Hello there! It is good to have the oppurtunity to write to you all this week. Just a heads up before I start writting about my week, I am trying very hard to get in contact with everyone and write them letters, but seeing as I am a missionary and very busy with the Lord's work it will take time. Nevertheless you will all be receiving letters before Christmas and hopefully sooner. Ok, well what a week. So on Tuesday we went up to Lincoln where we had a big conference with a bunch of the Edlers and Sisters. Elder and Sister Golden of the First Quorum of the Seventy were there to talk to us and guess where they are from... Johannesburg, South Africa. Well I was very excited to meet them and they were wonderful. We were very enlightened and learned so much I don't think I have time to tell all that we learned, let alone the things I learned from the promptings of the Spirit. One important thing I learned though is that our faith increases as our personal rightousness increases. The more obidient we are the more faith we have. Anyways, it was great. Oh, and remember Tanner Jones, you know who played football and coach would always be like "JOOOOONNNNNEEEEESSSS!" Haha, well he's in this mission and I saw him there, so we talked and caught up on life. Well so then on Wednesday we taught these two 16 year old kids named Dillon and Tyler. We were talking about families and Tyler, who talks with a sort of redneck accent, said, "Hey Dillon, did you know that families are forever?" And I was like, "How did you know that?" And he said, "You know, you have kids and they have kids and they have kids, forever." It was hilarious. So then we tried to set them for baptism and Tyler, again in his redneck accent, said, "Well I've already been baptized... (silence)... but... I guess I can get it renewed." Haha it was so funny and hilarious. So then we went and taught this refferal from South Carolina we got in the mail. It was an older lady who lives about 30 miles from Beatrice. See our area is huge, one of the biggest branches area wise in the mid-west. So sometimes we have to drive an hour one way just to see a person. Anyways, so we drive to see this lady, Helen, and basically what she wanted was a blessing because she is having health problems. Well we talked to her about the priesthood and kind of where it comes from. Then we talked about trials and she admitted that she sometimes blames God for a lot and gets mad at Him, but that he's still our Father so we need to trust Him. Then we gave her a blessing and it was really quiet after. Then all of a sudden she just started saying a prayer and talking to Heavenly Father right there. She asked for forgiveness and said that she was willing to accept whatever came her way if it was His will. It was truely a sacred moment. Yesterday we went back and taught her again and she was very accepting of the Book of Mormon and the need for prophets. Hopefully she'll receive her own testimony of it and want to be baptized. So yesterday was also my first day in the brach, and it was the primary program! Ha, it was awesome. I love kids. The people in the brach are so great. Many of them are converts and have just amazing testimonies. And, as always, there are also a couple of characters that make every branch or ward it's own and fun to be at. Well Elder Bell is great. We get along so well and just have the best time working hard and preaching the gospel here in Beatrice.
So spiritual thought of the week. Well I guess it should be something about Thanksgiving. So I guess the most important thing I've learned over the past couple months and with the many people I've met is this: If you want to truely be happy you cannot focus on what you don't have. Instead you have to be truely grateful for the things the Lord has given you. Don't become a victim. Many people blame life, or God, or someone else for the problems they have in life. But the truth is we all are going to have hard times and we're all going to have problems. So instead of blaming others and trying to figure out why things are so hard, we instead need to look at the many blessings we do have and focus on even the little blessings we have in life. I know as we do this we will be much happier, regardless of where we are, what circumstances we are in, or what problems we may be facing. And best of all, when we show our gratitude to the Lord he will pour out His spirit upon us, one of the greatest blessings we can have in this life. I love you all and am so grateful to have you as a part of my life. You are all such great examples to me and I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Godspeed,
Edler Chandler Kendall
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Omaha, Nebraska- November 2011
Grettings everyone from Nebraska or as we like to call it here N.O.M., you know, like Vietnam. Haha. Anyways this is a sweet mission. So first of all I came in with nine other Elders and 4 other Sisters on Tuesday. That day we spent with President and Sister Kunz and the APs and they did the basic orientation. We spent the night in a hotel and then the next morning they took us into Omaha. It was really cool. The best was seeing the Winter Quarters trail sight and the temple there. It is a beautiful temple and I can't wait to do a session there. Well then we had some training from the APs and President and Sister Kunz. It was a really good trainig. Then we went upstairs and had a testimony meeting with all the new Elders and Sisters. The Spirit was really strong and it is always good to hear the testimony of new missionaries. Well then they gave us each a letter saying where we would be serving and who our companion would be. I learned that my companion would be Elder Bell and I'd be serving in Beatrice. I was like, "Sweet! I have no idea where that is or who Elder Bell is." Haha. But we spent another night in a hotel and then the next morning we went to transfers. It was cool to see the missionaries there. Since I was going to Beatrice, which is aboout 40 miles south of Lincoln, I had to ride the transfer bus to go and meet Elder Bell. Well then we got to the site and I met him. We embraced and said hi and then got on our way to go to Beatrice. Elder Bell is awesome. He has been out about 9 months and is from Boise Idaho. He is a very consecrated missionary and likes to work hard. So we've been working. The people here are so awesome. Everyone is just very polite and kind. Beatrice is a pretty small town, but we cover a pretty big area of some other small towns. Well I haven't really met any of our progressing investigators yet, and yesterday we had stake conference up in Lincoln so I haven't met the branch yet. But I've met some of the members and they are awesome. We played raquetball with a couple in the ward this morning. Well the very first thing we did when I got back was go to a funeral of an investigator who just died. It was really sad because he was only 45 and died of cancer. But I know he is with his Heavenly Father and things will work out for him. Well we met some pretty crazy people. We met this Appiscapalian (have not idea how to spell that) lady who we tracked into. She used to be a member of the Church but she had a pyschotic husband who kind of forced her to get baptized. Anyways she has family in Logan and has been through the temple, but she was super crazy and wanted to show us her church. There were some other crazy things. Like we called this investigator and they said, "Oh I can't meet with you tonight. I've had a stressful night last night getting to sleep to I'm just going to smoke some pot and go to bed." So Elder Bell said, "Well why would you do that." And the person responded, "Well pot is actually not that bad for you. In fact it's been around longer than alcohol" Haha like that's a good excuse to do anything. It made me laugh. Well our apartment is ghetto but I like it. It's right above a tobacco shop if you can believe that. Elder Bell and I get along really well though and I think we're going to do some good work in this area.
Well spiritual thought of the week. Hmm... let me think. Ah! Ok. So I was reading about the Holy Ghost the other day and the thought hit me that had never struck me before, or I guess I had just never thought of it in this way. The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead, and part of being baptized is if we keep our covenants we will always have the Spirit to be with us. That is an amazing gift! Like... He's a member of the highest council in the universe, and we get to have Him to be with us and talk to us all the time. That's why it's so important to learn how He speaks to us and to be worthy to have Him by our side. I've thought about that with missionary work here in Nebraska. We do get referrals, but some of these people we are going to have to find ourselves. Well if we always have the Spirit to be with us and we can understand what He is telling us, then we will be led to those who are ready to hear the gospel. So I am going to try my hardest to be worthy to be the companion of a member of the Godhead and I would challenge you all to try your hardest to do the same. I love you all and hope you are having an amazing holiday season.
Godspeed,
Elder Chandler Kendall
P.S.- My net mission address is 11930 Arbor St. Ste. 203
Omaha, NE 68144
Well spiritual thought of the week. Hmm... let me think. Ah! Ok. So I was reading about the Holy Ghost the other day and the thought hit me that had never struck me before, or I guess I had just never thought of it in this way. The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead, and part of being baptized is if we keep our covenants we will always have the Spirit to be with us. That is an amazing gift! Like... He's a member of the highest council in the universe, and we get to have Him to be with us and talk to us all the time. That's why it's so important to learn how He speaks to us and to be worthy to have Him by our side. I've thought about that with missionary work here in Nebraska. We do get referrals, but some of these people we are going to have to find ourselves. Well if we always have the Spirit to be with us and we can understand what He is telling us, then we will be led to those who are ready to hear the gospel. So I am going to try my hardest to be worthy to be the companion of a member of the Godhead and I would challenge you all to try your hardest to do the same. I love you all and hope you are having an amazing holiday season.
Godspeed,
Elder Chandler Kendall
P.S.- My net mission address is 11930 Arbor St. Ste. 203
Omaha, NE 68144
When Necessary-Use Words, Oct. 31, 2011 Payson
Well what a week it's been. So it seems like everyone was out of town for the deer hunt. It was hard to see anyone. And the few lessons we had planned each day seemed to all fall through. But that's missionary work. As long as the Lord see's you're doing your best, it doesn't matter what the numbers say. Well Saturday night we helped a part member family with a spook-ally they are doing. It was really fun, and we scarred some people pretty bad. The sister missionaries came and Sister Uryu, who just got here from Japan, was very excited to have her first Halloween. It's hilarious, she is always super excited about everything, even when we scarred the living daylights out of her. We were able to find two new investigators which is really exciting. They are a teen brother and sister who just moved her from Arizona about four months ago. So we ate with the one family the Jarretts. They are an older couple and they were telling us about their kids and how they're all married except for their youngest daughter who is 27. And I was thinking, "Well what the heck is wrong with her?!" So then halfway through dinner she walks in and she's not bad looking, but I didn't care too much because she's 27 and I am a missionary. Well we started talking to her and I've never seen Elder Johnson so excited. Usually I'm the one that gives the spiritual thought at dinner, but he asked if he could give the thought to the Jarretts. He is a really good speaker, so he gave a really good thought. So then we left and he told me that he had found his wife, haha. But he can't stop thinking about her, so I have to try to help him focus, since he also got his trunky papers and they did their job. That's probably another reason we aren't teaching as much, but I'm trying my best to get us out there and working.
Well spiritual thought of the week. So even though Elder Johnson doesn't want to work too hard, when we get in lessons or give talks he is powerful, which is something I've always envied in Trevis. One thing I've always wanted to do was to inspire people when I speak. But I am very much like Moses and am slow of tongue. But I was thinking a lot about it. I'm still working hard and trying my best to be obedient, and an important thing I realized is that we all have different gifts. The phrase "Preach the Gospel and, when necessary, use words," has taken a new meaning for me this week. As I've focused on what gifts I do have I've been able to use those to help our investigators and those that we teach. I may not speak with great authority and power, but I know what is true and I'm not afraid to say it. Well I don't want to go on saying all of the gifts that I've been given, but I have definitely seen them this week and I have improved them. So find what gifts you do have and make them better. The Lord has given them to you for a reason. And who knows. If I work hard enough maybe one day I can be a great speaker, but for now I'm still the scatter-brained professor, haha. Love you all and hope you have a great Halloween.
Godspeed,
Elder Kendall
Well spiritual thought of the week. So even though Elder Johnson doesn't want to work too hard, when we get in lessons or give talks he is powerful, which is something I've always envied in Trevis. One thing I've always wanted to do was to inspire people when I speak. But I am very much like Moses and am slow of tongue. But I was thinking a lot about it. I'm still working hard and trying my best to be obedient, and an important thing I realized is that we all have different gifts. The phrase "Preach the Gospel and, when necessary, use words," has taken a new meaning for me this week. As I've focused on what gifts I do have I've been able to use those to help our investigators and those that we teach. I may not speak with great authority and power, but I know what is true and I'm not afraid to say it. Well I don't want to go on saying all of the gifts that I've been given, but I have definitely seen them this week and I have improved them. So find what gifts you do have and make them better. The Lord has given them to you for a reason. And who knows. If I work hard enough maybe one day I can be a great speaker, but for now I'm still the scatter-brained professor, haha. Love you all and hope you have a great Halloween.
Godspeed,
Elder Kendall
The Blessings of Trials October 24, 2011 Payson Utah
To whom it may concern (haha),
Well this was a good week. First of all being a missionary is great. I cannot stress that enough. So we have this new investigator named Kristen. She is eleven years old and what a character she is. The first time we met her she was really nervous and wouldn't even shake our hands. It was funny. The way we found her was interesting too. We had the referral from the Sisters but we had the wrong address and only a last name. It took us a couple of weeks to find her. We kind of just knocked on doors in the general area where the address that didn't exist was and asked people if they knew of an eleven year old girl with the last name of Perkins. Well FINALLY we found her. After we introduced ourselves and talked about having lessons with her she decided she wanted to and when we came back the next time she was looking out the window waiting for us. She still wouldn't shake our hands, but we convinced her to give us a fist bump. We have this other investigator named Jeff. I think I might have mentioned him. He is from Oregon and is about 40 years old. He is here following doctors for school. He is very smart, but doesn't really see the point to life. His marriage isn't what he wants it to be and he doesn't get the need for faith, or why we have to work so hard in life to know if Heavenly Father is really there. But he feels the Spirit when we come and when he goes to church. He still wants to know everything intellectually, but I think he's making progress. Anyways Jeff is a tennis player and so is Elder Johnson so on Saturday we wanted to show Jeff that we're just normal people and not some sort of cult, another thing he is afraid of. We ended up talking to him for a couple of hours and eventually we just sat down and he expressed some of the concerns in his life, especially about his marriage. Basically he was asking us for marriage advice and what he should do to make it better and I'm thinking, "Alright, what the frak do I know about marriage. Any relationship I've been in has been a disaster." But Elder Johnson and I knew the principles of love and had the examples of our parents. So being 19 and 20 we were sitting there giving a very smart man advice on how he could make his marriage better. And guess what, he listened and wants to take our advice. It is awesome that the gospel works. Also this week we participated in a ward's mini-mission for their laurels and priests. We told them to carry around a Book of Mormon to give out, but then the next day we realized that they probably didn't have one to give out. So during our free time we stopped by all their houses and gave them copies that they could give out. The youth are awesome and I would encourage everyone to always carry around a Book of Mormon that they can give to someone in need.
Well it wasn't to easy to do work this weekend with fall break and everyone deer hunting. Which is kind of where my spiritual thought is coming from, along with a couple of other less active people we've met and the attitude of some of our investigators. The scripture comes from Revelations 3:15-16. Basically we need to decide whether we are hot or cold. Are we active in the gospel or not. The Lord says "...I would thou wet cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." So how committed are we to accepting and living the gospel? I know in my life I have definitely been lukewarm many times. Are we willing to accept and live all the commandments? Are we striving to magnify our callings, not only church callings (which are important), but our callings in families and as neighbors and acquaintances? Are we striving to improve our Christlike attributes? Do we strive to have the same love that he does? Do we stand for what is right and true, regardless of what others will think of us? Do we diligently search the scriptures and seek to know them? Are we praying with real intent? Do we strive to increase our faith? Do we repent daily and strive to become more like Christ? Obviously there are many things we can all improve, especially myself, but I promise as we strive to be committed servants of the Lord, in whatever capacity that entails, He will bless us we strength to do His will and a burning conviction that what we are doing is just and true. I pray that this week we search our motives, find where we are not as committed, and then strive our best to become better servants. I love you all and hope you have an amazing week.
Godspeed,
Elder Chandler Kendall
Well this was a good week. First of all being a missionary is great. I cannot stress that enough. So we have this new investigator named Kristen. She is eleven years old and what a character she is. The first time we met her she was really nervous and wouldn't even shake our hands. It was funny. The way we found her was interesting too. We had the referral from the Sisters but we had the wrong address and only a last name. It took us a couple of weeks to find her. We kind of just knocked on doors in the general area where the address that didn't exist was and asked people if they knew of an eleven year old girl with the last name of Perkins. Well FINALLY we found her. After we introduced ourselves and talked about having lessons with her she decided she wanted to and when we came back the next time she was looking out the window waiting for us. She still wouldn't shake our hands, but we convinced her to give us a fist bump. We have this other investigator named Jeff. I think I might have mentioned him. He is from Oregon and is about 40 years old. He is here following doctors for school. He is very smart, but doesn't really see the point to life. His marriage isn't what he wants it to be and he doesn't get the need for faith, or why we have to work so hard in life to know if Heavenly Father is really there. But he feels the Spirit when we come and when he goes to church. He still wants to know everything intellectually, but I think he's making progress. Anyways Jeff is a tennis player and so is Elder Johnson so on Saturday we wanted to show Jeff that we're just normal people and not some sort of cult, another thing he is afraid of. We ended up talking to him for a couple of hours and eventually we just sat down and he expressed some of the concerns in his life, especially about his marriage. Basically he was asking us for marriage advice and what he should do to make it better and I'm thinking, "Alright, what the frak do I know about marriage. Any relationship I've been in has been a disaster." But Elder Johnson and I knew the principles of love and had the examples of our parents. So being 19 and 20 we were sitting there giving a very smart man advice on how he could make his marriage better. And guess what, he listened and wants to take our advice. It is awesome that the gospel works. Also this week we participated in a ward's mini-mission for their laurels and priests. We told them to carry around a Book of Mormon to give out, but then the next day we realized that they probably didn't have one to give out. So during our free time we stopped by all their houses and gave them copies that they could give out. The youth are awesome and I would encourage everyone to always carry around a Book of Mormon that they can give to someone in need.
Well it wasn't to easy to do work this weekend with fall break and everyone deer hunting. Which is kind of where my spiritual thought is coming from, along with a couple of other less active people we've met and the attitude of some of our investigators. The scripture comes from Revelations 3:15-16. Basically we need to decide whether we are hot or cold. Are we active in the gospel or not. The Lord says "...I would thou wet cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." So how committed are we to accepting and living the gospel? I know in my life I have definitely been lukewarm many times. Are we willing to accept and live all the commandments? Are we striving to magnify our callings, not only church callings (which are important), but our callings in families and as neighbors and acquaintances? Are we striving to improve our Christlike attributes? Do we strive to have the same love that he does? Do we stand for what is right and true, regardless of what others will think of us? Do we diligently search the scriptures and seek to know them? Are we praying with real intent? Do we strive to increase our faith? Do we repent daily and strive to become more like Christ? Obviously there are many things we can all improve, especially myself, but I promise as we strive to be committed servants of the Lord, in whatever capacity that entails, He will bless us we strength to do His will and a burning conviction that what we are doing is just and true. I pray that this week we search our motives, find where we are not as committed, and then strive our best to become better servants. I love you all and hope you have an amazing week.
Godspeed,
Elder Chandler Kendall
Become as a Little Child...Oct. 17, 2011 Payson
Greetings Family and Friends,
Well fall is definitely here. The colors are amazing and the weather is so nice. So Monday night President Pitts went out teaching with Elder Billy and I. It was fun, but stressful because you have to make sure you have stuff to do. One of our appointments canceled so we went out contacting referrals. We had one from the sisters but they gave us the wrong address so that was kind of embarrassing. But it was a good night nonetheless. This being transfer week and having an awesome district, we had a district brunch that was really good. I made pancakes which actually turned out really good, which isn't normal for my cooking. About half the district was transferred, including Elder Billy. He is now out in Rosevelt. We visited families that he knew with his time here and it was fun to have the Ellis' send you some pictures. My new companion is Elder Johnson from Dallas Texas! He is awesome. He's been out for 20 months and is pretty bold in proclaiming the gospel, just what this area needs. We've already had some amazing lessons with people I didn't think were progressing that well. There is one investigators named Jeff from Oregon. He is down here following doctors for medical school. He is having a hard time finding the meaning of life and says the Book of Mormon is just making him more confused, which shouldn't be the case. Elder Billy and I had a hard time trying to address his concerns, but Elder Johnson came in and helped give a great lesson. I think Jeff is finally starting to get it and hopefully he'll start to find some direction in his life. Well it's been great to hear from people. Grandma and Grandpa Marjorie and Dean sent me a package. Thanks a bunch and I'll send another letter soon. Brother Miller has been writing me which has been awesome. And I got another hilarious letter from Elder Hess. So Saturday we had two baptisms. The first was for a kid named Jerramy Gilson. He actually just moved to Payson from Spanish Fork and was taught there. We only knew him a week before he was baptized. So kind of a bonus baptism. The second was a nine year old boy named David Swalberg. We've been teaching him for a while and his family is just becoming active again. It was an awesome baptism and he is a really cool kid. He is super shy but super nice and loving. It was awesome to see him get baptized. Anyways not a bad week. A lot of our investigators who have been going through trials have had a better week as well so it's been encouraging for them.
Spiritual thought of the week. So Sunday we went to two primary programs. It was awesome and fun. I always love the primary. It is amazing how they still have really strong testimonies at that age. It reminded me of when Jesus said that we must become as little children or we can not enter the kingdom of heaven. It is definitely easier to teach children than adults because they are so accepting of the gospel. And the adults who are making the commitment to change their lives are humble as little children. We need not to be stubborn or question everything. Instead we should trust in the Lord and love others. Sometimes our testimonies should be simple, and I believe that's how it should be. We only need to have a spiritual witness to know that things are true. Whether it's 2+2=4 or that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Spirit will always tell us the truth. And as little children believe and trust the things their parents tell them, we also should believe all that the Spirit testifies to us. I love you all and hope you have a great week and enjoy this wonderful fall weather.
Godspeed,
Elder Chandler Kendall
P.S.- We finally found the referral the sisters gave us yesterday! :)
The Blessings of Trials October 10, 2011 Payson Utah
Hola a mis amigos y a mi familia,
Hope everyone is doing great and enjoying the cold weather we have been having. I know I certaintly am. So first of all Elder Billy is being transfered on Wednesday to Rosevelt and my new companion is going to be Elder Johnson. The only thing I know about him is that he is from Texas so I'm excited to meet him this week. Well Saturday we were able to usher for the groundbreaking of the Payson Temple. It was freezing, but awesome. Elder Oaks presided and gave the dedicatory prayer. He is from Payson and it was great to hear about his childhood here. There were almost 3,000 people there battling the cold, but we were warmed by the Spirit we felt. I'll send you a picture of me digging part of the ground for the temple. Friday we went to the temple, which I always love. I can not believe how fast this transfer has gone by. Elder Billy has been such an amazing companion and I've learned so much from him. People in the district think we are the fun companionship, which we are, but we also work really hard, especially since we're the only area in the district without a car. But it allows us to meet a lot of people. We've been tracting a lot, and although we don't get too many investigators out of it we always are blessed with more refferals when we do. The Lord sees that we are working hard and has blessed us greatly with three new investigators. No baptims this week, finally, haha. We were hesitent on schelduling any for that weekend because of the groundbreaking.
So my spiritual thought this week is about trials. It seems like this week that many of our investigators are going through really hard trials with a variety of different things. The question is always the same, "Why?" Why, if we are trying to follow Christ, do hard or bad things happen to us. Well let me tell you WHY we should be grateful for trials. First of all Heavenly Father's work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. How does he do this, through the atonement of Jesus Christ. Now trials help us to become more like Jesus, but only if we apply the atonement. Now Christ suffered not just for our sins but ALL of our pains and afflictions. So when we receive a trial, Christ has to suffer the same thing we do, and yet He still allows us to go through them so that we can learn and grow. And the best part is we don't have to go through it alone. Because of what Christ did He will always be there to lift us up when we come unto Him. I hope that we can all lean on our Savior to help us through our everyday trials. I love you all so much and I feel your prayers every day.
Godspeed,
Elder Chandler Kendall
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