Week #10 New York

Hello my amazing family! This week has been such an improvement on the week before! I have not very much time because we have a dinner appointment soon with some members of the ward. Wow this week we have been able to get busy and start helping people come unto Christ! We spent alot of monday unpacking and cleaning the apartment. Our apartment was such a mess with spiderwebs everywhere. It was embarrassing. I remember I hated the feeling of our apartment and so I prayed that the apartment would have a better feeling and spiritual atmosphere to it. In response to my prayer we just started cleaning like mad! after all was said and done the apartment felt like a totally different place to me. As the scriptures say the Spirit of the Lord cannot dwell in unholy or unclean places. That night we suited up and went and walked a few miles at about 7 at night in the freezing weather. We went and contacted a less active family and set up an appointment to teach their daughter. She is 9 and wants to be baptized when she turns 10 in may. We spent alot of time this last week visiting less active members and fellowshipping recent converts. Most members sure enjoy having the missionaries over and we have a hard time leaving on time after we have taught them a bit and have given them a spiritual thought and commited them to try and come back to church or read the Book of Mormon or to pray. They sure like chatting and comment on how they love having the missionaries over. There really is a special light that comes with us as we enter homes of many people. I can definatly tell the difference of when we enter a home with a worthy priesthood holder and when we enter homes that don't have the priesthood. Since our area contains alot of military members there are many active lds soldiers and families. We are fed every day at dinner. There homes feel so good to be in. The Gospel really makes everything so lovely. I'm sorry again there isn't much time and we are at the library and we don't get the chance to come here until about 5:30. I tracted my first neighborhood saturday morning at about 11. We had an appointment fall through (which happens fairly often) and our backup was to tract. So we went and tracted. Surprisingly very few people were home for a saturday. But we had about 7 or 8 that answered the door. All were fairly polite but all declined and said they weren't interested or were already members of another church. The Door I first knocked on was an older gentleman probably about 70. This is more or less what I said. '"Hi! We're Mormon missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We are out today sharing a message of Jesus Christ and of families, and how families can be together forever. Is this something that you would be interested in learning more about?" He was nice and told me he knew about our church because his son in law was a mormon and he had even given him a "Mormon Bible" I told him it was the Book of Mormon and that it was an excellent book. I should have probably born more of my testimony but I was so flustered and my mind was racing at a million miles per hour. I gave him a mormon.org pass along card and invited him to check it out. He said he would do that. After we left his door I felt great inside. I felt peace and love from the Lord. Somehow I wasn't even nervous when I knocked on the door. The Lord sure does bless us and is always aware of us. The rest of the tracting went about the same. We did it for about an hour. No one was really interested but we asked many of them if the knew of anyone that was in need of some service. They all said they didn't but hopefully we left and impression on them. Maybe in the future they will think of our smiling faces and think of us in a positive way. I'm going to try and upload some pictures for you so hopefully it works out. We got a call on Friday at about 9 pm from president saying that there was going to be an emergency transfer and that one of our companions Elder King was going to be leaving by 9:30 the next morning to fill the needed transfer. I guess an Elder was going home for some reason. So now I am just in a regular companionship with Elder Menlove from Arizona. He is a good chill guy and we get along really good. We had alot of fun in our trio and we all laughed alot. I was sad to see it go, but there is a reason the norm is going out two by two. Church was good yesterday I love church. I have been going about twice a week to a family in our ward named the gabbituss's. Their dad went to portugal on his mission and so we do language study at his house. I will listen to him and it's fun and good for the both of us. Ok I have to go now I'm sorry. Thanks so much for your prayers. I pray for you all everyday. Tell Jordan and Kaiden to be careful in eveything they do. I have been praying so much for you all to be safe and be protected physically and spiritually. The Church is True. I love the Gospel and missionary work. Even thought its the hardest thing I have ever had to do so far in my life. But I know the Savior is with us every step of the way. Amo Voces!
-Elder Kennington

Skylers New York Utica Letter from His Mission President

Skylers New York Address:

If you send any letters send them to this Address: 12 Slaytonbush Road, Whitesboro NY 13492. It is the mission home and they will forward all letters to us. If you send packages it needs to be sent buy USPS priority mail or parcel or something of that sort. But it can't be UPS or Fedex because then they can't forward the mail to me.

Week #9. New York-First Week in the Field

This picture is of Skyler and his MTC Companion, Elder Saxton. Hey family! it has been such a crazy crazy crazy week. Our p-day is on monday and we never had the chance to write home because there were 25 new missionaries this transfer so there was no time for anybody to write home. I thought that the President Wirthlin had sent home a letter with a picture of us in it but maybe not. As you know it was so hard for me to leave the mtc. I have felt an emptiness inside me that is slowly being filled. This last week we haven't been able to get hardly any work done at all. in 4 days we have been to the emergency room 5 times for my trainer Elder Burton. His jaw has randomly popped out of place almost everyday since thursday. On thursday morning we were doing personal study and I guess he yawned and his jaw popped out of it's socket. I didn't notice it and it wasn't until companionship study that he said that we have to call the mission presidents wife, because his jaw was locked. I was surprised and didn't have any idea what to do. We called Sister Wirthlin and she right away called around trying to find a place that he could go to have it fixed. We ended up just having to go the the emergency room at the nearest hospital which was only about a mile from our apartment in Carthage, New York. We went there and they fiddled with Elder Burtons jaw and couldn't get it back. They said they would have to give him muscle relaxers to relax his jaw enough to put it back into place. So they gave him several shots, and he was out of it. They came in again and were able to put his jaw back in right away. We left after that and went about our day. We had to stay in the apartment because he was so drugged up and quite nauscious. So he slept and I sat in the front room of our apartment and read the scriptures and preach my gospel and napped a little bit. He didn't get feeling better until that evening and we were able to go to our dinner appointment with a nice young family named the Downers. They fed us chicken tacos that were really excellent. Our gps got us hopelessly lost as we were trying to find their home. We ended up calling them and then talking on the phone for almost a half hour trying to get directions to their home. Its a true blessing from the Lord that we were able to find it even with help from calling them. I just told Elder Burton to take random turns, that I had no idea why we should, and then somehow it led us to a bank that we were able to use as a new focal point and were able to make it to their home soon after that. We ate chicken tacos that were excellent. We left them with a spiritual message and went home for the night and prepared for our next day. The same thing happened the next three days Elder Burton would have to go into the ER and he would then be drugged up and out of it for the rest of the day, so we would just have to stay home and do nothing. After talking with President Wirthlin and praying much it was decided that there was no way that Elder Burton could stay out in the field with this huge problem. He is on a plane back home to Arizona right now on medical leave. He is determined to come back, but it sounds like he has a pretty big surgery to fix the problem. It was a pre-existing problem where he can't bite down all the way in front and his jaw would lock sometimes but he could usually get it back into place. So they were planning on fixing it all after his mission because his doctors wanted him to grow more and thought he would be ok. But for whatever reason the Lord wants him back home right now. So right now I am at the Mission Presidents home about two hours from my assigned area. We just picked up my two new companions and so I am now in a trio. Their names are Elder Menlove and Elder King. They have both been out for over a year and Elder Menlove was Elder Burtons companion before he got transferred less than a week ago so he knew the Carthage area and the people that live their well. He has served their 6 months already. It sounds like there is too much good happening in Carthage and so President Worthlin pulled the two Elders our of their area because theirs was a new one that they had only been to for 5 days and were opening so there wasn't much that they were having to leave behind. Last tuesday we were met at the Syracuse New York airport by our wonderful Mission President and his wife. President Joseph B. Wirthlin. He is the son of the Apostle Elder Joseph B. Worthlin. He is such a great man and I was so happy to see him at the airport. You can truly see the light of Christ in him and his wife and they stood out from everyone at the Airport. They loaded us and our baggage all up into two vans and a trailer hooked on to one and they took us to this pizza joint so that we could get "real" New York pizza. It was great food and the pizza slices were huge! It was for sure some of the best pizza I have ever had. They took us to the Utica stake center after that, which also doubles as the mission office. We dropped all of our luggage off their and did a little bit of training. It was about 6 in the evening by this time. Everyone was super tired and so President had us get our essentials for the night. We stayed at a new missionary couples apartment named the Cutlers. They are really nice people from St. George. The mission home was full of the other missionaries so thats why we stayed there. The next day we got up and went to the church again which was very close and we did a little more training. And then they had us go to the chapel where we were assigned our new companions. Out of the 25 missionaries I was the last to be assigned my new companion and trainer. Elder Burton. What a sweet, humble companion he was. We were only together for about 5 days but he was a blessing and a comfort to me. I was very saddened that the first full day of our training he started having major problems with his jaw. But it was the Lord's will I guess. I just wonder why he waited until I was his trainee till he started having problems. I told him to look you up on facebook. His name is Jason Rolly Burton from Snowflake, Arizona. I hate to say it but I'm nervous right now. I have a little anxiety and I don't know what the Lord has in store for me here yet. We haven't been able to teach a single lesson yet. I feel that there is much of the Saviors precious time that I have wasted. But my companion was too drugged up to be able to do anything and so I have felt the comfort of the Lord telling me that it is ok. I have had so many hours in our apartment of just me since my companion was passed out on the bed. I have had too much time and i haven't been able to keep my mind busy and so it has often gone back to my amazing memories and experiences at the mtc. I have the alot about my family, and especially of Mom and Dad. And for the first time in over 2 months I have had pangs of homesickness. Satan has been working on me telling me that my task is too large to handle and that I might as well give up because i am doing no good. I have thrust those evil thoughts from me and have relied on prayer this week more than I ever had in my life. The Savior really is our master, and he does raise us up and walks with us as we do his missionary work. I have felt your prayers this last week. As I have sat not being able to do anything I have gotten really down and have felt that there is no hope. But then it is like a light comes into my soul and warms me and reassures me that all is well and that everything will turn out fine. Thank you for your prayers. This has probably been one of the hardest weeks I have ever experienced in my entire life. I have been brought low and humbled and I know that his is a trying and testing time in my life. I'm grateful that Heavenly Father is allowing me to experience it now. I'm glad I can taste of the bad so that I can truly recognize and savor the good. But don't worry about me I will be fine. There is no greater support than our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He knows me and what we all feel, he truly knows how to succor us. So some cool things about being out hers is that we have out own car. It's a nice Subaru, and I have been able to drive it quite a bit here in new York because me companion was too drugged up to drive. The way it looks and feels here we could totally be in Utah. The trees and snow and houses and cars look so much like back at home. It is cold here but not too much worse than back in Provo. I'm doing fine. We do alot of work with less-actives here, it sounds like there is usually quite a bit of success with helping to reactivate people. There are a few progressing investigators here with baptismal dates set but they aren't until April and may. So I probably won't see a baptism during my time here. Thats just fine though, hopefully I can help a few people and plant some seeds. Like I said the main town that are area is in is called Carthage. It's probably about the same size as Roosevelt. Something thats cool and different is that in our area there is a military base called Fort Drum. It doesn't seem too different besides its a good sized town with stores and everything. We need to have our drivers licences with us whenever we enter the base. There is no proselyting on Fort Drum allowed unless there is a definate appointment set up, so we can't tract or randomly ask members or investigators if we can teach them without first setting up an appointment. As a whole the mission doesn't do much tracting unless there is nothing else to do. And theres is always someone that we can visit or teach so I probably won't get to tract much while I am here. I'm not sure how Elder Saxton is doing or where he is at but I think he is doing good and has probably done alot more than I have this past week. I miss the feeling of Utah. It feels alot different here, but as we were in church yesterday I felt the Spirit strong and I knew that the Church is true here in New York, it's true back at home in Utah, and it's true in Brazil. We have a good ward with almost 500 members. But only about 200 are active so there is tons of work that we can do here. Many of the members are in the military so they come and go quickly and randomly. The Bishop here Bishop Olson has only been a Bishop for about a month. We have a good ward though, I was able to bear my testimony at church as the new missionary and Elder Burton was able to bear his testimony and I explain while he was leaving. The ward was very sad to hear that he was leaving but I had a good reception and had 3 or for of the member come and talk to me and tell me of their missions in Brazil and Portugal. i just asked President and he said that they should soon send a letter with a picture of him and his wife and me. If you send any letters send them to this Address: 12 Slaytonbush Road, Whitesboro NY 13492. It is the mission home and they will forward all letters to us. If you send packages it needs to be sent buy usps priority mail or parcel or something of that sort. But it can't be ups or fedex because then theu cant forward it to us or something. But please keep Elder Burton in your prayers. He has been wearing band-aids on his face to remind him not to yawn or open his mouth to wide. It locks to easily. He has only been able to eat yogurt and smoothis these last few days. I hope he gets home fine, we dropped him off at the airport at about 9 this morning. We drove to the Mission home last night and stayed here. i dind't sleep much last night because I was afraid his jaw would lock and we would have to take him to the Emergency room. But me and President gave him a blessing last night that everything would be fine. I had Elder Burton give me a blessing as well last night of comfort and strenght. i felt better after it. well we will probably be leaving soon but thanks for your emails. i have been really close to the spirit this last week and as I read my Patriarchal blessing and the blessing that dad gave me and the letters you wrote I wept often. But The Lord has helped me and comforts me. And again I know that this is a time of refinement. I need to go now but I love you all so much. Thanks so much for your prayers and thoughts. Until next week. -Elder Kennington

Letter about Skylers Visa Status

I recieved this from the salt lake headquarters office today. Just thought I might share it with you, it doesn't really tell us anymore than we already know though. Dear Elder Kennington: Visa Status By now you are aware that your visa to Brazil has not yet been approved. While this is undoubtedly a disappointment, please know that we are doing everything possible to secure your visa. We will notify you immediately when it is received. We ask that you and your family members not do anything, such as call or e-mail the consulate, to try to secure your visa more quickly. Such actions may actually slow down the visa process already in place. While you are waiting, your mission experience in the United States will prove to be a great blessing in your preparation to serve in Brazil. We encourage you to work hard, remain focused, and be involved in all aspects of missionary work. As you serve the people in your new Mission, your testimony and ability to teach will increase, you will set the pattern of study and hard work for the rest of your mission, and you will come to love the people. May the Lord continue to bless you and your family as you dedicate yourself to preaching the gospel to those who are seeking and ready to accept your invitation to come unto Christ. Sincerely, Eduardo Gavarret Assistant Executive Director

Week #8 Provo MTC

Ola Todo Mundo! Big week this week! lots has happened! Yes I recieved my reassignment yesterday but I won't be able to call you until tonight because there has been so much going on and I want everyone to be home. So plan on recieveing a phone call about 9:30 tonight. it's late I know but I have class instruction from 6:30 until 9:30. I'll give you a couple hints though about it. I've never been there before, it will probably be extremely cold, and it's back east. (so go ahead and make guesses) I talked to the travel office and they said that the mtc services department would take care of getting me set up with a warm coat. I'm not sure if it will cost me any money, but it sounds like it should be a fair deal either way. So like you saw I was blessed to be able to host Kaiden on wednesday. I hosted 2 other Elders before him. One was an early arrival from Ohio going to the St. George mission. He had already arrived at the mtc a while earlier with a group of 34 other missionaries who had arrived early. For whatever reason they picked Elder Saxton and I to help host them. He seemed well and excited to serve in St. George. His name was Elder Grover. The next Elder I hosted was named Elder Corry. They were from St. George and his family had show up the night before to be able to drop him off on time. He was going to the California, Roseville mission like Kaiden, but he ended up being in a completely different district than Kaiden. When I got back to the curb from hosting him it was about 1:15 so I waited around for until it was 1:30 for Kaiden to come in. Sure enough I was their blue Durango across the street pulling out of the big parking lot. So I waited until they got into the mtc lot and then I gauged about where they would be. I decided they would be about midway down the sidewalk so I said a silent prayer and asked that things would work out, and that I would be able to host Kaiden. I casually made my way down about half way because I was stationed right at the top again. I went down and hung around for a bit. It felt like I waited forever. I finally decided that a space must have opened up at the top and they must had pulled in their. So I sadly started making my way back to the top, I think I walked back up for 5 seconds and then their durango magically came into view and pulled right up next to me in the next available spot. I couldn't believe it! I thanked the Lord for his tender mercy again. It was just like with Aaron, it all worked out perfectly. The Lord loves us so much and is always willing to help us when he sees fit. It was awesome seeing Kaiden, and his family! They seemed to do well and reminded me alot of how mom and dad and the brothers were when they dropped me off. I feel bad for some of the moms and families because they weep and wail like they were at their son or daughters funeral! We talked for just a bit and they said their last goodbyes and were off. (btw just so you know anyone can get out of the vehicle when they get to the mtc, instead of just one like mom and dad had thought) me and Elder Memmott talked the whole time and did some good catching up. I warned him of how the mtc food gives everyone gas like crazy and that he could borrow my gas-x if he wanted. We laughed the entire time and I dropped him off at his class. Luckily later that night we caught up again at dinner because all the new missionaries have dinner at 4:15 and we always have it at 4:30 so I somehow spotted him among the 1000 plus missionaries and we talked more and went and found Sister Allred and caught up. It was fun and was a great blessing. He seems to be doing great and was just so relieved to finally be here in the mtc. Yesterday was our in field orientation day from 8 until 5:30. It was long but was interesting and I learned alot of good stuff. It started getting very real for me yesterday that I will be leaving the security of the mtc and heading out into the world. I feel very inadequite as a teacher, and I'm honestly really nervous to go and and start teaching real investigators. I feel that I have been taught how to speak portuguese well, but that I am lacking alot of know how and skill on actually teaching, and inviting others to come unto Christ. But the in field orientation gave me a boost and gave me confidence. Basically we were in the 1m building all day which is the one with the cafeteria and the big rooms and we rotated every hour and a half or so to different rooms for different learning activities. We learned the importance of bringing a member or recent convert with you when teaching progressing investigators. I got the goodies you sent me and they were in perfect shape. They are delicious and thanks for sending them. Those cookie dough brownies are defiantly worth keeping the recipe around. So Aaron is doing really good, he is progressing well with the language and I get to see him everyday, it's really nice knowing that 3 of my closest friends are here in the mtc with me. Robby told me that his parents had sent something with him to give me, I never see him because his meal schedules are completely different than mine but yesterday after in field orientation we had dinner at 5:30 instead of 4:30, so again I prayed that I would find him because there was tons and tons of missionaries at dinner yesterday and I thought there was no way I could find him, I looked for a bit but didn't see him. I had to go get a fork so I stood up to go get one from the nearest table but I had the thought to walk all the way across the cafeteria and fight through a million missionaries to get a fork from a different table, just because I thought that maybe I would run into Elder Wood. And lo and behold I walk across the cafeteria and run right into Elder Wood! He said he still needed to give me that "thing" that his parents had given him to give me so I gave him my residence building and room number so that he could drop it off to me. He came by that night and dropped me off a pretty blue tie, I was in the shower so we just talked for a second but it was cool and finally gives me a switch up of ties. I where a green tie 90% of the time and everyone knows that green is my favorite color. Everyone complimented my new blue tie at the temple today, and said they didn't recognize me without a green one. If you see the Woods tell them thanks so much! Robby is doing great as well, he leaves a week after me. So I just got my hair cut and so I'll take a before and after picture so you can see. Sorry this letter is taking forever we had to leave and take care of other stuff, its 5:30 right now and I still haven't sent the rest to you. So I went to foreign missionary services and they totally gave me a brand new dual lined coat, gloves, a beanie, and a scarf. They just wrote down my last name and told me to leave the stuff at my new mission home in the states or to have them send it back to the mtc. It's super nice stuff, especially the jacket it's a mr. mac with a thick fleece/wool liner and a waterproof zip out shell that is also insulated. It's super nice stuff. I just told them I had been reassigned to a new cold area and the lady just went back and grabbed all the stuff for me. So I guess I'm set. I'm excited to call you guys, I'm only limited to 5 minutes but I bought a calling card and so I can call you when I get to the airport. So this week was great and i saw the blessings of the Lord everywhere. Thanks for everything and for mom and dad and grandma dale writing me. I love on Monday evenings when I get a dear Elder from grandma Dale. I look forward to it all day. The church is so true. I love the Book of Mormon so much. It is a book of 100% truth. It came about the way Joseph said it did. Brother Joseph saw God the Father and his son Jesus Christ in the Sacred Grove. If your not sure if that event really happened then ask God. He was there. As a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ I testify those things are true. And through the power of the Holy Ghost we can all know that they are true as well. Take care everyone I'm super happy to leave the mtc but saddened as well, I have many great friends here that I have made. But I'm so excited to leave and to spread the miraculous message of the Gospel. Not sure what day I will get to write next, but I love you all! Obrigado por tudo! -Elder Kennington

Wk #7 Provo MTC

Oi minha grande familia! Como estao voces? Another week has shot by here at the mtc. It will be our last week here on our normal schedule. We have had the same schedule the last 7 weeks and next week will be a little bit different. We will have some in field training next thursday which I have no idea what it constists of. not sure what the other differences are but I do know it's different. I'll let you know next week on more of what will happen. So it was a fun week this last week. On Sunday they released our Branch president, President Braithwaite. What a great man, he is given me much advice and has given me some great counsel on how to be a great missionary. Him and his wife had served in our portuguse branch for the last 4 years, so they knew that their time was soon up. They actually got lucky and have been asked to be be a counseler in a new English speaking branch that they are making. There are so many Sisters and Elders here. And this is just the start! The new MTC presidency (we got a new president 2 weeks ago, President Nally, he replaced President Brown) they said that by July there would be almost 8000 misionaries at the mtc! It will be crazy! I have no idea how they will be able to do it! but the Lord always provides a way so that his work can move forward and I know that it will all work out fine. That sure will be alot of food that is going to be needed for the missionaries, every wednesday me and the other 4 Elders in my district have a service project where we were at the food loading docks. It's alot like working at Paragon, they bring in tons and tons of food and juice off trucks and we get to help unload it and count it all out and then put it all where it belongs. it's pretty cool being able to see first hand where all the food is and the massive mtc kitchen and all the workers that they have tirelessly preparing the food. The Lord definatly blessed us with and awesome service project because almost all of the mtc gets stuck cleaning up bathrooms and residence hall. Our work is actually fun and in a way relaxing. I'm just glad I won't be working when there is triple the amount of missionaries than there is now. That will be alot of food! Anyway, last Sunday I was asked to pass the sacrament in our meeting, that was a cool experience especially how it is completely silent in the chapel since there are no kids or other distractions. The new mtc president presided at our meeting because they released President Braithwaite. Our new President is President Radebaugh who was formerly the 1st counselor and our new 1st counseeor is Brother Christofferson who was formerly the 2nd counseler. Our new second counselers name is Brother Jackson. He was just release as a stake president and was a mission president in the Brazil, Campinas mission several years ago. They are all great men and I'm sad that we only have another week and a hald with them. So yesterday the brazil group that is a week ahead of us all got their reassigments. there is 24 of them in total, and their reassignments comprise of going to Missouri, Louisianna, Florida, California, Montana, Texas, Iowa and here in utah. One was assigned to the Provo mission and the mission home is only about 3 miles from the mtc, another was assigned to SLC central mission. Everyone is super excited about their reassignments. Most companionships were split up. I think that only one companionship is going together to the independance missouri mission. They way reassignments work is that we are reassigned for one transfer, which is six weeks. Even ifd your visa comes the day after you arrive to you new area you still stay the entire six weeks. If you six weeks goes by and you still don't have your visa then you stay another six weeks. there is no limit on how long you will stay and its very rare that you are reassigned permanantly. Last week there were three Elder in our zone that were to be reassigned. One was reassigned to Alabama and the other two were reassigned to texas. When they went to the travel office to pick up their reassignments they gave two of them the reassignments and they told the other that he needed to wait a minute. She went back into the office for a minute and then came back and told the Elder (Elder Crook) that his visa had randomly showed up just an hour before. So they canceled his reassignment to texas which had just barely been made. And told him he was leaving to Sao Paulo on tuesday. It just shows that if The Lord needs visas he will get visas. So I had to quite writing this letter so I could go get lunch and then I went to the health clinic to talk to them, I had been having some weird feelings in one of my molars in the left side of my mouth and it looked a little funny to me cause I could have sworn there used to be a filling in that tooth but now it was just kinda empty and weird looking. I had been prompted for several days to go to the health clinic and ask about it so on monday I went in and told them about it and they said that the mtc dentist was coming in on thursday and if I could wait till then he could check out my teeth. So I waited till yesterday cause the pain wasn't bad at all and I barely noticed it, he was this really Old Doctor Dickerson. He said that he lived and Roosevelt and had gone to Union and graduated in like 58 or something. It was cool talking to him and he checked me for less than five minutes and confirmed that I was missing most of a filling. He said that he couldn't do any work on it but he would have the receptionist schedule me an appointment. He said they would put more information in my mailbox. So that evening I got a note in the mailbox that said to go back to the health clinic and talk to one of the ladies. I went at about 12:15 today because the health clinic was closed by the time I got my note. They had me feel out a waiver sheet that allowed me to go off the mtc campus. Then they called dad and told him that I was at the health clinic. I was listening and could hear dads voice through the phone. I thought it was funny cause they didn't explain what the problem was right away, they just told dad that I was at the health clinic. I hope he didn't worry for the brief few seconds before they explained things. I doubt he did. So they got my insurance stuff and then they scheduled an appointment with a dentist at 1:00 the same day. We had a miscommunication on times and we missed the first shuttle so we had to scramble around and get another one arranged. The health receptinoist lady wasn't very happy with me cause I missed my shuttle, I felt pretty bad but it all worked out ok. We got to the Dentist after many wrong turns and they got me into the chair pretty quick. The doctor was pretty young and his name was dr. jones. He started looking at my tooth and then the next thing I knew he had pulled out a big needle and gave me two shots. I thought to myself "that escalated quickly" he said that I had a channel going through my tooth that was decayed and had to all be drilled out. So much for there not being any decay. They got it drilled out and filled in fairly quickly and there wasn't any problems with it. We did have to wait at the dentists office for another 45 mins after though because the shuttle took a while to show. But now all is well. We just got done having dinner and I don't have any time to write anything more. So yeah I didn't get to host on wednesday cause I guess there was too many first time Elders that got to host but I will host this wednesday for sure and hopefully I will see Kaiden. I saw Robby today for just a second and on wednesday me and Sister Allred sat down and talked to him for a while. He seems to be doing great. Anyway love you guys all, the church is so true and Jesus Christ himself is at the head of it. I testify of that. So glad everyone had fun on the cruise thanks for the pictures and tell Grandma Dale thanks so much for the care package! Love you all and I am doing great! When we get our reassignments they will let me call home for 5 minutes so it will probably be between wednesday and friday that I call you. Amo voces tao muito! -Elder Kennington