[editor's note: Elder Kelly is coming home Friday, March 20th. Maybe we'll get one more post out of him before he's back. I can't believe it's already been two years.
The boys have been counting down since day 60 or something. Less than two weeks. Woo hoo!]
Monday, March 9, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
February 2, 2009
Hey family!
Alright! A great week just flew by! This Sunday, we road tripped out to the field with the president and his wife to visit Saladillo. It was great! I love that little branch they are becoming very successful out there and it is such a blessing from the lord.
We also had a sister's conference for all the sister missionaries in our mission. There are 16. Wow what a great example they are, we really have awesome sister missionaries so full of faith and they are so diligent. It is a blessing to be able to be associated with such valiant people.
Today, we had our transfer meeting with the whole mission! It was a great success as we welcomed 5 new zone leaders and 11 new district leaders. 14 will be leaving this week and the new elders come in tomorrow and there are 4 of them so we had to close 5 areas this transfer. I love the transfer meeting and being able to report how the mission is doing. Especially when the lord is blessing us and we are doing well.
Another fun part was the new technical equipment that the stake center just got that we were able to utilize. I got to use a wireless clip on mic that was way fun. I clipped it on behind my tie so no one could see it and nobody knew where the mic was. It was pretty good.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is true and in it comes the power to change lives in this life and give eternal life. I know it because if witnessed it. Those who don't know so need only to test it in private with faith, and they will come to know by the power of the holy ghost. It is so simple.
God promised it, try him! I love serving the Lord, thank you for your prayers,
Elder Kelly
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
January 13, 2009
Hello family
Its been a long time... far too long and I'm sorry about that,
Anyways... last week was one of the most memorable weeks of the mission. My companion Elder Pollock and I were given a special assignment by president to go out to the little towns in the countryside and investigate and do splits with the missionaries out there and finally to be present at the first meeting in the town of Saladillo for the first time in 15 years!
We left on thursday night and thursday through Saturday we visited the missionaries of the towns of Lobos, 25 de Mayo, and Chivilcoy, as well as investigated the little town of Navarro to see if it was a place where perhaps we could send missionaries. After a serious migraine and a couple side-of-the-road throw up instances we knew that nothing could stop us, as finally Saturday afternoon we pulled into the town of Saladillo.
There, waiting for us were Elder Singleton (a dear friend who recently left the offices) and Elder Cataldo, a great Elder from Chile who is going home this transfer. After settling down for 5 minutes unpacking the 20 chairs, and looking through the Apartment/Chapel to see how we would set it up for Sunday, we set out to invite all of the old members and new investigators to church, E. Singleton and I went together in the car, and Elder Pollock with Elder Cataldo.
We went through 10 names on the old members list but the problem is that those who were members 15 years ago had either grown-up, moved out, or died. Finally with about five minutes before we were to meet up with the other elders we passed by this last family where we found and taught Julio, an inactive 18 year old who was very excited that Saladillo had the church again! We then the 4 of us elders (corn field photo) went out to visit the family Quiroga who were absolutely excellent. We watched the restoration movie and we all felt the spirit very strongly and the 5 of them all committed to coming to church. So we finished the night with many people committed to come to the first sacrament meeting.
The morning finally came... and the church was to start at 10. We prepared all of the rooms, the outside, and the sacrament. We made all the calls and the district presidents counselor arrived 15 minutes early. The family that came from a nearby branch to support us arrived. But no-one. By 5 minutes to 10 no-one from saladillo still and the Elders got back with the car from searching for people without and luck. Suddenly at 9:56 people started coming. The family Quiroga, the investigator family, the Sister Nini who had been praying for the church to come back for years. Another investigator family, Soon the rooms was filled with investigators and members and even though it was very hot we knew that we had been greatly blessed by the Lord.
In the end, 23 people came to the meeting 2 arriving right at the end filling up every seat we had. To put it in prespective, other branches in the district the same day had an attendance of 15 or 10. But the most important of all was the incredible spirit that was felt as old members bore their testimonies of the truthfulness of the restoration of the gospel. What an absolute blessing it was to participate in such a meeting. At the end the four of us elders knelt in pray to give gratitude for what we had witnessed and we were off home again to give a report to the President.
Oh and that night the President had arranged for Elder Pollock and I to have dinner with Elder Pollock's good friend who came down from Utah to deliver a camera. Great times. The gospel of Jesus Christ is true, it has the power to change lives and give true happiness.
I love you all and will talk to you soon!
Elder Kelly
photos
1. Elders Pollock, Singleton, Cataldo and I as the sunsets in the feilds of the Quiroga family.
2. The four of us, very content after the meeting on Sunday in the back row of the chapel/apartment
3. The Saladillo group after sacrament meeting (its not a branch quite yet)
Dec 30, 2009 (email to Mom Kelly)
[Editor's Note: in lieu of his blog updates, here's an email from his mom]
Anyways, this week was probably the most craziest of my life! We were running and planning and teaching and preparing! It still hasn't quite settled down yet, but this next week things should settle at least a little bit.
My companion is such a great elder, were good friends and it maks the work so much more fun when you get along well with your companion. We have zone conferences all week long and then at the end my companion and I will drive out to the country side to do divisiones with a few elders out there and to open up a branch. Pretty exciting!
On Sunday we went to the hospital where one of our elders was sick. What happened is that he passed out in church so they brought him to the closest place. What you have to understand is that he is in the most ghetto part of the mission and the members and his latin companion brought him to the public health care or free hospital. It was inconceivable, Dirty diseased hairless street dogs walked in and out freely and I had to try to block them from entering where the patients were. It literally was just like a dirty jail. There was blood on the walls, the doctors did not care about anything and were wearing jeans. The sheets on the beds hadn't been washed obviously for months. I felt so bad for the people for whom this is their only choice.
We immediately talked to the man who was supposed to have been the doctor upon arrival and told him we were leaving, but he wouldn't take the IV out. My companion was super persistent until finally the doctor put down his ice cream and had a police officer come over to ask what we would do with the Elder and where we would take him. Finally, we got him out and everything ended up all right.
That was my story for the week. I love you!! Talk to you later! Happy New Year!
Elder Kelly
Anyways, this week was probably the most craziest of my life! We were running and planning and teaching and preparing! It still hasn't quite settled down yet, but this next week things should settle at least a little bit.
My companion is such a great elder, were good friends and it maks the work so much more fun when you get along well with your companion. We have zone conferences all week long and then at the end my companion and I will drive out to the country side to do divisiones with a few elders out there and to open up a branch. Pretty exciting!
On Sunday we went to the hospital where one of our elders was sick. What happened is that he passed out in church so they brought him to the closest place. What you have to understand is that he is in the most ghetto part of the mission and the members and his latin companion brought him to the public health care or free hospital. It was inconceivable, Dirty diseased hairless street dogs walked in and out freely and I had to try to block them from entering where the patients were. It literally was just like a dirty jail. There was blood on the walls, the doctors did not care about anything and were wearing jeans. The sheets on the beds hadn't been washed obviously for months. I felt so bad for the people for whom this is their only choice.
We immediately talked to the man who was supposed to have been the doctor upon arrival and told him we were leaving, but he wouldn't take the IV out. My companion was super persistent until finally the doctor put down his ice cream and had a police officer come over to ask what we would do with the Elder and where we would take him. Finally, we got him out and everything ended up all right.
That was my story for the week. I love you!! Talk to you later! Happy New Year!
Elder Kelly
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
December 16, 2008
[Editor's Note: he says sorry that he hasn't been getting his weekly blog updates in. He's really busy and always short on time on Tuesday]
Hello everyone!
I know its been quite some time and I apologize. We just finished our yearly Christmas activity and it went great! We had a talent show, a big lunch, a contact competition, and a gift exchange and a devotional. It was quite eventful. The night before we homed 20 missionaries who came in from the country to spend the night for the activity. We also had a very nice night with a missionary couple.
Wednesday, we are sending off another mission couple from the airport. Thursday we plan all of the transfers. On Friday we finish planning and then do the temple and the mission tour with the Elders who are going home.. my companion included. Then lots of other things as usual.
I enjoy being tired after a long day of service to the Lord, it's a great feeling. I wish I had more to tell you, but honestly everything is just going great! The mission is on fire right now having lots of success and being blessed. I really love the missionaries and am grateful to be able to serve however I can.
I hope you have a great week before Christmas.
Love you all,
Elder Kelly
Hello everyone!
I know its been quite some time and I apologize. We just finished our yearly Christmas activity and it went great! We had a talent show, a big lunch, a contact competition, and a gift exchange and a devotional. It was quite eventful. The night before we homed 20 missionaries who came in from the country to spend the night for the activity. We also had a very nice night with a missionary couple.
Wednesday, we are sending off another mission couple from the airport. Thursday we plan all of the transfers. On Friday we finish planning and then do the temple and the mission tour with the Elders who are going home.. my companion included. Then lots of other things as usual.
I enjoy being tired after a long day of service to the Lord, it's a great feeling. I wish I had more to tell you, but honestly everything is just going great! The mission is on fire right now having lots of success and being blessed. I really love the missionaries and am grateful to be able to serve however I can.
I hope you have a great week before Christmas.
Love you all,
Elder Kelly
Sunday, November 30, 2008
November 25, 2008
[Editor's Note: I post Elder Kelly's blog emails as often as he sends them...He has just focused on writing everyone back personally that he saves those for last, and if he doesn't have time, he tries to make time later.
In the meantime, here are a few photos he just sent...enjoy!]
In the meantime, here are a few photos he just sent...enjoy!]
Thursday, November 13, 2008
October 28, 2008
Hello family!Another week in glorious paradise Buenos Aires Argentina. After another couple of weeks have gone by I´ve finally been able to write a blog email. Again, I apologize for the tardiness of my email.
Anyways another great week has come and gone here, and some crazy things have happened, to me no, but to the mission yes. 3 Elders got robbed and 2 beat up this week, but don't worry they're ok. And don't worry about me, I'm in the offices!
We have had sudden changes or transfers this week and other events that help keep us on our toes. Today after dealing with some issues the President invited us to go play Golf!!! It was soo excellent! President loves to play and he and I helped to teach the other 5 elders how to play as many had never before swung a golf club. It was incredible to see how well and fast they progressed and the President and I didn't play to poorly ourselves each making par on 3 holes and hitting 3 out of 6 regulation greens. It´s not PGA caliber but it's good enough!
We have interviews tomorrow and thursday, and then on Friday we will be getting our new Apartment Specialist. We will also be going out to the farthest areas of our mission for a district conference with next week and will have 5 stake conferences in 6 weeks.
We have Lots of things to do over the next two weeks so please pray for us and the President so we can accomplish everything. I really do love the work, and it is work as a prophet once said. I love the Lord and the gospel, thanks for your prayers and support.
I will write you later and have a great week,
Elder Kelly
Sunday, October 12, 2008
October 7, 2008
Hello family
How is everyone?!? I'm doing very well and I'm sorry for not having written in so long. Last week on P-day we were at the airport picking up the new elders. It was actually an excellent experience. We picked up 5 americans and 12 Latin Americans including 4 sister missionaries. It's such a great day for me and it makes me remember my first day! They are always so excited and its great to feel that MTC experience again.
The day after we had the dinner for the returning missionaries. That's a different experience but still excellent. It's great to see missionaries complete their missions and to be a part of their last day.
Yesterday, we had the meeting with the Zone leaders and it went very well. There was a very strong spirit felt. We spoke about what we need to do to be the best mission in the world. It was really very inspiring and great to see all the Zone leaders, my old friends and companions.
This week we have a lot of meetings and interviews planned so we´ll be in and out of the offices alot. This transfer is going to be a great one I can really feel it! Ah yes and on Monday Elder Nelson from the 12 will be coming to our mission! I'm very excited.
Speaking of which, wasn't conference excellent! So many wonderful talks, I wouldn't be able to choose a favorite. If you didn't go to all the sessions, I exhort you to go online and watch them during some free time or during lunch, you´ll be extremely glad you did! 4 new temples too!
Well family I have to go but I love you all and i'll talk to you soon!!
Elder Kelly
Misión Buenos Aires Oeste
September 23, 2008
Hello family!
I´m sorry for having missed a week. I've been a bit busy as of late.
Well I´ve almost seen all of the mission now. We went to Luján yesterday for interviews. It is great to be able to work with all of the Elders so close and get to help them with their work. I´ve developed a love and admiration for all the missionaries for the effort they put forth daily.
Last week we were able to go on divisions with the Zone Leaders from the Castelar Zone (zone of parque leloir). It was great! One of the zone leaders is Brazilian and the other was my old apartment mate so it was great to work together with them. They are two great elders! Personally I loved working again in the field. It was nice to be able to go out and just do the work for a day. I really do enjoying the every day work.
Other news, we got a new van and it is intense. It's like a mini bus. It has swivel sit and everything! Really hightech. The only problem is that everything is written in German because its a VW so we cant understand when a warning flashes up.
Anyways, I hope everything is well at home. I love you all! Have a great week!
Elder Kelly
I´m sorry for having missed a week. I've been a bit busy as of late.
Well I´ve almost seen all of the mission now. We went to Luján yesterday for interviews. It is great to be able to work with all of the Elders so close and get to help them with their work. I´ve developed a love and admiration for all the missionaries for the effort they put forth daily.
Last week we were able to go on divisions with the Zone Leaders from the Castelar Zone (zone of parque leloir). It was great! One of the zone leaders is Brazilian and the other was my old apartment mate so it was great to work together with them. They are two great elders! Personally I loved working again in the field. It was nice to be able to go out and just do the work for a day. I really do enjoying the every day work.
Other news, we got a new van and it is intense. It's like a mini bus. It has swivel sit and everything! Really hightech. The only problem is that everything is written in German because its a VW so we cant understand when a warning flashes up.
Anyways, I hope everything is well at home. I love you all! Have a great week!
Elder Kelly
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