E-mail #5 of 2011 1/31/2011 Week 42

"it's the mormons! Hey guys, the mormons are here!"

Hola Familia!

This week was pretty good. We saw Caity and watched finding faith in Christ with her. Then, we taught her the majority of the Plan of Salvation. It went well. When we saw her she said she was going to church yesterday. Because she is a single adult she meets in a different building. We tried calling and texting her (we have texting I can't remember if I told you haha) but she didn't answer. So, we don't know what's up right now. We also found two new investigators. Their names are Markis (sorry about spelling) and Megan. One of our nights fell through and we weren't sure what to do. We have been asked recently to get familiar with mormon.org. So, we went to the library to check it out. After we finished we walked outside and just outside the doors there they were! Markis started talking to us. He was like, "Are you church people?" We said yes. Then, he said "Mormons?" Yes again. Then, we started talking about the church and everything. We gave them a card. Then, we asked if we could do anything for them. Like 99.9% of the time people say no. But, they asked if we could give them a ride to their apartment not too far away. We were like of course! Then, we suggested a quick church tour because that was about in the same direction and not too far away. They agreed so we swung by the church and gave them a church tour. They said they would be at church yesterday! But, when we called them they said they couldn't go yesterday but that they will be there for sure next sunday. The thing about Caity, Markis and Megan is that none of them will be going to the ward/branch that we cover. Markis and Megan are in the area of a different ward and Caity is a young single adult so she will go to the West Hills building. So, we are handing Markis and Megan off to the sisters that cover that area. The Zone leaders were supposed to take over teaching Caity but I guess some stuff is going on in the mission right now so we get to continue teaching her! Hopefully we can get back in contact with her soon. I'll let y'all know what happens. Oh, this past week when I was on an exchange with Elder Phippin we taught some hippies! Haha! As we were walking up to the house we noticed their hippie van. We knocked on the door and one of them answers and he gets this kinda excited look and starts saying, "it's the mormons! Hey guys, the mormons are here!" Then, he says to us, "Hey guys come in we've been waiting a while for you!" By the way he was talking and stuff we thought we were about to walk into a bash. We were like oh great haha. But, it turned out that they really like us. We taught them a bit and left them a Book of Mormon and they said they would read. It was pretty cool haha. Oh and after we taught them we took a pic with them in front of the hippie van! Haha it was funny. Anyways, the work here is going a bit slower than we would like but hopefully we can change that this next week But, I need to be going now. Love y'all!!!

Love,

Elder Kreyling

P.S. Have y'all checked out mormon.org and made profiles yet? If not will you check it out and make your own profiles for it? Soon? I promise you that something you put on their will help someone in their conversion.

Mom’s questions of the week:

Q. How was work for you last week?

A. Asi asi haha. It's a bit slow right now but it's ok we'll get things moving along here soon!

Q. Did you have exchange last Thursday? And how did that go?

A. Yes, it went well. Elder Sexton went to Morristown, TN to interview a family for baptism. Elder Phippin came here. He is a cool guy. We mostly tracted. We ran into this one guy who just tried bashing with us the whole time. He was saying that he's read this and that about mormons, Joseph Smith and everything. We were just kinda like well that's great and all but in order to really know you need to read, pray, and ask God about the Book of Mormon. He said that he only goes to God's word, the bible, for answers. I didn't think of this while we were with him but he's saying that he only believes what the bible says yet he is believing all the lies that MEN have written about us. Haha I wonder how he would have responded if I'd thought of that while we were with him.

Q. Did you have new investigators come to church?

A. Sigh. No. We are working but it seems like they just won't come right now.

Q. Any spiritual experience this week?

A. When we found markis and Megan. That was pretty sweet.

Q. Favorite scripture of the week? Mine is D&C 75: 10-12

A. 3 Nephi 18

Q. How are David Garcia, Natanael and Adrian doing?

A. We haven't been able to meet with them very much. Most of the time it's just David. He has been talking with Jehovah witnesses lately so he's been get more and more confused. It's pretty frustrating. We taught Natanael the Plan of Salvation but it seems like he's not really wanting to accept what we teach right now. We may have to lay down the law with him next time. We haven't seen Adrian in a while.

Q. Did you visit Nataneal and Adrian on Monday night and how did it go?

A. No, just david was there. We saw Natanael on the exchange. That was it.

Q. Did David make it to church again this week?

A. Nope

Q. Have you been able to commit Adrian?

A. No. We haven't even been able to meet with him in a while.

Q. Did Victor make it to church this Sunday? And is he still on for the 6th?

A. No and no. He wants to be baptized and everything but he hasn't come to church. We are seeing him tomorrow and we are going to teach him about the sabbath day. I'll let ya know how it goes.

Q. Did you get to meet with Caity last Wednesday and was she able to make it to church this Sunday?

A. Yes, i talked about it above. We taught her and I thought it went well. Oh<>

Q. Did you finally get our last letter with the letter from grandma and the talkin it?

A. Yes, thank you! However I still haven't gotten the letter from Jake.

Q. Is the pictures card in the mail? We’re in need badly of new ones.

A. Haha oh man I forgot to send it. Yeah I'll send it today.

E-mail #4 of 2011 January 24, 2011 Week 41

Hola Familia!

It's good to hear that things are going well back home. I have not recieved a letter from you or Jake yet I wonder why it's taking so long to get here. Oh well, hopefully the come today. But, things are going well here. We've been working with a less active member named David Garcia. He is a cool guy. He told us that he usually doesn't come to church because he doesn't have an alarm. Well, we fixed that for him and what do ya know he showed up yesterday! He also has some friends, Adrian and Natanael, that we have been teaching. We are going to see them tonight and we are hoping to commit Adrian for baptism. I'll let ya know how it goes. I can't remember if I told you before but we saw Victor and committed him for Feb 6th. He had to work again yesterday so we are really hoping and praying that he will have sunday of the next few weeks so he can be baptized. We also found a college girl named Caity. She seemed really cool and she seems to have a sincere interest in learning about the Gospel. She was planning on coming to church but something came up and she wasn't able to come. She asked if she could come next week and we were just like of course! Haha. She said she grew up half Jewish (Dad) and half Baptist (Mom). She said she doesn't agree with a lot of the beliefs she grew up with. From what she was saying and from the questions she was asking I think the Plan of Salvation is really going to hit home with her. We already shared a little bit of the Plan of Salvation when we first found her. Oh, we found her tracting btw. We are planning on seeing here one wednesday so I'll let ya know how it goes. Oh, I have someone you should probably know about. Hermano Copeland is the first counselor I believe. He served his mission in Guatemala and he is just the bomb haha. Anyways, things are going well here. My spanish is steadily getting better. We should be going on our first exchange this thursday. Elder Sexton is going to give an interview to some investigators. We are getting along well and working well together. Mom, you'll be happy to know that we cleaned the apartment today! It was kinda bad, not horrible, when I first got here. I bought some cleaning stuff and we cleaned a bit last p day and some more today. Ahh it feels so much better now haha. Anyways, like I said before things here are fine. But, I need to be going now. Tell everyone I love them. I love y'all!!!

Love,

Elder Kreyling

And now without further ado, here is the best part of this week’s email……Mom’s questions yay!

Q. Como te va con el frio?

A. Bien

Q. Are you able to keep warm?

A. For the most part

Q.What did you do this past week?

A. Missionary work!

Q.What new words did you learn last week?

A. Loor, amistad, ummm... there are a few more that I just can't remember right now haha.

Q.Have you had any new contacts this week?

A. Caity is the only one but she seems pretty awesome! I'm excited to teach her

Q.Any spiritual experiences this week?

A. Probably just finding Caity. It was pretty sweet.

Q.What was your best and worst food experience this week?

A. I didn't really have anything bad... Elder Sexton on the other hand did haha. A member took us to her friends who sells food out of her house. She made us Honduran tacos. They were quite good but Elder Sexton got sick that night and was throwing up and everything. She brought out some hot sauce and he used it and I didn't. That was the only difference in our food so maybe that was it? We both thought it was really good but it just didn't sit well with him for some reason.

Q.How was church/Sunday this week? Have you been asked to interpret recently?

A. It was good. No, it was just in Fort Payne that we interpreted. Although two gringos the past two sundays have spoken and Elder Sexton went up and translated.

Q.Favorite events of the week?

A. church. I like church because it's all in spanish now!

Q.Which was your favorite scripture for the week? Mine is D&C 66:7 missionaries are literally going every place and unto every people in the name of the Lord

A 3 nephi 11 : 3 the voice or spirit of the lord is so gentle yet it pierces. (I think that's the right reference haha I don't have my Book of Mormon with me)

Q.Favorite hymn of the week? Mine is #30 sacrifices for the sake of the LORD’s work.
A. We sing in spanish so excuse me if I get the title wrong. Abide with Me tis eventide.

Q. How are your investigators doing?

A. They are doing well. There are a couple who need a kick in the rear end or something though haha

E-mail # 3 of 2011 1/18/2011 Week 40

Hola Familia!

Yes, I got the card from Grandma. Mi espanol esta bien pero todavia estoy aprendiendo mucho. Aprendo algo nueve cada dia. Haha I don't know how to put the accents or anything. But yes everything is going well. We had one investigator with a baptismal date for the 23rd of this month but he didn't come to church on Sunday because he got called into work. So, we are going to have to commit him for another date. His name is Victor. He seems pretty cool. He lives with a recent convert. We are also working with a few others who show good potential. Adrian I believe is the friend of a less active. He has been soft committed and is reading in the Book of Mormon. He has was going to come to church twice but one time his car slid off the road and I believe church was canceled due to snow the other time. Those are probably our top investigators right now.

-editor's note:

It seems that he must really be trying to get this language down because he's having some trouble configuring his sentences in English now.

Now it's time for mom's weekly questions.

1. Now that you’ve been out 9 months, what changes have you seen in yourself, spiritually, etc. and what hasn’t changed.

Well, I know the doctrine a bit better than before. I love the people for who they are. And I've become/am becoming more spiritually sensitive.

2. Where you affected by changes last week and if so, what happened.
Details, Details

I'm not sure what you're asking so I don't know what to give details on haha. Are you talking about weather or transfers or what? They weather slow us down a bit but we were still able to work.

3. Tell us about your new area: apartment, city, branch, etc.

Pleasant Ridge seems like a pretty sweet area. We have our general proselyting area which covers part of eastern Knoxville. In our own area we cover english and spanish. But, the cool thing about our area is that we cover all of the spanish work for all of Knoxville! So, if some missionaries are tracting in their area and they run into a hispanic they give us a call and we go check it out. That actually happened the other day and we taught the Restoration and got a return appointment from it. We are going to see him today his name is Moises. We live in the basement of some members, the Nicho family. It is pretty nice. It's got pretty much everything we need right there. It is all tile so it is a bit cold right now haha. But, it is nice and I like it. The Branch is pretty small. There were like 15 people at church or something like that. But, I've really like all of the members I've met. It's a good little branch. I hope it will grow quickly.

4. When you study at night/morning, do you study specific things for the people you are planning on teaching or just study in general

Both.

5. Weird/new or yummy food of the week?

Nothing weird. I've had some pretty good mexican food but I can't remember what it was called.

6. Favorite Scripture for this week? Mine is Alma 38: 1through 5 it gives me comfort to know the Lord is on your side while you are on this errand. I believe the reference is 2 nephi 2: 6 through 8. In verse eight it talks about the importance of letting everyone know of these things. Which reminds me. If y'all haven't already you should get on mormon.org and make profiles for each one of ya.

7. Did you have p-day last week; and since the weather was bad what didyou do for fun?

We did have p day but it wasn't anything special haha. We couldn't leave because of the snow. We were in the apartment pretty much all day. I got to do a little more scripture reading though so that was good.

8. What were your favorite events of the week?

Meeting some members has been pretty fun. There are some pretty sweet members here. Just being in a new area is exciting.

9. Who was your favorite contact of the week and why?

Moises. He was referred to us by some other missionaries. We contacted him the same day and had a pretty good lesson and got a return appointment. He seems to have pretty good potential.

10. Where is Elder Sexton from and how long has he been in mish, etc. and how are things going after almost week together?

Chino Valley, AZ. He has been out for about a year. He's the District leader of the spanish district. So, when we have district meeting it's all in spanish! Technically, we've been comps for almost seven weeks. But, this past week has been good. We get along pretty well I think.

Yeah, I haven't gotten that letter from Jake yet. Last week was transfers and they don't send any mail a few days befor and a few days after transfers. So, hopefully I get that today. Yes! I'm getting a letter from my long lost bro Mckay! Woo hoo! That will be the first from him. Do you know if he's gotten the ones that I've sent him? Nope. No letters from ward members yet.

These are Dad's monthy PPI questions
1. Are you being obedient? Yes.

2. Are you working hard? Yes.

3. Are you writing in your journal? Yes. I'm still working on catching up too.

4. Are you taking lots of pictures? No. Probably not as many as you would like. I'll send the memory card next p day.

5. Are you praying often? Yes.

6. Are you being a good companion? I believe so. You'll have to ask Elder Sexton

7. How long do you have on the computer on p-day's? We usually try to keep it around an hour.

Bueno familia. Creo que es todo. Les amo muchisimo! Love all y'all! Y'all have a great week!

Love,

Elder Barry Kreyling

E-mail #2 of 2011 1/12/2011 Week 39

Hola Familia!

Yes, there was a snow storm recently. In Fort Payne we got like eight inches or something. The members said it hadn't snowed that much in maybe twenty years! Anyways, that is why it has taken so long for me to email y'all because the library was closed. So, to bring you up to speed we found out transfer info on saturday. Elder Wilkinson was made district leader and I left Fort Payne.... today actually. My new area is Pleasant Ridge (Spanish still) and my "new" companion is..... Elder Sexton?! Yes, I am with Elder Sexton again woo hoo! It was a bit of a surprise because we had already served basically a full transfer together. But, that is what happened so I'm excited. It should be a good transfer because we already know each other and everything so we already have unity and all that good stuff. But yeah, Elder Sexton is the District Leader too so that's exciting. I can't tell you too much more because it's my first day here. But, I can tell you that I'm as excited as ever to be serving a mission for the Lord!!! I hope everything is going well and that y'all have a good week!!!

Love,

Elder Barry Kreyling

Ta da!! And now for mom’s weekly questions.

Q. Do you have any funny, crazy, weird, or spiritual experiences to share this week? Details, details please.

A. For spiritual, yes. We had a BAPTISM! It was a child of record baptism but a baptism nonetheless Her name is Paulina De La Cruz and she asked for me to baptize her. So, I had the privilege to Baptize her. It was awesome

Q. Favorite scripture for this week and why? Mine is Psalms 82: 6

A. Can we do whole chapters too? Haha. 3 Nephi 17

Q. Favorite hymn this week? Mine is How great Thou Are.

A. Two. Come, Follow me and Families can be together forever. Those are the ones we sang at Paulina's baptism.

Q. Do you have transfers this coming week?

A. Yes today in fact haha.

Q. How are the investigators doing?

A. Alfredo is doing pretty well. His wife needs to come to church. The Fort Payne Elders are going to see them on Saturday.

Q. Who was your favorite contact of the week and why?

A. Storm, because of his name haha. And he showed some good potential.

Q.What is your favorite lesson to teach? Is there a particular lesson that you find touches the hearts of people more than the others?

A. The Restoration. That's what it all comes back to. I think also the Plan of Salvation touches the hearts of many. When you tell them that they can be with their loved ones you can see that they want that. But, much of the time they just don't want to change.

E-mail 1/3/2011 Week 38

Hola Familia!

This past week went really well! We went to teach Alfredo and we had his wife and daughter come out for the lesson. We committed all of them to read the Book of Mormon and pray. We had Tania Corona come with us and we had her bear testimony on the Book of Mormon and invite them to church. We watched the Restoration DVD with them and it seemed to spark some interest in Patti. Alfredo and Frida came to church yesterday. We were going to give them a baptismal committment at church but we wanted to do it when they were all there and Patti was at home not feeling well. I can't remember if I told you but she is pregnant. So, we are really hoping she is feeling better next Sunday. We also had dinner with a part member family and we asked the husband if we could teach him and he said yes! Our numbers are starting to go up so it's looking really good! Everything is going well and the work is as fun as ever! Elder Wilkinson and I originally thought we would be together for his last two transfers. But, aparently there are six new spanish speaking elders coming this next transfer and none are leaving. So, we don't have any idea what's going on for transfers anymore. We will be finding out soon though so I should be able to tell y'all next monday. Anyways, the work is going well and we are fine here. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY Haha but we need to get going because we are getting a ride to a zone activity. Just know that I love y'all!!! Tell EVERYONE I love them! Thanks!

Love,

Elder Kreyling

Mom's list of questions for the week.

Q. What is your favorite scripture for the week? mine is Acts 3: 19-21 it shows that there was an apostasy and restoration was need to be made.
A. Mosiah 2:41 basically says that when we keep the commandments we are happy and blessed temporally and spiritually. So true!

Q. What is your favorite hymn for the week? Mine is # 250 we are ALL Enlisted-we ALL need to help do the Lord’s work.

A. I am a Child of God

Q. Did you get Jack'ee's Card/?

A. Yes, thank you!

Q. How are you doing with money? Do you have enough?

A. Yes

Q. How are your shoes holding up?

A. My church/meeting shoes are doing well. My tracting shoes were looking pretty beat up so I polished them and now they are quite a bit better.

Q. Did you send a card or letter to abuela? I have not seen one yet.

A. No, I'm still working on it.

Q. How many new words do you try to learn a day?

A. I'm hoping to learn five new words a day. If it goes well I'll bump it up.

Q. Are you still taking an hour a day to study Español?

A. Por supuesto! (Of course!)

Love you tons & tons!! Mom

Today, Sunday, Sam is here for family home evening & brownies.
Sam’s questions:

Q. Do you get a chance to buy smoothies, or make ‘em?

A. Yes I've had and made a few since I've been out.

Q. Is the place where you are at a place you would like to live, or would you ever go back?

A. I'm not sure about living here but I would definitely like to come back.

Q. Do you consider yourself a good companion or an annoying one?

A. Haha ummm. I think I'm a pretty good comp at least I hope so.