Hot dang! Today was awesome (I have the sunburn to prove it.)
7:30 met at church in my red sumo wrestler shirt and jeans
9:00 arrived at an old Hindu Temple, ran straight for the Elephants (there were three) and begged the caretaker to get us on their backs. I was the first of the 14 of us and was blessed with the longest RIDE!
10:30 saw a silk weaving factory and purchased a 100% silk tie of purple and white. It's awesome.
12:00 explored a bunch of rocky places. I got some awesome pictures and did some great wall running and climbing.
3:30 played some football on the beach.
4:30 went to a crocodile farm. They had American Alligators there (haha.) We purchased meat and threw it into a pit with over 100 crocodiles. They went CRAZY. I have a long video of it. That's the big deal.
My memory card is now full. Therefore... I'LL BE SENDING A DVD WITH ALL THE PICS!YAY!
The missionary work is doing well. Elder Gantyada is a stud. Our work has been far above the standard, so we're setting a good example for the other elders in the district. Also, Elder Gantyada has agreed to keep running with me on tue, thur, and saturdays. We have run twice before. It's so nice to get some good workouts in.
Mom: That's awesome that you're giving zone conference talks! I hope it works! What's the mission president's name? What's he like? What are the elders like?
Dad: Haha, Elder Sorensen is sooo excited that the Saints won. He can't stop talking about it. He's originally from New Orleans. Are you meeting clients there?
Sisters: I love you! Keep studying hard!
Oh, here's my new direct address:
H/NO 618,
11th street
Nandanam extension
Chennai 600035India
Send me a letter to commemorate my new apartment! The sisters are going home on Monday and transfer calls are coming on friday... change is coming.
Our mission is doing great, though we REALLY need those visas to come. I'm so glad that I was blessed to come to India. Really. I'm now confident that this is the place for me. My testimony has grown so much. What has started as a hope and built-in way of life has turned into a strong faith proved by answers to prayers and results of trust and obedience. I have learned to love the gospel in a whole new way and to desire making covenants and seeing them through in the correct light. I remember reading something Joseph Smith had said. It went along the lines of: "The prophets of old sacrificed everything and will be rewarded with all that God has. How can we think of obtaining that same glory unless we sacrifice as they did?"And on a separate occasion: "Any religion that does not require the sacrifice of everything cannot produce the faith necessary to reach exaltation." Or something of that nature.
I now love service and sacrifice. It's so weird, but it happened. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, that God is our Heavenly Father, that they have a plan for us. I know that the Book of Mormon is exactly what it claims to be. I love it. I'm thankful for the priesthood restored today. I know that Thomas S. Monson is our living prophet. I fear for the many people who don't know about or listen to his counsel. I'm thankful for a beautiful family. I love you all.
Love,Kyle
Monday, February 15, 2010
FEB 3 2010
First, sorry. This is going to be compact.
Beth, the tie is in the mail... as of today. Sorry. I have been extremely busy, I promise.
Mom, thanks for the support. I'm glad you like my update.
Marie, sorry about the wrong email... what's the right one?
Dad, wow. Thanks for the short BMW concept article and picture. BYU basketball sounds like they are amazing. I haven't done the math riddle you sent me, I'll get it done back at the apartment should any free time come along.
Here's the deal. Elder Sorensen has some viral fever that has kept him out of commission for a full week. I have been working to balance our area and exchanges with his companion (Elder Elliott) so that the district can keep functioning and investigators get taken care of. This has required much of my time. I have also gone on exchange with Elder Mackay, and enjoyed it thoroughly.
Living in the apartment with 3 other people has been tough on me because I have become increasingly more concerned with cleanliness and obedience.
It's part of my calling and it's also my desire.... Anyways, the sisters are finishing their missions in 2 weeks and my district will be down to 6. This means that I'll be moving out of my current apartment and into their old one and that we will inherit some of their area and investigators. More things to do. Fortunately, I'm happy. My testimony is being strengthened and my love for missionary work is too. I love you all. I'm so glad to have a fantastic family.
Love, kyle
Beth, the tie is in the mail... as of today. Sorry. I have been extremely busy, I promise.
Mom, thanks for the support. I'm glad you like my update.
Marie, sorry about the wrong email... what's the right one?
Dad, wow. Thanks for the short BMW concept article and picture. BYU basketball sounds like they are amazing. I haven't done the math riddle you sent me, I'll get it done back at the apartment should any free time come along.
Here's the deal. Elder Sorensen has some viral fever that has kept him out of commission for a full week. I have been working to balance our area and exchanges with his companion (Elder Elliott) so that the district can keep functioning and investigators get taken care of. This has required much of my time. I have also gone on exchange with Elder Mackay, and enjoyed it thoroughly.
Living in the apartment with 3 other people has been tough on me because I have become increasingly more concerned with cleanliness and obedience.
It's part of my calling and it's also my desire.... Anyways, the sisters are finishing their missions in 2 weeks and my district will be down to 6. This means that I'll be moving out of my current apartment and into their old one and that we will inherit some of their area and investigators. More things to do. Fortunately, I'm happy. My testimony is being strengthened and my love for missionary work is too. I love you all. I'm so glad to have a fantastic family.
Love, kyle
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
JAN 27 2010
Dear family, Big Papa has instituted a formula for successful emails.I will follow this formula.
1. Daily Activities each requires a minimum of 25 words.
WED: Elders Gantyada, Sorensen, Elliott, and myself visited a place called Snake Park. It was full of Indian snakes (including water snakes,) crocodiles, and giants lizards (dragons!) I have MANY wonderful pictures, yet don't have a cable to upload them. Sorry. We also visited the zoo beside it. I saw hyenas, giants birds, monkeys, deer (I pet one,) and various other animals. I had salt and vinegar chips for lunch, a delightfully rare treat.
THUR: I conducted a district meeting and did my best to get everyone excited. A few were with me, a few seemed to be not to motivated. Our numbers are low (this means that we are not doing all of the things required to result in the desired baptisms,) and I did my best to hold everyone accountable but inspire confidence for the coming days. We visited Reena and Kaleb (amongst others) and helped them receive fellowship from all 3 members of the district presidency, our branch president, and our elders quorum president. They were ready.
FRIDAY: We met an Anglo Indian with heritage from Whales and Spain. He's catholic, but was an intelligent person to talk to. He invited us back. We also taught this awesome Telugu speaking girl who has permission to be baptized. We will set her with a date soon.
SAT: Someone tried to bible bash us in the morning. He wasn't very willing to listen. So we taught a Hindu instead, he was amazing! He delighted in the pictures we showed him and offered to introduce us to a few of his friends. That's what I'm talking about! We finished the day by visiting a returned missionary sister named Rosie. We talked a bit about Abraham, Ancient Israel, and giving referrals. She gave a referral and also made us dinner. Chipattis and tomato curry. Wow, delicious.
SUNDAY: REENA AND KALEB WERE BAPTIZED! It was great. This turned out to be Elder Gantyada's first baptism. Cool huh? I made potato curry for lunch and the 4 of us (apartment-mates) ate it. It was fantastic.
MON: We finished our Planning for the week, got haircuts really fast, ate some pancakes, cleaned some of the apartment and headed out to zone conference. We got to the train station in the nick of time. The train pulled away 8 minutes later. On the train I talked about Job with Elder Mackay (remember, I love him. He was with me in Rajahmundry and is now one of my zone leaders. We always talk deeply about the scriptures while we have some time.) I also sang hymns with Sister Bommaji. We arrived in Bangalore around 8:00 and had PAPA JOHNS for dinner. Wow, awesome.
TUES: Prepared for, then attended Zone Conference. Elder Watson was NOT there :( We learned about baptism, how to teach it and why we're right. Sister Nichols talked about the Pre-Earth life and the Fall. I had recently read D&C 93 so I basically already knew everything she told us about. It was nice though. I DID learn some great things. After that I went on exchange with Elder Thompson and we visited some of his converts. Biryani for dinner.
2: Comments and Question: Please comment on the following questions with nice long answers. a. How many new missionaires are coming into your mission from the United States. We hear .. not many?
Only 1 missionary He is from India though. He hails from Orem, UT and will be coming in the next 3 months.
b. What is your address in Chennai.. I want to look it up on Google?
House of Grace 2nd floorLittle Mount, ChennaiIndia That's all I've got, however, the area is also called chinamalai and is beside the biggest and most popular church in Chennai: the New Life Assembly of God (NLAG) church. Find that, we are across the street.
c. Are the building a new chapel in Chennai...if so when will it be done.. is it close to you? It is right next to us. Two minute walk. Literally. It will be finished in a year. It will contend with the two biggest churches in Chennai. The Catholic church which claims to have hosted Thomas the apostle. Also, The AG church which claims to have 21,000 people attend on Sundays over the course of 5 sessions.
d. Do you ever hear from Matt or Mark... I got a letter from Mark.. He is sounding mature. He asked about you and said he had not heard from you in a while.
No. We don't really write any more. They are going home soon. I expect them to email me at that time.
g: Are you picking up any lanaguge? I think you would be since you are smart?
Not so much of Tamil. I am now forbidden from learning, we don't teach in it... l still know some Telugu. I will finish learning Hindi upon my return (and Hebrew for that matter...)
h: What was the most fun you had this week? When I had a deep doctrine discussion with Elder Mackay about the temple, master Mahan, and the Freemasons last night. Seriously.
i: How was you trip to Bangalore? I'm still there!
3: FREE FORM Now you can write what ever you want... I have to run and do my interview with the Mission President now! It will be amazing! I hope you liked the information, it was time consuming and exhausting.
I love you!
Kyle
1. Daily Activities each requires a minimum of 25 words.
WED: Elders Gantyada, Sorensen, Elliott, and myself visited a place called Snake Park. It was full of Indian snakes (including water snakes,) crocodiles, and giants lizards (dragons!) I have MANY wonderful pictures, yet don't have a cable to upload them. Sorry. We also visited the zoo beside it. I saw hyenas, giants birds, monkeys, deer (I pet one,) and various other animals. I had salt and vinegar chips for lunch, a delightfully rare treat.
THUR: I conducted a district meeting and did my best to get everyone excited. A few were with me, a few seemed to be not to motivated. Our numbers are low (this means that we are not doing all of the things required to result in the desired baptisms,) and I did my best to hold everyone accountable but inspire confidence for the coming days. We visited Reena and Kaleb (amongst others) and helped them receive fellowship from all 3 members of the district presidency, our branch president, and our elders quorum president. They were ready.
FRIDAY: We met an Anglo Indian with heritage from Whales and Spain. He's catholic, but was an intelligent person to talk to. He invited us back. We also taught this awesome Telugu speaking girl who has permission to be baptized. We will set her with a date soon.
SAT: Someone tried to bible bash us in the morning. He wasn't very willing to listen. So we taught a Hindu instead, he was amazing! He delighted in the pictures we showed him and offered to introduce us to a few of his friends. That's what I'm talking about! We finished the day by visiting a returned missionary sister named Rosie. We talked a bit about Abraham, Ancient Israel, and giving referrals. She gave a referral and also made us dinner. Chipattis and tomato curry. Wow, delicious.
SUNDAY: REENA AND KALEB WERE BAPTIZED! It was great. This turned out to be Elder Gantyada's first baptism. Cool huh? I made potato curry for lunch and the 4 of us (apartment-mates) ate it. It was fantastic.
MON: We finished our Planning for the week, got haircuts really fast, ate some pancakes, cleaned some of the apartment and headed out to zone conference. We got to the train station in the nick of time. The train pulled away 8 minutes later. On the train I talked about Job with Elder Mackay (remember, I love him. He was with me in Rajahmundry and is now one of my zone leaders. We always talk deeply about the scriptures while we have some time.) I also sang hymns with Sister Bommaji. We arrived in Bangalore around 8:00 and had PAPA JOHNS for dinner. Wow, awesome.
TUES: Prepared for, then attended Zone Conference. Elder Watson was NOT there :( We learned about baptism, how to teach it and why we're right. Sister Nichols talked about the Pre-Earth life and the Fall. I had recently read D&C 93 so I basically already knew everything she told us about. It was nice though. I DID learn some great things. After that I went on exchange with Elder Thompson and we visited some of his converts. Biryani for dinner.
2: Comments and Question: Please comment on the following questions with nice long answers. a. How many new missionaires are coming into your mission from the United States. We hear .. not many?
Only 1 missionary He is from India though. He hails from Orem, UT and will be coming in the next 3 months.
b. What is your address in Chennai.. I want to look it up on Google?
House of Grace 2nd floorLittle Mount, ChennaiIndia That's all I've got, however, the area is also called chinamalai and is beside the biggest and most popular church in Chennai: the New Life Assembly of God (NLAG) church. Find that, we are across the street.
c. Are the building a new chapel in Chennai...if so when will it be done.. is it close to you? It is right next to us. Two minute walk. Literally. It will be finished in a year. It will contend with the two biggest churches in Chennai. The Catholic church which claims to have hosted Thomas the apostle. Also, The AG church which claims to have 21,000 people attend on Sundays over the course of 5 sessions.
d. Do you ever hear from Matt or Mark... I got a letter from Mark.. He is sounding mature. He asked about you and said he had not heard from you in a while.
No. We don't really write any more. They are going home soon. I expect them to email me at that time.
g: Are you picking up any lanaguge? I think you would be since you are smart?
Not so much of Tamil. I am now forbidden from learning, we don't teach in it... l still know some Telugu. I will finish learning Hindi upon my return (and Hebrew for that matter...)
h: What was the most fun you had this week? When I had a deep doctrine discussion with Elder Mackay about the temple, master Mahan, and the Freemasons last night. Seriously.
i: How was you trip to Bangalore? I'm still there!
3: FREE FORM Now you can write what ever you want... I have to run and do my interview with the Mission President now! It will be amazing! I hope you liked the information, it was time consuming and exhausting.
I love you!
Kyle
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