Another Lovely Week in Kenora

Hey there friends and family from the wonderful area of Kenora Canada!

 

I am sorry that I have been bad on sending details, I am trying to work on knowing what you even want to hear about, but I will just do my best to keep on working hard to send you what you want. I have some fun things to talk about in Kenora, I will start with the animals:

 

There are deer everywhere. I am convinced that this is a training ground for santa and his new team of reindeer (if that guy will ever get a new team. sheesh)

 

I have rats living in my apartment, which is awkward, because the white handbook clearly states that we are not to have pets, but on the other hand Elder Ruth and I enjoy the company...so... ha ha I am joking! rats are nasty, we are going to get rid of them today though for our "preparation day activity".

 

Now for my companion:

 

Elder Ruth is a great kid from el paso, texas. He is a hefty guy, and is super funny, he is definitely my favorite companion so far. We are trying to fingure out how to move past the adversity in the branch, but we are working hard, and feel like we have a pretty good direction.

 

The area:

 

Kenora is a pretty little town with hills everywhere, and nice rocky terrain, and pine trees everywhere. At the moment the town is surrounded by frozen lakes, but they melt (obviously) in the spring and summer. Kenora is a big tourist town, it has about 14,000 islands that everyone and their grandmothers build cabins on, so they see a lot of tourists in the summer, but it dies down significantly in the winter. Other than that, it is beautiful.

 

The work:

 

I am working hard to figure out what Kenora needs in order to gain the spark for missionary work. This branch is very... comfortable with where they are at, so it is tough to get them excited about missionary work, but we have a terrific branch mission leader who is excited about getting the work going. He served in philadelphia, in which his mission hextupled the baptisms and retention rate in that area in just a year, and they did it all through tracting. I hope that this will shed some light on the mission presidents decisions regarding our work, and that we can continueto press forward and fulfill our purpose to find, teach, and baptize.

 

I love you all, let me know if there is anything more that I can tell you, and I hope you all have a wonderful week!

 

With Love,

Elder Kendall

 

 

Kenora Branch

Well hey there friends and family!

 

I am just here, in canada, freezing my tush off, but working hard! I have been bad at e-mailing specific things about my work, so you deserve this.

 

Kenora is a small lakeside town, and all the lakes have just frozen over, and they are beautiful. there are pine trees everywere covered in snow, rocky hills, and just about a billioin lakes here. It is beautiful in the winter, but very cold, and because of this not a lot of people are out. So, the logical thing to do would be to get in touch with them in their homes, right? wrong. My mission president is very against tracting, it isn't banned, so I still do it, but I feel like everyone is rooting for me to fail, which can get kind of discouraging. Also, the branch is not very inclined toward missionary work, they have told us that they are comfortable where they are at, and that we don't need to baptize anymore. However, despite these setbacks, I am still working hard.

 

We are teaching a little girl named michelle, a foster kid for one of the families in the branch (ok, so maybe they are into missionary work, but they live in the middle of nowhere, it is an hour and a half drive away, and I don't have a car... so we go every 2-3 weeks) she is actually really close to baptism, so that is great. We did a lot of finding last week, and didn't get in many doors, but we have a lot of solid potentials with return appointments, so that hopefully will work out!

 

I have been studying moroni 7 and 8 this week, and if you have the time I would invite you to check it out! it is a wonderful section on faith, hope, charity, and verse 26 in chapter 8 is one of my favorites on the nature of the spirit.

 

I hope you all have a wonderful week, thank you all for the love and support!

 

With Love,
Elder Kendall

Happy Thanksgiving

Hello friends and family from the freezing area of Kenora!

 

this is going to be very short.

 

Happy thanksgiving! I hope you all have a wonderful week and that you give thanks in all things.

 

the work is picking up, people are progressing nicely, and I am anticipating a productive week.

 

Darrell from my last area got baptized! he requested that I baptize him, but we couldn't make the trip,

I am just excited that he went through with it, and that I was able to participate in his teaching.

 

I love you all, thank you for your support, I hope you have a wonderful week, and I apologize for the lame

E-mail! it will be better next week.

 

With Love,
Elder Kendall

Ka Ka Kenora

Hello Friends and Family from the beautiful area of Kenora!

Winter is approaching very rapidly, all the beauitful trees are bare, and snow is coming and going as if I were in utah. so that is pretty interesting, I brougt the weather with me! However Kenora is still beautiful, and I am enjoying my time with Elder Ruth, he had a hard first half of his training, but since I had a tough training as well, we get along and I am able to help him out better.

So. The work. Kenora branch does not like new members or baptisms, which is strange, because it's what the prophet (so really Heavenly Father) has asked us to do, and they do not want it! there are a lot of difficulties with that, but despite this we are progressing people quite nicely. Our most prominent investigators right now are Michelle (hey look mom!), who is a 9 year old foster child, Derold, a native man in his thirties who only has one tooth, Kevin, a farmer who is really great and takes us up to the canyon to chop trees down and work on his cabin, and Ken, who is a 91 year old man. Pretty interesting group, but hopefully as we work more and do our bet to find new people, they will progress into becoming faithful members of the church.

My spiritual thought this week has to do with moroni 10:32. I have learned from this that if we live a faithful life, and do the best that we can, that the Lord will allow us to become perfected through Him. Through Christ, we can become perfected. I love this concept, and I am so grateful for that knowledge, and I hope that I can help others enjoy the blessings of that knowledge as well.

I love you all, I am grateful for your support, and I hope you each have a wonderful week!

With Love,

Elder Kendall

Kenora

Hello friends and family from the beautiful area of Kenora, ontario!

 

Seriously, this place is like a dream. There are so many lakes, and trees, and rocky terrain, I feel like I am home, besides the tall mountains. Kenora is right by a lake that has 14,000 islands, and it is seriously one of the most beautiful areas I have ever been in. I am happy to be hear, desite the unique challenges.

 

the population that I have to work with is about 7500, which is a lot lower than the 50,00-75,000 I had in Winnipeg. But i know we will find prepared people. Also, Elder Ruth and I ( by the way, Elder Ruth is great) are walking elders, so that will be a unique challenge. The branch has told us they don't want us baptizing anyone, they like the branch the way it is, so that is strange, but it will all work out. I am running short on time, but I hope that you all have a wonderful week, thank you for your support! Love you all!

 

With Love,

Elder Kendall

Good Bye- North End Winnipeg

Hello friends and family from the city of Winnipeg, Canada!

 

at least for one more week. This thursday is our transfer day, and I will be going to Kenora, Ontario province, to train Elder Ruth in the Kenora branch!  I am looking forward to it, it will be a new adventure and a new opportunity to preach the gospel, in a much smaller city. It will be different, but wonderful at the same time. Elder Ruth is from Texas, and he attended BYU-I before his mission, that is about as much as I know. I actually am just doing the second half of his training, and then we will see what I do from there!

 

It is exciting to be a part of something new, but I am going to miss the gateway ward, and the North End area. I learned so much here, and the ward took a completely 180 degree turn from when I first came into the mission, and it is great to see that I was able to contribute to that, however, it is kind of tough to leave the people I have been teaching, especially Janese and Darrell. Both of them asked me to baptize them, and because of various circumstances I wasn't able to. Usually I am not one to dwell on numbers, but it is kind of hard when I looked back and realized that only 1 of the 9 people that I had set baptismal dates with was able to be baptized while I was here, but I guess that is how these things go. At least I can say that I gave this area my all, and that I will continue to do so in Kenora. Wherever the Lord calls me, I will serve with all I've got.

 

My spiritual thought this week is found in 1 nephi 15:8. Our stake President gave a talk on questions in the Book of Mormon at a recent stake conference, and he explained that there are 543 questions asked in the Book of Mormon (I think). So, this is a question that Nephi asks to his brethren: "have ye inquired of the Lord?" I think this is so profound, regardless of its simplicity, and this is a question that we can always ask ourselves. Whenever we have a problem to overcome, a decision to make, a burden that needs lifting, we can ask ourselves, "have we inquired of the Lord?" the Lord wants to bless us, he wants to help us, and I know that if we will turn to Him, he will give us the blessings that he is anxious to give. I love my savior, and I am grateful to be in His service.

 

I love you all, thank you so much for the support, and I hope that you all have a wonderful week!

 

With Love,

Elder Kendall

Happy Thanksgiving

Hello friends and family from the frigid area of Winnipeg!

 

It is getting cold, and this week was Canadian Thanksgiving! They have it on a Monday, and I was able to enjoy the traditions of the members that I was able to eat with,

 although I am still stuffed because I did a double-header.

 

I don't have much time, but I will just let you know that Janese and Darrell are doing well for the most part, but we had to move back their baptismal dates, so that is tough, 

but Mackenzie was baptized this week! 

Her family has become re-activated, and even though she is only nine, it felt great to see that someone that I taught enter into the waters of baptism. 

The family requested that I witness and stand in for the confirmation, so that was incredible.

 I am so grateful to see her get baptized, and to see the family come back to church, 

and to know that I was able to help someone in this part of the world through the gospel.

 

Scripture thought: Alma 26. This is a very good chapter, and I hope you all take a look!

 

I love you all, thank you for your support, I hope you all have a wonderful week!

 

With Love,

Elder Kendall

Oh Canada, Oh Conference

Hello friends and family from the chilly land of Canada!

 

It is actually pretty warm today, but this past week we have had some rain, and it got down to 5 degrees celsius. It is a very refining time in the mission. all, and I mean all, of my investigators were in the hospital this week and weekend, all of them missed conference, and their baptismal dates were postponed as a result. It is really hard to have that happen, Janese and darrell are still able to meet with us, but their baptismal dates have to be reset, because they haven't been coming to church, despite our best efforts to fellowship them and help them get to church, it hasn't worked out. We arrange rides, we have lessons with members, and it is just really tough. However, despite these setbacks, I know that there will be miracles in this area if we perservere, and rely on Christ, and allow him to do his work. This is His work, and I am just here to assist Him to the best of my abilities, I know that we will see success as we continuously rely on Him in faith.

 

Conference was wonderful. I had a very spiritual experience, as I am sure you all did as well. I am afraid I do not have very many spiritual insights to share, as I have accidentally left my notebook at home... But my favorite talks were Elder Holland, Elder Uchtdorf, Elder Vinson (I think, he was australian), and really every talk was fantastic! I hope you enjoyed it just as much as I did. Well, I love you all, I hope you have a wonderful week!

 

With Love,

Elder Kendall

How about them fall colors eh?

Hello Friends and family from the beautiful fall area of winnipeg canada!

 

This place is too flat for my taste, but the fall colors are beautiful, there are tons of trees on every street, and the colors are changing quite nicely. I know that I am going to be eating my words and that next week is just going to dump snow, but for now, I am liking it! we have some cold days and very rainy days, but hey, missionary work in the rain is the most rewarding, so it's worth it!

 

Speaking of missionary work, it is going fairly well so far, but can be hard. Geanice (which I found out this week is actually spelled Janese... Whoops) is doing well, but she hasn't attended church in a while. Her aunt terry is struggling a lot with health, and Janese won't go without her, so we had to push her date back a week. As much as I would love to have a baptism, I don't want to just baptize an instant less-active, that wouldn't be fair to the ward, or Janese, and so we are just doing all that we can to prepare her in the most effective way possible. Darrell also has a date, and he is progressing so well, we hope that these things can continue, this ward hasn't had a baptism in over a year, so to have two of them would be really exciting! It all remains to be seen, but your prayers in their behalf would sure be appreciated!

 

So, my spiritual thought this week is on Alma 38:5. I love how Alma the younger establishes one of the most important aspects of the gospel: Trust. trust is a crucial aspect of Faith and Hope, because if we do not trust the atonement, or in God fulfilling his promises for us (upon conditions of obedience) then are faith and hope are nothing. If we put our trust in God, and focus on him through our trials, troubles, and afflictions, we will receive the blessings that Heavenly Father is just waiting to grant us. I am so grateful for this knowledge, for the work that I am apart of, and the gospel. I love you all, and I hope you have a great week!

 

With Love,

Elder Kendall

Another Week in Canada

Hello friends and family!

 

I do not have a whole lot of time, but I am just going to let you know how things are doing!

 

I got a new companion, Elder Petersen, and he is super great! we get along really well, and I am really looking forward to the next transfer. We had a good week, we talked to Geanice a lot more about baptism, and she asked me to baptize her! I will let you all know how it goes, but I am just really excited. She is still kind of having a hard time getting to church because her aunt has a heart condition, but we are working through that. Also, Elder Petersen and I got chased by a gang yesterday, so that was fun! just know that I am being safe and taking care of myself (don't worry mom). The work is moving forward and I am just really optimistic about what the Lord has in store for us as we move forward.

 

My study topic for this week is faith, I have been studying it a lot, and I hope that you each are able to re-visit this topic, it has strengthened my service a lot, and I know it will strengthen your lives as well! I especially love Alma 32, so I would recommend reading that!

 

I hope you are all doing well and are having a great week, and that you will continue to have a great week! Thank you all for the love and support, I love you all!

 

With Love,

Elder Kendall

The Anchor of our Souls

Hello friends and family from the somewhat chilly land of Winnipeg!

 

I have had quite the eventful week, its fair share of ups and downs, but the work is going great! (sort of). I am approaching the end of my second transfer, and I will be getting a new companion! his name is elder peterson, I have met him before, and he is a great guy, I am sure we will see lots of success and growth in the mission field, and in the work. I am staying in my area, so that is great, and we are just going to go out there and give it all we've got! I am excited for the change, and I am excited to do all that I can to gain a fresh start, so to speak, of the missionary efforts in this area. We had a tough week, I was in the apartment for two and a half days because elder moore got the flu, so that was tough, and agonizingly long, but I got through it thankfully. Good thing we have the scriptures and the missionary reference library!

 

As for the work, it has been good and bad. We have set two new baptismal dates with Darrell and Mike, mike is a new investigator from last week, and it has been going well with him. So Darrell, Mike, and Geanice are all preparing for baptism in october, Aleyda basically dropped us for the next 6 weeks (she said she was busy) and Rod fell of the planet, we have done everything we can to get in touch with him, but we haven't heard a word. These people have a habit of saying yes to commitments, and then not following through, especially with church, so, if I could make a request, please include these people in your prayers so that they can experience that change of heart, and be able to really experience how the gospel can bless their lives.

 

So, my spiritual thought this week is in regards to Ether 12:4, which talks about how our hope for a better life comes from fait, Making an anchor to our souls. I love this a lot, because I have seen my fair share of adversity lately, but I know that if we will anchor fait in christ to our souls, that we will have a more firm conviciton of hope in our lives, and our future will be bright, because we will learn how to trust in God completely. I know that I myself need to put my whole trust in Heavenly Father, but I do believe that when we do, we will see success. I love you all, I pray for you each and every day, and I hope you have a wonderful week!

 

With Love,

Elder Kendall

 

P.S. I am sorry I didn't send one last week, I got a lot of E-mails and I didn't have time. I will do better I promise!

 

Another Week of Missionary Work

Hello friends and family! It's me! Elder Kendall! remember?

 

It was a very trying week in Canada, for those of you who are interested in specifics, you can ask my parents and I will let them fill you in on what they choose. Just know that I am doing well, and that the work is too! I had a very successful week, we set 2 more baptismal dates, which is very exciting, one of them is darrell, who was a referral from mormon.org, and he is just so receptive and ready, he loves everything the church has to offer, but I mean who wouldn't? the other is Aleyda, she is from Nicaragua, and she is very receptive as well. She really enjoyed the message of Joseph Smith, and is excited about her baptism. She can only meet or talk on saturday's, which is kind of tough, but I am sure it will go really well!

 

My area is still much of the same, lots of strange things going on, lots of police sirens after 7:00 usually, but that is just all part of the experience! I know that these people are in great need of the gospel, and I am so grateful that I can be here to help the Lord in any way possible.

 

I am not exactly sure why it was a hard week, I certainly had my fair share of difficulties, but I am truly grateful for the scriptures and the direction that they give me in these times of difficulty. My spiritual thought this week deals with 1 Nephi 20:10. I love this verse because of the word refine. the Lord says that he refines us in the furnace of affliction, that he uses our afflictions to help us grow, and to help us become who we need to be, who we are meant to be. Our purpose is to become like the savior, and if we will turn to him in our afflictions, he will strengthen us, and refine us, until we have become perfected through him. I am so grateful for this gospel, I know that this is where I need to be. I love you all and I hope you have a great week!

 

With Love,

Elder Kendall

Working on success

Hellow friends and family from the rainy, hot, and humid area of canada!

 

But really, it has been really crazy up here.

 

So, I had a tough week, but a fantastic week at the same time! I dealt with a lot of rejection, people just weren't receptive, and it was sometimes hard to not be discouraged, but we perservered, and as a result, I set another baptismal date! her name is genice, she is 12 and has the greatest faith, her curiousity about the gospel and her search for truth is Joseph Smith-like, and I am just so grateful that I was able to find her, and I am looking forward to teaching her in the future.

 

So, a little bit about my mission, we are super young. we have 120 missionaries right now, and 60 of them are still in their first or second transfer and training. So we are inexperienced, but ready to work hard, it is tough to be spread out, but it will all work out.

 

I wrote this e-mail last and am running out of time, but I will talk to you all soon! if you have any questions, ask my parents, and they can fill you in on other details. I love you all, I hope you have a great week!

 

With Love,

Elder Kendall

 

P.S. spiritual thought: just read 1 Nephi 18:16. it's the best.

Great Week

Hello friends and family!

 

I had a wonderful week, it was super hard, but really paid off. We did a lot more tracting this week, and even though most people shot us down, we were able to have five new investigators and we set a baptismal date! His name is Rod, we prayed for a miracle last sunday to have someone at church, and lo and behold he just showed up! first time ever! we taught him this week, Invited him to be baptized, and he said yes! it truly was fantastic. I won't share too much about the other investigators, but I will share more soon. So yesterday we had a "3 Nephi chapter8" experience with this crazy storm, the lights went out during sacrament, and it was so incredibly dark outside, you would not believe it! But I am so happy to be here, to be working hard, and to be serving a mission when the Lord is hastening his work. I know that as we show our diligence, He will provide.

 

My spiritual thought this week is found in 1 Nephi 17:13, which talks about our Savior being our light in the wilderness. No matter who we are, or what we do, we each have our own personal "wilderness" that we must rely on the savior to be guided through. So, as you go about your activities this week, think about what your wilderness is, and what you can do to rely on the savior more fully to receive his guiding light.

 

I love you all, I am praying for you each and every day, and I hope that you all have a wonderful week! thank you for everything!

 

With Love,

Elder Kendall

Another Week in Canada

Hello friends and family!

 

As you very well know, I am still in Canada. and today marks my two month mark since I have been on my mission! not that I am counting, I just happen to know that.

 

So, this week I was able to be a part of a miracle. We were out tracting and having very little, if any, success, and my companion was not enjoying himself at all, it was just a really tough time. But as we were knocking the doors, I received the impression that we should go stop by a potential who had shut us down a couple weeks earlier, and that we should bring him a Book of Mormon. It didn't make a whole lot of sense, but I told my companion, and away we went. We got to the home of this man, and knocked on his door, and he answered and immediately invited us in. He told us that he had been having a really tough time with some personal family matters and that we could not have come at a better time. We taught him a lesson, left him with the Book of Mormon, and were able to schedule a return appointment with him this week. I KNOW that when we are focused on our call to serve, that our Heavenly Father blesses us, He helps us to receive spiritual promptings, and if we are completely reliant on him, and look forward with an eye single to the glory of God, that he will not let us fail in this great work.

 

My spiritual thought for the week comes from Mark 9:23-24. What an incredible thing, to think that all things are possible to them that believe. To believe, as translated from the greek, means to exercise faith. What a beautiful aspect of the gospel that is, to think that if we exercise faith, that all things are possible. Not some things, ALL THINGS. I love this gospel, I love my Father in Heaven and my savior, it is a privilage to bear testimony of him each and every day to these people, to be a witness of God at all times, and in all things, and in all places. Thank you all for the support, I love you all, and hope that the week ahead is filled with many blessings.

 

With love, Elder Kendall

First Transfer Done

Hello friends and family from the lovely area of "North End" Winnipeg!

 

I had a very up and down week, lots of highs and lows, but I am doing really well! I just finished my first transfer, and I will be in my area for another six weeks, so I just know that I need to be hear this transfer, because someone here needs my help, and I am going to do all that I can to assist them to come unto christ.

 

We had a big turnover week, Donna, Nino, and a few others were all turned over, so we are just working on re-building our teaching pool, and we found a lot of great people this week! a couple specifics are Addy, a big black man from nigeria who we were able to teach and continue with return appointments, and Aleda, from nicaragua, who we taught our first lesson to this week. I have seen a ton of rejection, but we also have a lot of great potentials that we will either be following up on or teaching return appointments to, so that is really great, I will be sharing more as we strengthen our teaching pool. We are also teaching the Cunanan family, the wife is the only member, and her husband and daughter (12)  are somewhat interested in learning, so we are doing our best to strengthen their faith so that they may be an eternal family. I am still doing a lot in the ward, I am a gospel principles teacher and a temple prep teacher, and I regularly play piano in meetings, so that is exciting, I hope that I can continue to contribute to the ward in the best way possible so that they can continue to be strengthened and begin to assist us more fully in the work.

 

My spiritual thought this week is in 1 Nephi 11:1, which helped strengthen my testimony of receiving spiritual witnesses. Nephi gives a perfect example of what we must do to recieve these things, that we must:

1) desire to know

2)believe that the Lord can make them known

3) seek him

4)ponder in your heart

 

I know that as we do these things that we will recieve spiritual strength, and it will assist in in all we do. I love you all, I pray for you each and every day, Thank you for all your support and love, and I hope you have a wonderful week!

 

With Love,

Elder Kendall

Tough Week

Hello friends and family from the North End of Canada!

 

I am sorry if any details in my e-mail made you overly worried about me, just know that I am safe, I am being smart, and I am doing well. I know that I am being devinely protected each and every day, so I have nothing to fear.

 

I went on a couple exchanges to different areas this week, and Canada has a lot of variety (just like utah), but these areas are beautiful, this world truly is a work of art!

 

So, it was a tough week indeed. We had found a lot of investigators last week, but nearly every single one shut us down this past week, and the rest seem to have dropped off the earth because we have made every effort to get in contact with them, and they have not responded. Also, Donna is in the hospital with cancer, and Nino dropped us because his wife will not allow us to continue to meet with him. It was a very hard week, but I learned a valuable lesson while I was reading the scriptures.

 

I was studying in 1 nephi chapter 3, and verse 15 really stuck out to me. I will invite you all to read it, but the principle I learned from it was this. Nephi and his brothers were rejected 2 times and nearly killed in their attempt to retrieve the plates from Laban, and Laman and Lemuel were ready to give up. However, we learn from Nephi that we, as latter day saints, know that if we rely on our Heavenly Father, and are faithful to his commandments, he Always provides a way for us to accomplish what we need to. Faithful saints of this church don't quit, we accomplish. So that is what I am going to do. I will not quit, I will not rest, I will not give up until I have accomplished the thing which the Lord has commanded me to do. I love this gospel and I love being a missionary, and I know that the Lord will provide a way for me to accomplish his work. Thank you everyone for your continued support, I really appreciate it. I hope to hear from you all soon!

 

With Love,

Elder Kendall

Best Week So Far!

Hello friends and family from the hot, humid, flat area of winnipeg!

 

We had a boundary rotation this week, and my companion and I were placed in what is known as the North End, and to the public it is known as the murder and stabbing capital of Canada. Yippee. Two of the investigators that we are teaching had people killed in their backyards this past week, so that was really interesting to hear about. Also, every home owns a dog the size of a small T-rex, and they charge the door when you knock, so that has been interesting to deal with, not to mention the people we meet on the street. But we found a lot of people who are receptive, so that makes up for it!

 

This week, as you all can tell, was fantastic. We weren't really teaching a lot the past two weeks, and my companion was mostly just wanting to stay in doors and sit around the apartment, and I would have to drag him around a lot, which was really frustrating, and this week was no different. I had to push him a lot, and it was tough, but he finally caught on and I finally got him out the door, and we were able to see lots of success! I knocked more doors this week then in the previous three combined, and talked to absolutely everyone that I could on the street, and we were able to do really well! We have 14 new potential investigators, 3 new investigators, and I was able to set two baptismal dates! I invited Nino to be baptized, and when I was on an exchange with my zone leader, we got a call, after knocking doors all day, from a lady named donna. She had not met with the missionaries for two years, but called us and told her that she wanted the gospel to help her quit smoking, and that she wanted to be baptized. It was incredible. I know that as we worked hard, the Lord provided a way for us to accomplish his work for this area. As for Mckenzie, she is not in our area anymore, so we turned her over to the sisters, but she will do well, and I will keep you posted!

 

My spiritual thought for this week is the principle of work. When I was on the exchange with my Zone Leader this week, we did not see a lot of success from knocking doors. But by knocking doors, we showed Heavenly Father that we are willing to work hard to find people to teach, and that we will do whatever it takes. As a result, we were blessed when we returned for a quick dinner with a phone call from Donna, and we were able to teach her and invite her to be baptized. I know that this was a result of our hard work. We cannot just pray to find people and then not do anything about it, we have to show Heavenly Father that we truly have the desire to serve him with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. That is when we will see success, and that was especially true for me this week. I am so grateful to be serving, I know that this gospel brings ultimate happiness, I know that my Heavenly Father and my Savior are watching over me and protecing me, and that if I rely on them, and work with all my heart and soul, that they will provide a way for me to accomplish the things which I have been commanded to do. I love you all, thank you for everything!

 

Elder Kendall

One Month Down

Hello Friends and family from the flat and hot land of Canada!

 

But really, it has been so hot and humid, and this place has one hill. First thing I am going to do when I get back is give a mountain a hug.

 

So, like I said, I am one month into the mission, and I am loving it! I love being a missionary, it brings me so much joy, and it is a wonderful thing to be able to shar the gospel with my fellow men. We are preparing three people for baptism right now, Wayne, who is doing really well, he has all the lessons and is keeping commitments, is still struggling with health, but overall is doing ok. He almost couldn't get baptized because he went to court and was almost sent to prison (long story) but he is doing well, and is free, so that's nice! we are also working with Mckenzie, she is 9 years old and is the child of a less active family, they invited us to come teach her because they really want her baptized, so we are working on teaching her and re-activating the family, and that is going great as well. Our last progressing investigor is Nino, we found him last week, he is from chile, and this week we were able to teach him quite a bit of the resoration, we left him with a book of mormon, and he came to church! He is so receptive and prepared, he has experienced a lot of hardship, but he told us he just wants to live a good life, and that when he is with us he feels confidence and trust, and told us that he knows anything we tell him will be the truth and he will believe. I was grinning from ear to ear :) I am just so happy for all these people and to see the joy that the gospel brings to the lives of others, I can't wait to teach more and help people come unto Christ, that's what I am here for!

 

My spiritual thought this week comes from mosiah 24:14, and ether 2:25. I will allow you all to read those verses, but what I enjoyed about the inspiration I received from them was this. life is going to be hard, we are going to have burdens, and storms, and it is going to be at times overwhelming. But our savior promises that he will prepare us against these things, and that if we rely on him, he will make our burdens light, because if we always turn to our savior, with full faith and hope, he will be with us always, to the point where we won't even feel the burdens that we experience. I know this is true, that Heavenly Father will always take care of us, if we are always quick to remember him and really on him with full purpose of heart. If we do this, there will be no reason to fear or doubt, for through him we can overcome anything. I love this gospel, I am so happy to be serving as a missionary, it is a marvelous work and I am happy that I have the opportunity to do my part. I am praying for you all, I hope you have a great week, thank you for everything!

 

Elder Kendall

Another week of Work

Hello friends and family from the still warm area of Winnipeg! it reached a temperature of about 42 degrees C, which is pretty stinking hot! We are doing are best though despite these hot summer days, and I am in good spirits! I cannot believe it has already been about a month since I left, it has gone by sort of quick, but the days are certainly long. I don't really like being in the apartment, I would much rather be out working, but that's the way it should be eh? (stil working on the language). We have about six new potentials that we found last week, all of our scheduled appointments with them are for this week, or for some we will just be stopping by if we didn't get a return appointment, but it is great that we have work to do! We have two baptisms coming up, Wayne, who I mentioned before, will be baptized on August 3rd, and then an 8 year old of a less active family that we have been teaching will be baptized soon as well. We are working hard with strengthening the members of the area, because we really need their help with missionary work, we cannot progress the way we want to without them. It is definitely different culturally speaking, there are people here from so many different countries, we have potentials from Chile, Africa, France, Australia, and then a couple canadians on the side. It is nothing like what I expected Canada to be like, but it is still great to be a part of this area doing the marvelous work of the Lord.

 

My spiritual thought this week is in regards to knowing and developing a relationship with our savior. I have been studying Christ-like attributes, and in my personal reading I am in 3 Nephi, and chapter 17 is what I would like to specifically focus on. When the savior visits the Americas, and is teaching and blessing the people, there is a moment where he kneels in prayer on behalf of the people. This had such a profound impact on me, to think that Christ continiously prays on behalf of us to our Father in Heaven. It brings me so much comfort to know that my Savior is mindful of me, he knows me individually, he wants me to succeed, and he will pray on my behalf so that I may achieve what I need to, so that I may fulfill my purpose here. I know that if I am on the Lord's side, I will not fail. I am so grateful for that knowledge. Lately my mission motto, whenever I get discouraged, has been to, "Forget Yourself, Trust in God, Go to Work". I know that as I continue to develop Christ-like attributes and cultivate my relationship with my Savior and my Father in Heaven, that I will be a great instrument in the hands of God, to help the work move forward.

 

I love you all, I pray for everyone that I can back home, I hope that all is well! Thank you all for your continuing support.

 

Elder Kendall

Never Fear- Elder Kendall is Here!

Hello friends and family!

 

I am just about to complete my first week in Canada, where I was assigned to serve in the Winnipeg area for my first transfer. It is nice and humid and warm, but it is going well. My area is basically the phillipins. I had no idea when I opened my call to Canada Winnipeg that I would actually be serving in the Phillipins, so that is definitely a surprise! Also, apparently I need to prepare myself to eat a delicacy from the phillipins called balut. It is a large, hard-boiled egg that has a nearly fully developed baby duck in it. And you eat it. A baby duck. So that's great. but the work is going well, and the people are just incredible. We are working on retention right now with a lot of converts and less actives, and that has been a huge part of our work, but we have plenty of opportunities to find as well. Knocking on doors wasn't so bad, we've been shut down a couple times, but that was certainly expected. My Companion's name is Elder Moore, he is from Vancouver and has been out for almost a year and a half. He is a great trainer, and is very obedient, which I like, because exact obedience on the mission brings miracles. It is great to be a part of this marvelous work at such a historic time. The mission is changing, and we are just hitting a point where we can begin to really help this area grow and come unto Christ. I had my first lesson last friday, and it was not what you would expect from a first lesson. The man's name is wayne, he has cerebral palsy and bi-polar disorder, and was on schedule to be baptized the following day. However, he was struggling with keeping some commandments, so my first lesson was to tell a man that we had to move back his baptism. It was heartbreaking. But he is a humble man, and is really going to work hard so that he can be baptized within the next few weeks, which I am really grateful for. We also will be teaching some potential investigators this week for the first time, and I am just hoping that I can follow the spirit and teach according to the spiritual needs of those who have been prepared to receive the message. We have been working a lot with the members in regards to the special broadcast from last week, and are just hoping that we can get them on board to being a part of this great work. I know that The Lord will provide a way for missionary work to progress in this area, I've seen it already, and I know that the members will be a great assett to us as we, through The Lord's help, move the work forward.

 

My spiritual thought this week focuses on John 16:33

 

It says, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world".

 

Christ knows that each of us have our own personal trials, he experienced them firsthand. We live in a world that we honestly cannot overcome on our own. But the beauty of our Heavenly Father's plan is that we don't have to. If we have our foundation built upon our savior, we have no need to fear. We can take great comfort in the knowledge that Christ overcame the world. that is a profound thought that he conquered the tribulation of the world, so that we, through him, could do the same. I know that as for myself, I am nothing, but that through The Lord, I am everything, I can do all things, I can be of good cheer, I can overcome the world.

 

May you all be blessed in your endeavors this week, I love you all and am so grateful for the continued support that I received from each one of you. I know that as we build our lives on this gospel, that we will conquer anything and everything that comes our way. Have a great week!

 

With Love,

Elder Kendall 

Another week at the MTC

Hello friends and family!

 

It is the second week that I have been in the MTC, and I am loving it. It is so wonderful to be a part of this great work, at such a historic time. I was just transferred to the new West Campus this week, and it is incredible. I liked the main campus, and both definitely had strengths and weaknesses, but I am just glad to be here, glad to be serving, glad to be learning, teaching, growing, and coming closer to my Father in Heaven. He is truly looking out for me, I can feel it every day. One way that he has done that is through humbling experiences. We are teaching an investigator who is a diplomat from Haiti, and is well versed in the bible, but rejects christianity. With that comes the idea that the atonement isn't real, that it was fabricated by the Catholic church. Teaching someone who is so intelligent and wise is something I have never faced before, and so my approach cannot be to convince, but to witness. I struggle with recognizing the spiritual needs of others, and it has affected my teaching, and has humbled me to desire to be empowered by the spirit, and to be endowed with spiritual gifts, so that I can more fully access the spirit and bless those that I teach.

 

As for life here, it is going well. My companion is having a really hard time, he feels homesick, and worthless, as though he has nothing to offer on this mission. Through that, I was able to have a one on one lesson with him regarding what it means to be an instrument in the hands of God. His concern was that he "couldn't do it", and I answered him by saying, "you're right, you can't. None of us can on our own. But if we allow ourselves to be an instrument in The Lord's hands, he will empower us and bless others if we will study diligently, so that we may qualify for the spirit." It certainly helped him to come to terms with some things, and I think he recognizes that through The Lord, We cannot fail.

 

My spiritual though is related to qualifying for the spirit. We teach multiple role play investigators, and some of them are going really well. Because of that, it has become easy to forget who teaches during those meetings. Our role as missionaries is to point the investigators in the right direction. It is not necessarily to baptize, but to invite them to make commitments that will help them live the doctrine of Christ. In order to do that, we need to do our part to know the material, and to not just teach it, but to testify of it. I know that as we search for that qualification and study diligently, and ask, that we can be empowered by the spirit, for the benefit of all we come in contact with.

 

My time is short, we are very busy, but I want you all to know that I love you, that I pray for each of you every morning and night, and that I can feel your prayers in return. I love being a missionary, I am so happy to be here and I know that through My Savior, I cannot fail, that he will direct my path for good, and that I can be endowed with the power of God.

 

With Love,

Elder Kendall

Carsen's 1st Letter from the MTC

Hello everyone!

I have been in the MTC for my third day now, and I am loving it. I felt as though I entered in with a solid testimony, but even in these past few days my faith in the gospel and doctrine of Jesus Christ has gone through the roof. I am so happy here, it is hard to put into words, but I just feel so good, I know my Heavenly Father is looking out for me and is comforting me through the Holy Ghost. I love being in class and learning, the spirit is so strong and I can tell that my teachers are inspired people, and that there is a reason I called to serve at this time. We have already begun to teach investigators, and I love studying for that and preparing for that most of all. My companion, Elder Lott, is a really goofy kid, he just graduated from high school but he towers over me. I know, imagine that. I have certainly had to learn patience, he likes to joke around a lot, and most of the time I don't think he's very funny, but I try to laugh and love him anyway. He is a good kid, I love the companionship and the growth that comes with it. I am certainly enjoying my district, everyone is so different, but we all bring certain strengths and experiences that have helped us grow as a whole. Yesterday (Thursday) was my first full day, and at the end of it, I was called to be a District Leader! I am so excited for that opportunity to serve, I know it will be extra work, but I know I can do all things through Christ. I am easily the most talkative kid in class, but don't worry mom, this time it's a good thing. I love to share ideas and discuss, and it is so much fun to learn here, to learn how the Holy Ghost works through us in the conversion process for others. There is so much to learn but I am enjoying every last second of it. I have been leaving on the main campus, but our district was just called to transfer to the new campus. I am excited, because this is so historic for the church, and to see the rapid growth and the strength of the current missionary force is incredibly overwhelming, and I am so happy to be a part of this great cause.

My first spiritual thought is on obedience. As a district, we talked about how we would be the missionaries who followed with exactness, and it has paid off. I feel a greater sense of awareness while I learn, and having the Holy Ghost be so prominent is incredible, I have never had such a powerful connection with him before. Obedience has made me happy, I am so happy to be here, it really is incredible and inexpressible how happy this feels, and I know that it is through obedience with exactness that we are blessed.  

My second spiritual thought that I would like to touch on is the Holy Ghost. I have developed a great testimony of the Holy Ghost as the true teacher and converter. As for myself, I am an awful teacher. But that is just it, none of us in the MTC are great teachers, but the Holy Ghost is, and I have seen that as I rely on him completely, that I am filled with his strength and can teach with great knowledge and conviction. It is important, as we teach and follow the spirit, not to ask ourselves, "What does the spirit want me to say?" but rather"What does the spirit need them to hear?" This has already changed my mission, and that knowledge will continue to be a strength to me.

It is a wonderful work, it is moving foward, and I am so happy to be a part of it. Thank you all for your encouraging thoughts and words of comfort, I love you all so much and am excited to share some more experiences with you next Friday!

Godspeed,

Elder Kendall (Carsen)

Changing of the Guard

On Wednesday, June 7, 2013, Elder Chandler Kendall came home from an AWESOME mission to Nebraska and a slice of Iowa.  We were grateful to have him home and be a family for less than a week.  Cassandra was in New York until Saturday.  The boys did their combined Homecoming and Farwell on Sunday.  They both gave fantastic talks on the Book of Mormon.  The next Wednesday, June 12, Carsen left for the MTC.  The other exciting news is that Chandler got a job at the Provo MTC.  We don't know if they will run into each other or not.  It was a short time together as a family- but luckily we got those few short days that will always be remembered.  

The End

 Well hello friends and family one last time from the beautiful Spencer, Iowa.  Wow, I cannot believe that this is my last email.  Yesterday I got up to bear my testimony, and I started to say, "Well this is my last Sunday as a missionary..."  and out of nowhere I got really emotional.  It has been an amazing two years, and I am eternally grateful for the many opportunities that I have had to learn and to grow.  After sacrament meeting yesterday we had my last baptism.  It was fun because the kid that was being baptized is named Chandler.  I had the opportunity to confirm him, and it was a great experience to end the mission.  It has been a crazy last week.  Everything is slowly starting to hit me, and I can feel the mantle slowly leaving.  It has been hard, but it will be an exciting change to make in my life.  

      So for my spiritual thought I just want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout my mission.  Everyone has been very encouraging and has given me a lot of strength, not only from your messages to me, which I love, but also for all of your prayers in my behalf.  I have felt strength from them as I do the Lord's work each day, and it has brought more of the Spirit as I go about preaching the Gospel.  I can't even begin to say the words to show my appreciation, or what my mission has meant to me, so I will keep this short.  I love you all very much, and I am excited to see you soon. 

Godspeed,

Elder Chandler Kendall 

Last Letter

Hey Chandler- Just a few more days...HOURS....So I will make this short and sweet- What would you like for dinner??

Love-Mom

Chicken Puffs or Chicken Cordon Blue... yeah.  Can't wait to see you!!!!!!  

Love, Chandler 

Miracles

 Hello friends and family from the misty Spencer, Iowa.  I hope you all had an amazing Memorial Day and are enjoying summer.  Well this last week was an amazing week for me to be a missionary.  We had five people baptized this weekend.  The first was on Saturday and his name is Ron Thompson.  Ron is awesome.  He is the husband of a member, and they have four kids together.  He has always wanted to join the Church, at least to a point, but he had a Word of Wisdom problem that he has been trying to overcome for 15 years.  Well we worked with Ron a lot, and it was amazing to see the progress he made in his life.  Even though he can't read super well, we gave him a few verses to read everyday, and he started praying with his wife as well.  As he did this and came to church, Heavenly Father gave him the strength to change his life, and he became a lot happier.  Saturday was amazing.  He asked me to baptize him, and I was very honored to do so.  Ron is truly a witness in my life that the Atonement is real and that the Gospel is for everyone.  The next day his father-in-law confirmed him, who is actually the stake patriarch.  It was an amazing confirmation and blessing, and I am excited to eventually see their family be sealed in the temple.  After church on Sunday we had four kids from a family get baptized.  Their names are Tiffany, Colten, Jasmine, and Chance, and they are ages 14 to 8.  Their mom and grandma are members, but are less active, so we've been working with them for a while.  They started coming to church regularly, and have really been preparing as a family for this to happen.  They've had a ton of challenges in their family, including lots of medical problems, but they have been able to make it through with amazing faith.  It was awesome to see them all in white, and to see a family come together unto Christ.  Truly an amazing weekend, and a great experience to have near the end of my mission. 

     So my spiritual thought this week is about miracles.  I echo the words in the Book of Mormon and ask, "Have miracles ceased?"  I testify that they have not.  I see miracles everyday on my mission.  It is a miracle that people can and do change their lives through the Atonement.  It's a miracle that we can find these people.  It is a miracle that despite challenges and trials and weaknesses that somehow we are still given grace so that we can continue to press forward in our lives.  The Restoration and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon is a miracle.  It is a miracle that the Church is still here, and that it continues to grow.  It is a miracle that Heavenly Father sends out young men and women to preach His Gospel, and that it actually works.  Our families are miracles.  Happiness and goodness despite the woes of the world are miracles.  Christ Atonement and Resurrection are miracles.  There are miracles all around us.  If we are truly to have the faith to continue to spread this Gospel across the earth we must believe in miracles, and have the faith that miracles will attend us as we press forward in the work of the Lord.  I hope we can all have the faith to seek miracles in our lives and in the lives of those around us.  I love you all so much, and hope you have an amazing week.

Godspeed, 

Elder Chandler Kendall 

Small and Simple Things

Hello friends and family from the great Spencer, Iowa.  I hope you are enjoying the spring/summer weather and that everyone is excited for this summer.  I hope as well that all of your prayers are going out to President Monson and his family with the loss of his wife.  He is such a great example of how much he loved his wife and his dedication to her, and I know that this will be a hard time for him.  So things in this area are going great!  We had four of them get interviewed for baptism this past week, and they will all be baptized this weekend.  One of them is Ron Thompson.  Ron is the husband of a member and has been wanting to join the Church for a long time.  But he did have a Word of Wisdom issue that he had to overcome.  Well, he has been working really hard to overcome it, and has been doing amazing.  You can see in his countenance and brighter and lighter change.  He is happier, and so is his family.  It is one of the greatest miracles that I've seen on my mission.  I am very excited for this weekend, and to feel of the spiritual outpouring that will occur.  

        So my spiritual thought this week is about small and simple things.  I love the scripture and Alma 37 that talks about "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass."  I testify that this is one of the most true statements in the Book of Mormon.  Becoming like Christ is only accomplished by small and simple means.  Similarly, sharing the Gospel is the same.  By doing the small things: smiling at people, sharing our testimony, seeking to serve, praying to have our mouths filled, and many other things, we can bring others to Christ, a truly great thing.  Sometimes we think we need to have big experiences with sharing the gospel.  We look forward to the baptism, without realizing all of the steps that it takes to get there.  I hope that we can identify some small habits that we can start in our lives so that we can be tools to help share the gospel to the world.  I love you all so much, and hope you have an amazing week.

Godspeed,
Elder Chandler Kendall 

Happiness is Contagious

Hello friends and family!  Happy May.  Hope you are all enjoying spring weather and getting ready for all the fun changes as summer approaches.  Well, this last week was pretty awesome as always.  Found out that Elder Elison and I will be staying together for my last transfer (no surprise there) so we are super stoked about that.  We've been getting along great, and really putting in our effort in the area.  So we had a really fun experience this past week.  We were walking by some apartments to try an old investigator.  While we were going there, we saw a group of kids outside.  One of them yelled out to us and asked what we were doing.  We told her that we were going around and talking to people about Jesus.  She said, "No way, you have to come talk to my mom."  So we followed her inside to meet her mom.  She said hi, and asked us a couple of questions about who we were.  We told her about what we talked about, and she said she was just recently getting into church, and has been trying to make changes in her life.  We told her that the message that we have can help her to make those changes.  While we were talking her daughter came back in and said, "Are you guys missionaries?"  We informed her that we were.  She said, "Wow!" and looked at us like she had just seen the Easter Bunny, haha.  It was super awesome.  Our branch also played all the YSA's that attend here in a soccer match.  Most of them are on scholarship to play soccer, and most of them are leaving this week because their semester is over.  We got creamed, but it was still fun.  At the very beginning I got hit in the face super hard by a kick from about 4 feet away.  It felt like getting punched in the face by Mike Tyson, haha.  Luckily it left no lasting damage.  It good to hear them all bear their testimonies yesterday and see how coming out to Iowa has really helped them grow in the Gospel.  

      So my spiritual thought this week is on happiness. I know that I've talked about this before, but I feel impressed to speak about it again.  I think that it is important to choose to be happy.  We need to learn (especially myself) not to take so many things in life so seriously.  I think that being happy and having a good sense of humor is a Christlike attribute that we often overlook.  I think of President Hinckley and President Monson.  They always seemed so happy, and always brought a bright spirit with their humor.  I think that when we seek to be like this, it will spread.  People will want to be around us, and ultimately to find out what makes us so happy.  So choose to be happy, it's the best decision you'll ever make.  It's Heavenly Father's purpose for us.  I love you all so much, and hope you have a very happy week.  

Godspeed,
Elder Chandler Kendall 

Vision

 Hello friends and family from the now spring-like Spencer, Iowa.  Sounds like spring is springing up everywhere, haha.  This past week was a great week.  It was pretty crazy.  On Monday night we drove down to Council Bluffs in a huge snow storm.  We couldn't believe it, in the middle of April.  By the time we came back the next day, it was all melted, and now it is really warm.  It seems like the weather is following the shifting morals of the world, it just can't decide what it wants to do.  So we had a really awesome experience, at least I thought it was, this past week.  So we were out talking with people and trying to find someone to teach.  We were walking downtown and these two ladies were walking behind us.  I was debating whether or not I would talk to them, because it was a bit awkward to just turn around and talk with them all of the sudden, but I did it anyways.  I offered them cards for mormon.org and explained that it was a website dedicated to Jesus Christ.  They said they were just talking about Jesus Christ, and how he had blessed those around them.  I told them about the videos on there, and how people shared how Christ had blessed their lives.  They said thank you, and kept on walking.  Well, we were walking back by that area, when all of the sudden a lady yelled to us across the street to come on over.  She was working in a salon, and it was the same lady we talked with earlier.  She said she wanted to ask us a few questions.  She said she didn't know a lot about Mormons, and was surprised to hear us talking about Jesus Christ.  She asked if we believed He was the Son of God.  We said of course.  She asked if we believed in the Holy Spirit.  We said of course.  She asked if we believed that Jesus Christ was the only way to heaven.  We said of course.  Then she asked what made us different.  So we started to explain the Restoration and tell about the Gospel being brought back to the earth.  As we were getting done explaining, someone walked into the salon and she had to go.  Unfortunately she declined our invitation to come back, but it was a testimony to me of making sure we talk with everyone and testify of our love for the Savior, and our testimony that the Gospel that allows us to follow Him has been restored to the earth.  

      So my spiritual thought this week is about vision.  The kind of vision I am talking about is being able to see and envision what our goals and plans are for life as we live the gospel.  Having a vision is vital to increasing our faith and hope.  For instance, when we practice and instrument, we have a vision of one day being able to play a wonderful piece of music.  We go to school with the vision that we can use the knowledge and skills we acquire to have a meaningful career.  Our vision of the Gospel should include first and foremost a belief and desire to become like Christ, through the it's principles and ordinances.  Not only should we have this vision for ourselves, but for those around us as well.  This starts first and foremost for our families.  After that it extends to our friends and acquaintances.  Eventually when we truly become like Christ, this vision will extend to the whole human family, even those we consider our enemies.  When we have this vision, we want to share the Gospel with people.  We catch a glimpse of the Celestial Kingdom, and desire all around us to join us there.  So, I hope that we can all have a vision of ourselves and those around us, and help them to live up to it.  I love you all so much, and hope you have an amazing week. 

Godspeed, 

Elder Chandler Kendall   

Desire

Hello friends and family from the STILL wintery Spencer, Iowa.  Sounds like things are still that way back home as well, so we can all enjoy this long winter together.  Well this past week was a pretty great week.  Being a missionary definitely has it's set of challenges, but the blessings and miracles that occur far outweigh any trial that I face.  As Paul said, "I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."  I know that this applies not only to our eventual resurrection and eternal life, but also to the mission and the trials that turn into blessings.  Not that I've been having tons of trials lately, but just a thought as I look back evaluate the present.  One man we've been working with and praying a lot for is Ron Thompson.  He is the husband of a member, and he is a really sincere guy.  He knows that the Church is good and that the Gospel is true, and he wants to be a good example for his kids.  He's been taught many times before, and the biggest struggle he has is giving up alcohol.  So, we've been making a plan to help him quit, while at the same time replacing that habit with a gospel lifestyle.  He is coming along slowly but surely.  But yesterday was a miracle, he came to church!  It was really exciting, because he has a hard time coming and sitting still.  He said he really liked it, and he is still trying hard to do his best to live the Gospel.  One thing that I love about the Gospel is that Heavenly Father is always willing to give us a chance to follow Him, even when we've forsaken Him in the past.  I know that even though Ron has had chances in the past that haven't been as successful as him or his family would like, that it doesn't mean this time will be the same.  People can change, and when they can catch the vision of who they can be, the Atonement will work wonders in their life. 

    So my spiritual thought this week is on desire.  Desire is one of the most important principles of the Gospel.  In fact Elder Maxwell said that the most important education and training we can have in the education of our desires.  Why is that?  Well what we consistently and most desire, eventually, will be what we become.  If I want to be a happy person, I need to want to be happy more than I want to be sad.  If I want to be a good musician, I need to want to practice more than I want to watch TV.  If I want to be like the Savior, I need to want to do Christlike works more than I want to give in to the natural man.  Alma 29:4 states that God grants unto us "according to our desires..." and in fact "decreeth unto us decrees which are unalterable, according to our wills..."  That is an amazing thing to realize.  It also applies to being a missionary.  We need to desire to help people receive the Gospel more than we desire to just keep to ourselves.  If we don't have a desire, that is alright.  We can have a desire to have a desire.  We do this through prayer.  As we express to our Heavenly Father this desire and pray to be given a desire, He will give us things we can do, and as we act upon them our desire will increase.  I've had this happen many times as a missionary, where I really just don't want to work or talk to someone, but as I pray for it and act, the desire always comes.  I hope we can all have a desire to follow the Gospel and to share it with everyone.  I love you all so much and hope you have an amazing week.

Godspeed,
Elder Chandler Kendall

Powerful Prayer for Others

 Hello friends and family from the still cold Spencer, Iowa.  It sounds like it is still pretty cold back home as well, so I guess we're all in the long winter together.  Oh well, it just means God loves us and wants us to have more trials to help us grow our patience so that we can be more Christlike, haha.  So this past week was pretty great.  We had a fun meeting with our zone.  Apparently there are a lot of missionaries in the mission that are getting pretty discouraged, so one of the things we were trained on was being happy.  It was super fun, because at the end we did a little activity to help us to be happier.  If you've ever watched the show "Who's Line is it Anyway" there is a game called the "Irish Drinking Song".  Well, we did that, except it was to the hymn "Scatter Sunshine"  but basically we went up and on the spot made up songs about different commandments that we teach investigators.  It was a lot of fun, and I think it lifted a lot of missionaries spirits.  It's been amazing to see how much the Spirit has helped us manage all of the work that we have here.  I never thought that that would be a problem that I would have on my mission, having too much work, but the Lord has blessed us abundantly.  One of the days this week in the evening we had several appointments, and they were in different towns in the area.  Unexpectedly we had an investigator call to give her baby a blessing, and also another lady call who was in a group home and really wanted a copy of the Book of Mormon.  At first we were pretty stressed about how we were going to be able to handle of that.  But as we took a few breaths and looked at our planners, the Spirit showed us where we needed to be and at what times we needed to be there.  It required us to skip our dinner, and miraculously one of the appointments that we went to cooked dinner for us.  It was a super awesome experience, and showed that if we are willing to work and sacrifice, the Lord will put us to work.  Not only that, but He will provide a way through the Spirit for us to do much good, and will bless us with the things that we need. 

      So my spiritual thought this week is on prayer.  Meaningful prayer requires both holy communication and consecrated work.  Blessings require some effort on our part before we can obtain them and prayer, as a form of work, is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.  We press forward and persevere in the consecrated work of prayer, after we say "amen", by acting upon the things we have expressed to Heavenly Father.  With this in mind, one of the greatest ways that we can show Christlike love for others is for praying for them.  Some of the most intimate expressions of love found in the scriptures is when Christ prays for His people, and others of His servants praying for their brothers and sisters.  Think of yourself, if a child came to you and requested that you help them to do something that would bless someone around them, wouldn't you want to help them?  This is Heavenly Father's attitude towards us as we plead for blessings on behalf of others.  As we listen to the Spirit, He will prompt us about how we can help those we pray for, or Heavenly Father will provide a way to bless that person in another manner, according to His will and mercy.  As we pray for others, we are more aware of those around us and their needs, and we can find true happiness that comes from fulfilling our baptismal covenant to lift one another burdens that they may be light.  Then, day by day, we become as Christ is, and can fill the joy that He has in our lives as we receive a greater portion of the Spirit.  So, this week, in all of your prayers, seek out those who need your prayers, follow the Spirit in praying for their needs, and anxiously seek to be guided on how you can bless them.  I love you all very much and hope that you have an amazing week. 

Godspeed,

Elder Chandler Kendall     

Conference!!

 Well, well, well!  Hello everyone from Spencer!  I hope you all had an amazing conference weekend and received much inspiration, revelation, and an increased testimony of the truthfulness of the Church and the Gospel.  It truly is a miracle to be able to have modern day prophets and apostles who can give us truth that they have received from Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost.  And it's an even greater miracle that we also can receive personal messages from the same Spirit as we listen to their messages.  Alright, so cool experience from this past week.  So there is a girl here named Ashley.  She is one of the YSA's and comes to church every week.  Ashley is not a member of the Church, and just this year has been introduced to the Gospel.  When I first arrived here in Spencer I was amazed that she wasn't meeting with us or baptized.  So one day we got her number and asked her if she would be willing to meet with us.  She politely declined.  I was a little confused actually, because she is so active in church.  Well we talked with some of the people that know her well, and she talked to her mom and grandma about being baptized and they were not too happy.  So, we just decided to at least be good friends with her.  Then, over spring break she went with one of the YSA's to Utah to visit.  While there she was able to go to temple square and experience life with an LDS family.  After coming back, she told us all about how much she loved Utah.  Well, she still hadn't agreed to meet with us.  I was pondering it the other day after we had been back from institute and the Spirit prompted me that it was time again to invite her to meet with us.  So we texted her again to ask if she'd be willing to meet.  Well, she didn't respond that whole night, and the next day while we were in a lesson, she responded that she would be willing to meet.  We were super excited.  We set up an appointment that night to go and teach her.  She expressed how she had never been active in a church in her life.  Although she still had many questions, she said she is pretty sure that the church is true, and one day wants to be baptized, but right now it's hard with her family.  We accepted that, but invited her to start praying about it.  It was an awesome lesson, and I learned two things.  One, that just because someone doesn't initially accept the gospel doesn't mean they won't accept an invitation later.  And two, follow promptings immediately.  That is one thing I'm bad at, but striving to be better. 

      Well, all I can say for a spiritual thought is review conference and make a plan to implement what the Spirit testified that you need to in your life.  You know, and He knows, what you need to improve on.  And He also knows how to help you.  I know as we do this we will know what we need to know, do what we need to do, and become what we know we can become.  I love you all so much and hope you have an amazing week.

Godspeed, 

Elder Chandler Kendall  

Sacrament and Sacrifice

      Hello friends and family from the somewhat warmer Spencer, Iowa.  Hope you all had a "Hoppy" Easter, and really felt the Spirit as you celebrated the resurrection of the Savior Jesus Christ.  Easter was fantastic here.  Elder Elison and I were able to give talks about the Atonement and the Sacrament, as well as our branch mission leader Bro. Swenson gave a talk about the resurrection.  It was super great.  We had so many of our investigators come and attend, five in fact, which is a miracle, since most of my mission it has been the biggest struggle to get people to church, but here it has been rather easy.  We had a great branch mission party at one of the members houses as well.  There was an Easter egg hunt, and a great dinner, and afterwards we played games.   It was a blast, and it was good to get to know more of the members of the branch.  So one thing we've been focusing on lately is bringing up families as much as we can as we seek to find people to teach.  We strive to relate everything back to families, and how the Gospel blesses families, gives us a taste of our premortal family, and prepares us to have eternal families.  We were talking to a lady named Leah, who's daughter actually attended church with one of our youth.  We taught her about the Priesthood, and how it binds families together, and how it has been restored to the earth.  Well she was really interested in that.  We only had a few moments to share a message, but we had a prayer, and she said we could come back this week to share more about our message with her and her family.  It was awesome to see how talking about families can really open up someone's heart and help prepare them to receive the message of the Restoration. 

      So my spiritual thought this week is about the Sacrament, since that is what I gave my talk on yesterday.  The rood for the word sacrament and also the word sacrifice come from the same word in Latin, sacer, which means holy.  I ponder on all the symbolism of the sacrament, in helping us the ultimate sacrifice that Christ gave us through the Atonement, but it is also an invitation for us to sacrifice at the alter of the sacrament our our personal disobedience, fears, and pride and seek to walk in the footsteps of the Savior.  Only in this manner can we be changed from our carnal and fallen state, and become born of God, and saints through the Atonement of Christ.  So this week, and every week, as we partake of the sacrament, let us ask ourselves if we are willing to sacrifice all, and seek to give up those things that prevent us from fully participating in our covenants with Heavenly Father.  I love you all so much, and hope that you have an amazing week.  Happy April Fool's Day! :)

Godspeed, 
Elder Chandler Kendall