September 11, 2008

Hello family,

I’m sorry for not having written this week. We had meetings early and had to go to capital so I was only able to send off a few emails.

The office life is going great! I’m adjusting very well and really enjoy getting to know all the missionaries and the President better. The transition is still a little rough at times. I feel like going out and doing normal mission work but then I just have to remember what the Lord called me to do and depend on him.

We just finished all of the zone conferences for the transfer and now we are doing all of the meetings with the stake presidents in the area and the interviews for the missionaries. We go with the President to do them all. I have an area to work in but I’ve been in the offices for almost four weeks and have yet to step foot in my area… maybe someday.

My companion is a great Elder and assistant and I am learning a lot from him. I’m having to re-learn all the skills I once had such as driving, eating politely, counting, speaking English and other simple skills learned in 1st grade.

No real stories as of yet.

The mission is still improving as a whole and we are working very hard to see that the growth continues. Oh yes, we threw a surprise birthday party for the mission president and his wife! It was excellent. Elder Steele the mission secretary made an excellent cake, and we all ordered ice cream. It was lots of fun.

Anyways, I love you all, thanks for your support and prayers!

Elder Kelly
Misión Buenos Aires Oeste

September 2, 2008

Hello!

This was a great week. Things are settling in quite nicely in th offices of the mission. I'm enjoying learning and working with all sorts of Elders from all parts of North and South America. I was able to visit a family from my first area on Sunday for lunch. They are a great family and it was so great to see them again and remember the times we had shared over a year ago. It's strange for me to think of how long I have been here when it doesn't seem like any time at all!

All week we were doing Interviews, zone leader´s conference, zone conferences and other interviews and meetings. I have so much love and respect for the president. I'm sure you already are but if not, please pray for him and his wife. They are learning an entirely new language and running a mission,they could use all the prayers they can get. They are doing a great job and I know President Benton is truly an inspired leader. It's been great to learn from him over this last week.

On Sunday, we had a meeting here in the offices of the mission with Pres. Benton, 7 stake presidents, and Elder Ávila an Area 70. My comp and I translated for the president and gave a presentation on the mission´s focuses. It went very well. Many things happened but I'm very busy so I'll have to tell a story next week.

I love you all, thanks for you prayers!

Elder Kelly
CASEROS II
Misión Buenos Aires Oeste