into our lives, and we are going back over tomorrow. Throw in a few other people that we are going to start teaching soon, and we are really excited.
I think I need to clarify a little from my email last week. I didn't mean that my companion is a drama king as in he can act, I mean that he is a drama king as in he makes every little thing a huge deal. We have an opptimist serving with a pecimist that is trying to pass simply as a realist (remind anyone of Hitch?), but there is a lot of possibility. Hopefully I can help him, as well as the rest of my district.
This last week, I trained my district on how essential it is to have members with us throughout the whole teaching process, from finding to committing. Next week when I train them again, I am going to go over the conversion process, and also how we need to apply that to ourselves so much, and search for that mighty change of heart in our own service. I know I experienced it, and I am so glad that the spirit was able to do that for me.
I hope all is going well. From the pictures Chelsi sent, it looks like Getta and Gracie are getting so big. Thank you all for your support, and I love you so much!
Elder Kidd
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
07/20/09
Aloha from Kaneohe
The challenge for every organization is to build a feeling of oneness, of dependence on one another...because the question is usually not how well each person works, but how well they work together.
I wanted to leave the quote mom sent me on here, and I will explain why in a few minutes. Anyway, Aloha from Kaneohe, or more specifically from Kailua, Waimanalo, and Olomana. My district is in Kailua, which is fairly big, and my two wards are Waimanalo and Olomana, which are largely hawaiian homesteads, so I have officially entered a hawaiian ward. I finally will get to make good use of my Hawaiian Hymm book I got in Kauai. Most everything is in english, but they usually do atleast one song in Hawaiian.
Some good news about things in Hilo. I managed to get a few copies of pictures from other missionaries, so I still have a couple of pictures from Mauna Kea and a couple of other places. Also, I got a lot of pictures with people as I left, was happy to know that I did make an impact in the wards.
But, onto the present. Kaneohe, Waimanalo, and Olomana. My companion is Elder Simnitt from Portland, Oregon. He is a wonderful kid, and very unique. He was a drama king in high school, and has brought a bit of that with him out here, which makes some things fun, but we are doing really well. He is the fifth in a row from his generation(group he came out with from the MTC) that I have been companions with. He was actually companions with Elder Aldridge and Elder Higley in the MTC, so now I've been companions with all three. I've officially decided that his generation will from now on have to refer to me as Uncle John.
Another funny thing, Elder Aldridge is in my district, so I will get to go on exchanges with him and be companions for a day. It is going to be really interesting.
Right now in our wards, I am still trying to get most things figured out, like who the people are (members and non-members). It seems that our wards aren't extremely involved, and one ward doesn't have a lot of trust for missionaries, because the missionaries haven't cared enough to show that they care about the ward. We have some plans to change this, and I think that these two wards will be amazing. They will probably split the missionaries next transfer though, so I will probably be over only one. But, we are excited about this transfer.
This last Friday I gave my first training as a district leader, and I think it went really well. Our mission president talked to us in our last zone conference about Zion, and how to become Zion. So, I extended the challenge to my district. I asked them to begin with themselves, then move to their companionship. As they did that, I promised they would begin to help their wards, and our district would become more zionlike as well(this is why I left that quote at the start). It was an amazing experience for me, because I felt the spirit so strong telling me what to say. I asked all the companionships to come up with a Standard of Excelence (or weekly goal) that they wanted to achieve for a certain number of our key indicators (lessons, new investigators, etc.). I also asked them to set a goal for the number of baptisms they wanted to have that transfer. Well, as a district we totaled 17 baptisms this transfer. While I was talking to them, I promised them we would reach 20 if they would follow my training and become a zionlike district. I am super excited about this next six weeks.
We actually have a lady who is going to get baptized this next Sunday right after church, and we should be able to commit her husband soon as well (well, i think so... I haven't met either one yet...) And we have six people with a set date right now. I did my first baptisimal interview yesterday, and that was a fun experience. That lady's name is Malia, and she is super solid. One of the companionships in our district is two sister missionaries, and they are doing some amazing work. The only problem is, now I feel super responsible to make sure they are ok and taken care of. I was raised too much of a gentleman.
So, all is going great in Kaneohe. We went on a hike as a zone this morning, and it was a lot of fun. I can feel everyone pulling closer together. It's going to be awesome. Keep up the good work at home, and I love you all!
Elder Kidd
The challenge for every organization is to build a feeling of oneness, of dependence on one another...because the question is usually not how well each person works, but how well they work together.
I wanted to leave the quote mom sent me on here, and I will explain why in a few minutes. Anyway, Aloha from Kaneohe, or more specifically from Kailua, Waimanalo, and Olomana. My district is in Kailua, which is fairly big, and my two wards are Waimanalo and Olomana, which are largely hawaiian homesteads, so I have officially entered a hawaiian ward. I finally will get to make good use of my Hawaiian Hymm book I got in Kauai. Most everything is in english, but they usually do atleast one song in Hawaiian.
Some good news about things in Hilo. I managed to get a few copies of pictures from other missionaries, so I still have a couple of pictures from Mauna Kea and a couple of other places. Also, I got a lot of pictures with people as I left, was happy to know that I did make an impact in the wards.
But, onto the present. Kaneohe, Waimanalo, and Olomana. My companion is Elder Simnitt from Portland, Oregon. He is a wonderful kid, and very unique. He was a drama king in high school, and has brought a bit of that with him out here, which makes some things fun, but we are doing really well. He is the fifth in a row from his generation(group he came out with from the MTC) that I have been companions with. He was actually companions with Elder Aldridge and Elder Higley in the MTC, so now I've been companions with all three. I've officially decided that his generation will from now on have to refer to me as Uncle John.
Another funny thing, Elder Aldridge is in my district, so I will get to go on exchanges with him and be companions for a day. It is going to be really interesting.
Right now in our wards, I am still trying to get most things figured out, like who the people are (members and non-members). It seems that our wards aren't extremely involved, and one ward doesn't have a lot of trust for missionaries, because the missionaries haven't cared enough to show that they care about the ward. We have some plans to change this, and I think that these two wards will be amazing. They will probably split the missionaries next transfer though, so I will probably be over only one. But, we are excited about this transfer.
This last Friday I gave my first training as a district leader, and I think it went really well. Our mission president talked to us in our last zone conference about Zion, and how to become Zion. So, I extended the challenge to my district. I asked them to begin with themselves, then move to their companionship. As they did that, I promised they would begin to help their wards, and our district would become more zionlike as well(this is why I left that quote at the start). It was an amazing experience for me, because I felt the spirit so strong telling me what to say. I asked all the companionships to come up with a Standard of Excelence (or weekly goal) that they wanted to achieve for a certain number of our key indicators (lessons, new investigators, etc.). I also asked them to set a goal for the number of baptisms they wanted to have that transfer. Well, as a district we totaled 17 baptisms this transfer. While I was talking to them, I promised them we would reach 20 if they would follow my training and become a zionlike district. I am super excited about this next six weeks.
We actually have a lady who is going to get baptized this next Sunday right after church, and we should be able to commit her husband soon as well (well, i think so... I haven't met either one yet...) And we have six people with a set date right now. I did my first baptisimal interview yesterday, and that was a fun experience. That lady's name is Malia, and she is super solid. One of the companionships in our district is two sister missionaries, and they are doing some amazing work. The only problem is, now I feel super responsible to make sure they are ok and taken care of. I was raised too much of a gentleman.
So, all is going great in Kaneohe. We went on a hike as a zone this morning, and it was a lot of fun. I can feel everyone pulling closer together. It's going to be awesome. Keep up the good work at home, and I love you all!
Elder Kidd
Monday, July 13, 2009
07/13/09
Aloha Big Island
Yep, I'm headed off of the island. We got the call last night, and I am headed back to O'ahu. Then we got another call this morning, and I found out that I will be a District Leader on O'ahu. So, may the Lord bless me in my future endevors.
It has been a great last week though. Unfortuanately Robert and Carey both dogged out of their appointments, but we had a different experience. On Tuesday, we began teaching a guy by the name of Justin Keola Texiera. He is probably the most solid investigator I have ever had. He loved the lesson, so we came back on Saturday. He loved that lesson, so we got him clothes for church. He loved church, and he and his wife (a less active member) have an appointment with the bishop for Tuesday night. He has felt the spirit, he's read atleast all of 2 Nephi and possibly more, and loves the missionaries. I'm grateful the Lord gave me this opportunity to meet him and begin working with him before I leave.
So, that was the greatest part of the week. Other than that, we did our usual. We met with Preston and had a good lesson with him, but we haven't been able to meet with him for about a week. They are a busy family, but hopefully we will see them tonight. Anthony is doing well, we have just been waiting for the courts so we could get him baptized. They are foster boys and their Aunt and Uncle are trying to adopt them. They finally have a court day this week, so hopefully that will go through.
So, it will be fun the next day or two, going to see everyone. I don't know if I will be able to replace the pictures from the memory card that was lost because it is raining today, but I can get them another time. I will remember the places that I want to go to for pictures.
I hope everyone is doing well. Thank you for your continued support, and encouragement. I love you all!
Elder Kidd
Yep, I'm headed off of the island. We got the call last night, and I am headed back to O'ahu. Then we got another call this morning, and I found out that I will be a District Leader on O'ahu. So, may the Lord bless me in my future endevors.
It has been a great last week though. Unfortuanately Robert and Carey both dogged out of their appointments, but we had a different experience. On Tuesday, we began teaching a guy by the name of Justin Keola Texiera. He is probably the most solid investigator I have ever had. He loved the lesson, so we came back on Saturday. He loved that lesson, so we got him clothes for church. He loved church, and he and his wife (a less active member) have an appointment with the bishop for Tuesday night. He has felt the spirit, he's read atleast all of 2 Nephi and possibly more, and loves the missionaries. I'm grateful the Lord gave me this opportunity to meet him and begin working with him before I leave.
So, that was the greatest part of the week. Other than that, we did our usual. We met with Preston and had a good lesson with him, but we haven't been able to meet with him for about a week. They are a busy family, but hopefully we will see them tonight. Anthony is doing well, we have just been waiting for the courts so we could get him baptized. They are foster boys and their Aunt and Uncle are trying to adopt them. They finally have a court day this week, so hopefully that will go through.
So, it will be fun the next day or two, going to see everyone. I don't know if I will be able to replace the pictures from the memory card that was lost because it is raining today, but I can get them another time. I will remember the places that I want to go to for pictures.
I hope everyone is doing well. Thank you for your continued support, and encouragement. I love you all!
Elder Kidd
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
07/06/09
Aloha and happy ID4!
It seems like an amazing week, yet when we looked at our numbers for the week, and they were a lot lower than we expected. Either way, the week seemed to go well, we worked hard, and got a lot done (except for the 4th. Hard to do anything when EVERYONE is on the beach).
Anyway... updates. Carey O'oka is struggling a lot, and has relapsed a bit on his smoking. Also, he seems to be sinking into another depression, so we are going to try to help him build his faith in his Savior and endure through. It looks like it is going to take a bit more time.
We are working with a man named Preston Ducosin, who has been married to an active member for about 16 years or so. He has never been baptized, but has gotten close a couple of times. Well, he wants to be able to baptize and confirm his son, who is 7 right now. He loves the missionaries, and he and his wife would do anything for us. In fact, last Monday they gave us mac&cheese, and a suave soap and lotion kit. We have another appointment tonight. Preston has said that he has been picturing his baptism, he just isn't sure when it is going to be, so we are going to continue working with him and helping him to his goal.
We also were able to work with Anthony this week as well. They finally have a court date for next week, so hopefully we will be able to finally have all the legal issues out of the way.
The craziest thing happened on Tuesday though. I went on an exhchange with our ZL's in their ward. Well, we had one appointment cancel, so we went to see another lady (aunty Lily), and all hell broke loose:
We came and she(aunty lily) started talking to us about how the cops had just come and left. They wanted to take her "friend" that has been living with her for a while. Well, she swore at them (and kind of to us as she was telling us) and they left. Apparently she usually is a super nice lady, and super active. Well, we show up, talk to her for a bit and she starts into her son and sister. While we're sitting there, who should drive up but... THE SISTER(sister Crawley)!! So, they argued a bit, and we tried to leave, but the sister asked us to stay. So, there we are standing by our car, wondering what the heck is going on (especially me since I know none of these people). While they continue to argue, who should drive up behind us but... THE SON(Scott) and his family. They run out to join the sister and start pleading with Aunty Lily to get her to come with them to a meeting with the bishop (that she didn't go to the day before). Well, meanwhile, the "Friend" (Collin) is telling her not to go. Well, Scott tries to cast him out or something, and he leaves. Eventually they get her to come out of the house. Scott hugs her, and they convince her to go with them.
So, it takes a little bit to get her into the car, and Aunty Lily wants her purse. So, Aunty Lily's sister (Sister Crawley) convince Collin to give her Aunty Lily's purse. Meanwhile, Scott and his family leave with Aunty Lily, taking both cars. So, we have to take Sister Crawley with us to the church. On the way, she informs us the Aunty Lily has changed since Collin moved in with her, and apparently they are engaged now. Collin has a rap sheet a mile long, and has threatened Scott and sister Crawley. Collin creeped me out.
On the way back, Aunty Lily had been riding with Scott, but they moved her to the other car with Scott's wife. Right by the church, we catch up to them, and look into the car with Aunty Lily and Scott's wife to see: Aunty Lily trying to beat the trash out of Scott's wife. So, Sister Crawley runs out of the car, Scott gets out of his car, and they escort Aunty Lily to the church, we get all the cars in, and then Elder Miller and I run away. Great thing is, during that time, no one asked for my name. Ok, follow that?
The rest of the week went well though. Saturday no one was home, so we eventually went out with the missionaries to watch the fireworks which was a lot of fun, and we took lots of pictures. Which you will see soon. So, that really was the big point of the week.
It has been great the last little while to once again be able to testify repeatedly about Joseph Smith and about the Atonement, two of our greatest messages. With a knowledge that Christ suffered for our sins, and has felt all of our pains, we know that we can endure anything. Knowing the heavens are not sealed, and that there are prophets again, we know that we are guided through everything. These are the basis that we build upon. Thank you all for your continued support. I love you all!
Elder Kidd
It seems like an amazing week, yet when we looked at our numbers for the week, and they were a lot lower than we expected. Either way, the week seemed to go well, we worked hard, and got a lot done (except for the 4th. Hard to do anything when EVERYONE is on the beach).
Anyway... updates. Carey O'oka is struggling a lot, and has relapsed a bit on his smoking. Also, he seems to be sinking into another depression, so we are going to try to help him build his faith in his Savior and endure through. It looks like it is going to take a bit more time.
We are working with a man named Preston Ducosin, who has been married to an active member for about 16 years or so. He has never been baptized, but has gotten close a couple of times. Well, he wants to be able to baptize and confirm his son, who is 7 right now. He loves the missionaries, and he and his wife would do anything for us. In fact, last Monday they gave us mac&cheese, and a suave soap and lotion kit. We have another appointment tonight. Preston has said that he has been picturing his baptism, he just isn't sure when it is going to be, so we are going to continue working with him and helping him to his goal.
We also were able to work with Anthony this week as well. They finally have a court date for next week, so hopefully we will be able to finally have all the legal issues out of the way.
The craziest thing happened on Tuesday though. I went on an exhchange with our ZL's in their ward. Well, we had one appointment cancel, so we went to see another lady (aunty Lily), and all hell broke loose:
We came and she(aunty lily) started talking to us about how the cops had just come and left. They wanted to take her "friend" that has been living with her for a while. Well, she swore at them (and kind of to us as she was telling us) and they left. Apparently she usually is a super nice lady, and super active. Well, we show up, talk to her for a bit and she starts into her son and sister. While we're sitting there, who should drive up but... THE SISTER(sister Crawley)!! So, they argued a bit, and we tried to leave, but the sister asked us to stay. So, there we are standing by our car, wondering what the heck is going on (especially me since I know none of these people). While they continue to argue, who should drive up behind us but... THE SON(Scott) and his family. They run out to join the sister and start pleading with Aunty Lily to get her to come with them to a meeting with the bishop (that she didn't go to the day before). Well, meanwhile, the "Friend" (Collin) is telling her not to go. Well, Scott tries to cast him out or something, and he leaves. Eventually they get her to come out of the house. Scott hugs her, and they convince her to go with them.
So, it takes a little bit to get her into the car, and Aunty Lily wants her purse. So, Aunty Lily's sister (Sister Crawley) convince Collin to give her Aunty Lily's purse. Meanwhile, Scott and his family leave with Aunty Lily, taking both cars. So, we have to take Sister Crawley with us to the church. On the way, she informs us the Aunty Lily has changed since Collin moved in with her, and apparently they are engaged now. Collin has a rap sheet a mile long, and has threatened Scott and sister Crawley. Collin creeped me out.
On the way back, Aunty Lily had been riding with Scott, but they moved her to the other car with Scott's wife. Right by the church, we catch up to them, and look into the car with Aunty Lily and Scott's wife to see: Aunty Lily trying to beat the trash out of Scott's wife. So, Sister Crawley runs out of the car, Scott gets out of his car, and they escort Aunty Lily to the church, we get all the cars in, and then Elder Miller and I run away. Great thing is, during that time, no one asked for my name. Ok, follow that?
The rest of the week went well though. Saturday no one was home, so we eventually went out with the missionaries to watch the fireworks which was a lot of fun, and we took lots of pictures. Which you will see soon. So, that really was the big point of the week.
It has been great the last little while to once again be able to testify repeatedly about Joseph Smith and about the Atonement, two of our greatest messages. With a knowledge that Christ suffered for our sins, and has felt all of our pains, we know that we can endure anything. Knowing the heavens are not sealed, and that there are prophets again, we know that we are guided through everything. These are the basis that we build upon. Thank you all for your continued support. I love you all!
Elder Kidd
Thursday, July 2, 2009
06/29/09
Mauna KeaMauna Kea is a very big, tall, dormant volcanoe. And it was very cold up there in the morning. While driving up, I watched the thermomiter in the car dip down to about 38-39, but start back up again and settle at about 43-45. And we were so glad it did. I don't have any coats (seeing as it is Hawaii and figured I wouldn't need any) so with simply a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, and a button up shirt, I was cold. Well, so were the other four missionaries and the member that took us up there. Figure, we are all used to 65 and above. In fact, 65 is really cold anymore to all of us. So, 45 is very cold. But it was awesome.
We got to watch the sunrise, and even got to go into one of the observatories. Brother Tanaka that took us up ownes an construction company and does a lot of electrical work, and has worked on many if not all of the observatories. So, we got to go in. Those things are huge. The scientists must have a lot of patience though. Apparently they sometimes spend a week looking for a source of light that may not exist. Lots of patience.
But, on the way down we stopped by Brother Tanaka's house so that he could show us his trophie room. I attatched one picture of that, so I think you can get an idea of the types of trophies he has.
But it has been a good week. It actually was one of the harder weeks I have had so far in Hilo though. We had 4 lessons lined up for Monday and Tuesday... 3 canceled, and one the fellowshipper didn't make it. That one though was with Preston Ducosin. He is married to a member, who is active, and has nearly gotten baptized before. Well, his son turns 8 next year, and he wants to be able to baptize and confirm him, therefore we have a goal. The greatest part is that he doesn't want to be just a number, so Elder Thomson and I assured him that we hate numbers, and that we want to help him. He is a great guy, and I am looking forward to working with him more.
Carey was unable to make it to church yesterday, but when we called, he hadn't smoked in three days, and was working hard for that goal. We have a lesson with him tomorrow, but I will be on an exchange in another ward.
Mason (the golfer) dropped us this last week though. He says he doesn't have any more questions, and keeps saying he is too busy to do anything. Luckily, he is the cousin of a family in our ward who are super active and missionary minded. I am sure that they will keep working with him, and maybe one day he will be prepared. We planted a seed.
On Friday we had our Zone conference. It was great, atleast for me. My companion didn't have a good interview with our mission president, so he wasn't very happy, but I left with a renewed desire to work hard and do my best. Hopefully I can help instil that in him.
It was good to see pictures of the reunion, and it looks like everyone had fun. I love the shirt that Jeremy was wearing. I hope everyone is doing well. Remember, the Lord loves us enough to send His Son here to suffer for each and every one of us, simply to offer us the chance to accept that sacrifice. May we all accept that sacrifice, and use the atonement to help us draw nearer to our Savior and Heavenly Father.
As always, be well, thanks for all the continued support, and I love you all!
Elder Kidd
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