E-Mail Week 11

Hello Family! Things continue to improve here. The Branch really seems to like us and they have been showing their support for us. We have been fed more! Haha. Elder Badal is doing well. His toe is much better. It only bothers him every now and again. I think I may have told you but we don't really have any investigators as of now. We find potentials every week but they never seem to keep their commitments. It's pretty frustrating. We have called the Tittsworth family twice and left them one message. We asked them how things are going, if there is anything we can do for them, and to give us a call back. We have not heard back from them though. We have quite a few miles so we are just going to drive out there and knock on their door. I'm not sure if I told you but we sorta had a baptism. The sisters, in another area, were teaching a lady from our area and baptized her and her son. She had a friend in the sister's area and went to their branch for six months and we didn't know about it until about two weeks before her baptism. So, the sisters got credit for the baptism but the lady was in our area. We call that poaching. Anyway, she has a daughter who has not been baptized. We asked her if she had talked with her daughter at all about being baptized. She said no because she wants it to be her daughters choice. She doesn't seem to understand her role as the parent. So, we talked to President Griffin (who BTW is the man!) and brought it up in our district meeting. We have decided to just be frank with her, but we are going to be nice about it so she doesn't get offended. We are going to have her read D & C 68 : 25. That scripture is pretty bold and should get the message across. We are also going to get in contact with the Buffelo and Brummitt families and be frank with them. President Griffin has told us that every area can baptize this transfer including ours. So, we are going to find someone! Tell Sam I will write her a letter today when I have a few minutes. Well, I need to get going. I'll send letters today. I love ya'll!!!

E-mail Week 10

Hey!!! Happy Father's day yesterday dad!!! Hey, Elder Badal's Bro. is on a mission in the Dominican Republic! Tommorrow is his last day there! How was it there? It looked really nice in the pics :) Things are going good here. The work is progressing. We contacted a family referral this past week. We parked our car at the beginning of their driveway and walked to their home. It was in the country so their driveway was quite long haha. Anyways, we get to the door and knock... Nothing. We knock again and ring the doorbell... Nothing again. We stood on the porch for an abnormally long time. Then we started walking away. For some reason, as we were walking down the driveway, I looked back and there was a young girl standing outside their home. We got all excited and what not and ran back to talk to her. Her big sis came out. Their parents and other siblings were at the hospital because their grandpa was having surgery for a brain tumor I believe it was. So we left them with our number and asked them to give it to their parents and have them call us. We were walking back to the car and I kid you not, it was three minutes after we left their home we got a call from the parents!!! :) They told us what was going on and said they would call us back when things settle down! Oh they are the Tittsworth family by the way. They live in greenback which is a ways away from Loudon. Haha I thought I told you that the dog bite wasn't bad. And no, I didn't kick the dog haha. It didn't break the skin I could only feel the pressure. But yeah, my days of wanting to be a vet are long gone now haha. Elder Badal's toe is feeling good enough to ride our bikes. So, we put them together and something is wrong with his (he bought a used one). So we have to wait for him to get it fixed or get a new one. Oh, the Branch really seems to like us now! The first few weeks weren't so good because previous missionaries didn't do much apparentely. But, they've seen us working. Our meal appointments have increased. We have at least two or three a week now. Awesome!!! So yeah things are going well and I really like the area now. We are going to baptize in Loudon!!!!!!!

I love yins!!!( another way to say ya'll)

Letter Week 9

Dear Mom & Dad,

Sorry it's been a while. I've been trying to at least e-mail every week. The last few p-days we have been doing a lot of activities. Yesterday Elder Badal went to get his toe checked out. He has been wearing regular shoes for a couple of weeks now. His toe is good for the most part. I still gets tender now and again but not too much. So, we didn't get a baptism this transfer & we kinda felt like we weren't doing much good for the Loudon Branch. . But we went on an exchange with the assistants the other day. Elder Badal stayed in Loudon with Elder Thomas & I went to Wt doing a good est Hills with Elder Rock. I guess Elder Badal told Elder Thomas that since we haven't baptized or even committed anyone (Our teaching pool isn't very big BTW) we felt we weren't doing a good job helping the branch out. Elder Thomas basically told him that we have done more good than we realize. We have built a better relationship with the Branch President for example. So we think we needed to help out the branch this transfer & gain their trust & get them excited about the work... So yeah, things are going good. So, how are things going back home? How is everyone doing? Oh, I'll answer one of your questions. Here is what our schedule generally looks like...

6:30 Wake up, work out.
7:00 Shower, get ready for the day.
8:00 Personal study.
9:00 Companion Study
10 - 12 Tracting
12:00 Lunch
1 - 3 Tracting
3 - 5 Finding
5:00 Dinner
6 - 9 Visit Members & other things.
That's just a general outline... Hmmm, I think that's all for now. I'll send another letter next p-day. Love Barry (Elder Kreyling)

e-mailing sister Janice & fam

On Sun, May 30, 2010 at 11:20 PM, Jon, Janice, Kaylee, & Regan wrote:

After doing her own hair Kaylee decided that Barry's hair needed her spacial touch.

Papa and Yiayia came up for a visit. We were all happy to see them. Kaylee asked Yiayia, "Where Rarry?" So I told her what I always tell her when she asks where Barry is. That he is on a mission in Tennessee helping Jesus.

Mon, May 31, 2010 at 9:26 AM, Barry Ryan Kreyling wrote:

Awww, she still asks about me? Sniffle... Haha. How are ya'll doing? I saw Regan's pic, he is looking pretty good. Things are still going good here. We had a guy (named Guy) committed for baptism but sadly he canceled on us. But, it's ok we will find someone! I'll try writing a letter soon. I love ya'll!!!

|

Janice Heaton

She asks about you at least once a week and prays for you every night. Everyt...

Jun 1 (8 days ago)

Janice HeatonLoading...

Jun 1 (8 days ago)

Janice HeatonTue, Jun 1, 2010 at 12:08 PM to Barry

She asks about you at least once a week and prays for you every night. Everytime I remind her where you are she says," Oh! Help Jesus." While nodding her head as if she should remember that. haha. She is so funny. We are doing great. We just spent ALL weekend in the yard. It has NEVER looked This good. Jon and I took turns mowing the whole .58 acres! It's amazing what not being preggo or having a newborn nursing every hour and a half can do for our yard. And most of the seeds we planted are coming up nicely for the garden. The spinach is doing especially well. OH! And it finally happened. The children are wearing the same size diapers! Well just at night for Kaylee, but Regan only took six months to catch up to his big sis! I'm sending a letter in the mail. All our love!

xoxoxoxo- us

Barry Ryan Kreyling

Mon, Jun 7, 2010 at 11:55 AM

Aw that's my cutie patutie, however it's spelled, haha. It's funny that you mention gardens. The area I am covering right now has quite a bit of country in it. Almost every person we run into has a garden! Some of them are huge too! It's cool though, it makes me want one of my own someday. Haha. So what's all growing in the garden? What?! Regan caught up to Kaylee already?! Maybe you need to feed her some southern cookin Ha, I haven't really gained any weight yet so that might not work. Oh, how is the business going? Jon, is there any advice you could give me? Haha, advice that is serious? Well, I hope that things continue to go well. I love ya'll!!!

e-mailing sister Jack'ee

Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010 10:14:55 -0600
Subject: Hi!!!!
From: barry.kreyling
To: jackee_k

Hey, just a quick email to let you know how things are going... I'm doing fine and I LOVE the MTC!!! Haha it is so cool here. We learn so much through the spirit, it is absolutely amazing! I even like the food! But, I like almost all foods haha. I've been here for a week already so just two more weeks and then I'm off to Tennessee! :) Well, I don't have much time left. But, I'm doing great and I'm so excited to be doing this! I need to get going now. I love you!!!! :)


Date: Mon, 10 May 2010 10:27:19 -0400
Subject: Re: Hi!!!!
From: barry.kreyling
To: jackee_k


Hey! I'm in Tennessee now and I'm loving it! :) It is a lot like how I remember Atlanta being so it's way fun. Yes, I have a camera and I'm taking pictures. I'll be sending my memory card to mom and dad soon so they can put them on the blog and stuff. Anyway, things are still going well. It's quite a bit of work but it's fun work:) My trainers name is Elder Badal and we are getting along well. Oh haha, he cut off his big toe while mowing down a bank but they were able to save it. So he has to wear a cast for about another week and a half. But even with that we are getting quite a bit done. We have three investigators that we are very hopeful for! :) Oh, email me before monday (that's my p day now) and I'll get back to ya:)
I love you!!!
Love,
Barry


On Tue, May 4, 2010 at 12:55 PM, jack'ee kreyling wrote:

hi barry... oops I mean Elder Kreyling, glad things are going well. sorry it took so long to send you this. things have been crazy at work, doing lots of mandatory overtime so by the time i get home i just fall right into bed. haha i love all foods too just ask jason. at least you wont starve, hehe. your almost on your way to Tennessee. do you have a camera? when you get there take pictures of the scenery for me ( with you in them of course) keep up the good work. I'm proud of you. Love You :)

Date: Mon, 24 May 2010 10:41:30 -0400
Subject: Re: Hi!!!!
From: barry.kreyling
To: jackee

So the carpal tunnel thing, is it just a flare up. I thought you had it before. I'll pray for ya:) But yeah things are still going pretty well. Haha yeah hopefully I'm pretty good at converting baptists by the time I get back. It seems like 90 % of the people here are baptist, there are a lot. Most of the people are nice. We have only come across a handful of rude people. Ok, so since I've been in the field I've been working on being bold. I want you to try to imagine your little bro being bold. Haha. I'm not super bold yet but I have said things that I never thought I would have the courage to say. I'm slowly getting there:) Well I'm gonna get going now. The Church is true!!! I love ya'll!!!! :)

On Sun, May 23, 2010 at 11:20 AM, jack'ee kreyling wrote:

Hi Elder Kreyling, as you can see I hardly ever get on the computer so I just got your e-mail. glad everything is going so well. Sorry about your companions toe. that must have been gruesome. any way everything over here is going ok, I've been going to the dr.s a lot for my hand. apparently I have carpal tunnel and trigger finger, so needless to say it is both painful to write and to type, however I am having a good day today. by Thursday they are hopefully going to determine if I need physical therapy or surgery, and thank goodness my work is taking care of all of it for me. I'll keep you posted now that I know you p day is on Mondays I'll make sure i e-mail you. keep up the good work, sounds like your having fun. hey maybe after your a pro at converting baptists you can come home and convert Jason, since he is baptist too. haha. well have fun and hope to hear from you soon. love ya :)

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E-mail Week 8 (6/7/2010)

Hello Family!!!

I'm pretty sure put all of the checks in that one box in the closet where your sewing stuff is. Remember? I think I left the gift card in the house somewhere. I got a package on Friday. Those nuts are good by the way :) We have some investigators. The Brummett's and Buffalo's are hard to get in contact with. We will keep trying. Then there is Gerald A. who we found the other day. I'll let you know how it goes with him. We don't have any that we have really started teaching yet. EVERYONE has dogs here. I got bit just above my ankle the other day. It wasn't real hard though. We were fed so much by members that we didn't do any shopping last p day. The work in the branch is progressing. We have finally had some member present lessons which we need. So, I think they are gaining trust in us. We have visited several less active members several times but none of them have come. We will keep at it though. The members who do come are strong in the church so that's good. We have played frisbee golf most p day's. Today we went fishing at a members pond and they fed us breakfast. It was cool even though I didn't catch anything. Haha. We asked President about studying spanish but he didn't give us permission so we haven't done that. We usually do sit ups and push ups for exercise. Oh, and there is this workout we do with pass along cards. We set up say ten cards in a row, squat, pick up the first, squat, place it on the second, squat and for those two separately. I'll explain more in my letter. We can't run, my comps toe isn't ready for that yet. We haven't used bikes yet. The weather is hot and humid. It rains a few times a week and cools things down. Oh, hopefully I answered like you wanted me to. I just read that part but I need to get going now. I love ya'll!!!

E-mail Week 7 5/31/2010

Yeah, I was just saying I want to be like them because they are the assistants for a reason. I just think it would be awesome to be like them... Ummm, I'll send the bag when I can. The stuff in the packages has been awesome My companion is pretty cool. I've learned quite a bit from him. He was in a boot because of his toe for a while.
He is wearing shoes now. We live by ourselves in an apartment. Every Wednesday one of the counselors in the Branch Presidency takes us out to eat. Then, if other members feel like it they offer to feed us. It is pretty humid out here. Plus, it gets into the 80's or 90's. No, we have not eaten anything weird yet. Yes, i got the package and thank you for it. I'll send the memory card soon. I need to go now. I love ya'll!!!

Letter 5/27 Week 6

Dear Mom & Dad,
Parents! Sorry I haven't written for a while... How are things going? It's hard to believe Michelle, Alexa & everyone else are graduating already. Anyway things are going good here. I'm becoming a little more bold and confident everyday... I want to be like the assistants I have right now. I think that's because I want to be the best missionary I know I can be. I don't want to sound like I am comparing myself to others. It's more like I am comparing myself to who I can become. But that will come in due time...
So I'll be sending you an e-mail too. But, things are going good here. We are working pretty hard/smart I think. We haven't really found anyone yet. An old investigator came to church two Sundays ago. We taught him the Plan of Salvation. We went to his house a few days later. At his home we committed him for baptism & he accepted! Then two days later he called. He said he was permanently dropping out of the church. My trainer(Elder Badal) & I are almost certain it's because of his family. They are pretty anti. It was frustrating though because he said he likes the church & the Book of Mormon and knows they're true. But he said certain things have come up so he is no longer investigating. Sigh. It kinda reminds me of grandma & grandpas situation. Because he has a daughter & grandkids living with him. But they don't have much respect for him. The branch doesn't have much hope either. They have maybe 30 - 40 attending each Sunday... But even though our investigator isn't being baptized we aren't losing hope! We'll find, with the Lords help, someone to baptize & get this branch going! Well I need to get going. I love ya'll! : ) Love Elder Kreyling (Barry)

E-mail 5/24/2010 Week 6

Hello!!! I have a written letter I'm sending to you today. Launa is getting married?!!! What the. Crazy. Anyway it's good to hear things are going well there. Things are pretty good here. I'll answer your questions. We don't really have any families we are teaching. We have tried contacting the Buffalo and Brummett families but haven't had success with that yet. We have gone to both homes a few times but nothing. We will try again soon I believe. We really haven't found anyone new yet. We have return appointments tonight and tomorrow and we hope they work out. But yeah, we don't have an investigator right now. There is a story in the letter I'm sending that kinda talks about that. I also talk about the branch in my letter. Let's just say we are trying to strengthen the branch and build their hope. Yeah it's pretty warm. It has been as high as 92 I think. Plus the humidity. The best is yet to come haha. Yeah we are working hard and smart. I forget to write in my journal every now and again but I'm trying to write every night. I forgot to get Mckay's address while I was at the MTC. Could you send that to me? I need to send an email to President Griffin so I need to go. I love ya'll!!!
Love,
Elder Kreyling (Barry)

E-mail 5/17/2010 Week 5

Dear Mom and Dad,

Hello! :) Well, Tennessee is as awesome as ever. I think the work is going pretty well. Sigh, that's sad but tell the boys (Soccer Team) I said good job. I think I told you before about our investigators in my last email. Well, almost all of them bonked us haha. We had an appointment with the Buffalo's this last Tuesday. Their main door was open and their screen door was closed so we were expecting someone to answer. So, we knock, and knock and... knocked. Nothing. Weird. We were confused so we left them a note and went finding from the area book. About 30 minutes later the Buffalo's called! I answered and since I'm new I said, "Hello this is Elder Kreyling" instead of "Hello this is the missionaries".... Ooops. She got confused and hung up. We tried calling back but there was no answer. So, we are going to go over and set up a new appointment. We have an appointment with the Brummett's this week. They are apparently a golden family so we are very excited. A former investigator came to church yesterday! After sacrament we answered his questions and taught him the Plan of Salvation. It went well! We committed him for baptism. He sat their for a minute then said he would think about it! Oh, and a couple days ago we tracted into Lila. She's a baptist (of course haha), but she seemed fairly interested. We asked her that if God gave her something that would draw her closer to Him if she would take it. She said yes. so we told her about the Book of Mormon and how it's the word of God like the Bible. We left her with a chapter to read and set up a return appointment. So, we have a couple investigators right now that we are excited about. But, our main focus for this transfer is to strengthen the branch. Apparently the missionaries before us didn't do a whole lot. So, I guess after something like that happens, the branch doesn't really trust missionaries. So, we are working on gaining their trust and strengthening the branch. Once we get a baptism and they see us actually working I think they will trust us. Then, we hope we can get some referrals:)
Yeah, we asked if we could study Spanish because we run into Spanish speakers pretty often. President Griffin told us to get back to him on that so we'll see. Tell Michelle that I wrote her a letter last p day... But, Elder Badal and I actually both forgot to send our letters. Haha. So, we sent them today. We are running around quite a bit today. We have shopping and what not. So, I'm not sure if I'll be able to write today. I actually have to take Elder Badal to a doc appointment which is at ten. So, I gotta go! Tell EVERYONE I love them!!! I love ya'll!!!!!! :) :) :)

Elder Kreyling's Companion, Mission President and Presidents Wife

Elder Kreyling with President and Sister Griffin
Top Elder Kreyling and his companion Elder Badal

First E-mail From Tenessee Week 4

Dear Dad,

Well, I think I answered most of your questions yesterday... Yes, our mission does have Spanish speaking missionaries. My trainer and I have actually ran into quite a few people who just speak Spanish. We are going to talk to our Mission President to see if we can have language study for an hour each day. We both know a bit of Spanish but we want to get better so we can talk to those people more. Yes, I got all of the packages and I'll send those things back. We talked a bit about this yesterday but my companion and I are still waiting to get letters... We've been here almost a week haha. We've thought about not looking in the mailbox for a while because it's kinda depressing haha;) Oh, I'll also send my memory card so you can get some pictures up on the blog:) Anyway, things are going great here! It reminds me a lot of New Jersey and Atlanta, so I really love it here:) We've only encountered a couple mean people. Most of the people are quite nice. They smile and say stuff like, "I really appreciate what you're doing and I admire you, but, I'm not interested." It's cool because we kinda get rejected and praised at the same time haha:) But yeah, things are going well and I'm having fun :) Remind people to write! :) I hope the rest of Mother's Day went well for mom :) Tell EVERYONE I love them :) I LOVE you and mom:)

Love,

Barry

A stolen post

I (Janice) stole the following post from the Nyberg family blog. The Nybergs are the best and we hope Barry gets to see more of them on his mission.


"...we got to see Elder Kreyling, the brother of Shelly's sister-in-law Janice (make sense?)"

"Elder Kreyling (right) with his new companion."

"Green looks good on him, no?"

"Brian welcomes Elder Kreyling to the mission. Too bad he didn't come to our area and live in the basement."

"There he goes!"

Letter from Barry's Mission President

Mother's Day Phone (Skype) Call From Barry

We were able to visit with Barry for a while tonight and he is doing well. Thanks to Brother and sister Bowman for giving him the means to communicate with us. As you can see from this photo he is content in what he is doing. That came through loud and clear in our conversation with him. He is getting along well with his new companion Elder Badal. We prayed that he would have a good first companion to train him and it appears those prayers have been answered. We had a chance to talk for a moment with his companion and were impressed. He is very positive. Barry is enjoying visiting with people in that area. They have several people they are teaching and he says they are good people. They are in a small branch in Louden, Tennessee. He is in a car area and he was assigned to be the driver in the companionship. They are required to ride a bike one day a week in their mission but for the next week and a half will be driving because his companion injured his foot. It was great being able to visit with him. We will be able to talk to him again at Christmastime and look forward to that.We will get an e-mail from him tomorrow, his p-day, so there may be a new post tomorrow if we learn something new.

Mothers Day Phone Call

Barry called to let us know when he will be making his official Mothers Day call. He is doing great. He is enjoying the area and his new companion. Ill update after we receive his "official" call. He sounds great though...

First Photos of Barry in the "field"

Courtesy of Brian Nyberg's phone. Brian and his wife Shelly (Jon's (Barry's brother-in-law) sister) live in Barry's Mission area. They do lots with/for the Missionaries. In fact they even house Missionaries in their home! Wouldn't it be so cool if Barry lived with them for a bit while he is out there. We think it's great that Barry got to see a familiar face upon his arrival. Barry and the Nyberg clan have met a few times over the years since Jon and Janice married. Thanks Brian and Shelly for these first photos!

Elder Kreyling is welcomed to the mission
by his trainer, Elder Badal

Update from Tennessee

We have a confirmed report from our elite Tennessee delta force that Barry has safely arrived in Tennessee. Actually Barry's brother in law's brother in law Brian had to take some missionaries to transfers and saw Barry walk into the transfer conference.

Where is Barry now?

Update Barry is assigned his first area: Loudon, TN
Click here for more info about Loudon.

On His Way!!! 5/4/2010

Barry called this morning at 7:11AM but it went to voice mail so I didn't get to talk to him.He then tried to call his mom and that call too went to voice mail.He left a message though which said that he is doing great!!! He is on his way to the airport to catch his flight to Tennessee! His flight is scheduled to leave at 8:00AM so he should be in Tennessee early this afternoon. Even though we didn't get to talk to him it was good to hear his voice. We do miss him but are grateful that he is doing what he should be at this time in his life.

Heading To Tennessee Tuesday May 4th

Barry will be leaving the MTC at about 5:00am and flying to Tennessee early Tuesday morning. He is excited to get out in the mission field. Mail should now be directed to the following address:

Elder Barry Kreyling
11320 Station West Dr. Ste 101
Farragut, TN 37934

REMEMBER MAIL IS GOOD!
And so are care packages. : )