February 3, 2014 Howdy Family

Dear Family.

So this week was quite fun. So we had a good week. Um, so we also have a strange situation. One of our less active members is a preacher at a free Christian community (you know the music church) so he was baptized when he was 20 or so in Friedrichshafen. There used to be a ward there with 60 members. and one in Ravensburg with 60. So in the 70's the branch he went to closed down and he stopped going because of that. So this is a funny situation. He isn't anti mormon at all. He was glad he joined us a while ago. He said we helped him learn how to pray. Really pray, not just memorized prayer. So he wants us to come back in a month so he can study up on our teachings. So ya I know exactly what he'll say. It's the same church as S. from Ulm. But the thing I like is they are very nice. Well S. was. He wasn’t not rude like other people. 

V. is doing great. He is still hoping to get a good spot for school. But right now he is having trouble finding a sponsor company. But he is doing good. Sadly he didn't come to church again. Then M. came to church. No idea how it's supposed to be spelled. She is from the Ivory Coast so there is a bit of a language barrier but she speaks alright German. She is the nanny for... Ok so the Relief Society president has a daughter. She is less active. And she has a nanny. So that's how it fits in. But ya she is really nice. I think 25 years old. Then L. (a less active) we tried to meet with him but he was in the hospital we found out for back problems. So he got back early this past week and we are going to see him on Thursday. 

Ok so yesterday we had a ward mission leader skype conference for the whole stake. So that was funny. The missionaries all just sat there as they talked in swiss accents. Then after an hour it ended. It was for sure focused on the ward mission leaders. I think we were just invited so we would know the plan. Ok so this past week I was thinking about missionary work. What success or not success, and how to have success. And I thought of an analogy of a flame. So a flame is a testimony. We all have flames. Some are different sizes. But everyone's flame can make a difference. The tiniest spark can create a huge flame. Of course a bigger flame can spread faster. So missionaries should try to get bigger flames. Well everyone should. And to do that we need to feed it fuel. We need to pray. Read the scriptures ponder about it and go to church. So yes everyone should try to do that. But when people think their testimony isn't strong enough for something they should just remember a tiny little match can still start a fire of any size. Every member has power to do amazing things.

Ya I heard Zach was engaged. Wait is it for March or for May? If it's march I'll be here. This is the same problem I had with Jason last year. Everyone told me May. Then I was shocked when I heard it was his farewell talk. I was like huh??? He doesn't leave for 2.5 months. Ok ya you can send me the cups. Just be warned. I might get emergency transferred. My visa expires in 2 weeks and Ravensburg is being really stupid about the visa. I'm going to try to get it worked out. But so far they haven't let me do anything. I need to wait for the act to come in from Neuötting. Whatever that is. 

So the M. we have no clue about them, when they can come. So we met with them last week. And we are going to keep seeing them. Their German is also getting better. A year ago they knew no German at all. So it just takes time. Soon enough they'll be able to come. Time isn't the most critical thing in the world. They are allowed to take their time. There is no rush. One of the biggest mistakes missionaries make is they rush people. Yes try to help them get baptized. But don't rush it. That's why so many people are less active. They were pushed too fast. So we are just leading them. Helping them understand the doctrine. Helping them gain a testimony. And the language barrier just makes things go slower. 

Haha 19,000 steps is quite a bit. Sometimes in Neuötting we'd get to 30,000. But 15 thousand was pretty normal. Under 10,000 was rare. I don't know what we do here. Less than Neuötting that's for sure. That is a walking area. It really put some wear and tear on my shoes. They're still holding strong by the way. One is no longer waterproof but the other pair are fine. So Ecco will make it the full 2 years. And sure get a small camera bag. One that it fits in but isn't enormous. So it would fit inside of another bag. I'm sure people have tested the sizes before. Just big enough for the camera with that lens. 

Haha that's funny about the missionary from Houston, Texas, about not wanting to serve in Utah. Well there is one big difference. He teaches a lot more than any missionary in this mission does. I've heard some missionaries say they would love to serve a couple transfers in America because of all the teaching they get to do. I think lots of missionaries think the grass is greener on the other side. But that's not true. Look in the Book of Mormon. Some missionaries baptized thousands and some were thrown into prison. Does that mean the missionaries who baptized were much better than the missionaries who were in prison for years never teaching? God has us where we are for a reason. Abanadi had one convert. He was in Germany. Ammon was in Brazil. Both were very successful. I love serving in Germany. Ya who cares if there are tons of King Noah's who hate me. I still love it

I love you

Elder Kinghorn

January 26, 2014 A Very Good Week

So this week we have great news. V. set a baptismal date for the 22 of March. We were talking about prophets and then we committed to him. It was one of the best lessons I've had on my whole mission. It flowed so perfectly. Then we watched President Monson’s conference address from Sunday morning. We just click with him. He is so ready to learn. So that was Wednesday. Then Thursday we did an english class with him. Just an hour of practicing. Sister Buchanan was there. Elder Buchanan was doing something else. Then Friday we talked about chastity. He said it would be hard because he is starting school hopefully September.  But then he agreed it's best to follow God. So he is 30 years old and really awesome. He is a really smart guy.  He couldn't come to church yesterday. Hopefully next Sunday. 

Then Saturday there was a baptism in Dornbirn, Austria so we went to that. We were attacked by kids. So my name badge ended up staying in my pocket the whole time. All the other elders had it stolen a million times. But it was a good baptism. So the mom was less active. But then the elders reactivated her and he read the book of mormon story picture book and loved it. So he got baptized. Oh and yesterday we had a lesson with the M. (I think that's how it's spelled) family. They are from Macedonia. Ya, like Alexander the Great. They speak alright german, but not enough to teach. So we got them a preach my gospel in Macedonian. Actually it's half Serbian. Who would have thought. But they understand it. So we were able to get the Godhead across last night. And the importance of the Book of Mormon. And they have two little daughters. They are so cute. They speak great German. Well, when they talk. That's how kids are, in one year fluent. The parents are struggling. Then right before we left, there neighbors came in. The mom is from Italy but has been here since she was 10 and the son is 16. And they both took Book of Mormons. So it was awesome. The M's problem is they are refugees and they aren't allowed to leave their landkreis (so like a county). So they legally can't come to church..... So we have to wait. Normally that changes at a year or 1.5 years. So let's hope it's soon. I think they really love us coming over. We are going over tomorrow. They don't like appointments. They just want us to see if they're home (they usually are) They aren't German, that's for sure. Germans love set appointments. Then we met with L. again. And he gave us some tea. I don't remember what it was but it was way good (not black tea). It's hard reactivating someone who hasn't been to church in 30 years. But he is a good guy. And it doesn't take long to get to his house. And T. came to institute again. We participated because almost no one was there. But, they didn't come to church. So the dad was working and had to use the car. So they couldn't come. Bummer.... Oh well hopefully this week. So today we are having district meeting at 3 in Dornbirn. I think it's because the zone leaders are coming and they wanted to have p day in Dornbirn. So the Buchanans are taking us early and we are going to Lichtenstein. It's just a short detour. So that will be fun. I'm excited for that, go see a new country. 

Recently I have been reading a lot of conference talks. They are all so applicable to our lives today. It's such a blessing that we have modern day prophets. I love it. It's so clear and simple. We can find out exactly what we need to know. Sadly we still don't have the November conference edition. ugh. Oh well it might come before I go home.

R. didn't come to church or institute. She was doing abiteur (however it's spelled) preparation. It's the huge test they have here. Basically 6 ap tests in one. And the act. So bummer. But she is cool. And we'll meet with her soon. Hopefully. She loves the feeling she gets at church. She just isn't quite convinced. So we'll work on that. 

I was reading. Elder Gunn is in that same ward. You could have seen his parents. Crazy

Well this week was quite exciting. So we got a kind of referral from our ward mission leader. He is 23 and an insurance agent. He couldn't say who it was, but he said someone on this street could use the gospel. So the Buchanans drove us 45 minutes to this town. There is a less active who lives 2 streets over, but we don't know the house number. Or her new last name (she got married) so we doored the whole 2 streets. And found some people who had had missionaries over in the past. Odd. It's in the middle of nowhere. We have really been everywhere. But we didn't find anyone. So bummer.

No, people here don't really care about american football. Well a few people do. Ravensburg actually has a football team. The razorbacks. I've heard it's kind of funny to watch. The coach is a mormon from Texas. But he won't give his information to the Buchanans (They met a couple times) he asked if there was a stake in Friedrichshafen... ya almost. we have a few members there.

Sounds like the whole house is being turned upside down. Oh well I guess it's good. I'll come home to a new house. LIke the Barrett twins. Funny how that works. Well this week is your birthday. You're 29 again! and I sent you some stuff. Hopefully it gets there soon. The mail is never good. Always stupid. At least it's not Spain. Germany is just better I guess. Well it's a fact. 

Haha you gave the dog melatonin? That's funny. Hopefully a small dose. He is a little dude. Oh I heard a cool story about a dog. So the S. family in the branch had a german shepherd. He was an awesome dog. One night they were walking through the woods and a wild bore came and attacked them. Well almost did. But the dog defended them and all they heard was fighting, then silence. So they searched hours for the dog, but couldn't find anything. So they went home, knowing their dog sacrificed himself for them. Then a few hours later they heard scratching on their door and it was their dog, bloody and wounded. But he made it. And then healed up just fine. Dogs are perfect to have at home.

But ya this week was a good week.

I love you

Elder Kinghorn

January 20, 2014 A Good Week

Dear Family

Well this new area is good. Elder G. and I are getting along fine. I made a goal this week that I am going to be his favorite companion ever, that this will be his favorite transfer ever. So, this should be fun I think that's a good goal to set.

Well it finally hit me this week that I'm going home soon. It was a really strange feeling. I was on a bus talking to someone and they got off. Then it hit me I don't have much time left. It was the strangest feeling. Since then I have been really giving it my all. Before I was working hard and don't have any regrets. But now it feels like the last stretch. It's crazy how much I've learned about missionary work since I started my mission. Just how important it is to love people. There are some semi active members named the M. I think lots of their problem is they don't feel super welcomed in the ward. They all have testimonies and know it's true. But don't feel the love. That's really sad. That is the point of the church. To feel Christ's love every week. So this is a cool story. Last Tuesday or Wednesday (I don't remember) we were going by on lots of people in a city called Friedrichshaffen and we had planned to go by on them. But first we were going by on another family. And so we get on the bus and I sit down next to a mother and daughter and say hey. Then they said oh hello Elders. And it was the M. family. It was so cool to randomly run into them. A city of 50,000 people and to run into members there. It was cool. So we went home with them and talked for a while about their conversion story. And of course played with their dog. That's the best way to get someone to like you. Get their dog to like you. But ya we were talking about coming to church and institute. And the daughter is 27. She came to institute on Wednesday (so it was Tuesday when we went over) and it was just really cool to see her there. We just had had a meeting with the ward mission leader and she was at the church. So that was super exciting. And then the dad and T. came to church. We had an appointment on Saturday but they cancelled. So we'll try to meet with them again soon. It's just rough because they live a ways away. That's always a problem. But we'll try tomorrow. We have interviews. and the train goes through Friedrichshaffen (by the way that's where the zepplins first came from). 

Oh and just to let you know one of our members Sister S. owns a high end chocolate store. So, for your birthday you'll get the cookie cutters and a bar of this chocolate. It's super expensive so don't share it. And don't eat it in one day. I know how fast Kevin eats chocolate. Like when I sent home the Austrian chocolate that was 2.50 euro a bar. So like 3.50 usd. I'll have to get the chocolate soon though.

In our mission there are 7 stakes. Vienna, Salzburg, Munich stuttgart, St. Gallen, Zurich and Bern. 3 in Switzerland, 2 in Germany 2 in Austria. Right now I'm in St Gallen, The only german ward in the stake. And Dornbirn, in Austria, is also in the stake.

Well that's good about the new antibiotic. It's cool how effective medicine is becoming. Ya, we shouldn't just depend on it,bBut it is a blessing. All of the amazing medical advances have been very recent, since the restoration of the gospel. God is truly shedding light on all of us now, helping us in every way possible, even if we don't realize it. Think of people 1000 years ago. They would have thought you were a sinner and shunned you from society. Now they say here is the medicine. Go get better. We are lucky to live now. But we also have a bigger responsibility. 1000 years ago genealogy was impossible. Now it's everywhere.

Oh I sent some pics. So the first is at Friedrichshaffen. We were waiting 10 minutes for the next train to get to Breggenz for a finding day. Then the other is an outdoor theater in Breggenz. Elder A. wanted to show it to us. They do shows in the summer there. Something with dragons this year I guess.

We haven't had contact with J. We tried to call a few times. But President Buchanan told us to give him a little break. Not to be too pushy with him. But the Buchanans did randomly run into him on Saturday and talked for a while. So thinks will turn out good. It might just take a bit. God is running things. We aren't just running around unorganized. God knows what's up. Like in luke 15. Talking about the lost sheep. I think it's Luke 15. But how to go for the 1 lost sheep. I'm kind of twisting this. But the shepherds are the ones doing the work and Christ organizes everything. It sometimes seems like what we are doing isn't the best. But as long as Christ wants us to do it then we should be doing it. It's just an amazing work. Sometimes it takes lots of missionaries to baptize someone. And that's ok. Like B. So if you remember in June or something, Ulm wasn't doing much. So we wanted to help get the ward excited for missionary work and in all of our efforts we got 2 referrals. One of them was G. from Sudan, Kenya, and Australia. And he loves God but he went back to Australia. I think so hopefully we have a lasting effect on him. But B. was a friend of E. And we met with her twice. Right before I left and well she was baptized recently. I just barely found out today. That is an awesome feeling to know that my efforts helped someone get baptized. Then we have been meeting with V. from Kazakstan. He is a cool guy.  He said he wants to get baptized but isn't quite ready, which is true. He isn't ready yet. But he is slowly getting there. We taught him the word of wisdom last week and about fasting. He loved both of the lessons. He is just a humble guy. He wasn't able to come to church because he hurt his back and went to the hospital so we are going to visit him today if he's still there. If not we'll go to his house. We just need to get him to church more often. He was planning to come. Oh injury. Ugh.

Another miracle happened on Sunday. So first of all there is a girl named R. who lives not far from here and she was on an exchange program in the states and lived with members. So every now and then she comes to church but no one has information for her. So the Buchanans said the missionaries have tried but never works and trying wouldn't work too well. So first we had sunday school and we taught the investigator class and R. has some real questions. I think she feels really good in the church but has some questions about it. She doesn't want to get baptized without knowing everything. But I was talking to her after church about institute and told her I can send you a text about it. And then got her number. The Buchanans were surprised. But we'll just keep her informed about stuff that's coming up. And then when it's time she'll come. We don't want to scare her away. That's the worst thing ever.  I think good things will happen with her in the future. Maybe soon. Maybe later. I don't know. We'll see.

January 13, 2014

January 13, 2014

Well this week has been good. So it was really hard leaving Neuötting. Lots of really great friends there. Tuesday was hard. We went to Munich for a zone training meeting and then we had to say goodbye to the Tranums. They are so cool. I miss them already. Driving one hour to church every Sunday-that's commitment. But ya, it was fun there. I miss it. But I'm not too far away and the Tranums said they might come visit. 

So now we are settled in Ravensburg and I showed up to kind of a messy apartment. An elder went home and left tons of stuff. It's all good. Then I cleaned out the fridge and the mystery fluid in it. Not quite sure what it used to be. But anyways we met some cool people recently. There is this investigator named J.  He had a baptismal date in December but then went through a hard time and hadn't met with the missionaries since then. But on Saturday we met with him and he has an amazing heart. I bet he gets baptized this year. But if not, sometime in the future. He is a special guy.  Hopefully he comes to church next week. I hope he does. Then Sunday was good. I met the branch and it's a bit bigger than Neuötting I think. But there are quite a few ysa's here. Well 2 of them are married. But they are still 23 and go to institute, so it counts in my book. Then we went to the branch presidents' (well the senior missionary couple's) house for lunch. D. came along too. He is from Nigeria and doesn't have any family here. He was baptized a few years ago and the church here is his family. He has a rough story. 

Then my companion got sick and laid down for a couple hours. So we played a couple games but then D. left so we talked about the branch for a while. It was a really good orientation to the branch. I now know lots of the important people and less actives who have lots of potential, and old investigators. So that was really good. Get the work really going here. This branch has a ton of potential in it. Leaving Neuötting was hard. But this will be a great area too. Ya, I'm just a small branch missionary. Not what I was expecting when I got called to this mission. And most of the areas in the mission are wards. So just ironic. But I love small branches. I get to know the members better. So I'm still kind of lost here and still haven't left the city. I'll tell you more how it is next week. 

I'll be able to go to the Bern temple! Next month is the ward temple trip so we can go to that. That will be so cool. Then I will have been in every stake in the mission. Ok so here is the deal with Facebook and ipads. So the church is planning to have all american missions equipped with ipads by this summer. So Germany I have no clue when it's going to happen. 

At the moment we have a few people we are teaching as far as I can tell. I've only met with J. But then we have some more people this week. So let's hope it goes well.

Well this isn't that small of an area. We have over 400,000 people in my area. Not exactly Neuötting. 

Church is only 2 hours. Neuötting was also just 2 hours. Ulm did 3 but were thinking about making it 2. So it will be strange going home to 3 hours. After almost a year of 2 hour church. But it's cool. I gave a talk yesterday about obedience. So it was thrown right into the midst of it. 

And I didn't even know the Olympics were coming up. Ya, as of now there isn't much news about it. Where are they anyways?

Oh I was reading in the bible this morning. In Luke 15 I believe about less actives. Just how important everyone is. That angels in heaven sing every time someone returns to the gospel. So I want to be someone who helps this work.

I love you,

Elder Kinghorn

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