MTC - First Letter

Hey everybody,

You guys are the best family in the entire world! Thanks so much for all your support and prayers!

The first week at the MTC has been easily the hardest thing i have ever done in my life. 

When Austin first dropped me off I was immediately rushed into the swing of things! Got my name tag, dropped my luggage off and then met my companion! My companion is Elder Hunt. He is from Riverton, Utah and is 23 years old. I really think that we were meant to be together. In my patriarchal blessing it said that i would be a source of inspiration and strength to missionaries who are struggling. That promise has started right from the beginning of my mission! He told that before he came on a mission he was very shy and not very social. He said that i have been able to be a friend that he is able to be himself with and to really grow into the missionary God wants him to be! This was an amazing experience to see!

As i said before this has been a really hard experience! We have to wake up at 630 AM every morning which if anyone knows me I am not a delight to be with, but i have learned that as I have been able to be obidient the lord has bless me! For the first couple days I was struggling a little bit! I really questioned why I was out hear! There was a process I would go through everyday that went something like... in the morning i would feel really sad and really questioning why i was out here. I was terrified because i felt like i wasnt qualified to teach! That i didnt know enough, but as the day went on I kept having experiences that really built my confidence in myself and my ability to listen to the spirit! Each day we have classroom sessions were we learn how to teach, learn the gospel, and learn how to be guided by the spirit. We practice these techniques with our companion, then we teach our teacher, and then starting at the beginning of this week we were able to start teaching real investigators. As I have done this I have been able to gain confidence in myself, learn how to be guided by the spirit, and to really focus on the persons need and share how the gospel of Jesus Christ can help them. 

Something that i have learned really well here is that as missionaries we need to focus on each inverstigator, find there needs and apply the gospel of Jesus Christ to them. If they dont know how the gospel will bless their lives then why would they listen to our message!

Elder Hunt and I were made Zone Leaders! This has been a good experience for us because we were able to welcome in new missionaries and really calm their fears! I know how hard it is to leave your family for two years but as i have been able to grow and progress I have been able to really feel peace and comfort about being here! I know that I am suppose to be here on a mission! 

In our district we have Elder Rassmuson, Elder Hunt, Elder Hunt, Elder Mayberry, and Elder Vergara! I have really learned to love them! They are some of the coolest most amazing guys I know! Elder Mayberry, Elder Hunt ( Not my companion), and me are the ones in our district going to Arizona Scottsdale. The other Elders are going to San Antonio, Texas!

Today is our P-Day! We were able to go to the temple today! I could really feel peace, comfort and the spirit at the temple! It was such a good experience to be able to go to the temple!

So like I mentioned earlier we have the opportunity to teach real investigators at the MTC! We are teaching a man named Don Cosney! He is a really incredible man and Elder Hunt and I are feeling really close to him! We have been able to teach him 3 times so far and will teach him tonight for the last time! We gave him a Book of Mormon and have invited him to be baptized. He said that baptism is something that he will sincerly considered! We were able to teach him about the restoration and the plan of salvation! He really likes history and thought that the story of the restoration was very interesting! He was able to pray about it and said he felt a sense of peace as he prayed. The next lesson was on the Plan of Salvation! He really responded to it and wanted to know more about his purpose in life and his relationship to heavenly father! we can really feel the spirit with him!

Another investigator that we met while walking to lunch one day is Junichi! He is from Japan. One thing i should mention is that at the mtc they have investigators wear gold name tags and they walk around the MTC. We as missionaries are able to approach them and set appointments up! So with Junichi he actually approached us and we were able to set a appointment up with him! Yesterday we were able to met with him and really get to know he better! He took pictures with us and said he would send it to our parents so be expecting something from him in your email! He was a really amazing and cool guy! He said he will take my wedding pictures for me and will take me our to dinner when I get back!

It is amazing how much you can change in just one week! I have grown to love the gospel and our savior Jesus Christ! I have grown of a greater understanding of the plan of salvation and the peace it brings to my life! I am so greatful for the atonement and the ability to be forgiven of our sins! It brings peace and joy into my life! I love the book of mormon and the direction it has given me and the peace it brings to my heart! I know that we have a modern day prophet who guides us in these latter days! 

Well I hope everything is going well back home! Keep me updated on everything! Keep praying for me!

I leave for Scottsdale, Arizona on Monday the 17th at 430AM. I am so excited to go!

Keep me posted. This will be my first and last time to email you guys while at the MTC! Next time you hear from me I will be in Scottsdale Arizona! I need to figure a way to send photos but i promise i have taken pictures and will send them as soon as possible! Make sure I have enough money to buy a bike, helmet and lights for it when i get down to scottsdale!

Love you guys so much,

Elder Kennedy