Softball sized snails, bbq chicken hearts, and a new companion
I was quite excited to learn in Harry's letter this week that parents still come and pick up their missionaries in Brazil. From what I understood, they were discouraged from doing so. Hmmmm.... now to plan a family trip to Brazil. Wouldn't that be fun for our family! We better start saving now. :) (Oh ya...and then there is that long plane ride down there. Not sure how I'll manage that.)
Here is Elder Kenning's letter. It's another good one. Seems like his spiritual thought is always meant for me too.
Hey Everybody!!!
Wow mission life is awesome!!!! The only thing that could make it better is having you guys down here with me. I wish I could show all the amazing things down here, the culture, the cities, and the people. Did you know that parents still come and pick up their elders down here, actually it happens quite a bit.
So how is everyone doing? It sounds like everyone is busy busy busy, with things, but busy is good right? I still can´t believe I am on a mission, I still get the chills when I look in the mirror and see myself wearing a white shirt and tie with a name tag. And time is just flying by! Next week I will have 5 months in the mission, it feels like it was yesterday that I was getting my wisdom teeth out, getting shots, working at costa vida, and getting on an airplane for Brazil. Pretty soon I will already be home living in the basement. (It will be finished by then right? Or is dad waiting to finish it with me when I get home)
So I got a new companion today, no I am not senior this time, but maybe next time. He is Brazilian, and I think we will get along really well. It is about equal the ration of Brazilians to Americans, there are almost 200 elders in my mission, and it is about half and half. But President Richardson likes to put brazilians with new americans, so that they can learn Portugeuse easier. My companion´s name is Elder. W. Noguiera. He is from the north east part of Brazil, and we both share the same vision of spreading the gospel, saving souls, and baptizing up a storm. Needless to say I am pumped for this transfer, I think, if the Lord will allow it, we will have 6 or 7 baptisms. My companion only has 9 months on the mission, and this will be first time he will be Senior.
Hey dad, could you send me a copy of your talk that you gave on Sunday, I would like to read it, I am sure it was awesome, I am surprised they didn´t split our stake, maybe next time, and dad will be called as the new stake president...
My ward here has a regular attendance of 90 members, with about 200 others that are in-active. My area is mainly a poor area, I even have a ghetto that is apart of my area. Crazy things happen there... I am not sure how often wards and stakes split, but I know that things here in Brazil are rapidly growing. Brazil has the second largest population of members in the world, having over 1 million members here.
I am so excited about Grant playing football, and Kimball playing soccer this year. Grant you need to write me and tell me how things are going. And Jake! How is school going, and how are the ladies? Have you learned any good songs yet on the guitar, or on the piano?
Hey guess what, I saw someone this week with the exact same Los Angeles County Jail t-shirt! It was some really old, wrinkly, man riding a bicycle talking to himself. I guess that shows my taste in style.
Last Sunday we had a baptism, we baptized a woman who we just married to a less active. They are both very young, he is 20 years old, and she is 16 years old, and they have a son who is 1 and a half. But it was awesome because my area hasn´t had a baptism here in the bast 4 or 5 months. By the standards here in Brazil, that is really bad. But that is going to change, look out Humaita Elder Kenning is coming!
Everyday is an adventure down here, the other day I saw a snail the size of a softball, shell and all. It was huge! And on Sunday I had barbequed chicken hearts. They are actually really good. They are a delicasy down here, and I must say, you guys are missing out!
So how are Grandma and Grandpa doing? Is grandma doing alright, is she out of the hospital yet? Well I need to get going, thank you so much for the emails, I love you all tons, miss you tons, and I know that this church is true!
Love, Elder Harry Kenning
Spiritual Thought: I am reading the book of mormon in Portugeuse, right now I am in 2 Nephi chapter 5, and in this chapter Laman and Lemuel wanted to take the life of Nephi(vs4) and the lives of his family and friends. They have attempted and desired many times, but this time Nephi´s response was different. Usually he callse them to repentance, and the Lord sends a sign, but how come this time is different? How come Nephi will take his family and leave? Nephi took his family and journeyed to the land of Nephi where they were able to grown and flourish. They worked industriously, and dilligently with their hands (vs17), and because of their hard work they were blessed (vs 27). They were even blessed with a temple (v 16). So how do we know when to let things be and move on, instead of working with all our heart, might, mind, and strength to change/improve our situation? We need to be ready and wiling to listen and follow the promptins of the Spirit. vs 5 - the Lord warned Nephi and told him to go, because He knew of the danger of Laman and Lemuel. This time they were really set on killing Nephi, and no miracle could change their minds, or stop their agency. That is why we alway need to be listening to the still small voice. We can´t predict or control the actionsof others; but we can trust in God who know everything, and he will not lead us astray. (Proverbs 9) I know that God will never lead us astray, we just need to humble ourselves and follow him.
Here is Elder Kenning's letter. It's another good one. Seems like his spiritual thought is always meant for me too.
Hey Everybody!!!
Wow mission life is awesome!!!! The only thing that could make it better is having you guys down here with me. I wish I could show all the amazing things down here, the culture, the cities, and the people. Did you know that parents still come and pick up their elders down here, actually it happens quite a bit.
So how is everyone doing? It sounds like everyone is busy busy busy, with things, but busy is good right? I still can´t believe I am on a mission, I still get the chills when I look in the mirror and see myself wearing a white shirt and tie with a name tag. And time is just flying by! Next week I will have 5 months in the mission, it feels like it was yesterday that I was getting my wisdom teeth out, getting shots, working at costa vida, and getting on an airplane for Brazil. Pretty soon I will already be home living in the basement. (It will be finished by then right? Or is dad waiting to finish it with me when I get home)
So I got a new companion today, no I am not senior this time, but maybe next time. He is Brazilian, and I think we will get along really well. It is about equal the ration of Brazilians to Americans, there are almost 200 elders in my mission, and it is about half and half. But President Richardson likes to put brazilians with new americans, so that they can learn Portugeuse easier. My companion´s name is Elder. W. Noguiera. He is from the north east part of Brazil, and we both share the same vision of spreading the gospel, saving souls, and baptizing up a storm. Needless to say I am pumped for this transfer, I think, if the Lord will allow it, we will have 6 or 7 baptisms. My companion only has 9 months on the mission, and this will be first time he will be Senior.
Hey dad, could you send me a copy of your talk that you gave on Sunday, I would like to read it, I am sure it was awesome, I am surprised they didn´t split our stake, maybe next time, and dad will be called as the new stake president...
My ward here has a regular attendance of 90 members, with about 200 others that are in-active. My area is mainly a poor area, I even have a ghetto that is apart of my area. Crazy things happen there... I am not sure how often wards and stakes split, but I know that things here in Brazil are rapidly growing. Brazil has the second largest population of members in the world, having over 1 million members here.
I am so excited about Grant playing football, and Kimball playing soccer this year. Grant you need to write me and tell me how things are going. And Jake! How is school going, and how are the ladies? Have you learned any good songs yet on the guitar, or on the piano?
Hey guess what, I saw someone this week with the exact same Los Angeles County Jail t-shirt! It was some really old, wrinkly, man riding a bicycle talking to himself. I guess that shows my taste in style.
Last Sunday we had a baptism, we baptized a woman who we just married to a less active. They are both very young, he is 20 years old, and she is 16 years old, and they have a son who is 1 and a half. But it was awesome because my area hasn´t had a baptism here in the bast 4 or 5 months. By the standards here in Brazil, that is really bad. But that is going to change, look out Humaita Elder Kenning is coming!
Everyday is an adventure down here, the other day I saw a snail the size of a softball, shell and all. It was huge! And on Sunday I had barbequed chicken hearts. They are actually really good. They are a delicasy down here, and I must say, you guys are missing out!
So how are Grandma and Grandpa doing? Is grandma doing alright, is she out of the hospital yet? Well I need to get going, thank you so much for the emails, I love you all tons, miss you tons, and I know that this church is true!
Love, Elder Harry Kenning
Spiritual Thought: I am reading the book of mormon in Portugeuse, right now I am in 2 Nephi chapter 5, and in this chapter Laman and Lemuel wanted to take the life of Nephi(vs4) and the lives of his family and friends. They have attempted and desired many times, but this time Nephi´s response was different. Usually he callse them to repentance, and the Lord sends a sign, but how come this time is different? How come Nephi will take his family and leave? Nephi took his family and journeyed to the land of Nephi where they were able to grown and flourish. They worked industriously, and dilligently with their hands (vs17), and because of their hard work they were blessed (vs 27). They were even blessed with a temple (v 16). So how do we know when to let things be and move on, instead of working with all our heart, might, mind, and strength to change/improve our situation? We need to be ready and wiling to listen and follow the promptins of the Spirit. vs 5 - the Lord warned Nephi and told him to go, because He knew of the danger of Laman and Lemuel. This time they were really set on killing Nephi, and no miracle could change their minds, or stop their agency. That is why we alway need to be listening to the still small voice. We can´t predict or control the actionsof others; but we can trust in God who know everything, and he will not lead us astray. (Proverbs 9) I know that God will never lead us astray, we just need to humble ourselves and follow him.
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