Elder Jacob Kenning has been home since October now. Here are the rest of his emails that we were displaying on another blog. Elder Grant Kenning's emails will be published here to continue the Elder Kenning tradition.
September 26th, 2013
We had a baptism! his name is John Guerrero. He is way cool. I
was able to do the baptism for him and Elder Morin confirmed him. His sister
and father came to the baptism and his sister is looking to investigate the
church. She is ysa also. so good for us. We had lots of lesson is general. Just
this month we have done 2,000 miles in our car....most of it is worthy :)
We did exchanges, I went with an old companion, Elder Mulivai
from Hawaii. We tore it up here in the ysa. Started at Irvine valley college.
We passed out a lot of cards and set appointments and taught people. A radio
company came and set up a booth next to us and Elder mulivai was dancing to it
to bring some attention towards us. It was funny cuz he bumped into this girl
walking by and she made a face at him and then I offered her a card and she
took it and smiled...weird.
The Dana Del francia is one of the best men I've met out here.
This guy will do anything to help us. He takes us out to lunch. Yesterday we
watch the testaments in his movie room with john. Tonight we are going over
there again to watch a movie with 4-5 freshman girls from Chapman university.
Its going to be awesome. The ysa ward is where its at.
So there is something I've been hiding....
back in march remember the baptism we had of luis the guy who
was jewish and grew up in Israel? And how on fire he was, we all thought he
going to be up in the 70? Well just two days after his confirmation, he dropped
off. Didn't want to meet, he de-friended everyone he knew. Didn't want us to meet
with him, "differences in doctrine and incorrect historical
evidence". It was heartbreaking for me and for the ward and stake
president. Everyone in the stake knew about this guy. Then I got transferred.
While I was gone, he got mad at the elders going over there and got his name
removed. super heartbreaking. Just this last Saturday we walk in to the temple
tour at the Newport beach temple and there he was sitting on the couch with
kafir who baptized him originally who has been active this whole time. I was so
astonished and ran up and gave him a big hug and he told me why he was there.
After his name was removed he went to catholic seminaries to become a priest or
bishop. and studied in it up to just 3 weeks ago. Their doctrines and teaching
conflicted with a lot of what he knew. He even met with the archbishop of L.A.
and confounded him and all the other priest of the council and said they were
fallen from the true way of Christ. With very strong evidence. I can't even
tell you how much. After, he humbled himself because he knew that the church of
jesus Christ of latterday saints was thee church of God. He's back and is all
in not holding back anything. He wants to go to rome and meet the pope and do
missionary work for the church in Israel...undercover. This guy is going to be
big. He stub his toe along the way. He is getting baptized in a few weeks
again. So it was cool. re-connecting after this much time.
Other than that, the week has been amazing as usual.
Scripture " I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender
mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their
faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance." 1 nephi
1:20
-Love Elder Kenning.
September 16, 2013
hey,
we are so busy it is so crazy. Starting Sunday morning at 7
we've been and will be back to back with meetings and appointments till Friday
of this week. Tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday are all filled. We just have
enough time at night when we get back to update the area book but then its 10:30
and we need our sleep. because it starts all over again. I love it. I have a
great companion and things are rolling fast.
We are having a baptism this Saturday and will let you know how
that goes next week. His name is John a 23 year old guy.
We hit up two colleges this last week. It is fun working on the
campus of the colleges. The administrators working for the school are nice and
give us treats. I don't need anymore treats though. I've given up many ways of
diets. I just got to embrace it :) if you can't avoid it, enjoy it. My
companion and I are running everyday. lost 5 pounds of the 40 lbs total net
gain. It will be so much easier at home. because members take us out to eat
every night and even lunch. still livin the dream. Don't wake me up just let.
We are still teaching 3 freshman girls from Chapman University,
Maty, Alexis and Ali. They all have been to church every week. They are
progressing and building friends in the ward. we want to meet them 3 times a
week but they have class and they are in a sorority, so they're busy. Its cool
because we teach them in the girls dorm...we have a member with us every time,
its just getting the church more exposed.
I've taught lessons throughout my mission at houses, parks,
streets, in a car, starbucks, restaurants, jails, now girls dorms. I wonder
where else...
it has been a good week and next week looks even better.
Scripture; "And moroni, perceiving their intent, sent
forth and inspired their hearts with these thoughts--yea, the thoughts of their
lands, their liberty, yea, their freedom from bondage...and they cried with one
voice unto the Lord their God, for their liberty and their freedom from
bondage. And they began to stand against [their enemies] with power." Alma
43:48-50
-Love, Elder Kenning
September 9, 2013
We have had a busy week! We are working in the right direction
because things are happening. We will be having another baptism that Elder
Morin and I taught recently on September 21rst, his name is John Guerro. This
last Saturday night, we had scheduled to eat with our elders quorum pres. But
Bro. Del francia of the Bishopric heard I was back and wanted us to eat
their. We said we can "move things around" and he said bring him over
too. And Later that day we had a lesson with John and we were trying to set up
an appointment, but me knowing the del francias asked john to come to dinner
with us. he said yes, then I asked the del francias and of course they said
yes. They are the nicest family around here. So the next night we had a big New
York steak dinner at his place. Their grandma was there and her nick name is
"kiki". She says the most random things that are so hilarious. For
example she was certain that part of her salad had "snake meat" in
it. It was so funny. And its now the joke. But anyways John had fun and came to
church and is just soaking it all up. He might even come to our dinner tonight.
He is so solid for baptism.
We have had another weekly dinner/lesson with Mady Purpura.
Again, she was baptized in July. She has such convert fire. She's already
invited several co-workers at the law-firm she works at. She even invited John
for our lesson tonight. After john gets baptized we're probably going to call
him saint John.
This weeks schedule looks busy again. Tomorrow we are doing a
college in the morning then a lesson right after and then meeting with John
then dinner at Irvine spectrum then a lesson in girls dorms at Chapman college
with these two freshman we're teaching. We have a few meetings this week. We
planned a district leader council. Two exchanges. And Stake report meeting with
the stake presidency. We will fill it in throughout the week.
The baptism yesterday was a great experience. The whole ward of
GG7 was almost there. Lauren has a lot of support and will be amazing in the
future. Earlier in the day at the Orange Hills YSA ward sacrament meeting I
gave a talk on Missionary work. I didn't speak for the full 30 minutes that was
given....jk. I spoke for 25 min...10min over the time given. It was okay, it
worked out. People just think I some general authority or something. Or some
wana-be.
Scripture: "How blessed are they who have labored
diligently in his vineyard" Jacob 6:3
-Love, Elder Kenning
Still got two years
September 5, 2013
It has been a hot Labor day weekend! we tried playing
volleyball in the sand. But it was so hot we couldn't stand on the sand for a
minute. So we went to the church.
A lot of things are happening now that it is hard to keep track
of. I'm glad I have a planner to write everything down.
My first week back in Orange has been busy. We jumped right
into 16 discussions this week. I'm training a new zone leader. Elder Morin has
been out for around 7-8 months and he is on fire. He is a great missionary. He
is very humble and funny. We get along very well. And the best thing is that
the members love us too. The YSA ward is just soaking us up. Two members
already gave us referrals. We haven't come home before 9:30 almost every single
day. It awesomely awesome. There is this member named Jovan Baker who is the
best member missionary ever. We take him out 3 times a week from 4pm -to the
end of the night. And the girl Mady Purpura was baptized in july has made a
huge change. She is on fire with the gospel. Its the best thing to see some
make that change.
This week an investigator, Lauren in the gg7 ward is getting
baptized! I was able to teach her most the lessons. Its really
exciting.
We just finished Mission Council like an hour ago. The mission
is just burning up with the spirit. I'm really glad that President Bowen is our
mission president. He allows us to learn through our agency. I've learned so
much out here. And its not going to stop.
We began teaching two freshman girls, matty and alexis, from
Chapman College. We had an interesting experience in going in to the girls dorm
(we had a member guy) on the 3rd floor In a sturdy room to teach a lesson. They
came to church and we will be doing the lessons with them. We are excited to
see where the area is going.
Scripture : "There is a resurrection, therefore the grave
hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ. He is the
ligh and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be
darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more
death." Mosiah 16:8-9
-Love Elder Kenning
August 26th, 2013
It has been an incredible last few weeks. I've never been so
busy with transfers, planning, setting appointments, members, investigators,
baptisms, meetings with stake leaders, mission council, district and zone
meetings and cooridinating with elders and sisters in rides and plans. Its all
totes cray (totally crazy). But with the lord "all things are
possible".
I have been transfered! I have left Golden Grove 7th ward :(.
But! I have been transfered BACK to the Orange Hills YSA ward for my last
transfer.
My new companion is Elder Morin and 6'4" red head from
Montana. He was a district leader at the same time when I was his ZL in Garden
Grove. We have exchanged and we were
really excited when we got the call. They put me in the OHYSA again because the
two previous elders serving there got transfered. one went AP and the other
went home. for my experience serving there they put in to train a new ZL. Now
i've trained 3 zone leaders. We are going to blow it up with sticks of dynamite
over here.
I have soooooooo many pictures! but, i forgot my camera!
...again. I'm going to see if I can send them tomorrow. So you can see whats
happening.
The baptism was a success. Took 4 men to baptize Mark. We got
everyone in the ward to help participate in the process of his teaching. Marks
father drove out from arizona to watch him. Also Sisters who came knocked
around and brought someone from within the complex. It was one of the coolest
baptism we've had. We call him Saint Mark.
I send a better letter next week.
-Love,Elder Kenning
August 19th, 2013
This last week has been busy as usual. Went on exchanges with
the Korean elders and the elders in the adjacent ward, back to back. Following
the next day was zone conference. I got
to conduct my last zone conference. It was really fun.
This Saturday we are having a baptism for our investigator
mark. We call him saint Mark :) we are
baptizing him in a pool that is at his apartment complex. He has asked me to
help do the baptism along with 3 other men from the ward. President Bowen will
be coming to watch also.
My exchange with these elders this week was fun. I got to shake
a skinheads hand. We were in the same room with two skin heads and an ex-marine
talking about Jesus. We were there for the ex marine. Also in the same day we
went to home of the Motely crew. The group members parents live here in GG. As
you walk up you see all the platinum records. The elders are trying to teach
them. They say its okay if they came back. Later in the day we went to families
home that was built by extreme home make over.
They want to have us over for a pizza party. Their house was nice on the
inside. I found out in my ward Miss California lives here, and the girl from
icarly. It's pretty cool stuff.
This week is the last week of the transfer. There is talk that
they want me to learn Korean and put in the Korean branch my last transfer. I
wouldn't want to do that haha. I think they are just joking around.
Scripture: "all that he requires of you is to keep his
commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye
should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath
said; therefore, is ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper
you." Mosiah 2:22
love, elder kenning
the internet is so slow. I will upload the pictures at another
time.
August 12th, 2013
Thats awesome that
Grant is going to Brazil! Just like Harrison! Now you'll both be able to
communicate in Portuguese. Kimball and I will need to learn a language so we
can do the same. In the Anaheim mission and throughout the US, missionaries
going to brazil have to wait on their visas get sent to mission out here. There
is about 14 visa waiters in my mission. When is the reporting date?
Zone Conference is
coming up and President Bowen has asked me to conduct the meeting. This
thursday, i get the joy from doing so. Transfers are coming up. It will be my
last transfer too. its scary stuff, I'm trying to decide on whether I should be
that awkward RM, depressed RM, go-getter Rm or just a regular Rm. probably
regular. the other ones sound dumb.
I'm going to be
exchaning in to the korean district again. One of the elders, Elder Kim, has
had a crazy last week. This elder just had surgery to get his wisdom teeth out.
Two days after, he hit a man riding his bike and dented the front left of car
and broke the windshield. (wasn't his fault though). Than two days after that,
he was trying to turn on a bbq for members and the gas was on full but the
igniter was not working. Has he lifted up the lid, a huge fire ball consumed
his face. It singed his hair. He had to shave his head, and he looks like a
buddist monk. I will get a picture with him again. He's fine by the way.
Last night at
dinner, we had taco salad at the Winn's, a family in the ward. During the dinner,
candice, one of the daughters, accidently pushed her glass of water down, and a
river of water went across the table on to me all over my pants. Weird thing
was, I watched happened, I didn't react fast enough. And it was on my white
shirt too. The rest of the night I walked around looking like I soiled my self.
It was super funny.
Scripture: "Remember to search [the scriptures]
diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the
commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises
which the Lord made unto our fathers" Mosiah 1:7.
-Love, Elder Kenning
July 29th, 2013
That's awesome that grant got his mission papers submitted! My
guesses are as follows: state side: Oklahoma, Mongolian speaking. World wide:
Monterrey Mexico, Spanish speaking. Than
for a more better guess; Alberta, Canada English speaking. Those are my guesses.
Can't wait grant.
Happy birthday dad and
mom! Aren't ya turning 38 and 39? :) I
sent a package to you dad and mom. I got dad something awesome. I hope you have
a great birthday.
I purchased myself a pair of Khaki pants today. Missionaries
have this new dress regulations. No backpacks. We are allowed shoulder bags and
khaki pants and light colored suits. No fat or skinny ties. No thrift store
ties (ugly 70's ties). And soon we will have our ipads and computers.
Man the Mission is the life. We got cars, ipads, and khaki
pants. Its all happening at the tail end of the mission. Tomorrow is Mission
council, so we will be hearing more of whats happening in the mission.
In our area and in the zone, we have seen a large increase in
teaching. We hit another record in the zone for lessons total taught. We are
going to baptizing in lava if it gets hotter. The fire is burning. We have an
investigator who is in a wheel chair named Mark. He has accepted to be
baptized. So we are going to baptize him with the help of 4 priesthood holders
in the pool at the apartment complex he lives in. I ask the ward mission
leader, "do we need to ask or let the manager know?" and he said to
me "Its a courtesy, we dont need to worry about it". So this wednesday
we are going to discuss a date to do it.
I got to interview a man named Ninh for baptism. He has been
taught by the Vietnamese elders. It was cool because a Vietnamese elder named
Elder Truong translated the interview. I've never done anything like it before.
This week a few
missionaries in the zone wrecked on their bikes.. Its funny because there is a
set of bike elders in a trio roaming the streets of GG. Gangster Grove...I
meant Golden Grove. The Elder that ate it, did it twice in one day. Once on
grass and the other on cement. He's fine.
I had to give the prayer again in sacrament meeting. I think
they like having us participate like that.
Scripture "For I, Jacob, and my brother Joseph had been
consecrated priests and teachers of this people, by the hand of Nephi. And we
did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility,
answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them
the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their
blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon
our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day." Jacob
1:18-19
-Love, Elder Kenning
July 22nd, 2013
Whats up,
Its been a good
start to the beginning of the transfer. We got a lot of young missionaries in
the zone. When I first started over here I didn't know most of the missionaries
because how new they were. We are seeing a lot of positive coming in the
future. The zone has more baptismal dates than it has in a long time. We hit a
record of number of lessons taught in the zone also.
I got a awesome
package from the Bryants. Bishop Bryant. The box of cereal they sent me was put
away in two sittings by me alone :). Its nice to still get a letter or package
even how long i've been out and people probably forgot I left haha. I have some
letters I need to write back too still.
There is this one
family I met. Its the Lee family and also some of the young men that are
awesome. They are all about surfing. For there young men activities they surf
once a month. They are one of the families I want to come back and visit.
There was the stake
pioneer event on saturday. Towards the end of the event the women of the stake
challenged all the missionaries to a Tug-a-war. So we rounded up all the
missionaries and we faced them in front of the stake. And the missionaries lost
:( they didn't want to go for a rematch either. But we say we were just being
gentleman.
Other than that not
much else is going on in the mission currently.
Pictures are of this big ole nasty bug we found in the
apartment.
And the guys name is Noe Pinedo. He's going on a mission soon
and help us a lot in helping Anthony get baptized.
Scripture "I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord
God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all
the day long." 2nephi 28:32
-Love, Elder Kenning
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