Thursday, December 31, 2015

Weekly Update - 12/28/2015

Hello Everybody,

This week was fantastic. It was just really super fun! On Tuesdays we were able to meet with a investigator. We had a really good discussion on worm concerns he has had of some things he has heard on the radio about the Mormons. It went really good and I could feel the lord guiding us through the lesson and helping us know what to say. 

This week The bishop for one of our wards wanted us to drop off some gifts for some people he determined. It went pretty good. Most of them accepted it, except one. I mean really who wouldn't want a free gift. We also had the opportunity to play Santa for a family. A family in the Ward bought a bunch of gifts for a family in need in the Ward. We had the pleasure of dropping off this huge bag of gifts to the family. The ones who provided it wanted it to be anonymous. 

We had a really awesome Christmas Eve with the Jacksons. They made a really delicious ham dinner. Then we played a couple games and watched mister kruegars Christmas. It was a fantastic night.

Christmas morning we went over to the halls home and opened gifts with them. They bought us a bunch of gifts as well. A lot of ties and socks as well as some memorabilia for Arizona. It was so nice of them. Then we ate breakfast and then played a game with them called cover your assets. It was super fun. Then we had the opportunity to Skype our family. It was super good being able to Skype them. They are all super truncky  meaning they are really excited for me to come home. After skype then we headed to the stake presidents home to say hi. Then we went off to our dinner with the Moses. The kids there really wanted to play ping pong with us. We whooped them so bad. They were only like 5 years old. 

Saturday I got kind of sick with a flu thing going around. So that was not fun! 

Sunday we had a awesome day at church. Then we had a awesome. Rear of the sabbath. We went to the Larsons for dinner. The dad is the seminary teacher here. They are super awesome. They made some really delicious Chinese food. They we went and finished off the day.

All in all it was a very productive week. Not to much in missionary work, but in celebrating Christmas. 

Well I love you all. Keep being fantastic! See y'all in like 36ish days. 

Love, 
Elder Kennedy
Arizona Scottsdale Mission
6265 N. 82nd St. 
Scottsdale, AZ 85250

Monday, December 21, 2015

Weekly Update - 12/21/2015

Hey everybody,

Not much to report on since last PDay since it was just a couple days
ago. Things have been going good here. On Sunday we got to teach a
family who a member invited to the dinner. We met the mom whose name
is Davina at the Ward Christmas party and gave here a church tour.
There brother Pico invited them to dinner. The family consists of a
mom and 2 daughters whose names are Maura and Kylie. Well that
happened Sunday. She said after the lesson that she could really feel
the spirit. We introduced our purpose to her and also introduced the
Book of Mormon. She really like the aspect of being able to find out
for herself that what we are teaching is true. She commited to meet
with us again and as well to come to church on Sunday. We feel really
good about her. She is apparently a famous radio personality up here.
It is so amazing to see Gods hand in bringing her to this point where
she is ready to hear the gospel.

Another miracle happened this week. Some converts that where baptized
back in August finally came to church for the first time in like 3
months. It was awesome to see them there. They brought there non
member sister as well.

Well I love you all and hope you all have a merry Christmas. Can't
wait to talk to you mom and dad on Christmas. Love you all. See y'all
in 43 days.
Love,
Elder Kennedy
Arizona Scottsdale Mission
6265 N. 82nd St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
dallas.kennedy@myldsmail.net

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Weekly Update - 12/17/2015

Hello Everybody
We had transfers this week. I got a new companion. His name is Elder Rudy. He is super awesome. My old companion Elder Warren got transferred to Scottsdale. It looks like I will be finishing my mission here in Pinetop. By the time I go home I will have been in this area for 6 transfers or around 9 months. I am definitely loving it here right now. 
The work is moving forward so much now. We have a Addiction recovery class now going in McNary. The first week we had around 9 people there. This week we had a lot of people come. It was really cool because during the beginning there where not that many there and then all of the sudden like 8 more Apache men start filing in. I t was super amazing to see. 

Elder Warren was sick a lot last week with a stomach flu so we were not able to get to much done. 

One miracle we saw on Sunday was amazing. One of our members brought a non member family with them to the Christmas party. We were able to give a church tour for them and they loved it. We are now meeting with them again on Sunday. The members are having us for dinner and then we will do a lesson afterward. 

I had so many spiritual experiences at the temple yesterday. First off I thought I sent off a lot of the family names back home that we had done baptisms and initatories, but I felt impressed to look around my desk for more names. I was looking and just about gave up when I decided to look in one more place. There I found a name squashed inbetween 2 books. It was the only name in there. It had been exactly one year ago that I had down the Iniatiories. I felt him say I need my work down. I have been waiting a long time. It was a miracle that I found it. Another spiritual experience I had was during the chapel session. I don't know why, but I just felt an overwhelming love from our savior. It was just a sweet spirit. One final experience I had was when the prayer circle was going on. The temple worker who was performing the prayer said something that really touched my heart and almost made me cry for joy. He said that he wanted to endow us with power to withstand Satan and have a sheild that will protect us from the temptations of Satan. He also said that he wanted to bless us with strength to finish our missions honorably and worthily. I felt like he was talking directly to me. It was so special. One of the most strongest times I had felt the spirit. I was so grateful to be able to go to the temple and do the work for my family.
Well I love you all. Can't wait to talk to ya mom and dad next week. It should be awesome. Well I love you all. 

Love,
Elder Kennedy
Arizona Scottsdale Mission
6265 N. 82nd St. 
Scottsdale, AZ 85250

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Weekly Update - 12/09/2015

Hey Everybody,

How is it going? Things are going pretty good here. We had Elder Lynn
G. Robbins come to our mission on Monday. It was super awesome! He
talked a lot about opening our mouths in proclaiming the gospel.

We had a pretty awesome week. We have a lot of awesome things coming
to help the natives we are working with in McNary. We are starting a
addiction recovery class, Book of Mormon class and an Family Home
Evening. On Saturday we met with the Ward and cleaned out the building
there. It hasn't been used in quite a few years. That was awesome.

We are trying pretty hard to find new investigators. The work is
slowing down a little bit. I can't believe that the mission is almost
coming to an end. It has gone by so fast. Only a month and a half
left. Transfers are next week and we will be having P-Day on Thursday
next week. I talked to President Sweeney today and he said I will be
staying and Elder Warren will be transferring. So I will have been in
this area for about 6 transfers. Almost 9 months here! I am definitely
loving it here right now. I am loving the people so much.

Well I love you all so much. Keep being awesome and check out
Christmas.mormon.org

Love,
Elder Kennedy
Arizona Scottsdale Mission
6265 N. 82nd St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
dallas.kennedy@myldsmail.net

Monday, November 30, 2015

Weekly Update - 11/30/2015

Hey Everybody,
This past week was straight cray cray. On Wednesday we had zone
conference. It was actually pretty cool. President Sweeney taught us
about how everything typifies that their is a christ. He sent us a
whole document that I will attach. The Assistants gave a training on
how to interact between sisters and elders. That was kind of lame, but
it was alright.

Thanksgiving was awesome as well. In the morning we met up with a
bunch of people and had a huge turkey bowl. It was pretty awesome. I
am pretty sore from it. Then we went fishing with a member for a
couple hours. I didn't catch anything. The Kennedy Curse is real.
Elder Warren caught a 12 inch rainbow trout and the member we were
with caught a smaller one. I didn't catch jack diddle squat. Then we
had a awesome Thanksgiving dinner. It was super delicious. They sent
us home with a lot of leftovers.

On Saturday we went on exchanges. I went with Elder Moody in his area.
It went pretty good.

On Sunday, Steve Ohlau who was baptized a couple months ago did the
sacrament for the first time. He didn't even screw up on saying the
words. He did so good. All of the High Priest got to pass and bless
with him. It was awesome seeing all of those mature men passing the
sacrament when we are used to seeing 12 year old boys do it. The
Spirit was so strong.

Well I dont have to much to report on this week. In a couple weeks
Elder Robbins is coming to do a mission tour. It should be super
awesome.

I love you all. Dont forget to share the new christmas video called "A
Savior is Born". #ASaviorIsBorn

Love,
Elder Kennedy
Arizona Scottsdale Mission
6265 N. 82nd St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
dallas.kennedy@myldsmail.net

Monday, November 23, 2015

Weekly Update - 11/23/2015

Hey Everybody,
This week was pretty crazy. One of our investigators got baptized on
Saturday. His name is Isaac Brown. He is pretty awesome. Our Stake
President got to baptize him. It was such a lovely program. Then on
Sunday we confirmed Isaac and also everyone sustained him to receive
the priesthood. So he will be receiving the priesthood next week. It
is so exciting.

On Saturday also we got to eat dinner with President Shumway (our
stake president) and his family and then ride up with them to clean
the snowflake temple. He is such an inspired man and has such great
love in him for everyone. He is a great example of what I hope to be
one day. I want to be a righteous priesthood holder and father one
day.

Sunday Night the Nashville Tribute Band performed here. They are so
awesome and inspired men. I love there music. Before the show all the
missionaries in the stake got to go and pray with them. It was so
cool. I got to meet them once before when I was serving in Eagar, AZ.
They played all there songs from The Redeemer Album. Dan Truman from
Diamond Rio also plays with them and he had his 2 sons come and play
as well. It was so cool.

Well, hopefully soon in McNary we will get a Addiction Recover Program
set up at the McNary Branch building. Things are looking good here.
Love,
Elder Kennedy
Arizona Scottsdale Mission
6265 N. 82nd St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85250

Monday, November 16, 2015

Weekly Update - 11/16/2015

Hey Everybody,

This email will be kind of short since I just emailed on Wednesday.
One awesome thing that happened is that Isaac Brown came to church as
well he passed the interview for baptism. He will be baptized on
Saturday. Super exciting.

Also we had a lesson with like 6 12 year old native girls in one
lesson. They were just really giggly the whole lesson. It was really
frustrating because they were not really paying attention the whole
lesson. If any of you have advice on how to work with teenage girls
let me know. I need reinforcements on this one.

We also met with the Ohlaus this week. We had the lesson at the Bohns
home. The Ohlaus really are getting majorly fellowshipped right now.
At the lesson we heard about what happened in France. That is so sad.
On a happier note on Sunday Brother Ohlau received the Aaronic
priesthood. Isn't the gospel just wonderful. Isn't it amazing that
through these hard times we do not have to fear, because we have a
prophet who leads and guides this church. Even though there are those
that are opposing Christians and their influence is growing stronger,
so is the Gospels influence growing stronger and more people are
turning to Christ. We cannot rely on anything else besides this Gospel
to help us through these times.

Well I don't have much else to report on. I will send some pictures to
y'all as well.

Love,
Elder Kennedy
Arizona Scottsdale Mission
6265 N. 82nd St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
dallas.kennedy@myldsmail.net

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Weekly Update - 11/11/2015

Hey Everybody,
I love you all. This past week and a half have been awesome. We are
really starting to see a lot of success in our areas. The work is
really moving forward. We have someone that we are working with named
Isaac. He is planning on getting baptized November 21st. He came with
us to a baptism on Saturday and truly loved it. He was crying during
parts of it. He seems to be doing pretty good.

Also we met with Rick this week. We had our WML Brother Knight come
with us to that. It went so good. He is doing amazing. He is reading
the book of mormon and knows it to be true. He is so prepared. We
talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ with him. It went so good. He
has had so many experiences that have testified to him that Christ is
real. He worked a lot with Homeless people down in Tucson and has
learned a lot from them. It seems that those who don't have much and
are truly humble they are the ones who truly know Jesus. They have no
where else to turn to. Truly Inspirational.

Well I have a new companion now. I am training again. My Trainees name
is Elder Warren and he is from Indiana. He is pretty awesome. A little
bit goofy. He loves Taco Bell so much though. He worked there for 3
years. I think he loves it more then I do. HAHA! It is pretty funny!

I heard about how everyone is condemning the church on the recent
policy change. Our mission presidents wife was really amazing
yesterday talking about it to us during transfer meetings. She
compared it to Nehor in Alma 1. How Nehor was condemning the church
and things because he wanted to get popularity. Then she talked about
what the people did in response. They strengthened themselves and
shared the gospel and went to church. These are all things that we
need to do. I love how our church never changes doctrine or sin to
conform to the popularity of the world. That is how you can know we
are in christ church. Because it is not a changing church, but it is a
living church. As she was talking I kept thinking how now the line is
being drawn even more definitely. That there really is no more gray
any more. It is black and white. Even the most elect are being
deceived. It is a crazy world, but we can make it through on the
basics and really striving to perfect the basics. Our mission
president shared an amazing insight yesterday about this new policy
and how we can respond to those who oppose this decision. He related
it to the plan of salvation. Yes this policy is not fair in this life
time or This earth life that we are living because people don't have
an eternal perspective. We knew our heavenly father before we came
here and we saw the relationship he and our heavenly mother had. We
wanted that. It was a eternal perspective. After this life God wont
honor any marriage that is not in the temple and is not between a man
and a women. That is the way it was before this earth was, that is the
way it is now and that is the way it will be after this life. Elder
Christofferson spoke about how the church cannot deceive. It doesn't
help anyone to deceive. If God wont accept Gay marriage on the other
side why would christ church accept it on this side. That is deception
and will help no one. They really helped build my testimony of the
gospel and modern revelation.

Well I love you all. Keep going strong.
Love,
Elder Kennedy
Arizona Scottsdale Mission
6265 N. 82nd St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
dallas.kennedy@myldsmail.net

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Weekly Update - 11/02/2015

Hello Everyone,

This has been a crazy week. On Monday we met with the Ohlaus. Brother
Ohlau was baptized about 5 or 6 weeks ago. We had a really good
discussion on councils in the church and how the church is organized.
They are both doing so well in the gospel. I can see so much
progression in them since we first started meeting with them.

On Tuesday we started meeting with a less active who just recently had
a niece pass away who was like her own daughter. She had some
encounters with her after the niece died saying things like let me go
mom. I am fine mom. It was really amazing to know that our family who
passed on are still doing fine after this life. She really just needed
someone to vent to because she doesn't really have anyone left besides
her husband. We were able to talk to her about the Plan of Salvation
and how we will be with our family after we die. We gave her a
pamphlet to read. We were not able to meet with her for the rest of
the week. We went out with the Bishopric in one of our wards that
night as well. We were able to make contact with people we have not
been able to in a long time. We should be starting to meet with a
potential soon because of those visits.

Wednesday I went on exchanges with Elder Damoth who is one of our zone
leaders. He came to my area. We had district meeting that morning. It
was all about aligning the keys in the wards we serve in to accomplish
the work that the Lord has in plan for those areas. It was super good.
We had a halloween party that night for our wards. We stopped by
briefly and then headed off to a meeting with the Stake President.

Thursday I went to an Elders area for exchange. His name is Elder
Hugo. It was a interesting exchange. He is a interesting Elder. Not
much to report on about that.

Friday we had a lesson with a less active and investigator. We talked
about the importance of prayer and scripture study. I was surprised to
find out that they are actually reading them now and praying. This is
a lot of progress for them especially since I have been here.

Saturday I did a baptismal interview for a young girl who is getting
baptized on the 7th. It went super good. Then we went to the temple
for the day. I was able to bring about 30 names to have baptisms and
confirmations for. Also I gave some other elders some people that
needed endowments. We got about 5 of them done. It was such a great
day. We then had the opportunity to clean the temple afterwards as
well. That was awesome.

Sunday we had a amazing day at church. The first sacrament meeting
Elder Heaton and I gave our testimonies almost first. We talked alot
about temples. There was a less active there that came for the first
time since I have been here. Most of the talks talked about temples. I
was thinking I am so glad she is here to experience this. The spirit
was so strong. We also gave our testimonies in the Other sacrament
meeting as well. The whole day was probably my most favorite time at
church because the spirit was so strong. Stronger then normal.

All in all it was an amazing week. Only have less then 3 months left
on my mission. Got to make it count. Love you all. Keep going on.
Love,
Elder Kennedy
Arizona Scottsdale Mission
6265 N. 82nd St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
dallas.kennedy@myldsmail.net

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Weekly Update - 10/26/2015

Hey Everybody,

This has been a busy week. On Tuesday I went on exchanges with an
Elder in my district. It went pretty good. We saw so many miracles
there. We had a lot of people ask us some hard questions and through
the spirit we were able to answer them flawlessly.

On Thursday we had Interviews with President as well we had District
meeting. I love Interviews because it is just a time, one on one, with
President and we can just talk. He is such an inspired man. One thing
that we are focusing on in our mission is aligning the keys. So he
help us know of how we can align keys with our bishop and stake
presidents.

Saturday we had a priesthood leadership session and adult session of
Stake Conference. In both those sessions they talked about the
importance of councils in the Church whether they be family or ward
councils. They then talked about how in these councils we should make
plans to accomplish things. We shouldn't just talk.

President Shumway (Stake President) Gave everyone 4 principles of
effective planning. He received all these points from the Church
Handbook.

1. Plan with purpose and with a purpose
2. Plan well in Advance
3. Involve Others (Especially the Youth)
4. Communicate the plans and give clear Direction.

Planning is really so important because that is what leads us to
actually doing. It is one thing to talk about people in Family or Ward
Councils. It is another to actually plan for people.

On Sunday, we had the last session of Stake Conference. One thing that
stuck out to me from it was something President Shumway called
Brutiful. It is not a real word, but he said it means the brutal
things we go through in order to become the beautiful person our
heavenly father knows we can become. The whole conference was so
awesome. President and Sister Sweeney (Mission President and Wife)
where there as well. They talked about how missionary work is easy and
shared some stories from their own life.

It was such a great week and is getting colder each day. They say it
will be a bad winter here with lots of snow. I am looking forward to
it.

Well, I love you all. Stay safe. Stay faithful.
Love,
Elder Kennedy
Arizona Scottsdale Mission
6265 N. 82nd St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
dallas.kennedy@myldsmail.net

Monday, October 19, 2015

Weekly Update - 10/19/2015

Hey Everybody,
This week has just been crazy. We have had a amazing week full of
service. We have helped shoveling dirt, building houses and doing a
ward wood project.

On Monday we had a pretty good lesson with a less active member. He is
really struggling with influences from others and making the wrong
choices. We deviated from our set lesson plan and helped him resolve
some concerns that he had. He then made us a really good dinner.

On Tuesday we started off by choopping wood for a less active widow in
the ward. That was pretty fun. While we were chopping wood a less
active member who was drunk started coming up and talking to us. We
were able to get to know him better and really connected with him.
Then we went over to a members home and helped them with some
landscaping that they where doing.

That night we met up with a less active member and his family and
shared about prophets. We then commited them to read a General
Conference talk. That went pretty good.

Wednesday and Thursday was full of Service for Non Members.

My favorite lesson this week happened on Saturday. We are meeting with
a man named Rick. We went over the Restoration with him. Throughout
the whole thing he commented and was asking really inspired questions.
All the comments he made would lead right into the next point. When we
talked about Joseph Smith and his vision he had. He told us he knew he
was a Prophet of God. We then watched a short clip showing what
happened. Afterwards he said he knows that Joseph Smith is a Prophet.
It is not a belief, but a knowledge. Rick is so prepared. He believes
in everything we taught so far.

I am now the District Leader here in pinetop now. The old one had to
be Emergency Transferred down to the valley. I thought I would have
had a break from the extra responsibilites of leadership. No Rest for
the missionary though. We just keep pressing forward until it is
finished. Which, not to get you trunky mom, is only in 103 days.

I love this gospel. I love this church. I know that this is Christ
church restored to the Earth again. I love listening to General
Conference everyday and the uplifting feeling it gives me.

My ponderize scripture this week is Moroni 7:45.

Well I love you all. Thanks for the support.
Love,
Elder Kennedy
Arizona Scottsdale Mission
6265 N. 82nd St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
dallas.kennedy@myldsmail.net

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Weekly Update - 10/12/15

Hey Everybody,

This has been a pretty good week. Things have really been progressing
and improving in our area. We are starting to teach a new investigator
this week named Rick. He is so awesome. He has such a strong belief in
God. He knows how to act on the spirit and he tries to align his will
with Gods will. When he lived down in Phoenix he would sing to the
Homeless people and would give them hamburgers. He seems really
interested.

Also this week Elder Heaton my trainee invited his first person to be
baptized. He invited Isaac Brown and he said YES! He now has a date
for November 7th. He was suppose to come to church on Sunday, but he
didnt show up. :(

We have done so much service this week as well. It seemed like
everyday we had service. We did everything from building a add on to a
house to shoveling dirt to building a wall. It was pretty awesome, but
I am pretty exhausted from all of it. We have a lot of service this
week as well.

We had Zone Training Meeting on Thursday. It was such a good one. The
whole thing was about how we can become a PMG missionary and not a EAC
(Easter Austraillian Current) which is from the movie Finding Nemo.
Not being a EAC missionary means not just going with the flow,
standing up for what is right and not being picky on which commandment
(mission rule) we follow. It was pretty good. I am definitely striving
to be better.

We did some service for someone not of our faith this week as well. We
put a exercise bike together for him because he was not physically
capable of doing it. This gave us a opportunity to just get to know
him more. One thing the mission is pushing is something called the
"Ammon Plan". The Ammon plan is a service plan where members find us
service opportunity with people not of our faith. Just like Ammon did
in Alma 17, when he showed up and didn't want to teach but wanted to
serve. We do that to. We don't have any underlining purpose of
teaching them although we would love that. We just want to serve. We
let the member know that we wont talk about religion with them, though
if they ask any questions then they are free game. Haha. Just like how
Ammon waited for Lamoni to ask him more. We know that if they just see
us and see the light in us they will want to know more. As we live our
religion that is when they want to know more. This is a pretty
effective way to do missionary work.

Ponderize Scripture of the Week - Mosiah 3:19

Well I love you all. Keep being awesome.

Love,
Elder Kennedy
Arizona Scottsdale Mission
6265 N. 82nd St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
dallas.kennedy@myldsmail.net

Weekly Update - 10/05/15

Hello everybody,

Not much as happened since Wednesday besides I am just trying my best
to train my new companion who has only been out about 6 days. He is
doing a trial mission to see if he can handle a full time mission. He
is doing great right now. He can be a handful at times and frustrate
me, but he is teaching me patience and unconditional love. This will
be an interesting transfer. That is all I got to say. He has the
desire to be out here and that is what really matters.

I absolutely loved General Conference this weekend. It was probably
the best one I have seen ever. I got something out of every single
talk. I really loved Elder Durrants talk about Ponderizing. That was
such a neat thing that we all can do. My first scripture I am going to
ponderizing is 2nd Nephi 4:18-23. It helps me known that God is there
to be with us in our trials and stupid things that we do. He is there
to guide us back to the path we need to be on.

Love you all,
Elder Kennedy
Arizona Scottsdale Mission
6265 N. 82nd St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
dallas.kennedy@myldsmail.net

Weekly Update - 09/30/15

Hey Everybody,

This week has been a hard week, but a good week. We had a baptism this
week for Steve Ohlau. He was so ready. He has been working with
missionaries for over 2 years. The baptismal service was so special.
He showed up smiling and left smiling. A lot of his family came up
from the valley. You could just see him radiating with the spirit.
Elder Sorenson who was my companion about 3 months ago came all the
way from Utah with his parents. It was so good to see him again. The
service went awesome and he only had to get dunked once.

There was a huge car show going on here called "The Run of the Pines".
The traffic was so bad though leading up to our house. It took about
30 minutes to get to our home when it normally takes 4 minutes. There
was a parade as well. Elder Sullivan and I made balloon animals as a
way of contacting people.

We got to talk in church as well. I talked about the blessings of
missionary work and Elder Sullivan talked about how God will give us
strength to do missionary work. It was so awesome and amazing.

On Sunday we had a investigator come to church for the first time
since I have been here. It was way amazing.

Transfers was yesterday. Elder Sullivan moved on to Show Low and I
have a trial missionary now. His name is Elder Heaton. What a trial
mission is someone who usually has a mental or physical disability
that is not to bad, but wants to see if he could handle a real
mission. This is going to be an interesting transfer. He is pretty
cool guy though.

Well I love you all.
Love,
Elder Kennedy
Arizona Scottsdale Mission
6265 N. 82nd St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
dallas.kennedy@myldsmail.net

Monday, September 21, 2015

Weekly Update- 9/21/2015

Hey Everybody,

This week has been so spiritual. We had an investigator Steve Ohlau
pass his baptismal interview and we then went through the program with
him. He is so ready for baptism. We also had another investigator
commit to a baptismal day. Her name is Crystal Thomas. She committed
to October 24, 2015. She is so prepared and ready for baptism. Most of
her family is members already. If y'all could keep her in your prayers
she really needs them.

This week we got to go to the Snowflake Temple. I got to do the
endowments for Grandpa Kennedy. It was such a amazing experience.
Throughout the whole time I was feeling pretty good, but was not
feeling the spirit super strong. Then towards the end as we were
wraping up the session I felt just this huge overwhelming feeling of
happiness and love. I felt like he accepted it. It was probably one of
the times in my life that I felt the spirit so strong. I also had a
impression of how important family is and how they are always there
for you during the hard times and the good times. They love you
unconditionally. I know my Grandfather accept this work that was done
for him. The work is true.

One other amazing experience this week is we got to go to a fireside
for Travis Tuttle. He is one of the missionaries who got kidnapped in
Russia, which a movie was made about them called "The Saratov
Approach". It was such a awesome fireside. One of the things that I
really loved about it was how he applied during his talk his
experience to each of us. One thing that I really loved was how during
his experience he thought he was going to die. He had a mask over his
face and tape around his eyes. He heard a gun cocked then the trigger
pulled. He was thinking right before he died how much he loves his
families. He thought to himself that the only thing that really
matters in this life is the relationships we develop with our family,
friends and with God. That really touched me. So Mom and Dad and
Family just in case you didnt know. . . I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. Thanks for
all you do for me. I appreciate you making it possible for me to go on
 a mission.

Well I love you all. Keep being awesome.
Love,
Elder Kennedy
Arizona Scottsdale Mission
6265 N. 82nd St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
dallas.kennedy@myldsmail.net