August 6, 2012

Hey Peeps,

Well time is now winding down. Only about 4 more weeks till... well, you know what. Im just starting to realize Dahlin and Connie are actually getting married, and next week too. I wish that I could be there with all my heart, but you know how it is... I hope you guys have the times of your lives. Its also cool to hear about Andrew coming home. October 8th huh?? Congrats! Well, at least I will be there for that one.

We had a another solid week. We went to Merida for a meeting with Pres and some other elders, and it ws a good one. We talked a lot on obedience and why we are obedient. I think I have talked about this before, but it always amazes me that no matter how much I study the gospel, it always centers back on one simple thing. Love. Its the most powerful feeling we have, and it is our motor for choosig the right always. Christ was sent because of love. He was willing to die for his love for us, and now our biggest reason for obeying should always be love.

I have to keep this one short today because we have a survey to fill out, but I will fill everyone in on the important details next week. I hope everyone has a great week. I hope Diane and Julie dont stress themselves out too much, but im sure the wedding will trun out great. Thaks again to Courtnie for always writing and showing the love, and a thanks to Suzanne for always writing as well. Im really proud of Kyle for what hes doing. 

Here are my two best comps I had, now assistants together. Thanks to everyone for everything. Next week. 

Love,

 

Elder Kitterman

July 30 2012

While thinking about a certain Miley Cirus song the other night, I asked my comp what does "moving my hips like ya" look like. He launches into a 30 min lecture on the different ways to move your hips. Favorties that he showed me were- The shakira, the one two step, and apple bottom jeans. That was very informative.

We had a great week. Like really great. And the thing is, I cant even tell you why.

But maybe I can try. I will first start off saying thanks to court for keeping the letters from the other elders coming. Kyles took me back to MTC days, which relly doesnt seem all that long ago. He thinks its hot now...where does he thinks hes serving, Alaska?? It was also rough hearing President Dix passed away... I sat across from him in my interview to go on a mission 2 years ago and he didnt even know that he had cancer. Now I wont get to thanks him for everything he did for me for a while.

On a much brighter note, we are doing really well down here in Yucatan land. We found a family last night (that has air conditioning in their house, BLESSING!!!) who were ready for everything. The father told about how he was doubting if God really existed with all the wars and what not and the mom told us she always felt like sopmething was missing when she went to other churches. We will see how it goes over the next few weeks.

Arturo and his family are still doing really well. Everyday they get more hungry for the gospel. We have hit a few speedbumps with him  and his current...uhh... mate not being married, but they say they want to get married. Can you say BODA!!! 

My comp is a master yoyo-er. He is teaching me a few things, that what that picture of. The other is us in comp study. Im wearing his glasses, cause i think they are pretty dope. And the other...well our freezer was a block of ice and we wanted to put something in there. Iron are multi use here!  

Well i hate to end this so short, but even though it was a good week I just cant come up with anything else. We are just working hard and seeing a lot of progress little by little. 

Talk to everyone next week!

Love,

 

Elder Kitterman

July 23 2012

This week flew by. It went great though. We saw a bunch of miracles and found a lot of new people to teach and what not. Firstly, I was sad to hear about that guy that opened fire in the theater during Batman. Thats a bummer. I always wonder why people do that...

Well on a better note, we had changes today, and I finally realized im not in little Campeche anymore. There is 3 other zones here in Cancun, and while at the bus station to see all the other elders off, I saw a lot of old faces that I had seen for a while. It was way sweet. Elder Laudie and I of course both stayed, but there were a lot of other changes in the mission. 

While knocking late one morning, just before a set appointment we had, we found a lady named Maria. She lives on the top floor of an apartment building that is surrounded by dozens of others just like it. I have no idea how we ended up at her door, but it happened. She comes out and seemed very happy to have us. While talking to her, she told us that late the night before, she had arrived from the state of Tobasco for problems she was having back there. She was looking for work, but more than that, she was looking to start over. She told us that she had prayed dozens of times between the time that she had arrived and the time that we got there, asking for a new opportunity and a new life. She is stoked for baptism and went to church yesterday and loved it. She is also very excited for us to talk with her 16 year old son who will be moving from tobasco to cancun this week probably. 

One of our more escogido investigators surprised this week with some cool info. His name is Arturo, and he drives buses for the city. We found him knocking, and he has taken a lot of interest in everything. Turns out that 2 days before we knocked his door, he found an Ensign at work and has been reading it. He liked it so mch that he was looking in all the secondhand stores he could find for a book of mormon. He remembered seeing one a long time ago and wanted to get one to read. He gave him one and he wanted to know how much it cost. We told him it was free, but that he had to read it. I surprised myself by saying that this book is worth more to me than anything else I have, and it doesnt cost a thing. I would be willing to give up any material posesion I have for that book. He has read a lot so far, and loves it. 

We also gave one to his daughter in law, who loves to read it as well. When we asked her how it was going with the book, she showed us how she had been marking her favorite parts, and not just that, but she was marking what she felt she needed to change in her life and then was praying after to ask for help and guiandance while making the change. She is 14. It took me 19 years and a mission to figure out how to do that, and she does after one week reading it. She says she feels something diferent, something special while reading it. She cant put it down. And sometimes as members, we go days, weeks, dare i say months without reading it on our own. We shouldnt take it for advatage. 

Those were just a few a the better moments from the week. It really was a great week. Elder Laudie and I have been slacking on the picture taking. We talked about it last night. We will take more pics this week! ¡Se lo juro! But we are working hard and having a great time along on the way. I hope everyone has a great week. Lots of love!

 

Love,

 

Elder Kitterman

July 16 2012

So yes I did get changed to Cancun. This place has changed quite a bit really. They have all new buses that are way high tech and what not. Technology amazes me now. i cant imagine what it will be like to go home to all that. Speaking of buses, the other day a bus passed by plastered in an advertisment for Batman.... I just looked down at the ground and kicked some rocks. 

So the pictures are some random pics of me and missionaries, and today my comp taught me how to tie a bow tie! Its pretty legit.

 

My area is the right next to my first real area in the mission when i started, and a lot of the members from this ward knew tha they recognized me from somewhere. Back then i couldnt speak spanish and i only ever saw them for a second every sunday, so i was surprised they even recognized me. Im with Elder Laudie, from Pleseant grove utah, and is... something else. We get along great, and i already knew him for more than a year ago. to give you an idea, every morning to do 30 minutes of excersize, he gets up and dances to no music, but its the funniest dance ive ever seen. 

I dont have to much to write about this week. It was rough leaving my last area, since i assumed i was going to finish there. I couldnt say goodbye to anyone, since they told me at 10 at night and i was on a bus at 8 the next morning, but thats the mission. Im excited to be here though. Its a solid ward and they are very excited to help the missionaries. 

We are teaching an awesome family of 6 right now that are ready, they just have to get married and they are set for baptism! They are way cool. We also have an investigator whose husband is a less active that grew up in California, San Jose. Its kinda weird cause he always speaks to us in english but his wife doesnt know that much so we have to switch back and forth and its gets pretty interesting. We also have two young men we are teaching that speak better english than they do spanish since they grew up in the states. So i taught my first lesson in enlgsih the other day. It was way weird. I couldnt really

put all my taughts together to form everything i wanted to say, but hopefully i will get better.

well thats about it for this week. Times winding down now, its starting to scare me really. As i come to the realize that its coming to an end, I thank the Lord for everything he has given me, and i ask that he forgives my faults and for all those i could have helped if i would have been a litle better. I can feel his love and the confirmation that he has accpeted what i have given thus far, but i still have much more to give. I love this work.

Have a greatt week everyone!

Love,

Elder Kitterman

July 9 2012

They special changed me to cancun. Im back in the zone where my first real area was, and in the same chapel, just the area next to it.  i have no idea why or what. Im so confused, but i prayed right after getting the call and have been able to stay level headed about the whole thing. i will write more next week. my comp is elder Laudie from utah, and ive known him for a while now. hes a great guy.

 

More next week. I was on the bus alllll day today....again.

 

Thanks for everything. love ya

Love,

 

Elder Kitterman

July 2 2012

Well we are literally on our way to Merida. We just stopped by really quick to write cause we dont thik we will have time in Merida to do it. So not a lot of time, but I do my best to give the DL.

We did two day divisions with some elders here in Campeche and I was with Elder Meador, who is a pilot. I made him promise me like 50 million times to take me flying when he gets home next year. He says he will if he lets me go to a track meet. done.

Remember when i told you guys at mothers day that I wanted to find a family? Well even before that Ive felt that we were lacking someone, and we.  Carlos and Aurrora, a young married couple with two little daughters, are the ones we have been looking for a while now. Its funny how Im now able to tell if there is somebdy im looking for. At the begining of my mission I couldnt ever tell the difference, but as Ive tried to pay much more attention to the spirit, I can now tell now there is somebody specific that we have to find. They are so excited about all of it, and are making all the necessary changes to be able to go to church every sunday and the whole shabang.

But on te other hand, there are always people lookig for us. We were going with Carlos and Aurrora to church yesterday morning, when a police officer came out of his guard house near a small school and field to cal us over. We sent Crlos and his wife on to the bus stop and went over to talk to him. He said he had a question. He asked us what the significance of a holocaust was. No, not the holocaust of the Jews, but a holocaust from the old testament. We explained it to him and about sacrifices and that they represented the sacrifice of Christ before his coming. He thought for a second and then said "i was reading about that in the bible, and it mentioned something about atonement too. What is that?" We explained it along with our short testimonies of Christ. We could see a fire slowly growing in his eyes. As tears rolled down his cheeks, he told us "Ive ben looking for so long for the truth. Where is it?" We quickily explained that it has all been restorted. We gave him a book of mormon, a few pamphlets, and a promise that we would come back later that day. 

We went back that night, and there he was waiting for us. He had read the pamphlets and a little of the book of mormon. He said "As soon as i can Im buying a white shirt and tie and im finding one of your churches." He doesnt live in our area, so we passed his direction along to the sister missionaries that are there. I was so impacted by this encounter that I bore my testimony in church on the blesing we have to be in the truth, and to know of the atonement. Imagine going your whole life without the knowledge of the greatest of most redeeming event to have ever transpired in the history of the world. Imaine not being able to use in your life, because you simply dont know. But here is the better question- If you do know it, do you use it? Whens the last time you used it? 

Im grateful for a loving Savior. Im grateful for an infnite scrifice that allows me to be clean and free of sins and burdens. Christ suffered all for you and I. If we realy love him, it will not be in vain. That is the great truth. 

Have a great week! Say your prayers, read your scrptures, and love more.  

Love,

 

Elder Kitterman

June 25 2012

I will start off with thw worldly. Ashton Eaton seriously broke the world record in the decathlon? Thats sick!!!! Im so happy i got to go see that guy compete before leaving. It was a bummer to hear Clay DQed, but it happens. He will still alwasy be one of my favs.

 

My heart is very full after this past weekend. We had stake conference yesterday, and it was amazing. Two converts that I taught and baptized recieved the Melchizedek preisthood, one being Carlos, who, aftering being sustained to the office of Elder, was called up to bear his testimony in front of the whole stake. He shared an experince he had had with prayer, and then a sincere testimony of Christ. I couldnt help but think back to almost 3 months ago when we first sat in his living room and he told us that he never had intentions of joining the church. Nothing has ever felt more fufilling than that one sweet moment hearing him tell a packed stake center that this was the true church, and that Christ lives.

 

Daniel, who was also sustained to the office of an elder, was jumped Saturday night while with his family at a park in downtown. He was blindsided by some guy with a pipe and then kicked several times in the face while on the ground, despite the fact that he was already unconscious. He is alright, but will probably have to have surgrey on his eye that got hit to relieve the blood that is now causing preasure there. Also he needs a new smile. I talked to him on the phone when i found out, and the thing he was most upset about was the fact that he missed but sustained, but it still happened. The reason why this happened was becuase a few years back he wasnt the great kid andhad many problems with more than a few people. But after meeting his girlfriend, a verly faithful member, he changed everything and was baptized back in April. He is 20 and the nicest guy you could ever meet. Please pray for him.

 

Other than that, the conference was great because the speakers were amazing. Elder Johnson, an area 70, President Salinas and his wife, and the Merida temple president and his wife, all spoke. After the conference i was bombarded by a small mob of members from all over Campeche that I was close to in my others 3 wards here in the stake. It was awesome to see all of them again. 

 

Well im a litele shorter on time today, so Im going to get going on writing others, but it really was an amazing week. Sorry for no pics this week, for sure next week. Much love.

Love,

 

Elder Kitterman

June 18 2012

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!!!! Hope all the dads had a good one.

 

Well this week flew by like no other. We were more busy due to the fact that my new comp is getting to know the area and all the people. Speaking of which, I know I always say this, but my new comp Elder Vazquez, is a strait of BOSS. He is the best teacher I have ever seen and is really chill and hard working. We get along amazingly well and already have some solid stuff goin. Im very extremely lucky to have gotten 2 great comps back to back. I admire him a lot because in 2010 he started his mission in the state of Chiapas, but had to go home for problems that werent even his, and after a year home due to breaking his leg playing soccer shortly after getting home, he came back out to this mission. He has been out in the field a total of 18 months, but 6 here in this mission. He looks like superman, only mexican... no joke.

 

Well this week has no really great highlights that stick out, but we did find a lady while knocking a little before lunch one day who desperatly needed the gospel due to illness and lack of hope in life. She is a close by neighbor to a really cool sister in the ward. Sunday morning when we went by to see if we could bring her to church she wasnt there. So we headed to sacrement a little dissapointed, only to get there and see that her member neighbor had already brought her and her grand daughters. She liked it so much and looked so much happier after the services. Her neighbor said to her "Why didnt i ever talk to you before? Why didnt i say anything??" and with many tears she answered saying it wasnt her moment and now it was. It was pretty tender

 

We also went to Champoton for interviews! Their district leader couldnt go so we got to go. I loved being able to go back. It brought back so many memories and it was great seeing a few old faces. This week is actually stake conference so i should be able to see some old peeps. By now i know like over half the stake. One year in one zone is a long time....

 

Well sorry for the lack of photos this week. It was rainging prett freaking hard the whole time so i left my camera back home most of the time. But i did get a few, and one of the baptism we had or Viridiana and Italia, who have been wating to get baptized since they were 8, but their families have never been active. Now their families are back strong and they were able to get baptized. They are only 10, but I couldnt believe how over joyed they were to finally do it. I feel that sometimes we take for granted even the big things such as being baptized.

 

Other than being ridiculousñy tired, I couldnt be better. I could literally fall asleep at this keyboard right now with no problem, but i have such little time left i guess it doesnt even matter haha. Im sechuled to fly in on the 6th of september, but im not sure on the hour yet. But we still have plenty of time for that. Thanks for everything.  

 

PS check out this car we saw parked on the street. Dad, picture that on the vette, it would look SWEEEEET!!!

Love,

 

Elder Kitterman

June 11 2012

i cant write today really, due to changes. No, i thankfully did not get changed. But something even worse happened, elder higginson got changed. I was devastated, but my new comp is way chill. His name is Elder Vasquez from the north of mexico. I will probably be finishing my mission here, since i have have two changes left.

 

They called and told us last night that elder higginson was going to a small town outside of merida and training, and we were both really sad. when he gets into to merida this morning, they called me from the offices and all started shouting saying he has something to tell me. They pulled a fast one on us and he is actually the new assistant. if anyone deserves something like that, its him. He will sorely be missed here.

 

I have a lot to write, but no time. we had another baptized this week, 20 year old Hugo who has a really cool conversion story that i will share if i can remember next week! Take care everyone.

 

p.s. I will probably complete one year in campeche. insane.

Love,

 

Elder Kitterman

June 4 2012

KYLE!!!!!!! Congrats man! Spanish is legit and everything is bigger in Texas! Maybe you will come back taller. Im way stoked for you and couldnt be happier. Its a bummer we wont see eachother for 4 years, but hey thats life. Maybe I will make it down there to say hey sometime. Congrats again. and Happy Birthday!

 

Also... HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY! I remember when you turned 15!!!!! Time goes by way to fast. I hope you have a great birthday. Thanks for all the support and love. 

 

The picture from last week was during companionship study. We were in what we call the artic room, cause we always have the ac running and seal it off and after like 30 miutes it gets around like 40 degrees. Its awesome. I was laughing my head off at something we were joking abou, but i cant remember what it was.

 

Well we had a solid week, and we needed it because we are going to be in Merida for a bunch of meetings and training starting tonight until thursday. We had 2 baptisms! Finally! It was the daughters of the family we have been teaching. The dad, Gumaro, is way stoked to get baptized as well, but he has to get off the juice (coffee). Its like liquid cocaine for him. The mom is a different story as of late. She could just care less. But once she sees her whole family changed and baptized she wont be able to deny it much longer.

 

We knocked a neighborhood we had never been in this past week. While doing so, we came upon a house that looked like nobody was home. Here in the peninsula, its so hot and so few people have air conditioning that if they are home they leave their front door open. Well this door was closed but we decided to knock it anyways. A lady came out and we introduced ourselves ad the whole sha-bang. She told us she was interested in listening to us, but was about to leave and had only 5 minutes. We started off by talking about how we all have problems, but it doesnt matter what they are since Christ and the gospel can help. I remember specifically thinking that was strange since as missionaries we look for clues as to what might interest them in the gopel and we could ver easily see all the pictures of her kids and that her house was a lot nicer than most others. The family was an obvious in, but we went the other way with it. 30 seconds in, she starts crying. She stops us and tells us that literally 1 minute before we got there she was talking to a friend on the internet and she was telling her about how hard a time she was going through since she had lost her job a few months before and now they had to sell their house and everything. Her friend then told her, "Dont worry, God is going to knock on your door very soon". Then we showed up. We havent been able to go back and see her yet, but we are really stoked to see how it all goes.

 

Im drawing a blank for other things to write. So im just going to finish up there. Sorry for my extreme lameness. OH! I know Dahlin and Connie think they are too cool for school now that they are getting married and all, but i still have not heard jack from either of them. COME ON! Show a brotha some luv. They both have a letter from me on the way, but who knows how long it will take...

 

Pictures this week include: A crazy storm that rolled in that looked like it was going to consume campeche, overflow birthday festivities, BAPTISM, and "the mormon bus" after church (a member of the ward is a bus driver and took a whole bunch of us home after services)

 

Have a great week!

Love,

 

Elder Kitterman

May 28 2012

Hey peeps,

 

So the week was a succes on all fronts, and now May has almost come to a close. What a shame, May is always a good month...

 

Well we celebrated my birthday like 10 times over the day of, and then some more and Sunday. My fav was definetly when the primary teachers told us they wanted us to come in and teach the kids a little bit about the sacrament, when really it was an ambush so they could sing happy birthday and give me 50 million paintings they all made that say Feliz Cumpleaños. I was very extremely spoiled, but hey, whos complaining. I have included some pics of the celebratory festivities.

 

Other than that, the week was one filled with traveling and working in other areas. Wednesday I went to another area not too far away to complete my complete tour of Campeche, which means I have oficially worked in every single area there is in the whole entire state. Out of the 10 wards or branchs, I have had to attend 5 as an area, and ive been to all of them. I have been here for soooo freaking long....

 

It seems at this point our baptisms we have had planned are doomed to forever be pushed back due to un forseen cirumstances. But we are determined to slay the beast this week and get it done. The good news is that we have been working with the other daughter of this family we have and now she is stoked for baptism as well. So it looks like the 3 of them will be getting baptized this week. Prayers please.

 

 So last monday night, my comp was in district meeting with one of the districts in the zone, and i was in the other. Usually at the end of each meeting, we practice doing something missionary related such as teaching a principle or stuff like that. They talked about talking with everyone, so they were going to practice contacting people in the street. My comp, being the spiritual BOSS he is, decided to take everyone outside and do it for real to practice. Him and two other elders contacted some guy who didnt want anything, so the youngest elder of the three spots a middle aged man walking on the other side of the street and goes over to talk to him. Turns out, he is from the state of Sinaloa and had been atteedning church very regularly there, but for his work travels and has never gotten baptized for that same reason. He had only been here in Campeche about 2 weeks and had been looking for the chapel so he could attend. They showed him where it was and they got his direction. It was in an area that we are temporarily covering, and we went to visit him but he wasnt there. Sunday rolls around, and mid way through sacrement he shows up out of no where. While talking to him after the services, and straight up tells us that he wants to get baptized since he will be here for about 8 months, and he wants to do it next week!  Super intense legit escogido.

 

Well thats it for this week. Stay tuned for next weeks edition of the Elder Kitterman show. Have a good one my loved ones.

Love,

 

Elder Kitterman

May 21 2012

Im on a a computer from like Windows 95. Im praying it doesnt give up on me.

Well other week has flow by. It was a good one. To start, yes i did get the package and it was the shizzle. I loved it and especially all the ties and letters. It made me remember back in the MTC when you guys sent me of with all those wrapped ties with letters.  Thank you so much to everyone. The cookies somehow managed to survive mom. The Lord wanted me to have those cookies, i know it. The clothes are really going to help to. I did give one of the new shirts to Carlos who was baptized 2 weeks ago. He already has the Aaronic priesthood and they are now preparing him to recieve the Melchisedec in June, so I gave him a fresh white shirt and told him what Dad always used to tell me growing up- "preisthood holders always wear a white shirt to church". He didnt have one and he was very grateful. he says thanks.

The festivities have begun. They started last night when Carlos and Raquel made us hamburgers for dinner and then surprised me and their sons girlfriend with a cake for our birthdays. It was way delish. I had like 20 different members come up and ask me in church "isnt it your birthday this sat?" and when i would say yes, they would just nod their head and walk away. Im terrified they are all going to make us food, because I will have nowhere to put it after the first couple meals. Not eating here isnt really an option. We will see how it goes.

We also had zone conference this past week, and they gave a bag of candy to everyone whos birthday it was from the past like 5 months. And the zone conference was pretty dope.

The two baptisms we have planned now for like 3 weeks should be going down this week. Umaro, the papa of the Guzman family is  out of town right now for work, but should be back Wednesday. They are way stoked, and he already has mentioned to us how he wants a calling and asked if he could pay tithing even if he isnt a member. Its crazy to see so many of these people that find the pearl of great price midway through their lives and never take it for granted. It always makes me think about how Ive had the gospel my whole life and never even realized what I truly had. It nots everyday that you find people anxious for a calling or that cant wait to pay their tithing. 

Well thanks to everyone that wished me a happy birfday! I dont feel 21, but hey, thats life. And I was sad to hear about Dianes father passing away. I always used to love getting to talk to him when he was over at Dahlins house when we were growing up. He always had the coolest things to tell us. My heart goes out to the Johnsons and Drapers.

Also a huge shout out to Ryan and Amy Fifield! I was thrilled to hear about the new baby! Thanks Courtney for sending the pics and info.

Well thats all that I got this week. Hope everyone is doing great, and a big hello to all the peeps (yes that means you). Lots of love.

Love,

 

Elder Kitterman

May 14 2012

Hey everyone,

 

It was really great talking to everyone yesterday. I hope all the Moms had a fantastic mothers day!

 

So this is going to be super short, cause I pretty much said everything already over the phone. Oh, and heres all the pics ive been lacking lately. One is from thebaptism of Berenice, who continues strong, and the baptism of Carlos and Raquel. Carlos this past week recieved the aaronic preiesthood and hopefully they will be going to do baptisms in the temple on ma birfday. Sweet sauce.

 

This week was way tranquilo. We just worked and worked some more. I wish I could say I raised somebody from the dead or something like that, but Im still working on it. I wanted to thank everyone again for everything. I wouldnt be able to do any of this without you guys. Lots of love and a big peace out. Word.

Love,

 

Elder Kitterman

May 7 2012

Carlos and Raquel were baptized on Saturday. Sitting here, thats the only thing that really comes to mind from this past week. Its still hard to grasp to be honest. We invited Pres Salinas because they wanted him to be there as well, and to our surprise he did come. We gave him the floor to talk to the packed house to melt everyones faces with some spiritual mojo, and he didnt dissapoint. He talked about, of all things, John the Baptist. He explained who he was and what he did. He explained how the people saw him, and his sacred power that he held that made it all possible. Then he got to the goods; Christs baptism. Then he talked about the need that we all have to do the same. It was an amazing talk that had everyone going for a while. Then we moved onto the baptism, and it couldnt have been better. I was asked to baptize Carlos, and Elder Higgy was asked to baptize Raquel. 

I feel overwhelmed, over joyed. This conversion was different, and I have tried for these past days to figure out why. We didnt do anything special really, we were just the mouth pieces. Not in a million years would I dare say that they got bapitzed because of Elder Higginson or I, but for the faithfulness of their son.  They finally found what they had been looking for for more than 20 years because their son did the right thing. We were just lucky enough to be here to see it all. All of the people I have seen has been very fufilling, but this one had a very special spirit. The longer the search, the greater the joy i guess.

Mexico is finally catching up with the states. We will very shortly start using mormon.org to teach and find people. The site is already up in spanish, but its incomplete. but in august it will be launched in many languages, and with Mitt Romney making a run at President, the first presidency and the 12 are pushing to get everything out on the table. The church is been investigated more than ever. Tell a friend!

Well thats about all I got this week. i know its short, but phone call is coming up. i cant beleive its already mothers day. It feels like we just talked like a month ago. But hey, whos complaining. I will talk to you guys Sunday! Paz.

Love,

 

Elder Kitterman

April 30 2012

So we taught Carlos and Raquel this past week, the non member parents of the Elder Barera who just recently left for the mission. We have seen so many miracles with them lately and could feel they were getting close. On thursday at our appointment, Carlos told us he had something he wanted to read with us from the Book of Mormon. It was Mosiah 18. I wont tell you what it says, but it left us with our jaws dropped. Read it with their situation in mind. we went with the intention of putting the goal of getting baptized on the 12th of may, when to our surprise they start quietly talking about things and turn to us and say "couldnt we do it this saturday?" After we picked ourselves up off the floor, we started gettin everything put together to get it done. But Carlos, that very morning, had drank coffee, and we have a rule that they have to obey the word of wisdom for at least one week before baptism. He doesnt have a problem with it, he just for whatever reason drank some cause thats what they served for breakfast at the base (hes a marine). He didnt know he would be getting baptized two days later, but they wanted to. So we called Pres Salinas to get premission, but he said it would be better to wait. So they will be getting baptized this saturday. They told us everything had changed for them in the time that we had been teaching them. It is a huge blessing from their son serving a mission, even at the age of 25. If their is one promise I have seen completed over and over again in my mission, its that the Lord blesses them that serve him. So after 22 years of constant atending church, they will finally be members.

 

We also have another baptism for saturday. Its a 22 year woman named Luz. We have been teaching her for about a month and a half, and we were just waiting to go to church 3 times to be able to. She dreams about as much as Lehi did, all about baptism and the Book of Mormon and gates and what not. She runs track , long distance, and marathons as well. From what she tells us, she always wins, and sometimes thousands of pesos too. She is way stoked.

 

Today was changes, and we both stayed thank goodness. We are being blessed so much and I cant imagine it continuing like this with anyone else besides Higgy. (thats what i call him)

 

I have to give some shout outs! Congrats to Dahlin and Connie! As soon as i heard you guys were dating i knew it was a done deal. I would love to hear from the both of you more about it. Yes, i did get youre letter dahlin, thanks! If you can, push the wedding back like two more weeks so im there! But we will see what we can do.

 

Also, a huge congrats to Kyle. Way to go bro. Always always always strive to be worthy of the priesthood you know hold. It is the same power that the earth and heavens are governed by, and now you have it. Use it well. Its kinda like super powers...

 

Well I hope everyone has a great week! Lots of love to the homies.

Love,

 

Elder Kitterman

April 23 2012

We spent something like 22 hours on bus this past week due to all the traveling. Im so sick of busses its ridiculous. On Monday and Tuesday it was going to and coming back from Cancun, and then we found out my comp was illegal so we had to go into Merida to fix his visa, when we had just passed through there the day before. Then we had to go to Escarsega for some interviews... I never want to get on another bus again. 

The conference with Elder Anderson was amazing. It was mostly in spanish because he speaks it along with French and Portuguese, but spanish is his weakest language. It was pretty much like a spanish speech with a lot of french sounding vowels and some portuguese words. He would say something he wasnt super sure about and then look back at President and the other 70s and ask "Is that even spanish?" But other than being some what comical, it was way good. he taught a lot of important things such as the step of suffering when repenting, and how its not optional. He also talked a lot about how the mission ends, and we need to be prepared to get going when life starts back up. It was weird, because tin the mission it is normal to feel like it never ends. The happines just keeps going forever! 

We are working very extremely hard with a couple that has a son that just left on his mission a month ago. They have known the curch for years and years, but have never made the decision to be baptized. President Salinas was able to come with us the first time that we taught them, and among many other things that he told them, he promised them that they would feel what they were looking for BEFORE 3 weeks was up. That was 3 weeks ago this past Friday, the 20th. We had kinda forgotten about that, but when we went to go teach them on Thursday, the 19th, it was quickily brought back up. The more difficult of the two (the mom) always had a hard time with everything. She said she always prayed but never felt anything. Well when we taught them on Thursday, she told us about dreams she had been having , and about how that morning when she prayed she felt something different, something good. Her husband then made mention of the promise that Pres Salinas had made, and everything just dawned on her. We then talked about what she still needed to be baptized, and it all came back to the Book of Mormon. She just didnt understand it, or why we have it. So the next day, the 20th, we explained it all as clearly as we could, and again it hit her. They are so freaking close, and even they know it now too. It was realy cool to see how it all worked out perfectly. Actually today they demanded that the relief society secretary that makes our food list, change it so we could eat with them. 

Other than that it was a normal week. Yesterday we were given the whole sacrement meeting to speak, just us two, and it went amazingly well. My comp talked first on how to be an example by obedience, and then I talked on how to prepare yourself to be a missionary. Then after, we had to give the principles of the gospel class, and then in preisthood the second couslers just walks in, hands us a talk from general conference of how the missionaries are a teasure for the church and says "I think you guys should teach this one" and walks out. Plus it was the end of a fast, so church was rather exausting, spiritually and vocally.  

Our baptism went well. She was sooo ridiculously happy to finally get to do it after having to wait for about 2 months. The members are kinda getting tired of having to come to our baptims though. When we dont baptize, they complain, and when we do, they complain. What do they freaking want!!!???!!!

Well, I hope everyone has a great week! Love to all. 

Love,

Elder Kitterman

April 16 2012

I cant really write tha much right now because in a few hours we are heading to Cancun and we have to be in the bus station soon. But i wanted to send off our baptism picture and say hi.

Hi

The baptism went great. We got a lot done this week and saw a bunch of miracles. Im stoked outof my mind to see Elder Anderson tomorow. Like a toddler at Christmas. Its going to be epic.
Happy Birthday Dad! Congrats on the big 5-0. A jag isnt a bad way to celebrate.

Well sorry for the shortness this week. Next week should be a lot better. Oh! There was special changes here in the zone and my old comp Elder Skeen will be coming in after the conference tomorow. Im way stoked to see him again. He will be allllll the way out in the middle of nowhere Escarsega, but we have to go out there prett frequently so it should be dope.

I bought a new hammock. I call it "the bat-hammock". I had it specialy woven with the bat symbol in the middle, and of course black and yellow. Its the worlds greatest hammock, and of course, its huge. pics included. (if your wondering why its hard to see the bat symbol, try and learn to weave a hammock and you'll understand)

There is one more pic of a family we are teaching right now, Familia Guzman. Its a family of 5, 4 over the age of 8. They are progressing very quickly and are planning to be baptized the 28th. Please pray for them to feel good about it, cause its a big change for them since we just met them 2 weeks ago, but they are such an amazing family. It was the oldest daughters birthday, and her dad is about to puch her head into her cake. Its a tradition here to take abite out of your cake and try and avoid someone pushing you into it. she failed.

Take care everyone! Sorry to hear about Todd being released. But everything will work out for the best. It alwasy does. Much love to all the homies.

Love,

Elder Kitterman

April 9 2012

Hey peeps,

I should be able to come up with something to write this week since I have two weeks to pull from... I guess we will see.

Things are going almost too well. The members here have really warmed up to us and are begining to hand over referencias faster than we can visit them. Im not complaning, but there is just not enough time in the day anymore. We are currently teaching a lot of people that are from part member families. Those are usually the best, since completing a family is like top notch missionary work, but these people are all people who have been investigating the church for anywhere from 5 to 30 years, and they have seen sooo many Elders and always ended up at the same point.

One of them is the husband of the sunday school teacher for the adults, and her along with her 3 daughters have been strong active members for many years. We knew that her husband wasnt a member, but we hadnt ever had the chance to talk to him. Well 2 weeks ago, President Salinas came and worked with us in our area for most of the day. We happened to be eating with this sister, but her husband wasnt home. She being telling us her conversion story and how she has always tried to get her husband to come to church and what not. President asks her how long they have been together and how many times the missionaries have taught him. It was 28 years and dozens of times. He looks at her, then at us, and back at her and says "These two missionaries are going to be the ones that baptize your husband. As holder of the keys of all missionary in the Yucatan peninsula, I promise you that he will be baptized by these two Elders". Those words will forever be burned into my brain. Looking back on it, I suppose that it should have made me a little nervous, or even afraid. But the it did just the opposite. It filled us both with so much faith that we have no doubt now it will happen. He is already seeing more progress than he ever has before.

The rest of that day went accordingly. Our president is known not only among the missionaries here, but by all the members that have heard him speak and all other major church leaders in all of mexico to be one to do that kind of stuff. He regualrly works with the Elders here, and one of the assistents went back and found out how many people that he has tught just once that got baptized, and it was over 80%. In fact, our baptism that we had Saturday, wasnt feeling to great about it, but that day he talked with president, and after 15 minutes in the lesson, he was never sure of anything more in his life. He is the 20 year old son of Deici, who got baptized 4 weeks ago that we helped get married. The baptism went fantastic.

This past week was pretty crazy. We didnt have a lot of time to do as much as we wanted to, but we are teaching a lot of amazing people. Yesterday, a family of 5 went to church and absolutely loved it. We are also working extremely hard with the family of a youth that just left on the mission. He is the only member in his family, and his parents are also long time investigators, but things are very different for them now that their son is in the mission.

We have another baptism planned for this week, maybe two. One is the boyfriend of a young women in the ward who has wanted to get baptized for a long time now, but just recently got permission to not work sundays, and the other is the lady who had to go to progresso two weeks ago.

Elder Niel Anderson is coming next week! Im almost forgot! He will be speaking to the etire mission in cancun next Teusday. I cant remember the last time I was so excited. We will be staying the night in Cancun, so that should bring back some find memories. Another 8 hour bus ride. Oh goodie.

Well I hope every has been doing great. I love you all to death and appreciate your letters and prayers.

Love,

Elder Kitterman

April 2 2012

Oh my gosh!!!!

We moved houses. Since our area absorbed an area they shut down a few weeks ago, we went and took a look at the house they were living in and it was way better. Our old house wasnt bad, just small. This one has an air conditioning unit in the room where we sleep. Love the little things...

Well life is crazy. i have no time. Literally we have go to district meeting right now. We somehow managed to get everything done like move (i hate moving) and wash the clothes, but no time to write. We had two baptisms this past week, but the third took off to Progreso for a week or so, but she wants to do it as soon as she gets back.

Im very sorry to hear about that 14 year boy Mom. That must be terrible for the family. I understand how much it might make you think about me being far away and what not, but dont worry. Im more protected here than if I was sitting in our living room.

I will have lots more to write next week. We are taking off to Merida tonight for a meeting, so that should be fun. Have a great week everyone! Les amo un buen.

Love,

Elder Kitterman

March 26 2011

Soooo this week was way interesting. Some of the things included, but are not limite to:

-My comp drinking alcohol

-Me walking around with a pack of cigrattes in my pocket
-My first bike crash in the mish

-One of the best baptismal services followed y}by one of the worst conformations the next day

All in all it was a great week. So I know your all wondering about the alcohol, so I will start with that. No, my comp is not trying to get his booze fix here in the mission. We went to Daisys house on Teusday (the lady who got baptized last week) and she offered us left over lamb her and her famliy had eaten the day before from the celebration from the wedding. As we were earing she offered us Topache, which is a drink that they make here from fermented pineapple. I had heard about it before so i asked her "doesnt that have a little bit of alcohol in it?" And she told me no, as far as she knew. She but the pitcher on the table and then left to go do something, so i grabed it and smelt it. I thought i smelt a little bit but i wasnt sure. So my comp, having a little more experience in that area (past life stuff, dont ask), smelt it and said he couldnt smell any. He took a small sip, his eyes got really big, and then spits it back into his cup. "our convert is drinking a whole 2 days after her baptism" was the general concensus. But she didnt realize and felt way bad after we told her that is has a little bit of alcohol. But the lamb was good...

We inherited possibly the crazziest woman ever as an investigator a week ago. We are convinced she is bi-polar, and possible dual personalities. We got a call monday night from a member that lives above her saying that she tried to kill her son in law, and now she doesnt want anything to do with the church. So we went first thing teusday and she wasnt happy to see us. After getting her calmed down, we talked for a while, and she changed completely from not wanting anything to being like a saint again. She was a big smoker, but had left it for her baptism 2 weeks ago. After everyhting that happened, she wanted to smoke, so she bought a pack but hadnt opened it yet. She came back to her senses and wanted us to take the pack and throw them away. We glady did, so i put them in my pocket and forgot about them. Later that day, in a lesson i reached for the phone in my pocket and pulled out the pack, fogetting they were in there. That was awkward...The lady we were teaching was like "Oh you guys smoke?"

I had to go to Escarsega, the town i used to have to go to every monday when i was in Champoton, to do divisions and a baptismal interview. Its a pretty big area, so they are on bikes. I was going down a small hill on a small road when all of a suden i saw two cars and another biker in between coming. i braked and turned, but to no avail, the front tire lost traction and slid out from underneath me. it was no big crach, but the embarrasment...

The coolest lady ever is getting baptized this week. Her name is Berenice, and she has three small kids that are OUT OF CONTROL. Her littlest is my favorite though. She is like 3 years old, but cant stay on her feet for more than 30 seconds. she runs into everything and falls down constantly. She is so used to it now it doesnt even phase her. On sunday just before the sacrament started she comes sprinting in front of her mom from the bathroom into the sacrament room, and full on face plants/body smalls the closed door. She falls backwards, gets up and shakes her head a little, and continues running. We call her "the wrecking ball"

We also have two other baptims planned for tomorow. It is a 19 year girl named Fabiola and her 8 year sister Lizbeth. They are great, and are going to be the first converts of their family. But now we have already started talking to their mom and she is getting pretty excited too. We just have to get her to take sunays off and stop smoking. The other baptism we have planned will be on Satruday after the second session.

Speaking of general conference, I am beyond stoked. I love conference so so much.

Love,

Elder Kitterman

March 19 2012

It was so cool hearing about Dahlins homecoming! Pretty much the general theme i got from it was that he is taller, his testimony in japanese rocked the house, and he is ripped. Thats pretty cool i have to say. Down here in good ole mexico, i have slowly traded my six pack for a keg. But they say as your tesimony grows, so does your gut. So im doing alright...

No im not fat mom. Just more to love is all.

Well this week was insane. All in all, our investigator Deici (pronounced Daisy) got baptized Saturday after getting married on Thursday. Pretty much everything that could have gone wrong, did. We married them in a small town named Chiná, about 30 minutes outside the city because there is not as many requirments there for marraige. Well we ended up going there 4 different times over the course of 3 days. We had to shovel out a crap load of money to correct a spelling error on one of her important documents, and she had already given us pretty much all she had to pay for the wedding registration and what not. We had to sweet talk sooo many people so that it could get done. But the weeding made it all worth it. They were so happy. It was held right there in the office of one of the city hall workers, and there was about 13 people, 8 of them being our district. But it didnt matter that there was no dress, or fancy dining hall, or lots of food, or any formality really. They were just happy.

Saturday rolled around, and we went to the chapel about 2 hours before the baptism was going to start to start filling up the font. We didnt realize that niether of us knew how long it actually took, and to our horror the bishop was there and told it it takes 4 hours cause the water comes out slowly. So us and two other Elders from our district starting filling up buckets and buckets and dumping in the font to start and speed it up. Everyone startes showing up, and it was only about knee high. We got so desperate as to dump the jugs of drinking water in. Not all of them... but a few. We got it as full as possible, about mid thigh, and started. It was a packed house thankfully, and I got to baptize her. I had to do it three times because her dress kept coming up, but luckily she was a champ and had a smile on the whole time. All in all, it was the most work ive had to do for a baptism, but it was for some reason one of the most fufilling.

We had changes today. our zone got wiped out. Elder Higginson and I are the only companionship that stayed together. Everyone else got a new comp or left. One area got closed, and we are absorbing it. Our area more than doubled, and now we have about 1/4 of the whole city. Its insane.

We have a lot of good things coming up. I hope and pray that all of you do too. Dahlin, write me asap. Nick, have a great homecoming, and then write me asap. that is all.

I love everyone!

Love,

Elder Kitterman

March 12 2012

So this morning we got up at 4:00 to go with a couple to go get their blood drawn and pictures taken to so they could get all the paperwork in order to get married. I have no idea what they ask for in the states when you want to get married, but here they make you jump through hoops. So we go before the butt crack of dawn and we are waiting outside the hospital for forever. Luckily we were one of the first ones in line, but son after we got there, everyone and their uncles starting showing up. it was like amad house. When it got time to open the doors, slowly everyone starting moving closer and closer until all the people in the front could barely move. I thought a brawl was going to break out. These people take their health care very seriously, because to be honest, its more like a first come, first serve type thing in te hospitals. There is little to no organization. It made me grateful to live in america. Sure we have plenty of issues with health care and stuff like that, but i will take that over what they have here anyday.

But all in all, everything got done finally. We have been asking this couple to do this for weeks now, and they always put it off. So we went with them to make sure they did it. The womans name is Daici and she will be gettin baptized with her little 9 year old niece this coming saturday. We are stoked because its the first baptism the ward has had in a while. Then the following week we have a cool 18 yeard old guy named Edgar, who we finally just got to change jobs so he could go to church and get baptized. He is super stoked and we are already teaching and ridicously deep topics in the lessons like endowments and exaltation and all the stuff that converts never even hear off. The crazy part is he justs picks it up himself reading the scriptures and listening in church. In addition, we have a 16 year girl who has a 1 and 1/2 year old son that is extremely anxious to get baptized. She has been waiting for some time, because she isnt married to her boyfriend. She is underaged, so she has to wait till her dad gets back from fishing for 2 months to sign the paper so she can get married and then baptized. Things are moving pretty well here.

I always thought that as I gained more time and wisdom in the mission, I would be able to find more time inbetween everything. But its the exact opposite. Im not only finding, but also looking for more opporunites to work more, do more, help more. Its wake up, do work, sleep, then do it again. Most times, the last person I think about is myself, and thats where true happiness is found. Ive realized that satisfying your own personally desires or needs can be, well, satisfying, but its far from fufilling. The biggest lesson Ive learned on my mission is to be humble. To give up yourself, and give it all to the Lord. It sounds so cliche, but "getting lost in the work" takes on a whole different meaning when it actually happens. The smile is no longer a forced habit. Its genuine.

Sorry the isnt any photos this week, or any really cool stories for that matter. I will pay more attention (i tell myself this every week, but this week its goning to happen) to what goes down during the week. Congrats to Dahlin and Nick for finishing strong. Write me when you get home!! Hope everyone has a great week. Love you!

Love,

Elder Kitterman

March 5 2012

¡Eyyyyyy!

 

So sorry for not writing a letter to everyone last week. It got a little crazy with all the special changes. For those who have no idea what im talking about, two weeks ago I got special changed to the other side of the city of Campeche with Elder Parra, who was already in my zone, and then a week later, last monday, he got special changed out and Elder Higginson arived. Im now in an area called Santa Lucia, and its.... well there arent any other words besides "pretty mexican", which is a really good thing. All my areas have been "pretty mexican", and thats how i like it. There are a few areas in the mission that have a lot of money, but they are all in Merida or Cancun, and speaking of those thats where Elder Higginson is coming from right now. Its my first white companion in like 10 months. He has 15 months in the mission, and has spent his whole time here in Mexico in one area. Well, technically it was 2 areas, but they are right next to eachother and share the same chapel and everything. So he is prety stoked to be here. He is from Hunington Beach and is a machine. He was surfing from the time he could walk, is super duper nice and friendly with EVERYONE (sometimes i dont understand how he does it), and is pretty much the kind of guy you dont introduce your girlfriend to. We are already throwing fire here.

 

We usually have no idea where we are, but amazingly we have rarely gotten lost. We kinda just walk in the direction we think it is, and we get there alright. We have some pretty solid investigators going and we are finding truck loads. We dont have any baptisms line up for this week, but the week after there are two women that are going to get married really soon and we are shooting for the 17th of March. Back in my last area, the family we were teaching in getting baptized this week. Armando and Minerva. I had some of my funnest and most interesting lessons with them, and Im hoping that I will be able to go see their baptism. I dont have a lot of pics from this week, but I hope to take a lot more this week now that everything has calmed down. I just have one of us and the other Elders in our ward. Elder Higgonson is the one on the far left. There are two pairs cause its a big ward. Sorry I dont have too much more, but hopefully next week! I love you guys. Have a great week!

 

Love,

 

Elder Kitterman

February 27 2012

Zack had a crazy week with some emergency changes, so he didn't have time to write a general letter.

February 20 2012

I have no idea what I want to write today. I know right, BIG surprise. I will start with the highlights

The baptism went great. But it was only one. Maria Louisa's mom got really sick and she had to leave town to visit her in Champoton (my last area, go figure). She should be getting baptizing this coming saturday if nothing else comes up. I dont think it will since she has waited long enough. But Monsserrat was baptized by her grandpa and it went great. She was suppppper excited about it. That always helps. But when we got home that night, the lady that lives below up that we rent the house from gave us some interesting news. She has been hearing on the news lately about men that live in the state of Chiapas (South-east of Campeche) and Guatemala(thats right Carlos, im about to rag on your hood) that get young women to fall in love with them over the internet by sweet talking them and sending money. After a short period of time they pay to have to travel to wherever they are at and then pretty much kidnapp them and sell them for prostiution and drugs. Well this was somewhat alarming to all of us because Monsserrat has been internet dating a guy she has never actually met for a few months and already has plans to move to Guatemala towards the end of March to get married and live happily ever after. Supposedly, he is working in New York right now, and for that reason cant come to at least meet her first or anything. The whole situation is very sketchy. I would really rather not have a convert kidnapped. We talked to her after her confirmation and explained that she now has the precious gift of the holy ghost, and if she seeks it out, she will find guidance. We also advised her to talk with the bishop, as she was officially out of our hands. Crazy stuff.

Other than that, it was a quiet week. Just working hard and trying to stay out of the sun as much as possible. Its getting hot again! Today we played baseball. First time in a long time... It was kinda interesting, seeing as they young men we played with didnt have any idea how to do anything, but it all worked out and was fun.

I attached pics from Monsse's baptism as well as the baptism from last week.

Well i hope everyone has a great week and is loving life. Peace

Love,

Elder Kitterman

February 13 2012

Hey everyone!

 

So i decided to write the peeps first today, so im left with pretty much no time to write. The baptisms went great. It was actually one of the better services ive been in. They are going to be fantastic members. We have two more baptisms this saturday. A 20 year muchacha we have been teaching for a while and the lady that was abandoned (sp?) by her husband a few years ago with 3 little kids. Well I will make sure to write a better letter next week! Have a good one. 

 

Love,

 

Elder Kitterman

February 6 2012

Well thats another change. I stayed, and I am very happy to have done so. We have so many people that are so close, I can feel it!

So we have been doing really well. We have 2 baptisms lined up for this Saturday, and then people with baptismal dates from the next month or so. The baptisms we have for this Saturday are a woman and her 9 year daughter, who recentently just remarried with a long time member in our ward. We didnt know them because they just moved into the ward, but when he introduced us to his wife and her daughter it was like "Elders, my wife wants to get baptized with Diana (daughter) as soon as possible. They already know everything and we are in 3 Nephi as a family". So we are pretty much just verifying everything and they will be baptized this Saturday.

One of our investigators didnt come to Church yesterday because she had an emergency with her youngest and had to leave in the morning and was gone all day. When we went to talk to hre that night, we told her that she had to wait another week to be baptized, and she cried. She wants to be baptized so bad. She is the lady I told you we found knocking who was left by her husband 2 years ago with 3 tiny kids. Whe we first talked with her, she wanted to know how she could get rid of all the hate she had for him. Now, every time she prayers, she prays that he is forgiven for what he did, and many times for his safety whever he may be.

We didnt get as many people to church as we were hoping yesterday, buts thats life. As I was sitting there in sacrement, somewhat frustrated, Armando and his wife Minerva walkd through the door. They are a family we have been teaching for about a weel that live 20 minutes outside the city in a town called Lerma. In preisthood, we had a lesson on Family home teaching, and Armando, who had never been to church in his life, raised his hand and began teaching the other 35-40 men in the room what it was really like to be outside the church looking in. Everyone was shocked and left with a new perpesctive not only on home teaching, but on life without the gospel. I had who knows how many members ask me afterwards in private "where did you find him??".

We have another lady that didnt come to church yesterday because of the superbowl. I wasnt expecting that, but her and her husband are avid gamblers and placed some big money and the Patriots. Boo. Anyways, its something I have never come across on my mission before, and I constantly catch myself getting into with her about the NFL. Its frustrating.

Well I coming up short on more information on the week. I will see what I can put together in this coming week so I actually have something to write about next week. I hope everyone has a fantastic week. Read your scriptures! Say your prayers! Love one another! and all that other stuff they teach in the primary. Paz.

Love,

Elder Kitterman

January 30 2012

Mom, Happy Birthday! I totally spaced last week, so sorry for that, but Im hoping it was great. Im glad you guys had a fun time on the cruise.

I have talked with a return missionary who served for some time in Cabo. Its a little bit poorer in that area, and Im sure you werent even in the poorer areas. But what you described sounds like a lot of my areas. The feelings you described are a lot of what I had when I first got here, but as I got used to it, I realized that these people didnt need so much to be truly happy. All they needed was their family and in all cases, the Gospel. It was, and is, a very humbling experience, but one that teaches you whats really important in life.

Soooooo Jaoquin got baptized. It was like the coolest thing Ive ever seen. My comp baptized him on a chair, since he cant really balance with the one leg and all. After his baptism, he wanted to bear his testimony, which was a surprise cause he is more of a shy kinda guy. He made his way up to the front of everyone and bore a short testimony on the truth and how thankful he was for the golden plates. I love this guy. Now we are going to start working on his 5 daughters. They avoid us like the plague, so it should be fun.

Other than that, it was just a normal week. Pretty boring right? We went with one of our progressing investigators, that should be getting baptized the 11th, to her sisters house to give her a blessing cause she was sick and see if she would like to talk to us. She gladly accepted us and launched into how she tried to kill someone one time and how much she hated this person, and then how her husband died about a year ago, and then about how she didnt feel clean, and on and on. When she stopped talking, it was kinda like "well... where should we start?"  The lesson went great and she accepted baptism for one week after her sister. She also has a 16 year old son that sounds golden.

Our baptism planned for this week fell because she got sick and couldnt come to church, but we may pull something off cause we finally talked to the mom of a young man who we have been teaching for months, who wants to get baptized but his mom wants to wait. She seemed cool with it, but she says she will talk to his dad. His name is Manual and prayers on that one would be appreciated. Most youth I see that have to wait as long as he does usually loose interest, but he has remained firm in everything this whole time. He says he wants to serve a mission too.

Well sorry for the shortness, but you know how it is. I had a good week, and hope everyone else did as well. Take care and be good. Paz

Love,

 

Elder Kitterman

January 23 2012

This week was... fufilling.

Firstly, I was dying while reading about the black guy hitting on Sierra. Get at it girl!

Sorry about last week. I wrote the most epic letter of my life, and thus was my rage that much more fueled when it pretty much earsed itself when I finished. Not that big of a deal really. Now I just have some really great stories to tell for when I get home. I guess I could tell you this week, but that would take up my time that I have to write about this week, and then I would be like a week behind...forever. I think I will just hang on to them for now.

We got a lot of people to go to church this week. We have two wards, so instead of it just being game time for like an houre or 2, it was game time for like 5 hours. It was crazy. Oh, I call Sunday mornings game time becuase the progress of our investigators all depends on whether they go to church or not, so its almost like a whole week of hard work comes down to whether they show up to church or not. Its gets intense. Most of my mexican comps even know what "game time" means.

But no that all the pieces are starting to come together here, we should be seeing a lot more cool things happen. We have a baptism planned for this week for Joaquin, the man with one leg. He is super excited for his baptism, and he has already been taught everything, so basically we just sit and talk with him about rndom stuff. He had to drop coffee a few weeks back, so we traded him for herbal tea to drink when it got cold at night. Friday night he invited us over for tea. We just sat there and drank herbal tea and talked. It was the first time in my life i had down that. Not drank herbal tea, but just sat and talked while doing it. There was at one point where he told "dont ever waste one minute over your youthfulness. I would give my other leg to go back and do what you two are doing" It was pretty deep.

We were knocking one morning. Big surprise right? But seriously, we found a women, about as tall as me (she is like the shaq of women here) who has three small kids and no husband. Her husband left them for no reason 2 years ago and went to the states. He continues to call them, but for nothing good. He is always threatning to come and take away the kids from here. All she wanted from us was to know how coul she let go of the hate she has for her husband. She came to church and loved it. She later told us that in the moment that we arrived, she was pleading with God to help her put her life back in order. I cant remember how we even ended up at her house. It was just one of those tender mercies of the Lord.

The pictures attached are kinda old, but better ate than never right? More to come...

Well I have some emails to make up for for last week, so I will leave everyone here. I hope everyone has a fantastic week. Keep on keepin.

Love,

Elder Kitterman

January 16 2012

i just spent the last 45 minutes writing a very long detailed general
> letter, and the internet closed, and it didnt save. I will just have
> to write it next week. We saw a lot of miracles this week.
> 
> Im really mad about the general letter. Im sorry, but i will just have
> to write it next week. I will talk to you guys next week.
>
> --
> Love,
>
> *Elder Kitterman*

January 2 2012

Today is the greatest day ever.

Let me tell you why in this email.

Are you ready?

Becasue I am.

 

Late last night we got a call from the sister of one of our favorite familes here in our ward, and she asked if today we could give a blessing to her brother who is in the hospital. We of course gladly accepted, and they picked us up early in the afternoon today and off we went to the hospital. They filled us in on his condition on the way over. He isnt doing so hot do to drug and alcohol abuse among everything else bad you can think of. He was in the state of Puebla more by the center of Mexico, but somehow someone got him on a cheap bus and dropped him on his mothers doorstep, literally. She wasnt home so they just left him there. He was in critical condition when they found him, and when they finally let us up to see him (we were the only ones allowed to go up), he was not conscious, shaking, and groaning very heavily do to pain and who knows what else. His skin was a tint of orange, and he looked 70 when he is really only 45. We gave him the blessing and in the middle of it his body calmed and he stopped groaning. As we were leaving, the urse, who didnt see us give the blessing asked us what we did, because his heart rate had slowed to more of a normal beat. I said "we blessed him, and he should recover soon". She looked back and forth between ur and him for a second and then said "thank you".

 

On the way home, they told us a little more about him. Him and his family grew up in the church, and he was a great kid. He even went to the church established high school in mexcio city, which is like the byu of mexico. All of his brothers and most of his friends starting serving missions, but for one thing or another, he decided to stay. He hung out with a few of the wrong friends, and from there on out its been downhill.

 

I get to the computer today, and the first thig I read is that Kyle has decided to serve a mission. I would never noramally mention this, but I couldnt help but think about him and how I never wanted to see anything like that happen to him. I know, I know... wheres the box of tisues for Zack, but I couldnt be happier for him or the Truchard family. This one decision, that seems like nothing in the grand scheme of things, will change lives for ever and ever. And ever.

 

Moving on to the second reasopn why this is the greatest day ever. Ever since my first area in Cancun, I have devoloped the habit of checking pay phones on the street for loose pesos. Ive never found any in the hundreds ive always checked, but today i found 4 pesos in one! My comp thought i was crazy, but the chruch is true! Ive had comps tell me I was never going to find anything, and I would alwasy always say "Oh hombre de poco fe". Patience and faith people. Patience and faith.

 

We were eating with the same family that took us to give the blessing and there son who is a return missionary that served in Sinaloa was showing us pics from his mission, when i caught a glimps of a familiar face. It was none other than Logan Brown, along with the Brown crew. They served together! It was cool hearing about how he knew him and how spencer had invited him to move up to Utah to work for him.

 

Wednesday I went on splits with Elder Gutierrrez, and in his ward there are some members that are clowns. Literally. They have thier own tv show and everything. In there backyard they have a few trained monkeys that we gave soda to and they almost killed eachother for it. I walked in and the the father was putting on all his makeup, and it was hard not to laugh just looking at him talk seriously. I couldnt help but ask after he finished putting on all the makeup, "so what line of work are you in?"

 

I taught a really cool lesson from the bible the other day, but the thing is, it wasnt even a legit bible. I dont carry around my bible because ive found they people are still skeptical when im pulling out books left and right they have never seen, so i just use theres. We were teaching a man who had lost a leg, so when i asked if he had a bible he told me he might on his book shelf. I went in and looked around and all i found was a jehovahs witness bible, which isnt even called the holy bible anymore because they have changed a few things and taken out a couple of verses. But it was all he had. It was pretty interesting, but workd all the same.

 

Well Im positive there was more, but time is of the essence. I hope everyone has put some good goals for 2012! I will have a few more for all of you soon enough ;)

 

Take care and spread the love. 

Love,

 

Elder Kitterman

December 26 2011

Well, that was by far the shortest year of my life.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas! I sure did. We got spoiled by the wards here with plenty of food and ties and stuff. We got some sweet zipper ties, which is the new clip-on. Im pretty stoked to use it... The call home was amazing. I wish we could have talked longer, but the next call will come a lot sooner than we think, or at least thats how it was last year, remember?

Well this is going to be really short, due the to the call and everything, but pretty much the biggest thing we have going right now is the few families we are teaching. They are all coming along great, and are pretty excited about it all. Changes were yesterday, and for the first time in my whole mission that I have ewver seen, nobody in our zone got changed. Everyone stayed the same. We have a small zone to start with, but it just seems weird, like a neverending change. I put some pretty hefty goals for my self for this next year, so we will see whats happens. President has been drilling us with lack of faith in our goals, so I went with the "shoot for the moon, and you´ll land among the stars" type deal. Should be fun.

After the call last night, i remembered I wanted to tell you guys about how i ran into an investigator i was teaching in my last area Champoton, that got baptized soon after I left. He saw me in the street here in Campeche and ran over and grabbed me from behind. Hes 19 and practices karate on a national level, so hes pretty big and it freaked me out. But when i saw it was him, I couldnt have ever imagined how happy it made me to see him, ater knowing he had been baptized just a few weeks before. It made me think about returning to the penisula after the mission, and then eventually made me think about how it will be in the Celestial Kingdom. I cant even imagine what joy there will be seeing others who are there, and i had the oppurtunity to help them get there. It was one of the tender momnets.

Well sorry this is so short, but you know how it is. I attached so pics of things that happened this week. One is of the breakfast we had with all the Elders of Merida and Prsident and his family. It was really fun just seeing everyone. Another is of me and the niño I baptized. He wasnt an investigator becuase his mom is a member and he is 8 years old, but they wanted me to baptize him. It was awesome. Well take care. Have a great new yeras and be safe!

Love,

Elder Kitterman

December 19 2011

Soooooooo, they pulled another fast one on me. I was already to be in a trio with the other disfuncitional (thats what i call our district) elders, when i recieved a call 10 minutes after Elder Jimenez and they told me i was recieving a new comp. His name is Elder Rubio from Chiuahua. He only has 3 months total in the mission, and was having some problems with his trainer so they sent him my way. He is a way cool guy, with an ever cooler accent. Soutern mexicans talk feo, and the northerns talk so freaking cool.

 

We finished up all our trainings we had and now are back to normal weeks just working. Things are starting to pick back up already now that Elder Jimenez is in his casita. We worked hard together, but the last few days we ended up going with all the members so he could say goodbye. Therefore, not too much got done.

 

Well I will be baptizing this wednesday. Its not an investigator, just an 8 year old in the ward that wanted me to baptize him. I was so surprised an excited! I always play this mexican game with him when we go over to his house. His mom is a less active who lives with a nonmember who we are teaching. I might have mentioned it beore, because he wants to get married and baptized, but she doesnt. Its frustrating, but they are one of my favorite families in this area.

 

I cant think of too much else to tell this week, since i will be calling next sunday. I will be calling around 5 my time. I will recheck what dad told me to see if that is too early.

 

We had the ward christmas activity this past week which was delicious, as well as a family home evening that turned out fantasic. There are pics attached. One is the last dinner with elder jimenez, my district, my zone, and my new comp!

 

Other than all that the week was normal, just my comp getting confused and lost a lot. Well sorry this is so short, but i will talk to you guys soon! Love ya

Love,

 

Elder Kitterman

December 12 2011

Its the day of the virgen Mary. Its pretty insane down here. As a celebrated religous holiday by many of the catholics and the numerous catholics sects, they all run around and get drunk to celebrate their "saint". Can i just say im so happy to be a part of the true gospel of Christ? Yes i can...

 

This week was better than they have been lately. Probably because I got to go into merida for a two day training, and there I saw some of my buds from the mtc and friends ive picked up across my mission and the areas ive had. The training was long and it starting hurting sitting down for so long each day, but it went amazing. Like most mission president, ours will embark on a certain topic such as getting investigators to go to church, and then 2 hours later he has covered just two points of the appointed topic and is now talking about our own purification as members of the church and missionaries. Completely inspired, and always what we need to hear.

 

Other than that, we were with the members a lot this week so Elder Jimenez could say goodbye. He will be leaving this Thursday in the morning and it looks like I will probably be in a threesome with the other companionship in my district for the week and a half before regular changes come. Should be interesting. One of the elders was my comp a while back, Elder Gutierrez and the other is a newer Elder from Idaho. He is alergic to chocolate, and when he told me that, i almost cried for him.

 

I did get the other packages! And the pictures too! Holy house Batman! Thats Kim and Nicks first home? I know where im living when i get back. And I also got the package from Grandpa and Candy! Thanks a ton. Its always great to hear how everyone over there in arizona is doing, not to mention the pictures. Grandpa looks happier than ever with snow covering his face, I cant believe how big Emily and Aubrey already are, and Aaron better hang on to that truck till I get back! Mom, I got the christmas package, and was more selfish this time. When i found the salted chocolates, my comp jus got a glimps of it and asked, "whats that?" "Nothing. I dont know" i respond. then for the next few days, and i would sneak a few when he was around the corner, and he would sometimes ask "what are you doing?" when he heard the ruffling. "Nuttin..." I would say, with a mouth full of chocolate. So good.... I included some pictures of my Batman tree. Its no longer called a Christmas tree, because when the Batman factor is added it automatically claims onwership. thats how it works.

 

Im way stoked for the phone call. You guys need to tell me when would be best, and i can work around that. it will have to be after 4 here, because i have my two wards to go to. Thats always interesting, since one is a great, self sufficient ward, and the other is hanging on by a thread and teaches apostasy on a regular basis. It keeps us on our toes.

 

We have training again for two days this week. Pres trained us in Merida, and now we have to train the rest of the zone here. Should be fun. Other than that, I will soon be working between 2 areas and 4 wards. Oh ya! I have here in front of me Kieras and Scotts wedding anouncement! Thank you so much for sending it. ¡Que guapos son! Congrats again.

 

Well i hope everyone has a great week. Its crazy how time is flying. Mom, i do remember last years christmas phone call, like it was yesterday! I cant believe I will be calling again in two weeks. I love you peeps.

Love,

 

Elder Kitterman

December 5 2011

No general letter from Zack this week.

November 28 2011

From all the hills and giant staircases i have in my area, my butt has become somewhat more muscular. dont ask me how i can tell. I know you were all interested.

 

Im sick. I guess I should be thankful that I havent been sick that much in my mission, but a cold front hit here last night and it got pretty chilly (a whopping 65 degrees). And that was enough to get me a nice cold. Anyways, my week was very slow for some reason. We were busy thank goodness, but it just dragged. The highlight would be Jesus´ baptism, which went really well. It was sort of a last minute thing so not too many member made it, but it went great. But he couldnt get his boss to let him off work the next day for his confirmation, so that still pending as of right now...

 

My thanksgiving went alright. I made fried-egg sandwiches for my comp and I, since that all we had in the house. Then i sat around singing christmas hymns cause my comp hates christmas (he also hates disney and hadnt eaten ice cream till his mission. no childhood) By the time he goes home i swear he will love christmas.

 

Not much to tell in terms of devolopments with investigators just yet. they wont come to church, and they cant progress if they dont go! But we are finding new people each week. But we did have one investigator come, who is the long time boyfriend of a less active member. He wants to get married and baptized, and she doesnt. We are starting to get her to budge, but its a slow process. She is afraid because every other marraige around her has failed and she doesnt want to regret anything. We explained that a marraige centered on Christ and the Gospel will still have its problems, but it wont fail. She still wants to wait. But funny enough, the bishop of her ward informed us that her baptismal record is missing, and that happens very rarely. its means she will have to get baptized again, but she cant if she is not living the law of chastity. It was definetly a wake up call for her, so we will see what happens. 

 

Im coming up with nothing here. Maybe its cause my head feels twice as big as normal, but i cant recall too much else that happened this week. We have zone conference this week, and ive never been so excited for one. Mostly because i will be getting my blanket!

 

Well i hope everyone has a fantastic week. Oh ya, i completed a year in mexico this past week, same day as Thanksgiving. Peace everyone.

Love,

 

Elder Kitterman

November 21 2011

Hey everyone,

 

So i have a lot i suppose i should be able to write about this week. lets see if i can remember it all.

 

So changes were strange because we all thought I was staying and elder Matinez was going. pres had pretty much told him he would be going to merida next transfer, but it all worked out great. He as a lot to do back there in Champton and Im moving on looking forward. My new area is really sweet. For the first time I have more than one branch or ward. I have 2 wards, but one is at the point of being absorbed by the other because saddly very little attend each week. when we started the sevices, there was 14 including us. I have no idea how it became a ward in the first place. The area itself, is well, dead. Another one of those "start from scratch" situations. The Elder i replaced went home like i mentioned, and my new comp, Elder Jiminez from Puebla, is going home on the 16th of Dec. He tells me eveyday. Its not too hard to get him to work. He is a grea elder with a lot of expierence and love for the people. We work well together.

 

My last week in Champoton we had a lot of really cool expierences like long time investigators going around church telling members that they were going to be baptized in one or two weeks and just things like makes a missionary float. Im excited for those things to happen here soon. We did a lot a looking this week, which always can get interesting. We taught a lady who only let us in because i said i wanted to play with her puppy. She made the turn around, or where at one point during the lesson she changes her attitude because she felt the spirit, and accepts it all as truth. But when we asked when we come back she said, "I dont know if I will accept you guys when you come back". and obvious "why" was asked, and she started telling us all about how she always lets good things into her life and then just rejects it all later. It was something ive never heard before and it caught us off guard. we launched into like another 30 minute lesson and it fainally all ended when i asked the question "would you let a friend back in" "yes, of course" she says. I reply "and im not your friend?" She laughs and says, "ok, its cool if you come back" It seemed like a lot of work for such a simple resolution. Sometimes we just have to be good friends to these people.

 

Our only investogator that is progresing is named Jesus. he doesnt have much, but does the best with what he has. he works and lives in a cemetary. Its a tiny little room, about 5 by 10 ft, and very dirty. When we teach him, we teach sitting on buckets and he puts down his clothes so our pants and bags dont get dirty. There is no words for the type of humility he has. One night, it was pretty hot and the bulb was right by my head and he sees that im sweating from it, so he reaches over and unscrews the bulb. Keep in mind we are in the middle of a mexican cemetary, at night. It freaked me out. This place is terrifying. But we continued to teach him there in the dark. then something amazing happened as we began teaching about baptism. He expressed to us his desire for baptism, and his face lit up. I could literally see his face as clear as day and all his expressions. It helped a lot because i was able to see by his reactions what it was he needed to hear or learn. It was startling, but very cool.

 

I bought my new camera today. For thos that dont know, the other was stolen a few weeks back. Im sending some pics i took in the cyber where we are at now of my district. The chubby one is my comp. the other two are another companionship, and yes that is Elder Gutierrez my old comp. we are in the same district again. its pretty bomb.

 

Ive learned that if we look back we can too easily loose track of the present, and miss out on the future. I will miss my last area, as i left right when all the fruits from our work were showing through, but i did the best i could there, and now look forward to my time here.

 

Congrats to Omar for his mission call! Atlanta.....hmmm i think ive got a buddy down there. Im sure you will see him! 

 

And lastly, but most importantly, my heart goes out to all the Elders in the McCallen Texas mission for their loss, as well as the family of those Elders. Its hard to think about how something like this would happen, but we are blessed to have the gospel and know that Gods plans are much bigger than anything we could ever come up with. Their blessing will be poured out in innumerables quanties Im sure. They will be missed and honored for their hard work and dedication. 

 

I love you all and hope you have a great week!   

Love,

 

Elder Kitterman