05/24/10

Aloha and miracle May

It has been quite an exciting week. So exciting and productive that our Zone Leaders were wondering where our numbers came from. Ok... maybe politely questioning if we made them up or not. Sad that we can't seem to please them, but oh well. We did well, and we know it.

We were able to teach a lot of people this last week, but I think the miracles came more as we were able to begin teaching more people. First of all is Chris and Trisha, who were taught by missionaries almost a year ago, and elders quite stopping by. So, we went by, had a good lesson, and they are excited for all our future visits. They have struggled in the past with church attendance, and they aren't married, but we can help people get over that.

Next were the Hurtado family, a Filipino family that had gone less active a while ago, but have a son they want to have get baptized... and a non member wife. So,they are excited to have us come by, and my companion is super excited to meet with them.

Lastly the Kaleuati ohana, who provided the miracle to lift my spirits yesterday. The wife (Olive) just started coming back to church. We were supposed to stop by a couple of times to talk to them, but they were never home. We finally were able to meet with them last night, and they are excited to have us come by. Three of the kids have not been baptized, and they are excited to learn and come back to church. Olive was in tears for part of the short message we shared, and is so grateful that we are coming over. So, with that miracle, we continued on.

Most of our investigators did well this last week, but when Sunday came, Charrise, JJ, Harley, and Derek were not there, though they had said they would be. Derek showed up later, and Harley had to help his uncle, but JJ and Charrise were a disappointment. So, we will continue on.

Kelsea is the young girl we started teaching a while ago, who has member friends. She is super nervous about baptism, but wants me to baptize her. Her friend leaves next week, but gets back my last day in Waianae. So, it is looking like we will be having a baptism that last night if all goes well, which would be fine by me.

Derek and Erica are progressing. We answered a lot of questions for them this last week in our meetings, but Derek had some big news and made my week. He told us that he almost has all of the money for Erica's ring, which is awesome. But, he also told me that if something were to happen and he didn't get baptized before I left, that he would fly me back for the baptism, and I think he wants to fly me back for the sealing. The Lord truely does bless us and I guess I have been able to help Derek.

So, all is going well. Thank you all for your love and support. I won't get to write until Tuesday next week due to Memorial Day. I love you all!

Elder Kidd

04/17/10

"Cough" Aloha

Yeah, so I got sick yesterday. It was a very interesting experience in church, because I literally felt like I was about to pass out and fall over. I got a short nap after church, but the night was horrible. I went to be at 9:30, but probably fell asleep at 11, and then work up at 1, tossed and turned until 2:30, prayed for a bit, tossed and turned some more, and then decided to read some old ensigns we had (after drinking a big cup of warm milk... that didn't help), and finally fell asleep again around 4:15, and woke up drenched in sweat. So, amazingly I actually feel pretty good today. Still a little sick, but I am not falling asleep at the computer like I thought I would.

But anyway, this week was an awesome week. We had a lot of cancelled appointments, but that is fairly regular. We also were able to teach a few people we hadn't taught for a while. And Elder Pontanares is doing well.

We started out Monday evening by teaching Russell, who is from the Philippines as well. So, I didn't know much of what was going on in the lesson. It seemed to go well, we are just going to have troubles getting him to church. We have another lesson tonight, and hopefully the other lady in the house will sit in as well.

Tuesday we were able to teach Brian Cullen again. We hadn't taught him for almost a month. By the end of the lesson (the gospel of Jesus Christ) he was definitely deep in thought. It sounds as though he has a bit of a history that is going to take a bit for him to change, so we will see how it goes.

We also taught Harley and Charlene, and were able to help them along the path to baptism again. We actually recommitted them to baptism on the 29th of this month (right before Charlene flies out to vegas for a couple of weeks). The problem is that we had dinner with them on Thursday, and we were supposed to eat balout, which is basically a chicken that never hatched... well, Mina, our wonderful member forgot, so she told us we needed to come over the night they get confirmed to eat it instead in celebration.... so, I'll let everyone know how that is.

Wednesday we were able to teach Linda again, who we haven't taught for a while. We were able to take a member of the ward, and she seemed to finally understand why the Book of Mormon, and the restoration are important. So, we will see how things go with her in the coming weeks.

Thursday we were able to have a good lesson with Charrise, but unfortunately she wasn't able to come to church. We actually saw a little bit of a miracle. A security company from Utah has been going around our ward for the last little bit, and most of the workers are members. So, one found out we were coming, and wondered if he could come back for our lesson. And he did a great job. Our only concern is that it seems that Charrise's daughter thought he tried to walk into the house a day later... so we will see how that all works out.

Friday we had interviews with our mission president, and I found out that it was my last interview with President Peterson. It seems my next one will be with the new president, President Dalton. I had a temple recommend interview, and we did it all in room, so, an interview while sitting on my bed. It was definately a new experience. But later that night, Cy Kaahanui (my mini missionary) came up to help us teach a lesson. He leaves in a little less than a month for his mission, so it was good to see him again, and we got to teach JJ. JJ is still struggling to get fully motivated, so hopefully something will click soon.

Saturday we had an awesome meeting with Derek and Erica, where we fully explained the law of chastity, and they listed the reasons they haven't gotten married. Most of the reasons seemed to be finacial, but we gave them some advice to find alternatives, and also explained that the Lord would bless them. So, Derek seemed super excited to start figuring it out.

Last night we had a lesson with Kelsea (the Lord blessed me with enough health to make it through the lesson). She is still a little hesitant about baptism, but we helped her realize that she has felt the spirit, and she knows what to do. Now her only concern is her family. But this morning at about 3:45, I read an article in the Ensign about a girl who got baptized at 12 without any other members of her family, so I think we will give that to her.

So, all is going well. We have a lot of potential, and are super excited about all that is happening. Elder Pontanares is learning a lot. He has a ways to go, but he is doing well. I love you all, and as always, thank you for all your support.

Elder Kidd

05/03/10

Alright, so the transfer information is:......... I am staying in Waianae, and Elder Mathews is leaving. So, it is a little sad to see him leave, but at the same time I am excited for a new companion. I'm afraid Elder Mathews has burned himself out when it comes to Waianae, and is ready to go somewhere else. It has been hard to get things done when he has no faith in some of the people we are working with. He is also headed off of O'ahu, so he is really excited about that.

It has been another tough week. We had to go to Honolulu another couple of times for Elder Mathew's staph infection. Apparently it is a really bad case because we took so long to take him in. We actually went this morning for his last check-up (has to be the last since he is leaving). I realized again that I hate Honolulu. It was so hard to get back on the freeway, and there are so many people that we actually got locked in the parking lot for about 10 minutes. But, others may enjoy it.

With transfers, the chance that I will finish my mission in Waianae has greatly increased, which I am ok with. I made up a list of goals I had if I stayed, and there were about 7 names with "baptize" in front of them on that list, and a couple with "reactivate" in front of them. There is a lot that I want to do, so now is the time I get to do it. Also, I know that I won't ever have to serve in Honolulu! Hurray!

Things went ok other than that this last week. We got word yesterday at church that Harley and Charlene don't feel ready for their baptism on Saturday, so we will be pushing that back a bit. Derrick is still doing well, but Erica still doesn't want to get married. Charrise is awesome in lessons, but can't seem to make it to church. So, there are a lot of things that need to be done, but a lot of potential at the same time.

So, on Wednesday begins a new day. Now is a time to shine. I am so excited. I love you all, and will talk to those that are in Ohio on Sunday! I love you all.

Elder Kidd

04/26/10

Honolulu

Yeah, I've actually spent a good amount of time in the big city this last week, and I have learned again that I do not like Honolulu, and am praying that the Lord never makes me serve there.

But why have I been there? Well, on Wednesday we went to teach a lesson at the church, and our investigator and fellowshipper both have nursing backgrounds. So, they looked at Elder Mathew's arm, and told him they were going to kidnap him and take him to the doctor because the antibiotics he had weren't working... So instead he called the office and we went down to Honolulu... and have continued to do so every day since (Today made day six) so that he can get an IV with antibiotics. It was staph, but it doesn't look like it became merca (or however you spell it). I have realized that I have spent an incredible amount of time in that doctor's office (Elder Stewart, Lauritzen, and now Mathews). He is supposed to have only one more treatment, but I can't go with him tomorrow because of our district meeting.

So, that made everything fun this last week, and really took a lot of time out of everything. We didn't get to teach very many people due to that either, but are looking forward to this next week. I'm afraid I am also looking forward to transfers next week as well because I don't feel I am able to help Elder Mathews any more, and I want to be able to do more work than I currently am able to with him.

One interesting thing happened yesterday. In our PEC meeting, we brought up the Miller family and that they need fellowship, and that they still don't have home teachers. Well, our High Priest Group Leader busts out and says that home teachers are nice, but not really important, and that the family needs to convert themselves now..................................................................................

so, after the awkward silence we continued, and I came to the realization of why it is that barely anyone in our ward does their home teaching. He called us later that night trying to tell us how to do our job as missionaries too. But we love all members, and are glad that they are trying to be involved. ;- ()

So, we'll see how things go. But that was pretty much our week. I love you all, and am continually grateful for all that you do. Remember to smile!

Elder Kidd

04/19/10

loha

So, we have had a much better week this last week. Of course there were still set-backs, but such is life. We were hoping to have 8-9 investigators at sacrament meeting, and we ended up having only 4, but that still is really good. Also, all the missionaries in my district are doing well as well.

So, as for the week. We were able to begin teaching a nice guy named Russel on Monday. We are going to have a hard time getting him to come to church because he works in a care home, but we think that he will get there eventually.

Wednesday I was on an exchange with one of our Zone Leaders, which was nice. We were able to begin teaching the neice and nephew of a lady that my trainer actually baptized about 2 years ago. Anyway, we were able to commit them to be baptized on May 1st, so they are super excited. They are smart kids, and are doing well. Charlene used to go to church a lot, and really likes coming to church now. Harley, her younger brother, isn't quite as into it, but still seems to like it and enjoy it.

Unfortunately, JJ doesn't feel ready for his baptism date, so we have to postpone it for a while. He didn't come to church yesterday either, and we haven't been able to get ahold of him to see why. So, hopefully we can get that straightened out soon.

But Derrick continues to make great strides. We had a few good discussions with him this last week, and with Erica. He committed to stop smoking weed on May 3rd, which is his birthday, and then told us that he should be ready for baptism around the 24th. The only problem is getting married, which Erica doesn't seem ready or excited about yet. We talked about it for a bit one night, and I don't think she really appriciated it, but I think she's gotten over it. Both Elder Mathews and I have realized that you can't worry about offending people in a job where you are supposed to raise red flags.

We are afraid that our recent converts down at Sunflower are really struggling, atleast the Millers are. They didn't come to church yesterday, and seemed to be avoiding Jesse Kealoha (their neighbor) who tried to talk to them. It seems they got offended at church... or rather by someone at church who said something one day when they weren't there. We're pretty sure that the wife is smoking again too. But, the ward needs to be the one, and I think they are going to get in there and work on it.

But all in all it was a good week. It ended with us going to the local medical center yesterday because my companion has something on his arm that they think is Staph infection... so he isn't too thrilled about that right now. It was interesting to be sitting in a doctor's office on Sunday, and we made too many jokes about how ghetto the place was. So, I pray I never need to go there again.

But all is going well. There is so much potential here. May should be a month of many miracles and baptisms. I love you all, and mahalo nui loa!

Elder Kidd

04/12/10

loha

So, have you ever noticed that life just has a way of making sure that nothing works out the way you planned or even hoped for? Well, with the gospel even that is ok. We had a lot of cancels this week, a few things that didn't go through as we were hoping, but in the end it was alright.

So, I realized yesterday once again that I hate fast Sundays. Especially in this ward. I think I have met more characters in this ward that love to bear their testimony than ever before. I wonder if there is any way to install a trap door by the podium that the bishop can trigger and send them out of the building. He could use it. I think we had 6 people that were able to bear their testimonies yesterday. Three were really good (high councilman, the patriarch, and maybe one more?) and three that we wish wouldn't have gotten up. Apparently one of those no longer beats his wife (too much information) and the other has more medical problems than she can count (I think she quit counting before she got to the mental section), but it was alright. Derrick came to church and liked it, but we made sure that he didn't listen to a lot of the testimonies.

The biggest thing that happened this week was with Derrick. We taught him 5 times. He hasn't quite committed for baptism, and it is really interesting to teach a lesson with a pot plant less than five feet away, but they have goals and are working towards them. Elder Mathews is amazing at relation to Derrick, so we should be able to get everything figured out shortly. He also decided he isn't going to move for a little while, so we should be able to baptize him in our ward.

So, a note for anyone that feeds the missionaries, a lot of us like breakfast for dinner. Crazy as it sounds (and our members have said this to us repetedly) we never really get a hot breakfast. Ceral and oatmeal gets old quickly, so pancakes and waffles are amazing. So, we had breakfast last night, and it was delicious.

Bryan is doing well, but appparently the shelter he lives at wouldn't let him leave yesterday to come to church. His brother is going to work on that for next week. We have a meeting with him tonight as well. Apparently his brother gave him a copy of the Testiments, which he watched at the shelter. While he was watching it, a lot of other people watched it as well. So, we gave him another cd to watch over there. ; )

But all is going well. There are stuggles and trials that arise, but we can always endure through them. If we remember what the Savior told Joseph Smith in Liberty jail (D&C 121 and 122), these things are for our good. We will be blessed as we endure. If the very jaws of hell gape open after us, it will still be for our good, and our Savior has gone beneith all of these things for us so that we can endure through, and He can comfort us when we stand in need of comfort. At the same time, we have covenanted to help others as well. Perhaps serving others can be our way out of our own troubles and sorrow (remember Patch Adams). The Lord loves us, and we know that better than anyone in this gospel.

I love you all, and as always, mahola and aloha mui loa

Elder Kidd

04/05/10

Aloha and Hau'oli Ka la i ala hou ai ka Haku

Aloha. It has definately been a good, and yet in some ways, frustrating week.

The good news is, JJ has committed to be baptized. The funniest part has been all of the ward leaders shock when we told them. But, JJ has realized that he needs the gospel in his life and is willing to do all that he needs to to be able to return to live with our Heavenly Father again. We were able to have a good lesson with him this last week, and had our stake patriarch along (who is also our landlord of sorts) and it went really well.

Also, Derrick continues to do well, but has his struggles. We were able to get him to commit to live the word of wisdom this last week, and were able to straighten out any confusion over marriage and baptism. They thought that he would have to get baptized, and then they wait a year to get married so that they could get sealed... so we explained that, no, you need to get married before you can get baptized, and then after a year you can get sealed. That made them both very happy. The problem is that he will probably be moving soon from his home because he is tired of having to deal with his parents and all of the drama they bring. So, we will see how all of this works out.

We also are doing well with a referal named Bryan. He is excited to learn. He has had some drug problems in the past, but has come clean. They only concern with him is how much the drugs affected his head while he was on them. I guess we will see in the end.

One of our concerns right now is the group that all got baptized in December. Most are doing well, but we have caught a couple smoking again, and they all got really offended over the priesthood lesson last Sunday (even though two weren't there at all....). So, we have told the bishop and are going to let him step in, but it will be interesting to see what happens.

But mostly I wanted to take some time to discuss the atonement, and conference yesterday. How often do we think about what gifts we have been given? Two of those being the Atonement of the Savior, and the other being apostles and prophets. Joseph Smith himself said that these two things are the basis for our religion, and everything else is simply an apandage.

Prophets and apostles? What are they? Men called of God to lead his children in this life. To help us know His will. To give us the direction we need to keep us on the path. As a human being's legs are not the same length, he will over time without any sort of guidance, begin to walk in a circle. Without a prophet, we each would begin to stray from the path, even if we tried as hard as we could to stay on it. It would never fully work. How grateful I am for prophets, apostles, seers, and revelators.

But most importantly, the atonement. Our Savior came to this earth as the most humble Being ever to live upon this earth. He thought nothing for Himself. He devoted his life to service. In the end, He suffered more pain than any one of us could even think of enduring. Why? So that we could return. Notice, not that we would return, but that we could. He died for us. He was perfect, and therefore never needed baptism, repentance, or anything. He should have never suffered spiritual death (separation from our Heavenly Father's spirit and comfort) yet to fulfill the atonement He did. If there was ever a time when we could try to say that our Father performed an "unjust" act, it was at the same time our Savior cried, "Father (daddy), why hast thou forsaken me?" Yet, our Savior endured on, He made it through, and because of that, we can make it through.

As I near the end of two years of service to our Lord, I again marvel and give thanks for all He has done. I have faced harder trials than I ever thought I would doing something that seems so simple. At times I have wanted to give up, to call it quits, to say "Pau Hana" (done with work), yet I know our Savior did so much for that, and through His help I can endure on. I have never regretted coming or staying, but I know the only reasons I ever did come, or I was able to stay, was because of the Saviors sacrifice for me.

I love you all, and am so continually grateful for your support and prayers. Remeber that you are loved by Him who is Love.

Elder Kidd