Goodbye Neuötting January 6, 2014

Dear family

Well this is what happened Saturday morning. We got a call from the ap's and they wanted to talk to me. So I got on the phone and they said Elder Kinghorn, you're leaving. And then chatted for a few seconds (an eternity) and told me I was going to Ravensburg. Sweet, that's where Zach Hyatt served. So yes I'm going to the same area he finished his mission in. Then they said and you'll be working with Elder George. If you remember he was my companion in the MTC. So that's interesting. Get to work with the same missionary again. That doesn't happen all the time. Oh and quickly here is the new address:

Kirche Jesu Christi

Elder Kinghorn 

Charlottenstr. 8

88212 Ravensburg

Germany

Saying goodbye has been really hard. This branch really has a special place in my heart. They had to sing God Be With You Till We Meet Again. I hate that song. It's so sad. This is a small branch. but we do what we can. They are doing so much and growing so much. We met with the L. and found out what their problem is. They feel like the ward doesn't want them, hiwch is kind of funny because the ward asks us every week about them. I wish they could both hear what the other wants. The active ward members don't want to scare them away by being too forward. And the Ls think the ward doesn't like them because they aren't super forward. Somehow we'll get this to work. Also we were at the Tranums for New Years Day and that was great. There were 4 missionaries from Munich there also. Then we have this awesome guy from Nigeria. We found him a while ago.  So he has read some of the Book of Mormon and really likes it. He was gone on Sunday in Munich. But now he is back and we're going to get him baptized. Well I won't because I'm leaving. Dang. And we are meeting with some more people this week. Finally after Christmas people want to meet again and I leave. Ugh. Oh well. It's the same in Ravensburg. I get to get the upswing, see all of the people who say ok it’s New Year, let's start over. I really love it here and I'm sad to leave. But good things will happen.

I love you

Elder Kinghorn

January 2, 2014

December 30, 2013

Happy New Years

Christmas was quite exciting here in Germany. Well I should write about Monday first. As you know, we did a um puppet thing. The nativity Bavarian style. It was quite funny. So Elder Gunn, Sister S/ (a senior lady in the ward from Berlin) and I were sitting back there trying to figure out which puppet to put up. Then at one point a puppet fell over the stage I guess and landed on the floor. So we had to use another puppet. That was pretty funny. I think we had more fun than anyone in the audience. So that was our Monday, messing things up.  Oh well. Then Tuesday was also great. We were at the Ls and then went to mass with L, M and his brother. That was quite exciting. At the end they gave a speech about saving children in South America running around naked without shoes in the snow. Because Brazil has a ton of snow. So that was our joke. Do it for the children in the snow with no shoes. Haha oh well. Then wednesday we went to T. for lunch and he had this awesome schnitzel. It wasn't fried. It was baked in some casserole type thing. I had to eat so much. L. thought it was funny to sneak her food onto my plate. So I ended up eating 2.5 schnitzels and I don't know how much mashed potatoes. So I was stuffed. Then we went over to M where M’s brother was hitting on L the whole time. That was super funny. I felt kind of bad for her but all I could do was try to change the subject. He just wanted to talk about how he wanted a wife who was younger and from Brazil. So I thought it was funny. Then we had to eat more food. I don't think they understood us when we said we were completely stuffed. But I guess in German that means there's still room for cheesecake bread etc. So I was almost dead. Ugh my stomach was hurting that night. Then the next day we went to the T’s and both Elder Gunn and I had stomach problems. I don't do well with that much food. So ya that was an adventure. Thursday we were at the T’s and got fed again. But luckily they don't force food down our throats. That was a relief. We told them the situation and they don't mind. She was a missionary in Florida a couple years ago. That was a fun night. Then I had an exchange with Elder Morril the next day so we spent the night at the mission office and then the next day we went to work in München. That was a ton of fun. We found some cool people. and got some buttermilk strawberry drink (way good) and had a lesson with this cool dude who wants to get baptized. So everything is going good for them. Then we came back to Neuötting on Saturday and helped L. throw away some stuff. Idk why she needed help. but oh well. Then we read in the Book of Mormon and we read in Portugese. So that went well I guess. Then we made her read in English. So I could understand some Portugese. Lots of the words are similar to English. Well I wouldn't say I understood the context. But some words I could get. I just knew the context because it's 1 Nephi 11. Then church was good. We talked about gemeinde rat uhh ward council. It was nice. We didn't have the best week ever in terms of numbers. Kind of hard to during christmas. Next week will be good. We have a lot planned. Then it's transfer calls on Saturday. I wonder what's happening. I really hope I stay.

I love you all

Elder Kinghorn

Merry Christmas

Dear Family,

Well today we are doing emails way early because we have to help B. early then we are busy with him the whole day setting stuff up for our Christmas nativity thing. I don't know if I told you what it is. We are making puppets and backgrounds for the nativity and doing that tonight in the church. But it's not out of Like. We are reading a book called heilige nacht by ludwig thoma. And it's all in Bayrisch, so it's hard to understand. I bet I understand more than most of dad’s German friends do though. To them it's just illiterate mumbling. To me it's semi partial understandable mumbling. So it will be fun. We are going to record the whole thing, so that will be fun. I'll have it forever to listen to or watch. Ya, so that's our p day, build wooden puppets. Well we are mostly finished. We just have finishing stuff to do.  

Yes it's a normal p day. Just well we have no time because we are going to be building stuff the whole time. L. has been coming to church as much as work has allowed the last 2 months. Before she was less active. So that's great.  

So we have great news. M. is now a member of the church!!!!!!!!!!! He got baptized and confirmed on Saturday. Sadly we weren't allowed to go to Wien to meet with him. We still don't have any pictures of it. But that's life. We gave M. pictures of our faces to hold up in a picture so we'll see if he actually did that. I hope so. After all of the ups and downs he got wet. It's awesome.

Last week was really fun. On friday we went singing again to the old person home. That was fun. We had to sing a few songs in Bayrisch and that went well..... The new missionaries in the district have a hard enough time singing in normal German. Then we also sang some American Christmas songs: Rudolf, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, etc. And sadly we were only able to go to the retirement home. The hospital was busy or something. But it was funny. B. told the people we were done singing Bayrisch and this one old lady said no!!  Germany is the best!! That was funny. She was the same lady who last time asked if I was from Bayern. I said no, but pointed to Elder Bassett from Vernal (who is home now) and said he is from Nurenburg. Her eyes lit up. That was funny. 

We also met more with M. And well we think he just wants someone to talk to. I mean he does live in an old person home (a different one) and that has to be boring. He always tells us the Book of Mormon is true. Otherwise he wouldn't have written it. But he hasn't really read the book. Then also we met with H. So she told us what she thought of the Book of Mormon. She said it's amazing how much it reads like the Old Testament, it's emphasis on heaven and hell and just how it reads. She said I can see how you... she wanted to say were fooled by it but couldn't bring herself to say it. It's so cool how the Book of Mormon can have such a huge effect on people. Right now she is going through Moroni to find out how it's wrong. Well that happened to Holland’s grandpa. We've all heard the talk. No evil man could write a book and no good man would, unless he was called of God. I think H. is going to end up like that. Right now she is back in England visiting family for Christmas. But she'll be back. 

We started meeting with a lady named Frau B. She met with missionaries in the past. So she is now an investigator. and our next appointment isn't until next transfer. So I doubt I'll see her again. I'm pretty sure I'm leaving this city, sadly. Oh well. But just remember to read Luke 2. It's important. I read it this week and I just want you to know that it's true.

The choir was way fun. The old people are all partly there. They love Germany. When we sang Bayrisch they were so happy. It was great. We kind of had a singing program. So we are doing a choir tonight with the nativity. It's not a full blown choir. Our branch only has a few members. So the missionaries are the choir. Yay!!! 

 Christmas is soon. We have a full program for the 3 days of Christmas. I'm excited.

I love you

Elder Devon Kinghorn

December 16, 2013

Dear Family

This week was pretty good. So I was on an exchange with Elder Young from Rosenheim and we were having a rough time. We had a lesson with a less active, Brother W. But then nothing happened. We were contacting for a while with no luck. Then we found this Russian lady. She might turn into something, but she doesn't speak enough German.

Then we were going around and we found this man named M. He was nice, but kind of quiet. We were talking and set up an appointment for Saturday. It was great. Then someone came and told him it's time to go. He got into a short bus and left. That was kind of awkward. We thought he was from the crazy house. Great. So then Saturday Elder Gunn and I went over to his place. And then to our relief it was an old person home, So that was good. Then we went to find his room and gave him a Book of Mormon. He was pretty excited about that. He doesn't get many visitors there I'm guessing. Well then we had a good overview of the Book of Mormon, but then we had to go to meet with M. 

Yesterday we went back to M. He had actually read in the book. That doesn't happen very often. Most people just take it then don't do anything. He also read the restoration pamphlet. Then yesterday we gave him the full first lesson. The restoration. Then gave him a plan of salvation pamphlet. Then we have no time to meet until Wednesday for Book of Mormon reading at the church.

Today we are going to Munich to meet with the T. then we are spending the night for a mission christmas party tomorrow. Well I'm not sure what it exactly is. But it's a zone meeting so I'm calling it a Christmas party. We are doing a white elephant. Then M is all ready for baptism. He had his interview with the stake president. And I don't know how, but it was a temple recommend interview too. I'm really confused by how that works. I don't know, oh well. So sometime soon he will go through the temple too. That's how revelation works I guess. 

Last friday we also had our choir practice. We are going to sing Bayrisch songs. A bunch of americans. Sweet. So that was funny no one knows how to pronounce the words except for the old people. The greenhalgh girls can't say the words either. Kind of funny. We are all lost. So then the Ss also came to church. It was great. He wants to start coming back. He wants to be active. I think it's his time. He knows that something has been missing and he knows the church his true. Then his wife will get baptized sometime hopefully soon. Today we are going to München to meet with the Ts. then spend the night there because we have the zone meeting Christmas party thing. Not sure exactly what's going to happen. Oh well. Oh by the way, on Saturday my card didn't work. I don't know why. It might work today but I haven't checked yet. We were supposed to buy something for a mission white elephant, but I had to use mission money for it.

I was reading in Mark, right before Jesus feeds the thousands with a few loaves of bread. And something hit me. Jesus left the city, then the thousands came to follow him. They weren't asked to, but they wanted to hear from him. So he had compassion on them and preached to them. They left behind mocking friends, probably. to hear from Christ. We need to do that too. In order to receive the miracles we need to act like them. Going out to follow Jesus, not wait till he comes to us. Christmas is the perfect time for that.

I love you

Elder Kinghorn

December 9, 2013

Dear family,

Well we are stuck between a rock and a hard place with S. We met with her on Friday. B drove us the eternity to get over there. And it was awesome. We went over the first half of the plan of salvation. And she believes all of it. She is so ready to receive the gospel. So we got everything set up for her to come to church on Sunday. The W. family went to pick her up and she was coming to church. Then about 10 miles from home she got a panic attack. But she just found out she is horrified to ride in cars. She can't do it. There is absolutely no way she can get to church on Sunday without a car. No train. No bus. The only way to do it is to walk 5 miles to the closest train station. With a baby in winter. That shouldn't happen. Too dangerous. So that is our terrible story. We have no idea what we should do. And then we don't know how she got home yesterday. She wouldn't get in the car to drive home.Then last week we met with M. He really changed a lot in the past few weeks. We gave him a break so he would have time to think. In the past 3 weeks he has really done that. Last Tuesday he prayed to God. He really wanted to get baptized by the end of the year. He was willing to do anything. Then what happened? On Friday he got permission to get baptized. God was just waiting for him to really want it. The waiting was really good for him. It made him put his priorities straight. God really knows better than us. So now he just has to meet with the stake president. The baptismal date is set for the 21st but will be pushed back if need. But I think it will work. So M. is going to go to Vienna to get baptized by Elder Abbott. So sadly I won't be there. But as long as he gets baptized, that's the important part. God knows if he is completely ready. The stake president has the final say. And I know he'll use correct judgment. 

The Ls haven't been answering. So we decided just to go over. Saturday we went hoping they would be there. It's the only bus that goes all day so we needed them to be home, or else we would have to walk 12 km to the next train station. That would have sucked, But they were home. Yay. So they wanted to take us to S. for the Christmas market. So we went and it was cool. Then we went home and went to bed. So, it was a success. We didn't have to walk 12 km to Simbach from Tann. Then they didn't come to church. That was a bummer.

This past week was much better than the previous. Things just went better. They are still rough. Meeting with Germans in December is basically impossible. But we make things work.

That was crazy race down in St. George. Luckily it hasn't been terrible here yet. No real snow. But German winters start later and end later. So I'm expecting that. Our job here is to shovel the church parking lot. Luckily it isn't that big. It's like our driveway.

Yup. I'll do St. George 2014. I'm already on track. I've lost about 14 pounds in the last 2 transfers, down to like 167 in the morning. It will be faster if I get down to like 160. Less body fat= faster runner. Simple math.

We are going to watch the Christmas devotional twice. Once for a mission activity in 2 weeks and once right before Christmas at church. So that will be fun. Hear it in English then in German. I'm excited to see what's in store. But you already know I'm guessing you watched it last night.

That was our week. Well the highlights of last week.

I Love you

Elder Kinghorn

December 2, 2013

Dear Family,

Well from Monday to Saturday I think everything that could have gone wrong did. Sunday gets amazing, but that will come later. We had our last district meeting for the transfer on Tuesday and after we went to go by on some less actives. So we go to Eggenfelden to go by on them and well, it's pretty useless. No one is home. No one on the street wanted to talk to us. So tuesday was pretty darn rough. Then Wednesday came. We did service with B almost the whole day. We made little puppets for our Christmas show thing. Then we had Book of Mormon night again. Thursday came and it was another really long day. Nothing really happened. We tried to do real work but it was not going at all. We found one Lutheran lady (That was awesome. She wasn't Catholic) and gave her a Book of Mormon. But it was way slow. Then we got something in the mail. We got a referral. Some lady who lives forever away wants a Book of Mormon. We gave her a call and made a lesson for Sunday night. Then we had English class. Friday came around. And we had a lesson with W. then everything stopped again. Ugh life is hard. So saturday came and we had a meeting in Munich, so that took our whole day. Then on the way back L needed help so we met her at the hotel she works at and quizzed her on school stuff. It's easy stuff but she doesn't know what a t-bone steak is. It's English and German food. Then they had a Catholic fireside so we watched it. Tons of crazy old German people. Then Sunday came. This was the good day. So after a long week of well nothing, we went to church, which was good. Then we did our studies. Now we just had the hour long drive( yes an hour) to our appointment. Brother E. took us there and was the joint teach for S. She is awesome. She is the coolest lady I've ever met. So we had an awesome lesson. She actually had a dream about the Mormon church. She said in her dream she said I'm a mormon. I was thinking this is so sweet. So we gave her a soft baptismal commitment. She said she'll set a date after we have gone through all the lessons. So basically she is the most prepared person I've ever met. It goes to show miracles happen after we do all we can do. I think this week I had the worst numbers I've ever had my whole mission. But still it was great because of Sunday night. And the whole time we were having fun. I loved it.

Hey mom, real quick. So president miles said we could watch It's a Wonderful Life in church for the movie night we do once a month. So could you buy it on Amazon? it's called Ist Das Leben Nicht Schön. We need it shipped quick or it won't come in time.  Thanks. I love you

I love you all

Elder Kinghorn