So this week was great. Sister F and I had a great week filled with lots of lessons. As far as key indicators go we did great. But we both feel like something was missing. Maybe we could have worked harder. Maybe we could have talked to more people on the street. I don't know. But we've promised each other, and the Lord that this next week (our last week together) is going to make up for it.
We are teaching 2 families right now. Neither of them are really progressing very fast. But then again we did just find them.
Transfers are coming up on the 3rd. It makes me light headed. Only 2 more left!
I'm sorry that my emails are the lamest. But I know that where I am and what I'm doing is where I'm supposed to/want to be and what I'm supposed to/want to be doing. I love this work. It's the most rewarding work there is. My testimony has grown and I know that it will only continue to grow in the next 5 months.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Monday, March 16, 2015
Our newest little member plus Geghard Monastery and other cool sights
Momma,
This week was a slow one but a good one. We've been visiting with a lot of less/not active members lately and it has had great results. V (our 10 year old investigator) was baptized on Saturday. He is one the most elect people I've ever met. He's only 10 years old but he's more mature than most adults I've met. His parents don't come to church but he still comes and even brings his friend. His friend sits in on our lessons with us. His friend will mess around during our lessons and slouch and make silly comments because...well he's a kid. But V will tell him to sit up straight and be respectful and listen to the message. One time V started kind of chuckling in the middle of a lesson and I asked him what was funny. He immediately apologized for "being disrespectful" and said,"I don't want to interrupt the lesson. I'll tell you after." Sister F and I were both shocked. We soon learned that that's just how he is. The most amazing 10 year old you'll every meet. One meeting we noticed that he kept pulling a little bit at his eye lids. I asked him what he was doing and he shyly said that his eyelashes were too long! It was absolutely the most heart melting thing that I had ever heard. He definitely has the longest, thickest eyelashes that I've ever seen. So cute.
The first thing V asked me after his baptism was, "So, when is our next lesson?" Another heart-melt. He loves learning so much and reads from the kids BOM everyday by himself and is always so excited to tell us all about it in our next lesson. He remembers everything we teach him and even started teaching his friend on his own what he's been learning with us in our lessons. I wish I could accurately describe how elect this future leader is.
Today we went to a few really cool churches and it was a super cool experience. The churches were so beautiful.
We're again in a finding stage and we were blessed with a new family to teach this past week. We are really so blessed here in Charentsavan. Sister F and I are really happy that we were able to meet our transfer goal of 5 baptisms. 5 people brought one step closer to the house of God. The work here really is amazing and I'm so blessed to be apart of it.
I love being here serving these people by sharing my knowledge of the restored gospel. There's no where else I'd rather be and there is nothing else I'd rather be doing.
I love you,
Mads
This week was a slow one but a good one. We've been visiting with a lot of less/not active members lately and it has had great results. V (our 10 year old investigator) was baptized on Saturday. He is one the most elect people I've ever met. He's only 10 years old but he's more mature than most adults I've met. His parents don't come to church but he still comes and even brings his friend. His friend sits in on our lessons with us. His friend will mess around during our lessons and slouch and make silly comments because...well he's a kid. But V will tell him to sit up straight and be respectful and listen to the message. One time V started kind of chuckling in the middle of a lesson and I asked him what was funny. He immediately apologized for "being disrespectful" and said,"I don't want to interrupt the lesson. I'll tell you after." Sister F and I were both shocked. We soon learned that that's just how he is. The most amazing 10 year old you'll every meet. One meeting we noticed that he kept pulling a little bit at his eye lids. I asked him what he was doing and he shyly said that his eyelashes were too long! It was absolutely the most heart melting thing that I had ever heard. He definitely has the longest, thickest eyelashes that I've ever seen. So cute.
The first thing V asked me after his baptism was, "So, when is our next lesson?" Another heart-melt. He loves learning so much and reads from the kids BOM everyday by himself and is always so excited to tell us all about it in our next lesson. He remembers everything we teach him and even started teaching his friend on his own what he's been learning with us in our lessons. I wish I could accurately describe how elect this future leader is.
Today we went to a few really cool churches and it was a super cool experience. The churches were so beautiful.
We're again in a finding stage and we were blessed with a new family to teach this past week. We are really so blessed here in Charentsavan. Sister F and I are really happy that we were able to meet our transfer goal of 5 baptisms. 5 people brought one step closer to the house of God. The work here really is amazing and I'm so blessed to be apart of it.
I love being here serving these people by sharing my knowledge of the restored gospel. There's no where else I'd rather be and there is nothing else I'd rather be doing.
I love you,
Mads
Two soon to be slaughtered roosters :(
Cool church door - Geghard Monastery
Column at Geghard Monastery with carved cross and hewn out inscriptions
Huge pastry called gata
Temple of Garni
Mosaics
Monday, March 9, 2015
Women's Day
Dear Friends and Family,
Yesterday was a day called Women's Day. It's my new favorite holiday. Everyone just walks around saying Շնորհավոր! People give flowers AND it's a great way to spark up a conversation on the street. We definitely need a Women's Day in the states.
This past week was quite slow. We have been visiting a lot with our active members.
We have 1 investigator right now. He's 10. I think I already told you about him last week. His parents are both members but haven't been active for a few years. He came alone to church yesterday. We were sad that his parents didn't come again but we were really happy that he was brave enough to come without them. He even brought a friend! It was so cute. We haven't been able to meet with him as much as we'd like though. His baptismal date is for this Saturday but we still have quite a few lessons to do with him so we might have to push it back.
Obviously, Sister F and I have been focusing on families and finding families to teach. We have 5 potential families right now. We try to "establish a relationship" with all of them first. We're really excited to see how they work out.
I've been making an extra effort to make every single one of my prayers meaningful. I've realized lately that I am nothing without the Lord. I've read Alma 26:11-12 at least a 100 times. But I've realized that my mission has been pretty easy so far. Most of my converts have been so elect and have just found us and wanted to be baptized. But now I have to find them. I've had the easy life for so long and I think the Lord is trying to hint that I need to turn to Him more. And I sure have. I have been on my knees a lot lately. For myself, for my family, for this people. I need the Lord's help. I just wish I had included Him more even when things were running so smoothly.
I love my companion! I just don't know what I'm going to do without her when transfers come! Transfers are on April 3. I'm really sad that I'll be leaving her. She has truly become my best friend and I'm so blessed for that reason. It's amazing how much we can all learn from each other when we are willing to humble ourselves.
I know that the Lord's hand is always in our lives. Even when we feel alone. He is always just waiting for us to turn to Him. He loves us and knows each so personally. If you don't have a testimony of the personal love the Savior has for you I invite you to find that out. We will never be able to understand the extent of His love but we can come to know of our worth through His love. We just have to ask. Pray to be able to feel His love and I promise that if it is sincerely from your heart you will know.
I love you all so much. Thanks for your support and love.
-Sister Kuykendall (the only)
I've been making an extra effort to make every single one of my prayers meaningful. I've realized lately that I am nothing without the Lord. I've read Alma 26:11-12 at least a 100 times. But I've realized that my mission has been pretty easy so far. Most of my converts have been so elect and have just found us and wanted to be baptized. But now I have to find them. I've had the easy life for so long and I think the Lord is trying to hint that I need to turn to Him more. And I sure have. I have been on my knees a lot lately. For myself, for my family, for this people. I need the Lord's help. I just wish I had included Him more even when things were running so smoothly.
I love my companion! I just don't know what I'm going to do without her when transfers come! Transfers are on April 3. I'm really sad that I'll be leaving her. She has truly become my best friend and I'm so blessed for that reason. It's amazing how much we can all learn from each other when we are willing to humble ourselves.
I know that the Lord's hand is always in our lives. Even when we feel alone. He is always just waiting for us to turn to Him. He loves us and knows each so personally. If you don't have a testimony of the personal love the Savior has for you I invite you to find that out. We will never be able to understand the extent of His love but we can come to know of our worth through His love. We just have to ask. Pray to be able to feel His love and I promise that if it is sincerely from your heart you will know.
I love you all so much. Thanks for your support and love.
-Sister Kuykendall (the only)
Friday, February 27, 2015
One year testimony
I have a testimony of personal revelation. We have been given so many resources for revelation. The Liahonna, the BOM, the Bible, Conference talks. All of these amazing scriptures that are written for each of us personally. As members we all deserve a certain amount of time during each day to really dive into God's word and receive council and comfort. As you start with prayer the Lord will guide you to what it is that you need in that moment. Whether that be comfort or a gentle reminder of something we need to improve on. I know that The Lord knows each of us very personally and He wants nothing more than to guide us. He is there for us in everything. All we have to do is let Him in. He's our older brother. Our perfect older brother. He's been there, done that. Asking for his council and advice is the easiest way through this hard life.
Monday, February 16, 2015
8 Months!
Momma,
Charentsavan is amazing mom. So incredible. I've been here for 8 months so when this transfer is done it is %100 that I'll be leaving. :( But It's okay. I've been so spoiled to be able to stay here this long. most missionaries don't get that opportunity. I just feel so blessed that I've bee able to be apart of something so incredible. The miracles that I've witnessed here are more than I can count.
We should be having 4 baptisms this week. They're all amazing. It wasn't with out some heart ache and trials of faith. But we got through it and our reward(both investigators and missionaries) is their baptism. They're one step closer to the temple.
I love you so much momma. I am so sorry that this is the lamest email ever. I had a lot to write to president this week which took up most of my time. But I love you so much and everything here is great!
Love, Sister K
Charentsavan is amazing mom. So incredible. I've been here for 8 months so when this transfer is done it is %100 that I'll be leaving. :( But It's okay. I've been so spoiled to be able to stay here this long. most missionaries don't get that opportunity. I just feel so blessed that I've bee able to be apart of something so incredible. The miracles that I've witnessed here are more than I can count.
We should be having 4 baptisms this week. They're all amazing. It wasn't with out some heart ache and trials of faith. But we got through it and our reward(both investigators and missionaries) is their baptism. They're one step closer to the temple.
I love you so much momma. I am so sorry that this is the lamest email ever. I had a lot to write to president this week which took up most of my time. But I love you so much and everything here is great!
Love, Sister K
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Kate's coming home!
Momma.
So I'm trying not to freak out that I can't be there to see Katie when she gets home. Please give her a hug for me. I miss her. So much. It will be two years and two months by the time we see each other.
Sick: So I'm still a sickling but I feel loads better. Despite being sick we still were able to have a good week. We picked up a few new investigators and as a result of mighty prayers on our part we've received TONS of referrals. It's awesome! We're busy busy busy. And we love love love it.
Baptism: We had a baptism on Saturday. It was for the little 8 year old boy that I was asking advice for a few months ago who is terrified of water. He finally made it into the waters of baptism! From the second he stepped into the water he was plugging his nose with one hand and gripping Elder G's hand with the other. But he made it and came out of the water with a huge smile on his face. My heart absolutely melted. It was the sweetest thing. The spirit was so strong. Man, this church is true.
S and A: Sister F and I are both heartbroken. Neither S nor A came to church. We did everything we could to get them there. But in the end it comes down to their agency. They spirit was so strong in the lesson I wrote home about last week and I know they both felt something undeniable. As heartbreaking and discouraging as it is, I feel at peace knowing that we did everything that we could.
I can't believe how fast my mission has flown by. Everyone always told me it would but I never gave it any thought. After this transfer I only have 2 transfers left. Woah. It just makes me want to work that much harder knowing I only have until September.
Testimony: I know with all my heart that this church is true. It took me a while to figure it out for myself. But I'm so forever grateful that I finally did because I've never been happier. I've never thought less about myself, I've never been so tired, and I've never been rejected as much as I have been on my mission. But I have also never been so happy. I have never felt like this before. I wish I could make you all understand. But I can't. You just have to figure it out for yourselves. I promise you'll never find more joy anywhere else. That's a big promise and I'm sticking to it.
I love you
love, mads
So I'm trying not to freak out that I can't be there to see Katie when she gets home. Please give her a hug for me. I miss her. So much. It will be two years and two months by the time we see each other.
Sick: So I'm still a sickling but I feel loads better. Despite being sick we still were able to have a good week. We picked up a few new investigators and as a result of mighty prayers on our part we've received TONS of referrals. It's awesome! We're busy busy busy. And we love love love it.
Baptism: We had a baptism on Saturday. It was for the little 8 year old boy that I was asking advice for a few months ago who is terrified of water. He finally made it into the waters of baptism! From the second he stepped into the water he was plugging his nose with one hand and gripping Elder G's hand with the other. But he made it and came out of the water with a huge smile on his face. My heart absolutely melted. It was the sweetest thing. The spirit was so strong. Man, this church is true.
S and A: Sister F and I are both heartbroken. Neither S nor A came to church. We did everything we could to get them there. But in the end it comes down to their agency. They spirit was so strong in the lesson I wrote home about last week and I know they both felt something undeniable. As heartbreaking and discouraging as it is, I feel at peace knowing that we did everything that we could.
I can't believe how fast my mission has flown by. Everyone always told me it would but I never gave it any thought. After this transfer I only have 2 transfers left. Woah. It just makes me want to work that much harder knowing I only have until September.
Testimony: I know with all my heart that this church is true. It took me a while to figure it out for myself. But I'm so forever grateful that I finally did because I've never been happier. I've never thought less about myself, I've never been so tired, and I've never been rejected as much as I have been on my mission. But I have also never been so happy. I have never felt like this before. I wish I could make you all understand. But I can't. You just have to figure it out for yourselves. I promise you'll never find more joy anywhere else. That's a big promise and I'm sticking to it.
I love you
love, mads
Monday, January 19, 2015
Miracles, drain problems and bronchitis
Momma!
I really can't believe that kate get's home in 9 days. I feel kind of sad. Not sad...just.. I want to be there. I miss her a lot.
Please please send so many pictures!
Miracles: We went to visit a member (A) last night who hasn't be active for probably a year. We sat down and started talking and got on the topic of why she doesn't come to church. She said she had been offended and that it was better that she didn't go to church at all than to go and be offended again. Obviously our next step was to explain to her the purpose of church and the reason why we go to church. As we started to talk the door opened and another lady (S) walked in that I had never met before but knew she wasn't a member. We introduced ourselves and she sat down as we went on with our lesson. As A went on about how she was offended S looked at her like she was being a silly child and said, "I'm not a member of your church, but being offended shouldn't keep you from going to church!" They both listened intently as Sister F bore a powerful testimony in her broken Armenian. And then we both talked about the importance of church and the sacrament. I thought the answer would be no but I decided to give it a shot anyway and asked A if she would commit to coming to just Sacrament meeting each week to take the sacrament. SHe looked at us and quietly said,"Yes, I know that's what I need to do." My heart melted. THe spirit was so strong Sister F and both agreed that we could almost physically feel it. We then asked if we could pray before we left and S asked us if we would pray for her relative. She had tears in her eyes as she asked. I closed the meeting with prayer asking God to bless her sick relative. We said amen and S was still crying. We asked if she would like us to visit her some time. I've never heard a quicker 'yes' during my whole mission. We gave her a second pamphlet to read before our next visit. She took it and pressed it to her heart. Sister F and I left feeling like we weighed nothing at all.
Drain problems and best elders: So starting last Sunday anytime we ran our kitchen sink all of this stuff in our pipes (food, mystery things) would come up our shower drain. It was super gross. We have absolutely the best elders ever and so they came over and tried to fix it (they didn't, to much of both our frustrations). But the best part of it was that they were singing the entire time. We stood outside our appartment the entire time (missionary rules) while they tried to fix our drain. I wish we could send videos home because we have the most darling video of them singing wilst plumbing.
Bronchitis: Ain't nobody got time for that!- So starting last Monday I was really not feeling well. Tuesday I was coughing like no one's business. Wednesday I had no voice and I had gotten no sleep. I kept feeling and sounding worse and worse so like a good missionary I called the Mission President's wife and soon found out that I have bronchitis. They gave me antibiotics. I didn't even think bronchitis was a thing. But turns out it is a very real thing. Unpleasant thing too. I feel mostly bad for sister F that she gets to listen to me hack up my lungs evey 5 minutes all day long.
I love you!!
-mads
I really can't believe that kate get's home in 9 days. I feel kind of sad. Not sad...just.. I want to be there. I miss her a lot.
Please please send so many pictures!
Miracles: We went to visit a member (A) last night who hasn't be active for probably a year. We sat down and started talking and got on the topic of why she doesn't come to church. She said she had been offended and that it was better that she didn't go to church at all than to go and be offended again. Obviously our next step was to explain to her the purpose of church and the reason why we go to church. As we started to talk the door opened and another lady (S) walked in that I had never met before but knew she wasn't a member. We introduced ourselves and she sat down as we went on with our lesson. As A went on about how she was offended S looked at her like she was being a silly child and said, "I'm not a member of your church, but being offended shouldn't keep you from going to church!" They both listened intently as Sister F bore a powerful testimony in her broken Armenian. And then we both talked about the importance of church and the sacrament. I thought the answer would be no but I decided to give it a shot anyway and asked A if she would commit to coming to just Sacrament meeting each week to take the sacrament. SHe looked at us and quietly said,"Yes, I know that's what I need to do." My heart melted. THe spirit was so strong Sister F and both agreed that we could almost physically feel it. We then asked if we could pray before we left and S asked us if we would pray for her relative. She had tears in her eyes as she asked. I closed the meeting with prayer asking God to bless her sick relative. We said amen and S was still crying. We asked if she would like us to visit her some time. I've never heard a quicker 'yes' during my whole mission. We gave her a second pamphlet to read before our next visit. She took it and pressed it to her heart. Sister F and I left feeling like we weighed nothing at all.
Drain problems and best elders: So starting last Sunday anytime we ran our kitchen sink all of this stuff in our pipes (food, mystery things) would come up our shower drain. It was super gross. We have absolutely the best elders ever and so they came over and tried to fix it (they didn't, to much of both our frustrations). But the best part of it was that they were singing the entire time. We stood outside our appartment the entire time (missionary rules) while they tried to fix our drain. I wish we could send videos home because we have the most darling video of them singing wilst plumbing.
Bronchitis: Ain't nobody got time for that!- So starting last Monday I was really not feeling well. Tuesday I was coughing like no one's business. Wednesday I had no voice and I had gotten no sleep. I kept feeling and sounding worse and worse so like a good missionary I called the Mission President's wife and soon found out that I have bronchitis. They gave me antibiotics. I didn't even think bronchitis was a thing. But turns out it is a very real thing. Unpleasant thing too. I feel mostly bad for sister F that she gets to listen to me hack up my lungs evey 5 minutes all day long.
I love you!!
-mads
After we cleaned it!
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