Week 21

July 8, 2013

Hi family 

My week was good! we got to do a session in the temple on Tuesday so that was great!! the week was pretty normal but we did find a few new investigators who seem really interested! and we were refferred to a woman who recently lost her husband. She requested to talk with us! Hopefully she is the one. We met with her once and it was great. she's truly prepared. the spirit was so strong. we meet again with her tonight! we couldn't baptize Henry because his dad doesn't think he's ready.  So we are waiting a few more weeks. The 4th of July sucked/was great! haha We weren't allowed to leave (for saftey reasons) because apparently the US and Bolivia aren't seeing eye to eye about something. I don't know what. Plus the fact that it was the 4th of July so president was just being safe i guess. so we stayed inside all day and washed clothes, cleaned and watched some mormon movies haha!

Dad:

Yeah - I remember having to stay in on the 4th as well. Hopefully she is the one! That would be awesome. Are you and the companion getting along okay? Do you still think you only have a few more weeks with him?

Kyler:

yeah we are doing better than ever!! he complimented me the other day. which was a first! he's kinda hard headed and doesn't give compliments to anyone. he told me my Spanish is really coming along and that i'm doing really well in the lessons! so that made me feel good! and yeah we should be done together in about 3 weeks! 

Dad:

I think Mom is at a dentist appointment. So, if she doesn't get on, that's why. Her and the kids got home from the beach on Saturday. They had a fun time but it rained just about the entire time down there. I will have her upload some pictures for you next week.

Kayden's team did okay in the 18U WWBA. Started off good and I think we ended up 2-3-1. We played a team from the West Coast who was easily the best team I have ever seen at that age. They are all top D1 players. They beat us 8-0. Kayden actually pitched one inning and did okay. Only gave up 1 run. We are going to Fort Myers on Thursday. We are excited. Will probably be the last time.

Kyler:

Aww man that sucks that it rained! at least they had a good time!!

Gosh i miss those days so much. I'd give anything to be in Fort Myers playing. Tell Kayden to enjoy every minute of it and to just play like its his last play every pitch. That's actually sad to think about that its the last time. man. haha Makes me want to cry. 

So i went to the Governement Clinic this week for a mandatory health exam for foreigners/immigrants! it went well! i got some blood taken out which was easy! i took it like a man! haha and and i did some other basic stuff! the nurse told me that i was one of the healthiest people she has ever seen go through there!! she said my heart was as perfect as can be and that my body index was perfect. 'Im currently 5'11 and 171 lbs!! haha told ya im growing!!! oh yeah!!!!

Dad:

Wow - you mean you've gotten a little taller? That's pretty cool! And 171lbs. That's the most you have ever weighed isn't it? The main thing is that your healthy. That's the best news!

Time is just flying by. Before we know it, summer will be over and the kids back in school. They start on August 7th, one month from now.  After Fort Myers, I go to Vegas for a week for our company convention. So, the summer is basically gone. It's amazing that 1/4 of your mission is almost gone! Crazy!

Kyler:

oh dang! summmer is almost gone!! thats crazy!! 

Yeah I'm almost one forth done!! actually i found out this week my date to come home is January 14th 2015!!! So I'm coming home a month early!!!

Dad:

I know Grandma Joan just sent you a birthday package. Let's hope it gets there. Mom is sending the one from us today. Hopefully, it all arrives with all of it's content. I know Mom took the laptop to Grandma's house yesterday to start working on your application. She would want me to tell you that so you know it's started.

Kyler:

oh okay sweet! hopefully they will get here! I'll let y'all know! and yeah thanks!! i was going to ask about the application!

Mom:

Hi babe! Sorry I missed you last week. It looks like I might miss you again this week. I'm getting on too late.

Kyler:

hey its okay! im here! i have about 30 minutes!! 

Dad:

So, what else is going on? How are your clothes holding up? Shoes? Did you ever buy yourself a new pair of tennis shoes? I'm guessing you haven't received your debit card yet. Make sure you let us know when you get it.

Hey, I was going to ask if what we are doing is okay? Are we supposed to be emailing back and forth like this? Do other missionaries chat live with their parents each week? Or are you just supposed to give us updates each week, kind of like a letter?

Kyler:

Yeah I'm healthy as can be!! haha 

yeah ill let yall know when i get it!! Hopefully this week! I'll get new shoes when that comes! i can buy Nike Frees for 35$ here so its cheap and nice! and they are 100% real! I love shopping here! haha 

yeah we are totally fine!! we can do this! some missionaries chat and some just write letters! this is was better!! haha

Mom:

I see you sent some pictures! YAY!!! I can't wait to look at them! I love you bunches!

{I was getting my teeth worked on and couldn't keep emailing!  That was really hard knowing that he was right there, and I couldn't do anything about it} :(

Kyler:

Thanks mom! i love and miss you too! i hope all is well with all of you!! stay safe and tell everyone that i love them!!

Dad:

Hey bud - I've got to go! If you have some extra time, email your grandma's and grandpa's. They would love to hear from you. Do you have all of their email addresses?

Anyway, like mom said, we are so proud of you! I know you are doing the work of our Heavenly Father. Don't ever forget that. He is always with you! He is so proud of you and I know He is grateful for taking two years out of your life to serve Him. Stay on your knees. Don't try to do it alone. You do all that you can do and then He will take you the rest of the way!

It's so weird, I LOVE Mondays!! I can't wait to hear from you each week. Thanks for the pictures!! We love pictures!! Until next week, I love you bud!

Kyler:

Thanks dad! i love you too! I don't have their emails! Help me out and send them to me this week please!

I love Mondays too! ill try to have more pictures next week! i love and miss you all tell everyone hi and that I love and miss them!! Until next week! i love you too!

Elder KB

Here are they pictures that he sent this week!

The first three are from the haircut that went horribly wrong!! 

{hence the very short hair in the other pictures}

{his face says it all....he's not very happy}

Bowling! We went with 5 zones! we took up the whole place!

This me and my companion at a lake we visited a few weeks ago.

My districts new soccer jerseys haha we made them ourselves! hahaha

Elder Watts from my MTC group from the temple this week! 

Me and our church building.

Me and a puppy at the house of some church members!! 

The new hat i bought last week! I walked past it in a store and i could not not buy it. its the braves!!! haha 

what the heck!! 

 

And a cow just taking a stroll through a nice neighborhood park. that's Bolivia for ya. 

Week 20

July 1, 2013

ehh, my week was okay. not a whole lot of success but we worked hard.  I talked to the president this morning, he stopped by and had to talk to the owners of our house, and he told us that he's proud of us and knows that our area is very difficult. our area was closed for a year or so. so that's why we had to start from scratch. i believe i told ya'll that there were two bad missionaries here before but that wasn't the case. we opened the area!!! i guess thats my lack of Spanish in my first week here! haha and he told us that when you open an area the success is always down. Like a good year or so until the baptisms really start to come! so that made me feel better about the situation! other than that my week was normal. we worked hard and taught 9 lessons. so that could be way better. but we did find about 4 new  people to teach! so we will see. i spoke again in church yesterday! haha it went well! i spoke for 10 minutes and all i took up there was my scriptures! haha im getting betting at the writing talks thing!! 

Dad:

That's pretty cool! That's one thing you really learn as a missionary is how to give talks.

I know it can be tough and you can feel down when you feel like you are not having success. I'm glad you got to talk to your mission president about it. Hopefully, that makes you feel better. Remember, "how great shall be your joy if you bring but ONE soul unto Christ".  That soul might not be baptized by you but you very well might be the one who plants the seed. Always remember that the success of your mission is not determined by the number of baptisms. If you do, you will be extremely disappointed. Just keep working hard. I know that you are and I am so proud of you.

Kyler:

yeah i have to remind myself of that everyday. i think being a baseball player helps. haha we always fail! 

but yeah we are going to continue to work hard! we have one more month together so we are going to make it count!!! 

Dad:

How do you know that you only have one more month together?

Speaking of baseball - TG is playing up in the 18u WWBA. We are 2-1-1 right now. They play at 2:00 today. Tomorrow, they play a team from the West Coast. They are all committed to colleges like UCLA, Arizona, Nebraska and such. They are kicking everybody's butt so it will be interesting to see how we match up.

Mom and the other kids are at the beach with Humps, Nugents and the Princes. I'm really jealous. I'm sure you are too. Don't get trunkie thinking about it. :)

Kyler:

I'm already trunkie thinking about it haha just kidding. 

well its rare that you stay with your trainer for more than your training and i finished that last transfer. 

so more than likely at the end of this transfer we will split up. 

thats awesome!! i hope they pull off an upset! they cant be nervous! they just have to expect to compete. gosh , i miss that so much you have no idea. i want to play so bad when i get home.

Dad:

How are your other investigators? You had a dad and his daughter that were coming to church. Are they still interested or did something happened there?

If it's meant to be, you'll play! There's no question you got the talent to play somewhere. Things have a way of working out. Any pictures this week??

Kyler:

thats was part of my disappointment...they are moving to the zone next to us....so we have to refer them. its okay! i think we are going to baptize a 11 year old boy this Saturday. that will be nice. he comes from a less active family of about 7 years who i love! they've been coming to church the past month so we are working on reactivating them and keeping them there!

yeah i keep telling myself that. 

no pictures. i have to buy an adaptor for my memory card because my USB isn't working.

Dad:

So now that you are not training anymore, what are your days like? You probably don't have the extended morning training sessions, do you?  Are you able to get out and start your days a little earlier?

Kyler:

yeah! we don't study until 12:30 anymore. we study until 10:30 and leave by 11! its a whole more work but i dont mind it! 

Dad:

Hey -  do they have siesta's there? Nap time? When I was in Chile, depending on where I was, a lot of the stores would shut down during the mid part of the day to go home to eat and rest. Do they do that there? Any new foods that your trying? Do you guys get to do anything fun on P-days?

Kyler:

no siestas!! haha i wish! 

yeah we usually hang out as a zone and do some sort of activity. today we are going bowling!! I'm excited! I havn't been since my last night home with all the family!!!

Dad:

That girl in Grandma's ward left for the mission field a few weeks ago. Grandma gave her a package or money to give you. I can't remember. But she said she would leave it at the mission home once she gets there. I think she is in Peru right now.

Are you okay money wise? How does that all work? Do you get a certain amount at the start of each month?

Kyler:

yeah that works! I'll talk with the secretaries and figure all that out.

yeah im fine! we get about 85 dollars each month. so I'll go pull that out after this. i made a budget last month and it worked! I ended up with about 20 Bolivianos left...that's about 3 dollars.

Dad:

Bowling?? Wow - I wouldn't think they had that there. How many are in your zone? And don't forget about the spin on the ball that I taught you! ha ha

By the way - I don't know if Mom will be on. She said she doesn't get very good reception where they are staying. So, it looks like she may not get on today. I talked to her last night and she wanted me to let you know of course the usual. How much she loves you and how very proud she is. We can't begin to tell you how awesome it is to have a missionary. Our house has truly turned into a HOME because of it.

Kyler:

okay dad i have to go! tell everyone hi for me!! thanks for talking! i love and miss you all so much but i really am starting to fall in love with the work so don't worry about me!! tell mom and the kids hello and that i hope they are having a great time without me! i hope you all have a great 4th of July! I'll be sweating and knocking doors while ya'll are at the beach and playing baseball! haha take that!! sorry ya'll cant be me!! haha i love you! until next week!! 

Mom:

{I wan't able to get on while he was online, but I wanted to let him know I was thinking about him}

Sorry I missed you today. I know you will not get this until next week, but I just wanted to tell you much I love you and miss you! Thank you for your wonderful example! I am so proud to call you my son!

 I LOVE YOU!

Love - Mom

Week 19

June 24, 2013

Hey Everyone!!!! :)

So this week was a little diferent but good! it was the week of transfers so there are always new people needing something and since my companion is the district leader now, we have to be there to help. The work was a little slower this week because we had a bunch of different things today. Wednesday was great! We a few hours to spare on our hands so we went and knocked doors and taught 4 lessons and found 4 new investigators. We will see how it all works out with them! We now have Sisters in our district who are opening up an area so they had a new house with nothing in it! so we spent all Thursday at their house setting up their beds, closets, desks, and showing them their area. Saturday was awesome!! We've been planning now for a few months to do a Mini MTC with the Youth in our ward and we did it Saturday! It was great! We started at 7 in the morning and fed them breakfast and then we did interviews with them and gave them a name badge a then we assigned them companions. after that we had classes for about three hours where we taught them how to present a BOM and how to begin teaching, and how to teach the Restoration! It was a whole lot of fun! we did practices with them and everything. after that we had a nice big lunch!! and then we put our lessons into practice and went and knocked doors with them for an hour and a half! after that we came back and had a testimony meeting! we had about 17 kids show up which is a whole lot for our ward!! so it was a huge success!! and of course last night was awesome!! i hope all of you guys got to watch the The Work of Salvation broadcast. I'm so blessed to be apart of this work right now! and all you guys can be too! Lets take advantage of the time we have and bring souls unto Christ! you guys there???

Elder Berrett

Dad:

Hey Bud, It's Dad

Yes, last night was awesome! We watched it on the computer at Grandpa and Grandma's house. I really think that will help missionary work take off. With the age change and all of the new missionaries and now with the renewed efforts of all the members, I can't wait to see what it will do. We all need to do our part for
sure.  As I was watching last night, I wondered how your ward mission leader is. Does he help you guys a lot??

Kyler:

Hey!!  yeah it was great!! uhm...hes okay...hes 19 years old and doesn't want to serve a mission. so he's not too enthusiastic. but if we involve him and ask him to help he's usually willing so we just try to keep him on his toes.

Dad:

That is so cool what you guys did with the mini MTC. That is a great idea!! Sounds like it was pretty successful. Hopefully you will get some new investigators from that.

Kyler:

yeah!! there was a boy who was 18 and i took him by myself to knock doors and hes been debating about a mission. Well i was a little nervous myself because it was my first time knocking doors without my companion and with someone whose never done it! well we taught two lessons and found one new investigator!! it was great!! I did almost all the talking but he gave his testimony at the end of each lesson which was very strong! and then yesterday at church he gave a talk and talked about me and how he wants to go on a mission now because of his experience! it was great!! he and his mom were crying and everything! we became really close!! 

Dad:

Kayden, Carston, Manning and I went down to Middle Georgia for a few days for Kayden's tournament. We entered one of the Team Elite showcase tournaments. We left Thursday night and got back yesterday.  They played 4 games. They went 3-1. They played at Georgia State College University and Middle Georgia College. I don't think I would do it again. They say that college scouts will be there but very very few show up. In fact, it's really only the college coaches from the university you are playing at. We had a good time but baseball wise it was not very exciting.  There is nothing to play for so nobody takes it serious.

Kayden's team starts the good stuff now. We are playing up in the 18U WWBA Perfect Game starting this Friday. 185 teams are in it. We then go to Fort Myers in a few weeks and of course you know how fun that can be. They are 8-2 in their last 10 games. Not too bad so far.

Kyler:

Thats awesome!! hows kayden playing!?

Dad:

He's playing pretty good. He got at least 1 hit in each game. He is still playing second base and pitching a little. We already have a side armer pitcher (pitcher only) that comes out of the bullpen so it's tough to get Kayden in as a pitcher.
Berkley got back from girls camp on Saturday. She really enjoyed it!  Carston and Manning are enjoying summer and enjoy hanging with the Humps, Nugents and Princes.

Kyler:

Sweet!! tell him to keep it up!! and tell everyone else that's awesome and i hope they are enjoying summer!! 

Hows it going college wise for him??

Dad:

He has the same problem that you had. Good player but small. They are a dime a dozen. I told him he needs to focus on academics and then possibly have to try to walk on if he wants to play. Same as you. He loves the game just like you do. He is thinking about going into broadcasting. In fact, he texted Coach Wolf the other day and asked if he good broadcast the girls softball games this year. Coach Wolf was really excited about it. He told Kayden that he has always wanted the baseball players to get involved with softball but just didn't know how to do it. Kayden is super excited about it.

Kyler:

thats a great idea!!! thats way cool actually!! haha good for him!! i wish i would have thought about something like that! 

Dad:

That is awesome about the 18 year old kid going with you. It sounds like you have influenced him to serve. It's little things like that that can make a huge difference. Maybe you haven't baptized anybody yet, but by helping this kid and helping him realize the importance of a mission is just as important. He could serve and covert many people all because of your example. It's really awesome to think about.
Did you get my email about your ward mission leader? Does he help? How are the other leaders in your ward? Do they seem to be as strong as back home?

Kyler:

yeah i think it will help him snap out of it! and yeah its a little weird!! but elder borden who just left this transfer was here for 8 months in the same ward!! so who knows. yeah i love the ward!!! there are a couple families that i love!!! ill try and take some pictures when i eat with them!!

Dad:

Speaking of pictures - do you have any you can send??? we would love to get a few each week if possible.

Kyler:

i have to by a flash that i can put my memory card from camera in! these computers don't take my card so I have to do that. it will be a week or two! sorry!! I'm working on it!! 

Dad:

I think Mom told you that she sent your card. Who knows how long it will take to get to you, but you won't be able to use it until we activate it here. So,  you need to let us know, okay?
Are you still good about writing in your journal? Are you still trying to work out? did you ever get rid of the rash you had?

Kyler:

okay! ill let yall know!

yeah i do everynight!! and i workout every morning!! its slowly going away so we will see!

Mom:

Hi babe!  It's mom!

Kyler:

Hi!!

Mom:

I just went through and read all emails between you and dad.  That is so awesome about the mini MTC.  What a great activity for the youth and for the missionaries.  Is that something that you guys planned or did the youth leaders plan it and you helped out?

The broadcast was good last night.  It is so wonderful to hear the leaders of the church talk about missionaries and know that they are talking about you.

How are you feeling?  Anymore sickness?  Rash seems to be getting better, but not leaving?

Dad:

Did you ever get the package from Grandpa Sherrell? He was asking about it again.

Kyler:

no i didnt get it!!! i dont know whats up!! 

Hows the BYU stuff coming along??

Mom:

I haven't done much since last week.  I will get back on there this week

Kyler:

Nope! we planned it and asked the leaders if we could do it!!

yeah the broadcast was amazing! it made me feel good!  and I'm doing great!! 

Dad:

Hey bud - I've got to go. I can't spend too much time on here at work. Plus, I think that some of our emails take a while getting to you because me and mom are using the same account. I'm going to get off and let you and mom chat for a bit. As always, know that I love you and pray for you every day. Keep doing good things!! Always remember what President Wood said. Make a fool out of yourself. Don't hold back because you feel unsure. The only way you will learn or the fastest way you will learn is to just DO IT.

Monday has now become my favorite day. Can't wait to email next week. Love you! Dad

Mom:

That is so wonderful about the 18yo that went out with you!  What a great example you are!  I am so proud of you!  How is your Spanish coming along?

Kyler:

Thanks dad! i love you!! i will do that. Talk to you next week! 

the spanish is getting better each day!! hopefully it all clicks soon!!! 

Mom:

We are all doing great!  I am totally enjoying my summer off from work!  I keep teasing dad and saying that I will work for one more year and that's it!  I doubt that will happen!  (but maybe if I say it enough, he will get tired of hearing it) :)

We are headed to the beach next week. (not dad or Kayden)  We are going to PCB and we will share a condo with the Princes.  I think the Nugents and Humps are trying to come down too.  So that should be nice

Kyler:

aww dang dont tell me that!! that makes me so trunkie!! hahahaha but awesome! i want pictures! 

Mom:

I bet your Spanish is awesome.  Your Spanish teachers would be so proud!  Like dad said, just keep making a fool out of yourself and you'll have it before too long!

What does trunkie mean?

Kyler:

hahah a trunkie is someone who only thinks about home and misses everything and doesn't focus on the work! its a word that all missionaries use and know! its more for jokes like that. haha

Mom:

ok, well don't do that!  I probably should have waited to tell you until after we got back!  But, you know, we won't have any fun, so you won't be missing anything :)

Kyler:

Sorry i didnt get to talk to you much today but i have to go! i love and miss you so much mom! im trying  to make you guys proud everyday by working hard! i will talk to you next week!! i love you!! 

Mom:

You don't have to try too hard, because you already make us very proud!!!  I love you with all my heart!  Can't wait to talk to you next week! Praying every day for you! I LOVE YOU!!!

Week 18

June 17, 2013

Hey everyone!

So this week had its ups and downs! It started off on Tuesday and Wedensday when i was sick again!! i was throwing up and all that good stuff. And then i woke up with a rash on my body on Wednesday so i dont know whats happening haha! Last night we got our call from the zone leaders about transfers!! well.........im staying with my companion in the same area!! thats very rare that you stay with your trainer so it must be for some reason!! The work is going good we taught 15 lessons this week and found about 5 new people to teach who seem really good!  Luis and his family are starting to be very frustrating!! we meet with him twice a week and all he does is have question after question. Hes having a hard time listening to the spirit and letting him find out for himself. We've taught the Restoration THREE times!!!!! He and his family love church but they are having a difficult time accepting change. Thay are all sooo ready to be baptized but they are having a hard time with the change. WE are going to continue to work with them. hopefully there is some progress this week. 

Dad:

That's too bad about Luis and his family. I think that is the most frustrating thing about being a missionary. You think a family or individual is so ready and then it seems like they take two steps back. Sorry to hear that but if it's meant to be it will all work out in the end.

That's awesome about 15 new lessons. Sounds like a good week in that sense. Hopefully, a few of those new people will feel the Spirit and want to learn more.

Staying with your companion must have purpose. Make the most of it! I know it can probably be difficult sometimes, especially when you are expecting change. Accept it and move on and continue to work hard. It will payoff in the end.

Kyler:

Yeah it its stressful but i think it will workout with them! and yeah ive accepted it! im ready to start working and baptizing. im ready to baptize someone!!

Mom:

Hi babe!  It's yo momma!  I am so sorry to hear that you have been sick.  Are you feeling better?  

Do you still have the rash?

Dad:

Are you feeling better now from your sickness? 

Is the rash gone? 

What do you think it was from?

Mom:

As far as your companion goes, I know that you really like him and at least you know what he is like.  You just have to do like I said last week...ask him for more help with the Spanish and you take the lead with the work.   I also bet that he will rededicate himself!

Kyler:

Hi mom!! yeah i feel better from the sickness. but no i still have the rash and it itches. i have no idea what its from. im not to worried though.

Mom:

Do you have some anti-itch cream to put on it?  That will help!  I love you bunches!

Kyler:

yeah he will! im not worried about it!! so whats this i hear about some announcment about missionary work??

Dad:

Hey - Guess who I just ran into at our office? Connor Day! He is going to be an intern here for the summer. He is still going to school in Utah. I thought it was Ethan at first. They look a lot alike.

Kyler:

haha Connor!? really? thats awesome! good for him!

yeah i have anti itch cream and it helps!! i can call whenver but i dont want too...its aprocess to go to the doctor and pay for it and all that. im just just gonna play it out!! 

Dad:

By the way Connor wanted me to tell you hello. Not sure if you heard but it appears that Ethan Day is going to join the Navy. That's what I've heard anyway.

Kyler:

Don't know anything about an announcement about missionary work. What

are you hearing?

Mom:

There is some meeting next week that will be broadcast at the church buildings.  They have asked to move any meetings that are scheduled for that evening so that everyone can attend.  So I am sure you will hear about it there, or we can tell you next monday.  I am hoping they are shortening the missions to six months!   That would be awesome!  Ok, not really but you know!!

Dad:

Team Gwinnett participated in the Triple Crown Battle of the South.  They did real well. We went 3-0 in pool play and finished the number 11 seed out of 65 teams. We then won our first 2 bracket games to get into the top 8. We lost to the Homeplate Chili Dawgs 8-5. We were down 

7-0 after two innings. We had a rough start but the boys battled back.  Just couldn't overcome the slow start. It was a good weekend.

Kyler:

nice!! hows kayden playing??

Lexi just told me that the First precidency of the church is making an big announcment about missionary obra on sunday! 

haha yeah i bet you wish that! if anything i bet they lengthen it! haha i guess we will see!!!

But nice! the Navy! Good for him!! i hope all is well with him!!!

Mom:

'Im not sure what it is about, but they sure are announcing it and making sure everyone knows about it.  I don't think they can lengthen it.  But who knows, we'll find out next Sunday!

You just said obra!   I had to look it up and you said it in Spanish!  I love it!  You said somthting last week...you said conversation normal!  It is so cute!

Kyler:

haha crap!! im trying not to do that!! haha sorry!!

Mom:

No, I love it.  And I put it just like that on the blog.  It is so cute!!!  The meeting sounds more like training then a huge announcement.  Maybe? 

Kyler:

yeah thats what I got out of it. i guess we will see. its probably just advice!

Dad:

So my scripture for the week is 3 Nephi Chapter 11:3-5. It took the Nephites 3 times before they understood the voice that was speaking to them.

Don't get discouraged. Sometimes (most of the time) you are just the seed planter. You never know when you are influencing somebody's life.  It might not be until way after you leave and are home before somebody you talked to GETS IT. You will probably never even know that that person was converted but that person will never forget you.

Kyler:

thanks dad! i really like that story. yeah maybe thats my job in this area! is to plant seeds! thats all apart of the work!! 

Mom:

Anything you need?

Kyler:

not that i can think of!! my card has been sent? and hows the BYU stuff coming along?

Mom:

Yes, card has been sent.  When you get it you just need to let me know and I will call the bank and they will take the hold off.  Then you will be good to go!  Working on the BYU stuff right now.

Kyler:

awesome! thank you!! yep i will let you know!!! hows it going? is it confusing??

Mom:

It is still the easy information...setting up your profile and basic information.  I'm hoping I will have more stuff next week that maybe you can work on.  essay, etc

Kyler:

yeah!. i dont know how im going to work on that....

Dad:

One more piece of advice this week and then I've got to go.

When you wake up each day, after you've said your prayers, ponder for just a minute how lucky you really are. You are only there for a short time. You get to come home and start an amazing life. Your struggles, your doubts, your fears are just for a moment. You get to come home to all the people who love you and want the best for you. Work your butt off!!!!!

Kyler:

thanks dad. i will remember that. i love you so much! thanks!!

Dad:

Any pictures this week??? You know we LOVE pictures.  Hey Grandpa Sherrell wanted to know if you received his package??

Kyler:

no i havent! when did he send it? 

Dad:

Not sure when Grandpa sent it but I think it was quite a while ago. I will check with him. Hopefully you will get it soon. I think it was some cookies and stuff  through the Dear Elder website.

Mom:

I need to send you a birthday package soon if it is going to get to you in time for your birthday!  :)  

Do you have any requests?

Kyler:

haha crap! not that i can think of! money on my card! and just candy and whatever yall want to surprise me with!! 

Mom:

How are your shoes holding up?  I saw that it was chilly this morning in Cocha and that you have been having rain.  Are you still saving up your shirts?

Kyler:

yeah im totally fine with clothes! i really need new tennis shoes! my nikes have a huge hole and my toe pops out haha

Mom:

Is that something you can buy there?  Or do I need to send some.  (that would be expensive and what if they get stolen)

Kyler:

no i can buy them here!! thats not a problem!

Mom:

Ok, I will put some money in your account for your birthday and you can buy you something very special for your big day!  Wrap it up though, and be surprised! :)

Kyler:

haha ohh okay!! ill try to surprise myself!!! 

Mom:

Sounds like a plan!  I love you so much and I am so proud to say that you are my missionary!  Scottie said yesterday to thank you for being a good example and friend to him. I miss you everyday and look forward to meeting you at the airport and scooping you up like a baby and holding you in my arms! (that would be awkward)  But anyway, just know that you are where you need to be.  You are doing the Lord's work.  Don't get discouraged, keep trusting in Him and He will lead you where you need to be!

Keep the Princes in your prayers this week as they are really struggling.  It has been really hard on Tara as she can remember what they were doing last year at this time. 

Kyler:

Thanks mom :) i love you. yeah i will be thinking and praying for them! tell them i love them so much. 

okay mom! i have to go! i love you so much. please tell everyone hello! have a good week!! i will talk to you all on monday!! i love you!! :)

Mom:

Love you bunches and bunches!  Until next Monday!!