Aloha!
Wow, it was a good week. Of course, some things could have gone better, but even with 4 lessons cancelling on us, the Lord blessed us.
On Tuesday we started out with Zone Conference which was fantastic. I sang the song "O Lord, my Redeemer" for the musical number, which went well. The only problem is that I have been asked to sing at a meeting for investigators this week. Oh well...
After zone conference, we went out and were able to teach a couple of lessons. One of those was to a young boy named Justyce Cummings. His grandma and mom are both active, but have been less-active for a long time. Elder Simnitt and one of his previous companions here taught Justyce all of the lessons, and a few more, but they would never come to church. Well, a few weeks ago, he showed up at church. Before we could go over though, someone in the family died, and that chaos insued. Well, we finally were able to go over this last week, review everything he learned, and he will be getting baptized on October 11! Hurray! Now we are going to try to use this as an opportunity for our other investigators.
On Wednesday, we spent the entire day running from one appointment to another. It was fun, but tiring. We had a good lesson with Jason Skaggs and his family. Jason Skaggs is a recently re-activated member who has a 12 year old (unbaptized) daughter, and a fiance (to be wife in about 11 hours), and he wants his family to be sealed in the temple. So, they are doing great. We are going with him to that investigator meeting this wednesday that I am singing at.
Thursday was a little bit disappointing, but good at the same time. 3 lessons canceled on us, but we had a really good one at the end of the night. The really cool thing was David though, who called in a little bit of frustration, but shared with me that he wants to continue the path, and that he feels like he can trust me and talk to me. That meant a lot to me. Apparently he feels he has the gift of discearnment, and after only a couple of minutes, he like me. So, I was especially grateful to the Lord that night.
Saturday night one of our wards had a fish fry, and man can these guys cook fish. It was amazing. I think it is funny though, I've realized that Brandon and I may have to go out to eat a lot when I get home because I really like raw fish now. I don't know if I shared the experience, but one time on Kauai with Jack, he had us over for dinner one night after he had been fishing. Well, I watched him pull a fish out of the freezer, skin it, and start slicing pieces of meat for me to eat. Oh, it was delicious. Shashimi is how I think it is spelled.
So, all in all, it was a good week. I also really enjoyed the last verse in Ether this last week: "Now the last words which are written by Ether are these: Whether the Lord will that I be translated, or that I suffer the will of the Lord in the flesh, it mattereth not, if it so be that I am saved in the kingdom of God." What amazing faith and trust did Ether have in the Lord. No matter what happens in this life, it doesn't matter as long as we are saved in the Kingdom of God. By the same token though, 2 Nephi 25 tells us that we are to have joy, so we should be able to have joy with whatever happens to us, and if we are following the commandments, we will have joy and be saved in the Kingdom of God.
Thank you all as always for your support, encouragement, and love. I love you all!
Elder Kidd
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
09/21/09
Aloha from week of struggles
So, it was interesting yesterday to see how incredibly down I was at the start of church, and how chipper (annoyingly so to Elder Call) I was by the end of the night. I realized yesterday morning how absolutely dismal our week had been, but had an incredible amount of faith by the end. This is going to be an amazing week.
On that note, I'll tell you about our week. This week was Waimanalo's 60th anniversary of the forming of the first branch. So, Sunday there was a special sacrament meeting, Monday there was a fireside, Tuesday was a fun night, Thursday was a movie night, and Saturday was the biggest Luau I have been to yet. So, it was a fun week, but missionary work seemed down.
But it wasn't that we weren't trying. I didn't count, but I would guestimate that we had about 8-10 canceled lessons through the week. Several investigators bailed, other just didn't go through. But this week has potential to be HUGE!
Tuesday night at the fun night was awesome though. We had a member bring about 30 nonmembers to the activity. They are all from Chuuke (yes, more of those people. I promise the place exists). They had a blast, and we were able to introduce them to the gospel. More activities are being planned for them, and we are excited to share more with them. Thursday night was a movie night that we couldn't participate in, but as we were getting the popcorn and hotdogs, I heard a few lines and the movie sounded intense. I think it was called "Against the Giants" or something like that. But it sounded really good and religious based, so I'm going to look it up when I get back. We were at the church waiting for a lesson (that canceled on us), so they made sure we got something to eat.
Last night was good though. We have started teaching active members of our ward so that we can get more practice, bring the spirit to them, and then get them to invite friends as well. We taught a newly wed couple in our ward that is getting sealed soon, and they really enjoyed it. We then taught one of our bishops, and he and his family loved it, and he is going to try to get a nonmember to our next lesson : )
So, in the end, the week seemed tough, but it will be good. There are adversities in life that we struggle through, but if we endure well, and ask the Lord for help, we learn so much from it that we never thought we could. Also, the Lord will help us endure the trials. These things are true.
I love you all, thanks for your continued support, and stay strong!
Elder Kidd
So, it was interesting yesterday to see how incredibly down I was at the start of church, and how chipper (annoyingly so to Elder Call) I was by the end of the night. I realized yesterday morning how absolutely dismal our week had been, but had an incredible amount of faith by the end. This is going to be an amazing week.
On that note, I'll tell you about our week. This week was Waimanalo's 60th anniversary of the forming of the first branch. So, Sunday there was a special sacrament meeting, Monday there was a fireside, Tuesday was a fun night, Thursday was a movie night, and Saturday was the biggest Luau I have been to yet. So, it was a fun week, but missionary work seemed down.
But it wasn't that we weren't trying. I didn't count, but I would guestimate that we had about 8-10 canceled lessons through the week. Several investigators bailed, other just didn't go through. But this week has potential to be HUGE!
Tuesday night at the fun night was awesome though. We had a member bring about 30 nonmembers to the activity. They are all from Chuuke (yes, more of those people. I promise the place exists). They had a blast, and we were able to introduce them to the gospel. More activities are being planned for them, and we are excited to share more with them. Thursday night was a movie night that we couldn't participate in, but as we were getting the popcorn and hotdogs, I heard a few lines and the movie sounded intense. I think it was called "Against the Giants" or something like that. But it sounded really good and religious based, so I'm going to look it up when I get back. We were at the church waiting for a lesson (that canceled on us), so they made sure we got something to eat.
Last night was good though. We have started teaching active members of our ward so that we can get more practice, bring the spirit to them, and then get them to invite friends as well. We taught a newly wed couple in our ward that is getting sealed soon, and they really enjoyed it. We then taught one of our bishops, and he and his family loved it, and he is going to try to get a nonmember to our next lesson : )
So, in the end, the week seemed tough, but it will be good. There are adversities in life that we struggle through, but if we endure well, and ask the Lord for help, we learn so much from it that we never thought we could. Also, the Lord will help us endure the trials. These things are true.
I love you all, thanks for your continued support, and stay strong!
Elder Kidd
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
09/14/09
Aloha with clean teethYep, after putting if off for about 8 months, I finally got my teeth cleaned this morning. I found out that the only problem I had was that I had been brushing one tooth too hard, and had uncovered the root a little bit, so it's been a little sensitive. But, everything else was good. Something funny though, two of the hygentists were talking before my cleaning, while waiting for the dentist (he was going to clean my teeth). Well, they start talking, and very quickly get onto the subject of breach babies (Chelsi, I spent a bit of time thinking of you). So, they continue on for a bit, talking about how to turn them, and mention some other things I didn't quite get, and then realized that neither of them had told the dentist I was there (the dentist is a member and does work free... except I had insurance so it was all good). Fortunately it only took a couple of minutes for them to figure it out, and I have a lot of older sisters and sisters-in-law, so I have heard that type of conversation before. But my teeth are clean!
The work went well this last week. It seemed that we were so busy every single day. All but Tuesday and Saturday we spent the entire day running from appointment to appointment. Elder Call is getting a lot of practice.
On Wednesday we had a fun lesson with Loretta. We wanted to read 2 Nephi 27 with her, which talks about the restoration and the Book of Mormon. Well, she launches into a rant about how the book of mormon is stupid, those people didn't care about the restoration, and we have the gall to claim these things. Eventually our fellowshipper got out of her that she had received her "answer" and that she isn't supposed to get baptized. So, we said give us a call when you want to meet, but made sure to leave her (again) with the thought that Satan works against the truth.
Thursday night we had a lesson with Isaiah, Josh, and their mom Kim. We played the Plan of Salvation board game with them. The lesson went well, and we tried to commit them for baptism afterwards. Well, Grandma (Aunty Momi) is convinced that they do not know enough to get baptized... so frustrating. We tried to convince her (and the kids' mom) that they don't have to be gospel scholars to get baptized, but she wasn't seeming to have it. Oh well. Soon. Very soon.
Friday night we had a great lesson with a kid named Rick. He is 18, and facing struggles in his life. He has a couple good friends who are great members in our ward. Well, his concerns right now are that he feels he can't be forgiven for things he has done, and is concerned about what his family will think. Well, Friday we decided to focus more on the forgiveness part (figured that it's pretty crucial), so we had a lesson on the Atonement. We started off by watching part of the Testiments when Christ is suffering and killed. Then we went over some stories and talks by the apostles, and bore strong testimony. We had a bunch of members with us, who also bore testimony. but the best part was at the end. It is hard to get elder Call involved unless he knows a specific part and I force him to teach. But, one of our fellowshippers asked him to bear his testimony and fulfill the law of witnesses. Well, he did, and it made all of the difference, and we all noticed it. It was amazing. I was so proud.
Well, after that, we sped over to Kaneohe to exchange with our ZLs for an exchange. So, saturday (the day we didn't have anything schedualed) I had one of the ZLs with me. Our goal for the day was to find a new investigator, and the Lord blessed us. We actually taught two lessons on the spot, and got one return appointment. And the one that we don't have another appointment wants to meet with us again (but she is single, so we may let the ZLs who are over the singles branch meet with her... the irony). So it was good.
Yesterday we commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Waimanalo Ward/Branch. We had a combined sacrament meeting with both of our wards, and it was near chaos. They took a big group picture that I am going to try to get sent home so you can see. It was fun though. Then, we went and taught another lesson, and went into Honolulu for a fireside that one of our members performed in. Unfortunately all of our investigators fell through last minute (as in, after we were in Honolulu), but it was a good fireside. The group was very impressive. Actually one of the best blended and in-sync choirs I have ever heard. Unfortunately all of their "special guests" talked for a really, really, really, really long time and things got a little long. But overall it was really good.
Oh, one other cool thing. A gentleman in our ward just got back from basic training (where he has been for about 3-4 months). He has a nine year old daughter he wants to get baptized, so the lessons begin on Wednesday.
Remember, the Lord will never give us more than we can handle, as long as we are doing what is right and trusting in Him. That being said, He does give us a lot so that we learn to handle more.
I love you all! Keep smiling, stay safe, stay strong!
Elder Kidd
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
09/07/09
Aloha
So, I think a lot of people have heard the rumor that in Hawaii, whenever someone begins to talk, they say "Aloha" and everyone responds "Aloha" back. Well, that is true. Sometimes we switch it up and say "Malo e lele" or "Talofo lava" or "Good Morning", but whatever is said, everyone responds back.
We had a good last week though. Elder Call is continuing to improve and progress. He is still scared out of his wits, but not nearly as much anymore. We actually had one of our bishops keep us behind after a meeting yesterday to talk to us (well, mostly him) and say not to be scared.
I think the coolest experience this week happened on Tuesday. Or rather started on Tuesday. We were tracting out a street fairly late at night, and were about done. Well, we looked up to a house, and it looked like there might be someone home, so we figured we would try it. So, we walked to the door, and heard the clattering of dishes and the TV. Let me just say, people don't like to be interupted during dinner and watching TV. Still, we decided to try, so we knocked:
"Who is it?"
"Missionaries."
"We'll be right there!"
The first thought that pops into my head is either: 1) a very mad person, or 2) a member. Well, the door flies open and John Thiele (pronounced Tee-Lee) from Idaho opens the door and invites us in. He was visiting his non-member step-sister because his step-mother is about to pass. So, he invited us in, we shared a message, he shared about the gospel, we left a plan of salvation pamphlet, and left with an assignment to find a member to go with him to give his step-mother a blessing. Well, we found the member, who couldn't go, so a member of our bishoprich ended up going instead. Well, Brother Thiele got up yesterday during sacrament meeting and praised us during his testimony, so now all of the members are impressed (always a good thing) and we are looking forward to going to see his step-sister again soon.
This week we also began teaching a couple of grandsons of a member in our ward, and their non-member mother decided she wants to sit in as well. They have been coming to church for a while now, so we should be able to help them get baptized very soon.
On the subject of kids getting baptized, it doesn't make sense to baptize a child who has no support from home, or has a strong enough testimony to make it happen on their own. Doing so just puts a huge burden on the ward, and may prevent them from coming to the gospel fully later in life.
So things are going very well, and we are looking forward to having a great week. I found a scripture this week that I love. In 3 Nephi 9:14, we hear the voice of Christ. At the time, all of the destruction after Christ's death had happened in the America's (tempests, earthquakes, fires, floods, etc.) and hundreds of thousands of people were killed. Then, a mist of darkness fell upon the people. This darkness was so thick that no one could start a fire, or see any type of light. It seems that Satan was showing his power and declaring his victory over the world. He had gotten the Savior's own people to kill their Messiah, and Satan was showing his power. Yet, in the darkness, the voice of Christ comes to the people and says: "Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me."
The voice of Christ calls the people, and invites them to come unto Him. If they will come unto him, they can have eternal life. His arm of mercy was still extended to them.
So, to apply this to us, sometimes we reach dark points in our life where is seems all is going wrong and Satan has complete power. At those times, that same invitation can echo clear: "Come unto me, and ye shall have eternal life." The Savior's arm of mercy is extended to one and all, and He has promised us eternal life is we will but turn to Him.
I love you all. Thank you for your continued support and love. I hope everyone is doing well. Keep up the good work and remember to smile!
Elder Kidd
So, I think a lot of people have heard the rumor that in Hawaii, whenever someone begins to talk, they say "Aloha" and everyone responds "Aloha" back. Well, that is true. Sometimes we switch it up and say "Malo e lele" or "Talofo lava" or "Good Morning", but whatever is said, everyone responds back.
We had a good last week though. Elder Call is continuing to improve and progress. He is still scared out of his wits, but not nearly as much anymore. We actually had one of our bishops keep us behind after a meeting yesterday to talk to us (well, mostly him) and say not to be scared.
I think the coolest experience this week happened on Tuesday. Or rather started on Tuesday. We were tracting out a street fairly late at night, and were about done. Well, we looked up to a house, and it looked like there might be someone home, so we figured we would try it. So, we walked to the door, and heard the clattering of dishes and the TV. Let me just say, people don't like to be interupted during dinner and watching TV. Still, we decided to try, so we knocked:
"Who is it?"
"Missionaries."
"We'll be right there!"
The first thought that pops into my head is either: 1) a very mad person, or 2) a member. Well, the door flies open and John Thiele (pronounced Tee-Lee) from Idaho opens the door and invites us in. He was visiting his non-member step-sister because his step-mother is about to pass. So, he invited us in, we shared a message, he shared about the gospel, we left a plan of salvation pamphlet, and left with an assignment to find a member to go with him to give his step-mother a blessing. Well, we found the member, who couldn't go, so a member of our bishoprich ended up going instead. Well, Brother Thiele got up yesterday during sacrament meeting and praised us during his testimony, so now all of the members are impressed (always a good thing) and we are looking forward to going to see his step-sister again soon.
This week we also began teaching a couple of grandsons of a member in our ward, and their non-member mother decided she wants to sit in as well. They have been coming to church for a while now, so we should be able to help them get baptized very soon.
On the subject of kids getting baptized, it doesn't make sense to baptize a child who has no support from home, or has a strong enough testimony to make it happen on their own. Doing so just puts a huge burden on the ward, and may prevent them from coming to the gospel fully later in life.
So things are going very well, and we are looking forward to having a great week. I found a scripture this week that I love. In 3 Nephi 9:14, we hear the voice of Christ. At the time, all of the destruction after Christ's death had happened in the America's (tempests, earthquakes, fires, floods, etc.) and hundreds of thousands of people were killed. Then, a mist of darkness fell upon the people. This darkness was so thick that no one could start a fire, or see any type of light. It seems that Satan was showing his power and declaring his victory over the world. He had gotten the Savior's own people to kill their Messiah, and Satan was showing his power. Yet, in the darkness, the voice of Christ comes to the people and says: "Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me."
The voice of Christ calls the people, and invites them to come unto Him. If they will come unto him, they can have eternal life. His arm of mercy was still extended to them.
So, to apply this to us, sometimes we reach dark points in our life where is seems all is going wrong and Satan has complete power. At those times, that same invitation can echo clear: "Come unto me, and ye shall have eternal life." The Savior's arm of mercy is extended to one and all, and He has promised us eternal life is we will but turn to Him.
I love you all. Thank you for your continued support and love. I hope everyone is doing well. Keep up the good work and remember to smile!
Elder Kidd
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
08/31/2009
Aloha
It's so funny that mom always talks about taking care of myself and not getting sick... because I got sick this last week. I woke up on Tuesday with a slightly upset stomach, a fever, and a severe sore throat. That night the fever broke and my stomach was ok, but I have been coughing and haven't been able to talk since then. Everyone kept saying go home, rest, but we had too many appointments. So, today, our only appointment was dinner with a family with a 1 month old baby, so we aren't going to that tonight, and I am going to get all rested up so that we can have a fantastic week.
Really quickly, it is funny to hear about Chelsi taking classes I took, and I will be interested to see her programming abilities when I get home!
But we had a really good week. Elder Call (my new companion) is great, but very green. It isn't too uncommon for a DL to train in our mission. There really aren't Sr. or Jr. companions out here either. It is just fun for me to have to balance the district and train a new missionary. He pays attention, wants to learn, is willing to learn, but is scared out of his mind. I have a lot of hope for him though, and I know that he will do great. He is from a little town by Tremonton, and you can kinda tell. He weirded me out the most when he told me that back home he would just grab a handful of grain and chew on it... but he's a great kid.
Right now, our biggest news is one of our investigators named Mike. We had taught him a couple times, but kinda lost touch with him. Well, Friday morning he calls to apologize for not talking to us for a while, and tells us that his wife just had a miscariage, his cousin just shot himself, and he was having a lot of trouble with lawyers. I felt so bad, but at the same time had the thought: "He is being prepared," floating across my mind. Well, we brought a fantastic fellowshipper who's wife (we found out at the lesson) had also had a miscariage at one time. So, after watching Together Forever, talking about families, and talking about our a car that our fellowshipper is going to sell to Mike, Mike really wants to come to church, learn more, and we are super excited. He has 5 kids, so there are 7 in the family. I really want to help them reach the temple, because I know that would mean so much to them.
We also keep working with David, and he is coming along. We spent a lot of time talking about eternal families, and he said that is what he wants for his family. Hopefully we will be able to commit him for baptism this week. We also are working with the husband of a recent convert, and we talked about eternal families with them too (isn't temple marriage amazing?). So, with them and a bunch of 9-year-olds we are going to start working with, it seems this is going to be the transfer of Temple and Keiki baptisms. I am super excited. There is so much to be done.
I also had fun this last week in distric meeting. I took Captain Moroni's example and created a "Title of Kailua" to try and get my missionaries motivated. I'm trying to instill a sense of love and respect for the people in them, or Aloha to be true. Too often people out here think we are strangers, but if we love them, they can see what we are sharing is for them. If God is love, then we ought to show love as well.
So, I hope all is going well for everyone. I love you all, and am continually grateful for all you do. Aloha!
Elder Kidd
It's so funny that mom always talks about taking care of myself and not getting sick... because I got sick this last week. I woke up on Tuesday with a slightly upset stomach, a fever, and a severe sore throat. That night the fever broke and my stomach was ok, but I have been coughing and haven't been able to talk since then. Everyone kept saying go home, rest, but we had too many appointments. So, today, our only appointment was dinner with a family with a 1 month old baby, so we aren't going to that tonight, and I am going to get all rested up so that we can have a fantastic week.
Really quickly, it is funny to hear about Chelsi taking classes I took, and I will be interested to see her programming abilities when I get home!
But we had a really good week. Elder Call (my new companion) is great, but very green. It isn't too uncommon for a DL to train in our mission. There really aren't Sr. or Jr. companions out here either. It is just fun for me to have to balance the district and train a new missionary. He pays attention, wants to learn, is willing to learn, but is scared out of his mind. I have a lot of hope for him though, and I know that he will do great. He is from a little town by Tremonton, and you can kinda tell. He weirded me out the most when he told me that back home he would just grab a handful of grain and chew on it... but he's a great kid.
Right now, our biggest news is one of our investigators named Mike. We had taught him a couple times, but kinda lost touch with him. Well, Friday morning he calls to apologize for not talking to us for a while, and tells us that his wife just had a miscariage, his cousin just shot himself, and he was having a lot of trouble with lawyers. I felt so bad, but at the same time had the thought: "He is being prepared," floating across my mind. Well, we brought a fantastic fellowshipper who's wife (we found out at the lesson) had also had a miscariage at one time. So, after watching Together Forever, talking about families, and talking about our a car that our fellowshipper is going to sell to Mike, Mike really wants to come to church, learn more, and we are super excited. He has 5 kids, so there are 7 in the family. I really want to help them reach the temple, because I know that would mean so much to them.
We also keep working with David, and he is coming along. We spent a lot of time talking about eternal families, and he said that is what he wants for his family. Hopefully we will be able to commit him for baptism this week. We also are working with the husband of a recent convert, and we talked about eternal families with them too (isn't temple marriage amazing?). So, with them and a bunch of 9-year-olds we are going to start working with, it seems this is going to be the transfer of Temple and Keiki baptisms. I am super excited. There is so much to be done.
I also had fun this last week in distric meeting. I took Captain Moroni's example and created a "Title of Kailua" to try and get my missionaries motivated. I'm trying to instill a sense of love and respect for the people in them, or Aloha to be true. Too often people out here think we are strangers, but if we love them, they can see what we are sharing is for them. If God is love, then we ought to show love as well.
So, I hope all is going well for everyone. I love you all, and am continually grateful for all you do. Aloha!
Elder Kidd
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