April 28 2010

Dear Family,

I, of course, still love you lots.

This week was quite entertaining. We have a new investigator who had shown up to Church all on his own on Sunday and wants to be baptized...

On Saturday we had a talent show! Many recent-converts did performances including:
1. Varadharajan singing an excellent Tamil song
2. Selva Singh singing a song he had made himself ("I believe the Book of Mormon, Doctrine Covenants, Pearl of Great Price. Oooooh.)
3. Kalaiselvi bravely singing a Tamil Song
4. Dinesh doing a scary mime. His face was painted like the Joker from Batman
5. James dancing to Michael Jackson. He was really good

We, the Elders, did an interpretive dance reenactment of Alma and sons of Mosiah converting to the cause of righteousness. We danced to Michael Jackson's song "Bad" and "The Way You Make Me Feel." I was the angel that commanded them to repent, then I joined them for the dance. We received wild applause. There will probably be hundreds baptized as a result of our dance.

Anyways, on the missionary work front we are doing incredibly well. There are a bunch of people who should have baptism dates pretty soon. Let me tell you about some of them!

1. Keerthana, Keerthi, and Logambal.
- This family consists of a 50 something year old mother who speaks little English and her son: Keerthi (24) and daughter Keerthana (20.) Their father died a little over a year ago and they were heartbroken from it. They are Hindu converts and were baptized into the Assembly of God church on January 1 2010. They love the Restored Gospel and say they want to be baptized in about 3 months as they give up their current church that they just recently got baptized in. They love the peaceful feelings they get at church.

2. Anu and Divya.
- Divya is 20 or so. She is in college and has been working hard to study and prepare for her exams. Anu is a mother of a small son (named Nixon) and her husband doesn't speak English. They are the cousins of Varadharajan (the recent-convert) who lives just 5 doors down from them. Their mother gives a beautiful smile (Indians have great teeth) and though she doesn't understand English joins us for the lessons every time. This family actually lives about 7 doors down from Keerthana and family, so they are easy to visit often.

Okay.

Dad,
Mark won't be too far from me will he? I wish that I got to wear a dress and sandals :( It's very popular here also, but the mission president hasn't decided to implement that dress style. We probably wouldn't be respected as much, not disrespected, but a suit sure is impressive isn't it? I will be praying for Grandpa. I can't imagine cancer being very fun.

Mom,
I don't remember that time when I helped Beth with her homework, but I'm glad I did it! You can rest assured that the Kyle that will be returning from his mission will be much more prone to good works and service than the pre-mission Kyle. Service is incredible. You are right that I love these people, who couldn't?

Emily,
Happy Birthday again! it sounds like everyone is excited to have you back.

Beth,
Good luck on the SAT. Go ahead and beat me, then you can get a scholarship.

Marie,
Sorry about your hand :( Get better soon. Have fun at graduation!

Love,
Kyle