Email Letter - 28 May 2008

Hey Fam,

So it finally rained!!! It’s good for the people and I’m happy for them but it sucks for us because all the roads are just muddy now.

So I have to tell you about my horrible week and then we´ll see if I can think of anything good. Ha-ha. So in the last week we have killed three of our five best investigators...well actually we had one quit on us. her name is Nora and she was about to have her baptismal interview but we had to switch her baptismal date twice for one reason or another and she decided that because it had been switched SO MANY times that God didn’t want her to be baptized so she told us that she didn’t want us to teach her anymore. It was really sad for me because everything was fine and she has member friends and everything but we just chanced it a few too many times. As far as the others go we had to drop the DoSanto family because they were never home so we never taught them. The other family left to live in Córdoba because that’s where all the work is. We have had a few investigators that have gone to work there because no one can get work here in Chaco.

It’s been a rough week. We do have a new family though that we found the other day and they live close to the church as well which is so much better because it’s just a 2 minute walk instead of a half hour or more. Ha-ha.

So the Hermana that makes us lunch every Saturday has this son that is 16 and had hair like a girl and refused to cut it...it was the Hermana´s birthday on Monday and she has been asking him to cut his hair forever so I thought that I would give a little back to her because she does so much for us, I paid her son $100 pesos to cut his hair for his mom and he did it. She almost cried. I’m not telling you this to brag or anything but it was so special to her and so I thought that it would be something to share with all of you. The American dollar is now worth four pesos so it was only $25 US dollars for me. It was a nice feeling because she always helps us. And to tell you the truth he actually likes it. Ha-ha.

It has been tough with losing all of our investigators but our zone has a plan to help us out and all but one companionship is coming out to our area next Tuesday and we´re all going to split up and bomb Villa Angela in order to find families to teach. I’m excited for ¨the bomb¨ and I think that it will help us greatly.

I’m doing well here but we are having some trials as of late but I know that the lord with help us if we ask. I want you to know how much I love you all and how often I think about you. Thank you all so much for your prayers and for your love. I miss you all greatly and not a day goes by when I don’t think about you. I love you.

Tay

Email Letter - 21 May 2008

Hey family,

So I’m glad to hear that all is well...except for the water mess. Ha-ha. Our city still doesn’t have water as a whole but our landlord worked out something and we have running water again so we have it made...for now.

This has been a long week so far and it’s not getting any shorter but it’s really been good. We had zone conference in Resistencia on Monday so on Sunday after church we traveled to Saenz Pena and on Monday morning our whole zone traveled to Resistencia at five am, yes I said five. We all woke up at four and got ready and went on our way. It was a really good conference and I think that its Presidents last which was sad for me because he’s such a great man. He spoke to us about the plan of salvation and it was amazing to look at it from a few different views. Then Hermana Shakespear spoke to us about the power of music. She is also a great speaker and I enjoyed it a lot.

After the conference we went and had to sit in the office for about 6 hours because the guy that drove us to conference from Saenz Pena was sleeping in the van and someone came along and stole the keys so we were stuck until he could get another one made. We finally left and got back to Saenz Pena at around midnight and got into bed around one. I then had to wake up at five to get to the bus station by 6 so that I could work in my area on Tuesday with my district leader.

It was a long hot day and it was so humid which always just kills us. Then we went to bed and had to get up this morning at 5 so that we could get on a bus and come back to Saenz Pena for p-day. I leave on a bus tonight at 7 to get back to my area so that I can work there tomorrow. It’s been a long few days but that’s the life of a missionary.

Things are going well other than all the travels and we are hoping to get with some investigators this weekend and make some baptismal dates that will actually come through. I’ll let you know on that though. I’m glad to hear that Mom’s birthday went so well and that you had a nice fun trip with the Binghams. I was sad to hear about the Jazz but it always happens it seems like, so I’m used to it as we all are.

I love you all very much and ill write you again next week just like always. Take care.

Tay

ps. I talked to Elder Hemmert and he should have already called you. He is trying to work it out with a family that is coming down to just bring the package with them so just have it sent back to you and we’ll just work it out. Sorry for the hassle but just have it sent home.

I told Sean to have you buy me some shoes as well to put with my stash so just take some money out of my account or something. I’ll call the office again and tell them to call you. Thanks for everything Mom and Dad. Love you

Email Letter - 14 May 2008

Hey Fam,

It was so good to talk to you all on Sunday and I wish we would have had more time. I’m glad to hear that everyone is doing so well.

I don’t really have much to say to you all this week since Sunday because we haven’t worked the last two days. I woke up in the middle of the night on Sunday just throwing up like crazy. I was a horrible two days of just laying in bed with just sprite and crackers but that’s what the area doctor said I needed to do. I’m feeling a little bit better today though so I think we´ll go out and work tonight.

I was sad to hear that Jake Trammell came home. Josh told me that he broke his foot or something but that’s all I know. I hope that he gets better and right back out there.

We still don’t have water but I think that our landlord is working on it and we should have some tomorrow he said. Hope that works out.

I’m sorry that I don’t really have anything to say today but I’ll have some more next week after we get some work done. It was a nice chance to start the Book of Mormon over again though because that’s really all I could do was study and I’m almost to Alma in just a few days. Crazy ha-ha. Anyway, I love you all very much and I’ll write next week like always. Love you!

Tay

ps. happy birthday mom!!!

Email Letter - 07 May 2008

Hey Fam,

So things have gone well this week.

Last Thursday we had our interviews with president and he is just amazing. I think that he´ll be a Seventy after he finishes his mission here because he just speaks with such authority and love. He has an answer for everything and it’s perfect.

I didn’t get transferred which means at least another month and a half with my trainer in Villa Angela which I’m happy about because I want to stay here.

I don’t think we´ll have any baptisms for a least a few more weeks because of some problems we´ve run into but we´re still working with our investigators and they are progressing along. We have been working a lot with inactive members and have had good success at getting them to come to church which is amazing. I think I’ve figured out why we have so many inactives in this branch though...lots of people don’t like the branch president which is really sad but that’s why they don’t come to church anymore but like I said we´re working on that.

I’m excited to call home on Sunday obviously and I’m glad that it’s not right after a crazy transfer. The language is always getting better and I’m starting to be able to help my comp out a little more with questions that people have. It gets better every week and I hope that one day it just clicks. One thing that my comp is going to start doing he said is that when they have a question he’s going to have them speak really slow and ask me. Ha-ha. I think that might help. One thing that I have been doing is when we´re walking down the dirt filled streets and I think of a verb that I don’t know I write it down on a 3 by 5 card and look it up later, I have a nice long list but its working great.

Things are going well and I love all of you to death. Thank you for all that you do for me and I’ll talk to you Sunday. Love you.

Tay

Email Letter - 30 April 2008

Mom and Dad,

So things are going well and we made another baptism date with another investigator named Nora. She is awesome and I’m hoping that all goes well and we baptize her within the next month.

We have transfers next week and I don’t think that I’m going anywhere and I don’t think my comp is either but you never know. The transfers are on Wednesday and I don’t really know how they work so I might not be emailing next Wednesday just a heads up.

We have interviews tomorrow with President Shakespear and I’m looking forward to talking to him because he is such a great man. He always has a smile on his face and only wants the best for us. He is like the dad more than the President which is cool. I’m going to miss him and the Hermana.

The more I hear about other areas the more I think that I lucked out, I’m starting to think even though I think that the people that are in my area are poor they are pretty much average here. It’s crazy how different things are.

I was happy to hear about Josh and Kevin H. but more happy to hear about Trevon because I was worried about him. It sounds like he should be okay though.

I sent off a package for Mom today but it also has pictures from the last week in the MTC and the first few weeks here which you should enjoy. It should be there in 15 days from today and if it’s not then tell me so that I can get my money back. When you send things the special way they are guaranteed and they should be a little bit faster. It sounds like the tape got there faster than the 15 they said so that’s good.

The other thing is for mother’s day I will be calling you because its cheaper for me to do that then it is for you to call me. I should be able to email or call you about that next week so that we can set up the time and everything.

So last Friday we had an activity in the Roma (branch) and only like ten people came. Sad huh. We´ll try another one in the next few months and I think that it will be a better turn out when I can actually help plan. Ha-ha.

I’m still getting better and better at Spanish as they weeks go by...or at least that’s what I’m told. the problem is that they speak in Vos so some people I can understand and some I can’t but I’ve figured out a way to study verbs better and with the Lord’s help I’m figuring it out as I go.

To be honest with you I have been pretty sick for the last few days. It’s the same cold as I had in the MTC but it’s getting worse because of all the dirt so I’m working with Hermana Shakespear on that and with prayer I’m hoping that it gets better soon.

I’m looking forward to talking to you in just over a week and I think about you often. I love you all and thank you for all that you do for me. You’re the best family I kid could ask for. Thank you for helping me get to where I am today. Love you.

Tay

Email Letter - 23 April 2008

Hey mom and dad,

So this week as been good. We are actually in our own area for p-day which is a nice change but the bad part is the computers aren’t as nice or nearly as fast. Oh well.

I’m glad to hear that the trip went so well and that you all had fun. It was different for me not being there either but I’m on a nice trip myself...if you can call it that.

We have had some interesting things happen the last few days, we were contacting on Sunday afternoon and we ran into this guy that was sitting on his porch with is daughter drinking maté of course but we started to talk to him and he invited us to sit down so that we could teach him a lesson. Turns out that the guy and his wife are having some problems getting along so we decided to turn the lesson toward families and busted out the proclamation to the world on families and started to read bits and pieces with him. Eventually his wife showed up and we talked with both of them. We are going to start teaching them this week and have a really great lesson planned.

The other was on Monday night we were contacting again and ran into this older lady, when we started talking to her she started crying as well and talked about how she is sick and how her kids are all having problems with their spouses and how hers left her awhile back...she’s like 70 so I felt bad about that. She asked if God really loved her why would he let all of that happen to her. We talked to her about the Atonement a little bit and are excited to go back and talk about that more with her as well.

We finally made a baptismal date with the Do Santo family that I told you about on Saturday for May 10th. They came to church and are really excited. We just need to get the inactive dad to marry his...well girlfriend that has had 7 kids for him and they are golden. Remember that the dad is just inactive and we´re trying to work with him as well.

After what mom said in her email about guys calling about my package I’m a little worried that it’s not going to get here and that’s not a good thing. The other day while doing service for a family in the branch I tripped in the ditch that we were cleaning out and I twisted my knee...oops. It’s a little sore but not too bad when I take the ibuprofen. I’m still trying to get over this cold that I’ve had since the MTC and all the dirt isn’t helping with all my sneezing but I’m really doing just fine. Just small things that aren’t too bad. I eat well and I think that I’m still around the same weight as I was when I left the MTC.

It has been really hot as of late and the sun just beats on you like you’re getting punched in the face and its horrible when the humidity is really bad as well but Hermana Shakespear made a rule that we all have to have a cowboy hat or some sort of protection from the sun on days like that so it’s a little bit better when I’ve got that on.

It’s awesome that the jazz are doing so well and keep giving me updates because I’m not allowed to check for myself. As far as Quin goes I think that you should play him up if he wants to. I think it would be better for him to get into the system and work with the better coaches but tell him to start working with Josh or Sean or someone on throwing the ball if he wants to play quarterback...this is when I wish that I was at home to help.

Tell Sean that I’m proud of him and Carter as well in stepping it up in school. I got mom’s present done today and I should be sending it out next Wednesday when we´re in Saenz Pena again for interviews with President. I only get my mail when I’m there because the zone leaders get it and we´re two hours away so it’s hard to get it from them. I love you all so much and think of you constantly.

Love, Tay

Email letter - 16 April 2008

Mom and dad,

Things here are going okay. I'm doing well and we are still working hard. We are going to be making a baptismal date with that large family that I told you about and hopefully on the 10th of May they will be members of the church. That’s really the only good news that I have for you.

We had our zone conference last Thursday and I know that I’m going to miss President and Sister Shakespear so much. They are amazing people with such great testimonies but I’m looking forward to one more conference with them. I had to stand up and bear my testimony because I’m new and that was fun. Ha-ha.

My comp thinks that I speak so well that he tells everyone how good I am and the people think that I’m fluent or something and just go off on me. Ha-ha. It’s fun though because I’m learning a lot from my comp and from all of the people. I think by the end of my next transfer ill understand just about everything and then try to pick up and be able to talk the way that I want to. It’s been good having a native companion and I’m grateful for it but I love to do divisions so that I get English sometimes too.

Overall things are going well. Sometimes my comp and I have little tiffs but that happens to everyone I think. We are working well together I think. I have my first transfer in two weeks but I think I’ll be staying put and with the same comp for this one as well but maybe the next one I'll leave. We have transfers every six weeks. I hear stories about other mission houses and I’m afraid to move but we´ll see how it goes.

We have been spending a lot of time in Saenz Pena with our district and zone leaders. We are here again today for p-day and I worked here last night on divisions with our district leader. It seems like we come here once a week which is like five hours of travel both ways. To be honest I don’t mind it at all because like I said I get to speak English when I'm here.

I just want to tell you how much I love you mom and dad and how much I appreciate all that you have done and continue to do for me. I’m so grateful for such great parents that love and support me in all that I do. I’m grateful for your example to me and how well you raised me and prepared me for my work now and for my life in general. I love you so very much and I miss you as well. Thank you for your prayers. Send my love to everyone and let them know that I’m grateful for their prayers as well. I love you.

Tay

Email Letter - 09 April 2008

Hey Mom and Dad,

So things are getting better here this week.

I spent the last weekend in Saenz Pena with one of the zone leaders so that I could watch conference. What an awesome experience to listen and to sustain a new prophet. I think that I liked Elder Holland’s Sunday afternoon talk the best. Of course both sessions on Sunday were in the afternoon but you know what I mean. I couldn’t help but think about the family during many of the sessions because that all they talked about. I did love this conference a lot though.

Things are getting better and my knee is doing better as well. I can feel the blessings when I pray and you pray as well. I’m glad to hear that everything is going well there and that you’re all excited for the trip.

I’m back in Saenz Pena right now for divisions with the district leader and then we all get into a van in the morning and head to Resistencia for zone conference...5 in the morning. Oh dear!

To answer the questions about my bathroom and stuff, yes I have a shower but it’s just the bucket that heats up the water and we do have plumbing but it’s different and it’s taking some getting used to but it’s not so bad. Compared to other areas I lucked out with my house.

The Branch President’s wife does our laundry for 20 pesos a month which is awesome. They are a great family.

We have been teaching a lot and have 1 person with a baptismal date on the 26th, let’s hope it doesn’t fall through.

I have a funny story...last night when were out contacting there was a hole in the sidewalk and my comp didn’t see it and fell in. I felt so bad but it was so funny. He's okay, just a few scratches but he´ll live I think.

I’m getting used to only having Spanish in my life but it’s still tough to communicate sometimes.

I’m trying to figure out how to use the mail and when I do then I’ll send some paper mail to you. It should only take about two weeks to get to you but unfortunately yours takes forever to get to me. Don’t use pouch because that takes twice as long.

I have decided now hearing from other elders that you should send a package every 3 months because that acceptable I guess. Ha-ha.

I’m starting to get a hang of things but it’s starting to rain a lot and I don’t like the mud so now that just one more thing to get used to I guess. I think I’ll probably buy some boots to wear so that I don’t have to wash my pants every day.

I’m starting to do better with my Spanish and I can pretty much understand almost everything they say if they talk slow for me. We did our first service yesterday, cut down a lot of weeds from the branch presidents house using a shovel and spade which was hard and now I have blisters on my hands but that the difference here...no weed eaters. I’m going to run now but things are going better and I love you all very much.

Tay

Email letter - 02 April 2008

(Papi's note - I hesitated to post all of this, because it's clear that TK is struggling a bit, but I wanted to share it with everyone, and also need to preserve the trials as well as the highlights, so included everything... TK also mentions a chat that we had - it lasted for just a few minutes, and the extra information from the chat can be found in my note at the bottom of this post.)

Hey mom and dad,

Things here are good but I’m stuck with a native companion that knows pretty much no English. I’m learning a lot but it’s hard because he can’t understand me. I can understand him and pretty much everyone if they talk slow. The members in my area are really nice but there are only about 30-35 or so. 

We have been teaching a lot and I love it but I’m having some problems and I don’t know if I should talk to President about them or not. My knee is locking up and I can’t straighten it or bend it all the way. I’ve been praying and taking lots of meds but it doesn’t seem to be working. Next Thursday we have zone conference and that’s when I’ll talk to him if I decide to but we´ll see.

I’m not going to lie this is really hard and I try not to but I often think of you and I makes me cry. I miss you guys and I need you. I knew it would be hard but not this hard. I don’t mind the heat or the dirt or even the blisters on the bottom of my feet but it’s hard without my family and with my knee acting up. 

There are so many dogs around here but they just lie around and do nothing. I don’t think that they belong to anyone so they just roam the streets and do whatever. The culture is way different obviously and I’m trying to adjust. I’m learning a lot of Spanish but I still can’t get everything out that I want to especially with my comp so it’s a little frustrating but it is coming.

It’s just me and my comp in our area that’s about the size of Provo...or at least it seems like it. It’s called Villa Angela and it’s in the Chaco province which is about three hours from Resistencia. We had to spend the first two days with some of the zone leaders in Resistencia because there is a nationwide strike with the farmers because they aren’t getting enough money for their crops or something so they took all their trucks and tractors and blocked off all the roads which means no busses.

After two days the assistants to the President just drove us here on dirt roads. That was an adventure. The only roads that are paved in our area are main street and maybe one other road. Which means...yes dirt and lots of it. I don’t mind it so much though.

Let me tell you about our house. When we got there I almost threw up. It looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in years so I made my comp help me for the first hour to clean and stuff and now it’s better. It’s just us two and it’s basically a kitchen connected to a bedroom. Our bathroom is outside it’s like a little outhouse building.

I miss speaking in English and I’ve been trying to figure out how to chat with dad but it’s not working. 

We should be emailing about this same time every week I hope so if you wanted to chat with me and make it work that would be great. I’m not really sure what else to say. I’m glad that everyone is doing well and tell Sean that I’m very proud of him and that I’m sad I missed it but right now there are more important things I guess.

The grocery store is way different and I don’t really know what to buy that I would eat so I’ve been living off of frosted flakes and the nasty milk that they have. Ha-ha. We went shopping again today and I got some fruit and stuff so I think I’ll be better this week.

My companion is Elder Avalos and he’s from Buenos Aires and he’s nice but like I said it’s hard to communicate with my limited vocab. Things are going well and I’m still alive so that’s always a plus.

We have an appointment with a family tonight that I think we´re going to baptize. They love the gospel and are ready so I think we´ll set a date with them tonight. There are six, a mom and five kids that are old enough. The dad is just inactive. I’m excited about that.

Well I’m chatting with you now so I’ll end this but I love you all very much.

 

Tay

- Note - the following additional information from a chat session:

- TK and his companion walk 12-15 miles a day by his estimation. This is contributing to the problems he's having with his knee. It is our hope and prayer that his body will adjust and that he won't need any real medical attention to resolve the issue.

- TK has not been able to get any physical mail since arriving in Villa Angela because of the strike. He and his companion were not able to attend their district meeting.

- TK is a foot taller than his companion, and believes he could "take him" even with his bum knee. (Humor shining through the struggles !!!)

- TK and his comp will head to Resistencia next week for Zone conference, and will likely collect his physical mail then.

- When TK and his comp are tracting, they don't knock on doors, the stop outside the fence around the home and clap.

- TK likes his comp, and despite the language barrier, they are getting along. But he does get a little frustrated, because his comp only seems to want to teach families with a father, and there are many families with no man in the household which they are passing by right now. He is working to help his comp understand and begin to teach these families too.

- TK will be using his gmail account as his primary email from now on because it is much, much faster than the myldsmail account.

- TK will try to upload some pictures next week.

- TK sends his love to all, especially his brothers, and made careful mention that we make sure that JK knows he is thinking of him too.

First email from Argentina - 26March2008

Hey Mom and Dad,

We just got done doing a few contacts in the square and its crazy.

We flew in last night and went to the President's house for just enough time to drop off our bags and then we went to the mission office and had pizza. Just the Elders, the Hermanas had dinner at the President's house.

After we finished we went to our apartment which is right across the street from the President's house and showered and went to sleep. we woke up at 6 this morning so I was up while you were all still having nice dreams, we then had a little introduction from the President and his wife and talked about how to be good missionaries and about health stuff. We had breakfast and then started on learning about all the rules and other stuff.

I wrote a letter that has the mission address and everything on it but you probably wont see that for a few weeks. We had some lunch and then came out to the square to do contacts.

We meet our trainers tomorrow and then go to our areas from there. I just wanted to let you know how things are going but i gotta run...we have to go talk to more people. Just let everyone know that I love them and that I'm working hard.

My p-days are Wednesday just as an fyi so that's when you'll hear from me.

I love you all. Talk to you next week.

tk

TK Landed...

And is doing just fine, thanks very much.

After (too) many hours on planes, TK and his group landed in Buenos Aires yesterday morning and spent much of their day there at the local MTC and on the Temple grounds. He called us again from the airport and let us know that he was doing well, that Argentina was beautiful so far, that the humidity is bad, but not too bad, and that the day was great. He particularly enjoyed his steak lunch at the MTC.

It was fantastic to hear the thrill in his voice, and to know, that despite the difficulty, he is optimistic and happy and well.

Shortly after we spoke, he boarded another plane to take him to Resistencia, and we hope to hear from him again soon via email that he is well and working.

Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he begins the work in earnest.

- TK's papi

TK is on the plane...

Well technically, he's between planes right now, sitting in the LAX international terminal.

We've been blessed to speak to him twice today, once from the SLC airport, and again a few minutes ago from LAX.

He is excited, and scared, and nervous, and happy. He's hoping that he'll be able to give out a copy or two of the Book of Mormon while he's traveling.

We love you TK, be good, be safe, work hard!

- TK's papi

14 March Update from TK

The enclosed tape is for SK's b-day.

I've received my travel itinerary. I fly next Monday and arrive in Argentina on Tuesday.

Please text my friends and let them know that they should now start sending letters and emails to Argentina.

I need AA's number and TH's number so I can call them from the airport.

Please let me know when will be a good time to call on Monday.

I'll send extra stuff home with Sister P.

I need a few things:
1 - A razor and shaving cream
2 - A bar of soap
3 - Please check the rules for baggage on Delta and LAN and let me know what I need to prepare for.
4 - After dry cleaning, I'm down below $100, so I need some more cash
5 - Phone card, so I can call you.

Thank you so much for everything. I love you all so much and I'll talk to you Monday.

P.S. Do you think you could send the hair clippers with Sister P. for a day? I'll send them right back.

Pics from the MTC 1

TK & Matty















TK & Matty 2















TK's Comp studying hard




















TK & His Comp at the Temple















TK & His Comp, MIB















Emailing us - we hope.















The District at the Temple















The District that plays together...




















TK & Sanford















TK & Sanford 2

Almost gone

Tay leaves the MTC next Monday, the 24th of March. He arrives in Buenos Aires the morning of the 25th, and then we assume he gets on another plane which will take him to Resistencia, but we'll know more once he gets there I guess.

In some ways I think it's going to be easier for him to actually be "on the mish" and working with the people rather than across town from Mom and Dad. In others, it's going to be tough those first couple of months as he adjusts and as the full separation sets in.

Thankfully, his attitude is perfect, and his testimony has grown tremendously.

I'll post later today with MTC pictures he sent home yesterday and will share some quotes from his latest letters.

with respect,

-TK's papi

P.S. Now would be a good time to start sending your letters to Argentina in addition to, or in place of, those sent to the MTC. See the info in the left column of the blog for more info.

Still in the MTC

TK is still doing very well. He's getting along a bit better with his companion, though he says they still yell at each other sometimes. (I'm grateful there have been no fist-fights)

He's working on the language which is coming along nicely, the lessons are coming along better too.

He loves getting care packages, and prefers savory treats to sweet since they provide lots of cookies and the like with virtually every meal at the MTC.

He's also dominating at hoops and says that the other elders are getting a little tired of his mad skills. But what's a divo to do?

I've asked him to send me his memory card from his camera so that I can post some up to date pics for anyone who may actually read this blog, so if he does that, I'll certainly post updates.

He also says it's nice to see our Bishop 2 or 3 times a week, and he sees Sister P. several times a day since her office is just around the corner from his classroom, so he's seen some familiar faces which has been a great help. President C. has even seen him at least once and describes his countenance as "glowing". It's great to hear all of these things, what a comfort it is to know he is in the hands of the Lord.

Thanks to everyone who supports him and prays for his success.

As he says "keep the faith"

Respectfully,
TK's Papi

In the MTC

TK is doing very well, thanks for asking.

We have received two letters so far, the jist of them is:

I need my blanket that I left home even though mom suggested I bring it, so please send it to me.
I need a watch. I know I can't take any of my watches to Argentina without risking robbery, but I've got to have something here in the MTC - please send "the big one".
I forgot to bring t-shirts for the gym periods, please hasten to send these a.s.a.p.
I am where I am supposed to be, and even though I know it's hard, the Spirit is overwhelming and I am learning alot.
We are already teaching.
We have learned to bear witness en espanol.
My companion talks alot, but I think we'll be okay (1st letter)
I can't stand my companion, please pray with me that I can grow to love him (2nd letter)
Watch over T - she needs you guys, perhaps SK and CK can handle that?
I love you all, and I feel your prayers.
P-Days are Friday, so I'll write again then.
Please write me.

Love,
Elder TK

The Talk

This is the text of TK's talk which he gave in Sacrament Meeting on the 20th of January:


Good afternoon brothers and sisters. I would first like to thank all of my friends and family for being here to support me. I’m so very blessed to have such great influences in my life. About a month ago my dad told me that I would be speaking on preparing for a mission. I thought that this would be an easy subject because that’s what I’ve been doing for a long time, but as I started thinking about it more and more I realized that I couldn’t just talk about all the things you have to buy or all the things you have to read, I also knew that I had to talk about how you have to prepare yourself to leave your family and all of your friends and almost everything you hold dear for two years. I’ve already had to say goodbye to a few friends and I didn’t think that it would be this hard. I've even said goodbye to my shoes. You have to sacrifice so much. But when you really sit and think about it the sacrifice seems so small compared to the sacrifices that our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ made for us. Last week at our stake conference Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said “the road to salvation always, always leads through Gethsemane.” I know that means that I’ll have to spend some time in my Gethsemane, but I know that because of Jesus Christ’s atonement that I’ll be able to make it.

In conference a few years ago elder Bednar gave a talk that he called Becoming A Missionary and I want to read a few paragraphs from it. He said:

“Obviously, the process of becoming a missionary does not require a young man to wear a white shirt and tie to school every day or to follow the missionary guidelines for going to bed and getting up, although most parents certainly would support that idea. But you can increase in your desire to serve God, and you can begin to think as missionaries think, to read what missionaries read, to pray as missionaries pray, and to feel what missionaries feel. You can avoid the worldly influences that cause the Holy Ghost to withdraw, and you can grow in confidence in recognizing and responding to spiritual promptings. Line upon line and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, you can gradually become the missionary you hope to be and the missionary the Savior expects.

You will not suddenly or magically be transformed into a prepared and obedient missionary on the day you walk through the front door of the Missionary Training Center. What you have become in the days and months and years prior to your missionary service is what you will be in the MTC. In fact, the nature of the transition through which you will pass in the MTC will be a strong indicator of your progress in becoming a missionary.

As you enter the MTC, you obviously will miss your family, and many aspects of your daily schedule will be new and challenging. But for a young man well on his way to becoming a missionary, the basic adjustment to the rigors of missionary work and lifestyle will not be overwhelming, burdensome, or constraining. Thus, a key element of raising the bar includes working to become a missionary before going on a mission.”

What Elder Bednar is saying is that we can’t just change over night but that we have to work at it everyday. We need to start young by attending our Sunday school classes preisthood and young women meetings. We should also go to our youth and scout activities. Our youth leaders priesthood leaders love us and want us to succeed, so they will help in our preparation long before we turn 19. Another great way to prepare is to attend seminary. Not just to go but to go and to feel the Spirit, to listen and to participate. We should lean on our parents and ask them for guidance. We must read the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, and also Preach my Gospel, as they are the most important books while serving our lord.

I know that preparing for and serving a mission will be a great sacrifice but that many blessings not only for me but for my friends and family will come from serving our Lord. I know that what I am doing is very small compared to what others have gone through so that I can be here today. In closing I would like to share a story that President Hinkley gave in general conference in 1981 called the Four B’s For Boys.

“I should like to tell you of three eighteen-year-old boys. In 1856 more than a thousand of our people, some of them perhaps your forebears, found themselves in serious trouble while crossing the plains to this valley. Because of a series of unfortunate circumstances, they were late in getting started. They ran into snow and bitter cold in the highlands of Wyoming. Their situation was desperate, with deaths occurring every day.

President Young learned of their condition as the October general conference was about to begin. He immediately called for teams, wagons, drivers, and supplies to leave to rescue the bereft Saints. When the first rescue team reached the Martin Company, there were too few wagons to carry the suffering people. The rescuers had to insist that the carts keep moving.

When they reached the Sweetwater River on November 3, chunks of ice were floating in the freezing water. After all these people had been through, and in their weakened condition, that river seemed impossible to cross. It looked like stepping into death itself to move into the freezing stream. Men who once had been strong sat on the frozen ground and wept, as did the women and children. Many simply could not face that ordeal.

And now I quote from the record: “Three eighteen-year-old boys belonging to the relief party came to the rescue, and to the astonishment of all who saw, carried nearly every member of the ill-fated handcart company across the snowbound stream. The strain was so terrible, and the exposure so great, that in later years all the boys died from the effects of it. When President Brigham Young heard of this heroic act, he wept like a child, and later declared publicly, ‘that act alone will ensure C. Allen Huntington, George W. Grant, and David P. Kimball an everlasting salvation in the Celestial Kingdom of God, worlds without end.’ ” (Solomon F. Kimball, Improvement Era, Feb. 1914, p. 288.)

“Mark you, these boys were eighteen years of age at the time. And, because of the program then in effect, they likely were holders of the Aaronic Priesthood. Great was their heroism, sacred the sacrifice they made of health and eventually of life itself to save the lives of those they helped.”

This talk has helped me since a very young age to gain a greater testimony of the church. I know that the sacrifices that I’ll be asked to make while on my mission will not compare to the sacrifice of those four young men, nor will it compare to that ultimate sacrifice made by our Savior Jesus Christ. I do know that the sacrifices that I make will bring blessings, and will bring me closer to Him, in His holy name. Amen

1 week til the MTC

We're handling it only if we live in denial, and by focusing on the preparation for hosting who knows how many people on Sunday next after the sacrament meeting in which TK delivers a talk, but which isn't his farewell.

Of course I still know just how important it is for him to serve, and for us to support him, but to quote a friend it feels as though we've "been punched in the gut".

Don't you just love the GQ pic?

Getting Ready

TK received his call to serve in the Argentina, Resistencia mission on Wednesday, October 17th, 2007. He reports to the MTC on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008.

We are all so excited.

Here are some websites with information about Resistencia and its surrounds:

Welcome Argentina

Wikipedia