Ravensburg

Dorbin District

Frieburg Zone

Dropping Elder Kinghorn off at the Provo MTC

April 7, 2014 Quite the Week

Dear Family

So Now I am in Landshut in Bayern. This is actually in the same district as Neuötting. Which is really cool. They just changed it. Neuötting used to be with Rosenheim. So conference I was able to see Martin and Brother Bachmann. That was really cool. Martin came early yesterday and we talked for an hour. Then for priesthood Bachmann was there and I sat next to him. I could tell he was really happy to see me. I thought I would never see him again. That was a nice experience.

So saying goodbye to Ravensburg was hard. We got called Wednesday morning so we had one day to say goodbye to everyone. So we went out to lunch with the Buchanans to where D. works. He was really sad I was leaving. Then we went to see L. and he was bummed I was leaving. So he Gave me a ninja star. Im pretty sure it has been used to kill someone before. But still a cool gift, very personal. I could tell it had been used a lot.Then we went to pack and then we were supposed to have a lesson with Sister S. but she had allergies and couldn't meet.... but that was ok because I wanted to go to institute anyways to say goodbye to the few people who come. So the B’s and D. were there. And T. was there. So we drove D. home and he was bummed out in the car. I just had my arm around him. He was bummed.

So Thursday we got transferred and of course there were inefficiencies in it. for our district they spent 600 euro on tickets just for the 6 of us. When they could have done it for 120. So we all met up at the train station and I was able to say goodbye to Elder Gunn. And then Sister T. was there. That was really nice of her. We talked for a while and it was a great reunion. Then we came here to Landshut. And we have quite a few members. Like 65 active members. We are just a few priesthood holders short of being a ward. And we left the apartment thursday after putting my bags in the room and the second person we talked to stopped and we had a great conversation. Her name is J. and she is 30 years old ish. with 2 little kids. And friday we had a lesson with her. We showed her around the church and she loved the focus on the family and family history. She had already read some of the Book of Mormon and had some real questions. So we will see how it goes. And we have this african from sierra leon who should play football for byu. His body is just muscle. He is ripped and I wouldn't want to be on the other end of him in a football game. And we met with some recent converts from africa. They are cool. V, is from Rwanda and has a rough situation. But conference was amazing. We really had a great time. One of my favorite talks was from elder oaks. Always push forward. There is no up and down in callings only forward and backwards. I don't know what he exactly said it was in english. I watched it in german. But I loved it all. Bednar also gave an amazing talk. And the talk about the luge and bobsled. All were just amazing.

I love you

Elder Kinghorn

So this is my new address:

Kirche Jesu Christi hlt
Elder Devon Kinghorn
Zweibröchenstr 717
84028 Landshut
Germany

February 24, 2014 A New Transfer

Dear Family

Well this was a good week. First off it was stake conference which was really good. So the Saturday session was in Wintertur (spelled something like that) in Switzerland. And it was all about member missionary work. The first counselor in the stake presidency gave a really good presentation. And lots of the members gave the that's too hard.... answer. Or that doesn't work. I could tell he was a bit frustrated. Then yesterday I talked to him and he was like ya it didn't work too well. But I said it will just take time. Lots of missionaries are out now really understand what's trying to be brought across. So I think now is the push for more member missionary work, but most members don't get it. But in the next 10 years tons of RM's will apply it really well. Then others can copy the example. I think he liked that. The Sankt Gallen stake has 17 missionaries out. So in 2 years there will be 17 members who really understand member missionary work. It's just sad when members hear something then say that's too hard. I don't want to be that kind of a member. In the time of Noah only 8 people got on the arc. Would I get on? That's a big question. Would I get on the arc? I would hope so. What are the arch's in todays world? What has God told us to do through the prophet that we should do? Are we doing them? 

Well then Sunday at the we went to Dornbirn because it was a video from Salt Lake to all of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. So some buildings had it, some didn't. It was good. Bednar and Hales spoke. It was so good. Bednar actually gave his talk in German. I could tell someone translated it for him so he could read it. But it was really cool to hear him talk in his own voice in German. Ya we could tell he hadn't spoken German in 40 years. But oh well. Well besides that this week we had a great time. I had an austausche with Elder Sharp on Tuesday and Wednesday. Well we had a change of plan. We stayed in Ravensburg and Elder G went to Dornbirn. Because Elder Sumsion got transferred so he had to say goodbye to everyone. So we went by on a ton of people and set an appointment up for a potential we found the week before. Then we met with the M. And L (the son not the other member) had a friend there. So before we went we were going to talk about tithing and the blessings it brings. But we decided to change it to watching the restoration movie and go through the first lesson. Low and behold we had a 22 year old girl named R/ there. Then we told her we'd give her the Book of Mormon and she was so excited. She said she loves to read. So we are meeting with her tomorrow night. Also V. is doing great. He is now going to start giving up alcohol. He really has changed a ton since I first met him. He was a mess. His depression really is better now. He thinks clearly now. We might move his baptismal date back so he can overcome his problems. But it's still planned for the 22 of March.

We taught the M’s, and their cousin was there. And we met with A. and another time with V. I'm bad about writing about all of our investigators. So Monday was a miracle. We had nothing to do so we went by on some people. Well were going to. Then after the first one we ran into V. going on a walk. So we talked for like 2 hours walking around the city. God just places people right in our way it's perfect. 

That's cool about the post cards. Here is a gift I want. Scan all of them and email them to the family. That way the information doesn't fade with time. Thank you. 

Ya so turns out we're related to the Buchanans. Yesterday we found it out. I don't remember how but we were on the Familysearch website. Small world.

I love you

Elder Kinghorn

February 17, 2014 Hello

Freiburg Zone Conference- Birthdays! Miles, Fox, Horlacher, Stuart, Garrett, Orchard, Kinghorn, Bartholomew, E. Bignall, Robins Front: Sponseller, Woods & Allman

Happy Valentines Day

Frieburg Zone Conference

Dear Family,

So this was another pretty good week. I had an awesome exchange in Dornbirn, Austria with Elder Sumsion. We had a good time. We went by on some really odd people. One lady just kept on going about random stuff. And her shirt had a few buttons unbuttoned and she didn't notice for a while so that was awkward. But she was nice. So they'll see her again sometime. Then we had an appointment with the 9 year old named E. who just got baptized. The mom was less active but she came back. And the step dad is turkish and really cool. So we had turkish/austrian food. Then we had a hot pepper just because and I was fine and Elder Sumsion almost died after eating it. It was funny. Then we barely missed the train. We were sprinting from the car to the train station and watched the train leave. Sad story. Happens. Oh well. But another funny story about spicy. So Saturday we met with Br. D. He is less active. He said that he has this chili and we are having a game night next month and he is going to make it. And he is going to make an extra spicy batch for me and anyone who thinks they can handle it. But he is from Berlin and ya he has a rough story. A drunk driver killed his family a while ago. So that really hit me when he told us. Life is hard. But he still prays and loves God. That's just hard to hear about. Losing your wife and kids. Luckily families can be together forever. It brings hope.

This week we had zone conference. Luckily we have the Buchanans who drive us. If we didn't it would be like a 4-4.5 hour train ride. Dornbirn had 5.5 hours to get home. We used to go to St. Gallen, Switzerland but they kicked us out because it's better for the whole mission to make a new zone. Well except for us. We get hosed and have to go close to France. Oh well. But it was really good. I really learned a lot at zone conference. I really loved it. And that was the whole day friday. We drove there and drove back. I keep getting farther and farther from the zone headquarters. In Austria it was about an hour from door to church. In Ulm it was 1.5 hours. Munich 2. Here 4. Well 2-2.5 with a car. and ya. nvm. So also J. came to church. She wants to get bapatized soon. We had a really good lesson with her at church about the gospel of Jesus Christ, faith, repentance baptism the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. V. didn't come because he was visiting his brother. But this week he'll come again. Sadly our lesson with A. didn't work. Oh well.

Yes, the visa went through. And the package worked, well I think. I got a mystery package with a shirt in it. So if that's what you mean, then yes I got that. Other than that no. I got a package Rachel sent a month ago. Packages come after we leave the apartment, so maybe tomorrow. Elder G and I are still together. So that means we are going to be the oldest companionship in the mission on Thursday, except for President. Oh, so the movie. You know the movie Silent Night? Well I met the family of the guy who produced or directed it.

But ya I've seen some of the pretty areas. In Rosenheim and Wiener Neustadt and Dornbirn they have mountains. It's really cool. And we see the Swiss Alps from here. And I'll have a good birthday. Don't you worry.

Love you

Elder Kinghorn

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

November 25, 2013

Dear Family,

Well this past week has been pretty good. We had Thanksgiving dinner, which was nice. We had it with the G. family on Saturday. It was great. 

When we went over and were at the train station in Altötting, waiting. And this homeless guy comes up collecting bottles (they are 25 cents each) and so we talked to him. And then we got on the same train and we talked some more (well we tried to understand him he spoke only Bayrisch full on, and with food in his mouth) so what we got from him was his life story. And we gave him a Book of Mormon and we are going to try to meet with him this week. He is cool. We'll see what happens with him this week. 

Then we got to Ampfing where the G's live. And we brought oreo cake. We weren't original enough to make it, but we found the mix at the grocery store on Monday so we got it. And that was a hit. And we also ate tons of food. But American food isn't as heavy as German. We ate a ton ,but didn't feel like we were going to die like after eating a big German meal. 2 of the elders from Rosenheim came too because the G's moved from there and knew the elders. The other two elders bailed last second because they planned badly and missed the train and had a lesson before. It would be possible to get to Ampfing and back in time. Oh well. 

New UnderArmour bottoms would be nice too. Just underarmor cold gear medium bottoms in black. I already have the top but maybe a second wouldn't be bad. and I don't want wool. It's not as useful because Underarmor dries overnight from the wash but other fabric takes 2 days in winter. They could come in handy. And I don't need a cd player. We have one but we never use it. 

There was a similar story. A sister missionary in my district in Ulm, her dad served there and baptized a woman. Then no missionary has been able to meet with her until Sister M. She was able to meet with her.  Just one of the miracles that happen every day.

L.G.

Elder Kinghorn

Munich Zone Conference

Munich Zone Conference

November 11, 2013

Dear family,

This past week was good. It was kind of hard to meet with people, but that's ok. We had an austausche (exchange) with the zone leaders. We had an awesome stretch of street. In 20 minutes we found 3 different people and set up 3 lessons with them, but that was in Stuttgart. So I didn't get to see them again. It was really awesome though talking with 3 different people and they all wanted to meet with us. And all in a row! No rejections between. That doesn't happen too often. It was awesome. Maybe it was the heat. It was 41 degrees celcius in Frankfurt. That's well over 100. And also it's humid. German weather is crazy. 

We met with R last week. He is doing as awesome as ever. We talked about the temple. He thought it was way cool that it's the exact same as Jewish temples (he has studied jewish religion a ton) so he knew everything that went on in the temple already. It was just making connections in his head. We also met with the really old guy. F. He said he is about 90% sure the Book of Mormon is true scripture. His big problem is that he can't come to church. He really can't. He is too old and fragile to make the journey. So we are going to have to see what we should do about that one. He wants a copy of the Doctrine and Covenants so we have one to give him next time we meet. This week he said he doesn't have time. He has visitors and doctors and all sorts of stuff. We also met with L. She is really cool. She’s kind of shy, but she was warming up to us. We met in a park and some drunk guy came up to us and said, “There is no God. I can't see him it means he doesn't exist.” And L. said, “It's like the wind. You can't see the wind but you can see the effects of it.” Not to the drunk guy, but to us afterwards. She said if she gets baptized it would be after she moves out from home. So in a couple years. When we talked with her dad a couple weeks ago he sounded like he didn't care about religion. It wasn't important to him. And wouldn't care what his daughter did with religion. So we'll see. 

Something cool from what happened last week. I was reading in the bible. When Joseph gets sold to Egypt. After he reveals himself to his brothers that he is Joseph, the governor of Egypt. He said, “You didn't sell me into bondage. God sent me there so I could help our family survive this plague.” So if we go through trials faithfully and try to do what's right, God will bless us. There is always a happy ending. I know that.

Transfers are in 2 weeks so I can tell you then where I'll be. We walk everywhere now. It takes longer but it's freezing to bike here in rain and cold, it's no fun. Luckily there hasn't been any snow yet. It should come soon sadly.

We teach english every week and this week will be fun. A lot of times nobody comes. The Ls are going to come to help us. We are just going to play games and speak English L. is coming so it will force her to learn more English. It's perfect. And then everyone else has fun together.

I Love you

Elder Kinghorn